Canadian Armed Forces Training in Meaford

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Aug. 16, 2013) - Approximately 1,500 Canadian soldiers fro m Regular and Reserve units across Ontario will be training in the vicinity of Meaford, Ontario, from August 17 to 25, as part of Exercise STALWART GUARDIAN 2013.

The exercise is designed to increase the operational readiness by providing a realistic and challenging scenario for the personnel of 4^th Canadian Division in order to hone their knowledge and skills and remain prepared to assist Canadians when and where military help is needed.

"Exercise STALWART GUARDIAN 2013 will provide an op portunity for soldiers of 4^th Canadian Division to continue to build on their skills learned from their trades training," said Brig.-Gen. Omer Lavoie, Commander 4^th Canadian Division. "The men and women of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) are proud and ready to assist fellow Canadians with rapid reaction and immediate effect on the ground as required in order to provide assistance to citizens and communities," he added.

Each year, the men and women of 4^th Canadian Division, conduct individual training courses to enhance their personal military skill sets. These courses are followed by a major field training exercise designed to test their collective abilities at the Territorial Battalion Group. Named the STALWART GUARDIAN series of exercises, they address a range of scenarios under varying environmental conditions. Exercise STALWART GUARDIAN 2013 provides a realistic and challenging scenario for JTFC personnel by testing command and control mechanisms in a dynamic battle space.

4^th Canadian Division is the Canadian Army formation in the majority of Ontario. The mission of 4^th Canadian Division is to generate and maintain, at designated states of readiness, combat capable, multi-purpose land forces to meet Canada's defence objectives, both at home and abroad.

Note to Editors/News Directors:

For more information or to arrange for interviews, please contact: Captain Carrie Pluck at 4 Canadian Division Public Affairs, Tel: (416) 633-6200, ext. 5501; Cell: (416) 629-8277.