M109 SP gun

[maple_leaf_eh]

I was in a lineup somewhere sometime and noticed the man in front of me was wearing something identifying him to the RCEME tribe. I said hello and inquired about his service. He was a retired CWO maintainer whose last job included demilitarizing the M109 fleet.

He explained that one of the most frustrating things DND had to deal with, was many of the parts were classed as controlled goods. A rubber skirt or sheet metal panel for instance, was nothing special except the bolt or an angle fitting had a NATO stock number traced back to the US. Arms Control agreements prevented the Canadians from simply and efficiently scrapping that part without permissions, destruction declarations and witnesses. Quite the business!

The line moved or he got his drink and we finished the conversation.