Southern Ontario Army Reservists Train on Multi-National Exercise

LONDON, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - June 11, 2012) - Approximately 45 reserve soldiers from 31 Canadian Brigade Group, the army units in south-western Ontario, will participate in a multi-national exercise scheduled for June 10 - 22, 2012, at multiple training areas in Estonia and Latvia.

Exercise Saber Strike 2012 is a U.S. Army Europe-led event involving approximately 2,000 personnel from eight countries. This, the second year of the Saber Strike exercise program, is part of an ongoing cooperative training effort primarily focused on the three nations of the Baltic States: Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia. This exercise prepares participants to operate successfully in a joint, multinational, integrated environment with support from civil and governmental agencies in a host-nation.

"This training exercise provides a relevant and exciting opportunity for our reservists who make a vital contribution to the Canadian Forces and its missions at home and abroad," said Col. Mark Campbell, Commander of 31 Canadian Brigade Group. "This exercise provides 31 Canadian Brigade Group soldiers with a venue to showcase Canadian operational experience and contribute to the operational effectiveness of our NATO allies working in a multi-national environment."

Exercise Saber Strike 2012 will consist of situational training exercises and a field training exercise taking place at the Adazi training area, Latvia. A command post exercise will be conducted at various sites in Estonia, including one near Tapa. The exercise includes military participation from Canada, Estonia, Finland, France, Latvia, Lithuania, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Army reservists train part-time throughout the year while maintaining civilian careers or attending school. Many take time off work or use their vacation days to attend exercises or operations at home and abroad. Some of the soldiers on the exercise have already served overseas, having put their civilian lives on hold and leaving their families for periods as long as 12 months.

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