Canadian Soldiers Train in Northern Ontario

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Feb. 12, 2016) - Approximately 900 Canadian Army Regular and Reserve Force soldiers, Royal Canadian Air Force personnel, and Canadian Rangers from across Ontario will be training in Pickle Lake and thirteen Northern Ontario communities, from February 13 to 21, as part of field training Operation TRILLIUM RESPONSE 2016.

This training is designed to increase the operational readiness by providing a realistic and challenging scenario for the personnel of 4^th Canadian Division/Joint Task Force Central in order to enhance their knowledge and skills in a remote area during winter months. The intent is to also build and strengthen relationships with the Northern Communities and other Government Departments.

The Royal Canadian Air Force will be supporting the training by providing airlift of troops and equipment as well as aerial surveillance. The military aircraft and crews are from Royal Canadian Air Force squadrons based in Ontario, Northwest Territories and Quebec.

Each year, 4^th Canadian Division/Joint Task Force Central conducts major field training in the province of Ontario to test its ability to provide military assistance to civil authorities. Named the TRILLIUM RESPONSE series, the training addresses a range of scenarios under varying environmental conditions. Operation TRILLIUM RESPONSE 2016 provides a realistic and challenging scenario by testing command and control mechanisms while working in remote areas of Northern Ontario.

Quick Facts

• Nearly 900 soldiers, Air Force personnel and Canadian Rangers will take part in Operation TRILLIUM RESPONSE 2016, sleep in Arctic tents and use Light Over Snow Vehicles (LOSV).
• 4^th Canadian Division includes Regular and Reserve Force units of Canadian Army in Ontario except for a portion of North-Western Ontario.
• The Canadian Army is committed to sustaining well-trained, well-equipped and well-led units to meet a diversity of challenges in any environment around the world.

Quotes

"Operation TRILLIUM RESPONSE 2016 is an important step in preparing our soldiers to operate in Northern Ontario, to hone skills and remain prepared to assist Canadians when and where military help is needed, setting the stage for success in any domestic operation or response to a Request for Assistance in those regions."

Brig.-Gen. Lowell Thomas

Commander, 4^th Canadian Division

Related Products

Canada's Northern Strategy

Canada First Defence Strategy

Associated Links

http://www.army-armee.forces.gc.ca/en/index.page

http://www.army-armee.forces.gc.ca/en/central/index.page

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lfca_multimedia

http://www.army-armee.forces.gc.ca/en/canadian-rangers/index.page