CAF and OPP conducting Explosive Training in Ontario

By: David Pugliese, The Ottawa Citizen

Exercise ARDENT DEFENDER staged two counter-explosive threat scenarios in Meaford, ON, on October 10 and 11 as police and military personnel from a number of organizations tested their skills in dealing with explosive threats.

One scenario involved a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device at the harbour front and the other involved explosive devices found in a building and drew upon the HAZMAT response expertise of local emergency services, according to information provided by the Canadian military. Local, county, and regional emergency responders took part alongside Canadian and international soldiers and observers.

The exercise continues at CFB Borden and 4 CDTC Meaford until October 19. The exercise gives Canadian Armed Forces soldiers an opportunity to work with domestic and international partners in a series of realistic and challenging scenarios, according to the military.

Exercise ARDENT DEFENDER 2018 includes participation from various Canadian police agencies and other government departments, including Global Affairs Canada, the Ontario Provincial Police, the Peel Regional Police, the York Regional Police, the Niagara Regional Police, and the Sûreté du Québec. Other participants include the Canadian Coast Guard at Meaford Harbour Station), Grey-Bruce Regional Health Services and Hamilton Police Services. Various staff from the Municipality of Meaford are also involved.

Twenty-five nations are represented at the exercise and the NATO Centre of Excellence is hosting international doctrinal working groups at Canadian Forces Base Borden during the exercise, the Canadian Forces noted. Additionally, Defence Research and Development Canada has sent a number of defence scientists to the exercise to field test new technologies and to gain feedback from the soldiers and operators who use explosive ordnance search and disposal equipment.


Below are photos of the exercise, courtesy of the Canadian Forces:

Canadian Army Reservists prepare for Exercise ARROWHEAD CALM

DND Press Release:
April 13, 2016 – Ottawa – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces

Approximately 500 Canadian Army Reserve Force soldiers from 31 Canadian Brigade Group (31 CBG) will practice their combat skills from April 15 to 17, 2016, at the 4th Canadian Division Training Centre in Meaford, Ontario, as a part of Exercise ARROWHEAD CALM 2016.

Reservists from across the brigade will practice operational planning and the execution of tactical infantry, armoured reconnaissance, and combat engineer tasks. Logistical and communications support to the exercise will also be provided by 31 CBG. Core training events such as Exercise ARROWHEAD CALM 2016 strengthen soldiers’ capability to operate effectively at home and abroad.

“Exercise ARROWHEAD CALM 2016 will allow Canadian Army Reservists to practice operational planning and the execution of tactical tasks in order to hone their skills as soldiers and leaders. Reserve Force soldiers are vital members of our fighting force and they continuously distinguish themselves through their commitment and enthusiasm.” Colonel Kevin Bertoia, Commander, 31 Canadian Brigade Group

Exercise ARROWHEAD CALM 2016 is a work-up training event, designed to practice infantry, armoured reconnaissance, and engineer tasks in advance of large-scale collective training under Exercise STALWART GUARDIAN 2016, which takes place in August. 

Canadian Army Reservists play a fundamental role in meeting the operational needs of the Canadian Army by contributing to security and defence requirements across Canada and internationally. They constitute a significant portion of Canada’s deployed forces.

31 Canadian Brigade Group, with its headquarters in London, Ontario, leads Army Reserve units in the area spanning Windsor, Hamilton, Owen Sound, and Barrie, Ontario.

4th Canadian Division Training Centre in Meaford, Ontario, hosts Regular Force and Reserve Force soldiers, as well as a variety of other countries’ military units and non-military agencies. On a weekly average, over 600 soldiers conduct training primarily in field craft, offensive and defensive operations, weapons handling drills, and the necessary tactics, techniques, and procedures to employ these skills in a combat setting.