6,000+ CAF Members to Participate in MAPLE RESOLVE-16

By: David Pugliese, Defence Watch 

Over 6000 Canadian Forces personnel will participate in Exercise MAPLE RESOLVE 2016, the Canadian Army’s largest training event of the year. Exercise MAPLE RESOLVE will take place in Wainwright, Alberta, from May 23 to June 6.

The exercise is hosted by the Canadian Manoeuvre Training Centre and will provide Canadian Army soldiers, leaders, and other military personnel an opportunity to enhance their combat readiness, according to the army’s news release.

Equipment and Personnel before Ex. MAPLE RESOLVE-15 (Canadian Forces - Flickr)

The training will confirm the readiness of 1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group (1 CMBG); 1 CMBG to assume its responsibilities as the Canadian Army’s High Readiness brigade on July 1.

During the exercise Canadian soldiers serving with 1 CMBG based in Edmonton, Alberta and Shilo, Manitoba will train with elements of the Royal Canadian Air Force, the United States Army, U.S. National Guard, U.S. Army Reserves, U.S. Marine Corps, and the British Army. Allied participation will involve over 1200 soldiers from the U.S. military and approximately 150 soldiers from the British Army, according to the news release.

3500 CAF Members set to participate in EX PROMETHEAN RAM

DND Press Release:

April 4, 2016 – Ottawa – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces

Approximately 3500 soldiers from the Canadian Army’s 1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group (1 CMBG) will take part in Exercise PROMETHEAN RAM in Wainwright, Alberta, from April 6 to May 5, 2016. This training is an important component of operational preparations for the Edmonton and Shilo-based military personnel.

Exercise PROMETHEAN RAM is a key step in the Canadian Army’s preparation for Exercise MAPLE RESOLVE 16 and the “Road to High Readiness” training program, which prepares soldiers for domestic or expeditionary deployments, as mandated by the Government of Canada.

Exercise PROMETHEAN RAM is a live-fire exercise that verifies the Brigade’s offensive and defensive combat capabilities in a deployed environment. Soldiers of 1 CMBG will emerge from this demanding exercise as a highly cohesive team, having refined their battlefield skills, synchronized their combined arms effects, and expanded confidence in their weapon systems.

“Exercise PROMETHEAN RAM is critical to preparing our soldiers for the full spectrum of operational tasks. The exercise’s challenging live-fire training will enhance the fundamental soldier skills of our troops, build their warrior spirit, and increase their confidence with the Brigade’s weapons systems.”  Brigadier-General Trevor Cadieu, Commander, 1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group

Quick Facts

Exercise PROMETHEAN RAM involves artillery, armour, engineer, infantry, tactical helicopter, logistical, and medical components training by day and by night.

Exercise PROMETHEAN RAM ensures that 1 CMBG is prepared for the next High Readiness exercise, MAPLE RESOLVE, which is the culminating event that will confirm the Brigade’s operational readiness. 

Starting in July 2016, 1 CMBG will serve as Canada’s High Readiness Brigade, prepared to provide troops from the individual to the Brigade level for the full spectrum of operational tasks, including security force assistance and combat.

Exercise MAPLE RESOLVE is the pinnacle of the Army’s yearly training. Hosted by the Canadian Manoeuvre Training Centre in Wainwright, Alberta, and taking place from May 12 to June 17, 2016, it is the final validation exercise before a Task Force is declared ready to deploy on either domestic or international operations.

Canadian Army Begins Arctic Warfare Training

DND Press Release:
February 8, 2016

OTTAWA — Starting today until early March, approximately 2,500 Canadian Army soldiers from the Regular Force, Primary Reserve and the Canadian Rangers, will be training in several areas of Canada’s North. The Canadian Army aims to maintain and sharpen its operational capabilities in austere Arctic environments.

CAF Members during Arctic Warfare Training. Undated Photo (CAF Combat Camera)

The Canadian Army maintains readiness and continues to enhance its ability to operate in the North by training in highly challenging conditions in some of Canada’s most isolated regions. Troops will develop and test their advanced cold-weather survival skills, as well as prepare for quick responses to simulated threats and domestic emergencies, such as natural disasters, extreme weather events and other hazards. Highlights of the exercises will include parachute jumps and engagement involving remote First Nations communities.

The exercises offer soldiers a valuable opportunity to collaborate with the Canadian Rangers, local communities, as well as other government departments and agencies. Soldiers from the United States Army National Guard, the New Zealand and Polish Armed Forces have also been invited to take part in the training in an effort to strengthen interoperability between Canada and these nations. 

At the same time: 

Close to 900 soldiers will be participating in Exercise UNIFIED RESOLVE 1601 (Ex UR 16) in Edmonton, Alberta, from February 8 to 12, 2016.

Ex UR 16 is a key step in the Canadian Army’s preparation for Exercise MAPLE RESOLVE 16 and the Road to High Readiness training program. Approximately half of the participating soldiers will come from 1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group, while the remainder will be made up of other Canadian Army units from around the country.

The Road to High Readiness is the Canadian Army’s flagship training regime that prepares soldiers for national or expeditionary deployments, as mandated by the Government of Canada. The goal of the training is to generate a competent, confident and integrated Army brigade that can provide scalable, mission-tailored and responsive forces for full spectrum operations.

Ex UR 16 provides a simulated environment making it possible to virtually represent the movements and manoeuvres of units and troops, without the participants actually deploying to a training area.