Former SSF Members (Petawawa) 1977-1995

[wildman0101]

Looking for all former member's of the SSF formed in Petawawa. The Special Service
Force was formed in Apr 1977.

Special Service Force consisted of:

Special Service Force
From www.canadiansoldiers.com
The Special Service Force (SSF) was created on 1 Apr 2021
after the disbandment of 2 Combat Group. The SSF was a
brigade-sized organization based at CFB Petawawa,
made up of:

The Canadian Airborne Regiment
1st Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment
8th Canadian Hussars (P.L.)xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
2nd Regiment Royal Canadian Horse Artillery

The brigade was a light, air-transportable force with an
airborne capability that could be inserted quickly into
any national or international theatre of operations. The
role of the Special Service Force (SSF) had not changed
significantly by 1943, when, according to DND, its role
was "to provide general purpose, combat-ready land
forces in accordance with assigned tasks."

Uniform Insignia
The brigade's insignia featured a winged dagger, similar
to that worn by the British Special Air Service.

This Brigade was reformed in 1977 after the original
......First Special force of the 2nd World War known as......
                         
                    "The Devils Brigade".

I'am currently looking for all former member's of the SSF
and I'm hoping to form an association. A very unique band
of brother's. Our history is not well known, as a combined
force's Brigade. All input irregardless will be well recieved.
Thank-You. Oson's (we dare)
Best Regard's all,
Scoty B.

 

[aesop081]

The Canadian Airborne Regiment
1st Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment
8th Canadian Hussars (P.L.)xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
2nd Regiment Royal Canadian Horse Artillery

You are forgetting a few.......

 

[Jammer]

SSF HQ and Sigs
2 FD Amb
RCD
2 CER
427 Tac Hel Sqn (before SOAS)

 

[wildman0101]

Sorry,further to my last also included:
1st Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment
2 Field Ambulance
Royal Canadian Dragoons
2 Military Police Platoon
2 Combat Engineer Regiment
2nd Royal Canadian Horse Artillery
2 Service Battalion
2 Intelligence Platoon
427 Tactical Helicopter Squadron
22nd Air Defence Regiment
SSF HQ & Signals Squadron
Hope this cover's all.
Thanks,
Scoty B

 

[57Chevy]

Wildman
            I was posted from 3RCR to 2Cdo 01 Apr 77
            that would be from Petawawa to Petawawa ;D
            Are you a member of the CAFA ?

      "The brigade's insignia featured a winged dagger, similar
          to that worn by the British Special Air Service."

      Same as this one attached:

 

[wildman0101]

57chev,
      Sorry I'am not. I did wear the SSF Flash but i was 8-CH. Just a zipper-head.
      Cheer's,
      Scoty B

 

[57Chevy]

57chev,
      Sorry I'am not. I did wear the SSF Flash but i was 8-CH. Just a zipper-head.
      Cheer's,
      Scoty B

              Thought maybe you were an airborne gunner
    cheers to you too
            57C

 

[PMedMoe]

Hubby wore the "flying butter knife" as part of HQ & Sigs.

 

[Bin-Rat]

My Brother was 2 SSF, way back in the early 80's he was a MSEOP,
I will pass this information over to him, and he can take it from here..

 

[George Wallace]

My Brother was 2 SSF, ...........................

There was no such animal.  No such thing as 2 SSF.

 

[Jammer]

Maybe 2 Svc Bn?

 

[Bin-Rat]

Sorry wasn't thinking when I typed that, Yes he was 2 Svc Bn....

 

[X Royal]

I was in 1 RCR (London) from 78-81.
We also held the AMF role.

 

[wildman0101]

Hello All,
Thank-you for the responses. Appreciated. Basically I was thinking about starting
an association for SSF member's who served since it's inception in 1977. The SSF
was reformed in Petawawa after the 1st Special Service Force (the Devil's Brigade).
Anyway I was proud to wear the SSF Flash and being a (small) part of the history
associated with the 1st Special Service Force (The Devil's Brigade).
Thank-You and best regard's all,
Scoty B
P.S. Oson's (We Dare)

 

[Lance Wiebe]

Scoty;

I was there, as you know.  Many of us were on the parade where they officially "branded" us the SSF.  Many of the original members of the SSF from WWII were on the parade as well.

I've always thought that the concept of the SSF was flawed, basically a light Brigade, with the CAR, some light artillery and a troop of Lynx capable of being air dropped.  No direct fire weaponry, limited anti-tank capability and extremely limited anti-air capability. 

I really don't know what role the SSF could have taken in time of conflict.  If they were deployed in harms way, the above limitations, combined with limited resupply would have really limited the Force to a minor role.

The idea may have been a good one, but lack of proper equipment really hurt the whole plan.  I suppose it did give an excuse to keep the CAR as a fully formed Unit.

One thing you could say, we were an extremely fit Brigade!  Man, we did a lot of PT!

Lance

 

[xo31@711ret]

Hi Lance, I remember when I was a young pup in London during the early 80's, I was told we were the 'reaction' force up north (remember our Macco Norway ex's  ;D ) & that we were basically a minor speed bump to slow down the communist hoard es for 12 to 24 hours while the rest of NATO got it's proverbial sh*t together for the final battle. 

 

[marshall sl]

from youtube  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Br9HvOm7JXU

 

[Bruce Monkhouse]

2 RCHA 78-86

 

[wildman0101]

Lance,
          Yes i do remember that. And the PT. The old knee's are still reminding me LOL.
Bruce do you remember a fellow called Dad? He was 2 RCHA. Anyway went through
basic with him. Can't for the life of me remeber his name but I'am looking at some
pic's from (basic)  Cornwallis. I'll see if i can get them put on disk and upload.
Cheer's,
Scoty B
P.S. Quick Reaction Force 10-12 hrs to Germany. Right. On a Bug-out.

       

 

[57Chevy]

Of interest to SSF Members.
Joe Drouin offers a SSF lapel pin at a reasonable price
They have 2 models to choose from.