Exercises MERCURE DEROUILLEUR and MERCURE ASSURE-Headquarters and Signals Squadron Troops Will Take Over From Each Other Between Montreal and Quebec

VALCARTIER, QUEBEC--(Marketwired - April 25, 2016) - From April 25 to May 13, 2016, some 200 soldiers from Headquarters and Signals Squadron (HQ & Sigs) will participate in Exercises MERCURE DEROUILLEUR and MERCURE ASSURE. To ensure constant communications, two groups of 40 signalmen each will take turns between Montréal and Québec maintaining a connection with the main Command Post (CP) at Valcartier at all times.

The transmission of information is more than ever before the backbone of operations on today's battlefields. It is thus essential for the HQ & Sigs Sqn troops to maintain a high level of readiness and effectiveness.

Open doors

During training, the soldiers will take the opportunity to display weapons and vehicles to Joliette citizens on Saturday, May 7, and to Saint-Gabriel-de-Brandon residents on May 7 and 8, 2016 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome to this free family event.

Quick facts

• In addition to occupying a main CP installed in Valcartier Base's training areas, two HQ & SIGS Sqn groups will carry out a forward tactical operation by relieving each other progressively in the following municipalities:
  
  
  • Sainte-Sophie from April 30 to May 3 (Lafrance Mini-Excavation enr.)
  • Saint-Calixte from May 1 to 4 (event site: 45 Degrees North)
  • Sainte-Julienne from May 5 to 7 (exact location not yet determined)
  • Joliette from May 6 to 8 (Parc Louis-Querbes)
  • Saint-Félix-de-Valois from May 6 to 8 (Rang 1 Ramsay)
  • Saint-Gabriel-de-Brandon on May 7 and 8 (Auberge du Mont Lanaudière)
  • Nicolet on May 8 and 9 (General Dynamics)
  • Shawinigan (Grand-Mère area) on May 8 and 9 (Bionest Technologies inc.)
  • Batiscan on May 9 and 10 (305 Gendron Road)
  • Saint-Raymond from May 10 to 12 (Scouts and Guides of Quebec)

Quote

"From April 25 to May 13, 2016, Headquarters and Signals Squadron of 5 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group will deploy in the province of Quebec for Exercises MERCURE DEROUILLEUR and ASSURE. These exercises were put in place to validate the contingency plan for domestic operations when a domestic military operation has to be launched in the case of a crisis or a natural disaster. When the contingency plan is executed, HQ & SIGS deploys the communication and command infrastructure so that the authorities in place can rapidly coordinate the operations conducted by deployed personnel. These exercises will also give HQ & SIGS Sqn members the opportunity to practise the concept of forward HQ mobility in a tactical situation. Training will be carried out along the north and south shores of the St. Lawrence River and provide a realistic training environment for participants."

- Major Frédéric Lauzier, Commanding Officer Headquarters and Signals Squadron, 5 CMBG

Associated link

Photos of MERCURE DEROUILLEUR and MERCURE ASSURE: www.facebook.com/5gbmc