MacNeill, Marvin: my Afghanistan armoured experience (March 15, 2019)

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Interviewee: MacNeill, Marvin

ABSTRACT: This interview with WO MacNeill (Rt’d) provides us with an detailed look at the materialization of Canadian MBT deployment to Afghanistan. WO MacNeill joined the Canadian Forces while living in Germany during his adolescence and then returned home to Canada to begin his training as a MBT driver and commander. He has been qualified to operate multiple armoured platforms like the Leopard 1, the Leopard 2, the MI Abrams, the Coyote, the Scorpion etc. His two deployments to Afghanistan give insight into the physical aspects of tank deployment in both the Leopard C2 and the Leopard 2A4’s. Through this interview, WO MacNeill provides his opinions on the use of tanks in Afghanistan as well as first hand accounts of the operations undertaken alongside the provincial reconstruction teams in the 4th Rotation of Operation ATHENA. Topics like the effects of MBT’s on the battlefield, the training and tactics used, the technological advancements in the newest MBT’s deployed, limitations of the tanks and the future of Canadian Tanks are discussed. 00:00 – 8:13 Early life and motivations to join the Canadian forces, Motivations to join an armoured regiment, late 1990 and early 2000’s deployments prior to Afghanistan. 8:15 – 19:00 Process of becoming an armoured operator, training required to operate an MBT, general dynamic within an operational tank crew. 19:00 – 23:50 Opinions on the pursuit of Mobile Gun System to replace MBT’s, Limitations of the LAV III. 24:00 – 31:00 In depth look at the lessons learned in Afghanistan that led to the reversal of the Canadian position on tanks. 31:00 – 39:00 Daily life and missions in Afghanistan, opinions on the quality of training in preparing tanks crews for the Afghan deployment. 39:00 – 48:00 Explanation of the Process of switching MBTs from the Leopard C2 to the Leopard 2A4 and 2A6.. Discusses difference between equipment (the L44 vs. L55 gun) and the utility of older tanks during this process. 48:00 – 56:00 Explanation of combined arms teams, provincial reconstruction teams and the role MBT’s played in the two. Evaluation of the effectiveness of tanks in these dynamics. Nature of missions on operation ATHENA. 56:00 – 1:00:00 Effect the presence of tanks had on enemy and friendly forces. Evaluation of tactical and physical limitations of the tanks and the systems in place to mitigate these. 1:00:00 – 1:06:00 How the experiences were passed to tank crews rotating in, the prevalence of after-action reports. 1:06:00 – 1:17:20 opinion on the future of Canadian MBTs Suggested Clip(s) for Archive: 48:00 – 56:00 Explanation of combined arms teams, provincial reconstruction teams and the role MBT’s played in the two. Evaluation of the effectiveness of tanks in these dynamics. Nature of missions on operation ATHENA.

Interviewer: Murdoch, Calen

Rank: Warrant Officer.

An interview/narrative of Marvin MacNeill's experiences in Afghanistan. Interview took place on March 15, 2019 in Chilliwack, B.C.

In Collection:
Contributor Subject Language Date created Relation
  • Part of the Military Oral History Class collection of interviews.
Resource type Rights statement Extent
  • 1 sound recording (MP3)
Geographic coverage Coordinates
  • 51.5, 10.5
  • 33, 66
Additional physical characteristics
  • Original sound recordings (MP3) also available.
Physical repository Collection
  • Canadian Military Oral History Collection
Provider Genre Archival item identifier
  • MM_877
Fonds title Fonds identifier Is referenced by Date digitized
  • March 15, 2019
Technical note
  • Digital sound recording in .mp3 format at 192 kbps. Recorded in digital format by interviewer, technical and cataloguing metadata provided by JF. Interview recorded in digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2019. Migration metadata by KD and MT.
Rights
  • This interview has been posted with the understanding that it may be used for research purposes only. Should the interviewee or their heirs have any objections to this interview being accessible on the Internet, it will be removed promptly. Contact UVic Special Collections for permission if using for other than research purposes: speccoll@uvic.ca
DOI

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