VALCARTIER, QUEBEC--(Marketwired - Feb. 12, 2016) - A first group of some 120 soldiers left Quebec City yesterday for Poland to take part in Rotation 5 of Operation REASSURANCE.
The troops are mainly from 1 Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment, led by 5 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group based in Valcartier. A second group will leave later in February, bringing the total number of soldiers in the Operation REASSURANCE Land Task Force Contingent to around 220.
Quick facts
- Operation REASSURANCE shows Canada's unwavering commitment to its Allies in Central and Eastern Europe. The operation refers to Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) activities supporting NATO Reassurance Measures implemented in April 2014, including military capabilities for training, exercises, demonstrations and assigned NATO tasks.
- During Rotation 5 of the Operation REASSURANCE Land Task Force, soldiers will participate in various training activities to develop and enhance interoperability, readiness, joint operations capabilities and multinational responses to potential crises. The CAF response in support of NATO's request helps maintain security and stability in Central and Eastern Europe.
- The Canadian Army benefits from these training opportunities in Europe, which help military members improve interoperability with their NATO Allies, showcase their capabilities and demonstrate their leadership abilities.
- Canada is a strong NATO supporter and is committed to doing its part as a member of the Alliance. CAF members have been in Central and Eastern Europe since May 2014 as part of Operation REASSURANCE.
Quotes
"I am confident that, like the group before them, Valcartier military members will demonstrate their tremendous capability to the Allies and learn from their interactions. This will give them an opportunity, among other things, to enhance their tactical capabilities, while sharing their expertise with foreign soldiers, especially in planning and infantry."
Colonel Michel-Henri St-Louis, Commander of 5 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group
"Our soldiers are ready for their operation, which is to demonstrate to our Eastern and Central European Allies that Canada is ready to do its part. We take our responsibility of helping keep NATO members safe to heart, and 1 Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment, is proud to represent Canada abroad."
Major Eric Beauchamp, Operation REASSURANCE Land Task Force Commander
"I want to take this opportunity to thank the families of our military members, who have backed us in our preparations over the past few months and who will be a great source of support during deployment. The soldiers have worked hard on their training and are eager to start their work in Europe."
Master Warrant Officer Martin Higgins, Land Task Force Sergeant-Major for Operation REASSURANCE
Related links
- Information concerning Operation REASSURANCE: http://www.forces.gc.ca/en/operations-abroad/nato-ee.page
- Photos of Operation REASSURANCE: www.forcesimages.ca
Contact Information:
Assistant Public Affairs Officer,
5 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group
418 844-5000, ext 4688
affairespubliques.valcartier@forces.gc.ca