The lightweight combat utility tool, referred to in the regiment as "the tomahawk", is issued to each special forces operator. In addition to being an element of their operational equipment, the tomahawk represents the great contribution of Indigenous peoples in Canada to the development of irregular and special warfare. The origin of the steel tomahawk comes from the boarding axes used by Royal Marines during naval combat. The design of the head was a proven utility item and if needed a combat weapon. Its use flourished by both French and British frontiersman as well as a trade item to Indigenous peoples. The first European military uses in North America came from the original French Marine Militia dispatched to New France and later was an issued item among British colonial regiments, specifically the colonial-raised ranger regiments, one of the most famous of which was Captain Rogers' Rangers who conducted scout and special operations missions during the French and Indian War. During the War of American Independence Captain Rogers fought for Britain against the Continental Army.