Defence Team News Interview on Ex RANGER TRACKER, with Maj Charlie Ohlke and MCpl Jason Hunter
Video / September 28, 2022
Transcript
GG: In celebration of the Canadian Rangers 75th anniversary, 3 CRPG completed exercise RANGER TRACKER, a 13 day freighter canoe voyage from Parry Sound in Georgian Bay to Ottawa. Today we're joined by Major Charlie Ohlke and Master Corporal Jason Hunter, to tell us more about the historic expedition.
GG: Can you tell me a little bit about the exercise?
CO: Yes, exercise RANGER TRACKER is an annual training exercise we do to confirm ground search and rescue skills. This year we've combined it with the 75th anniversary, bringing Rangers from up North to navigate the waterways of the South.
GG: And what some of the skills that the Canadian Rangers acquire over the course of the voyage?
CO: During the course of this voyage, we will be practicing safe watercraft skills, and we'll be conducting first aid training for first responders.
GG: So, why is it important to develop watercraft skills specifically in northern Ontario?
CO: A significant portion of our ground search and rescue operations have an element of access by water, so it's important for Rangers to understand how to safely operate watercraft in the North.
GG: And what would you say was the most challenging part of the exercise?
CO: One of the most challenging parts of exercise is definitely the crews working together, as we have Rangers from all over northern Ontario making new comrades, working together as a team on a single boat.
GG: So can you tell us a bit about the canoes, and why they've been selected for this exercise?
JH: The canoes are by Nor-West company, and they're 24 feet long, made of wood, and they can carry a load of 5000 pounds. And they're great for traversing wide open waters.
GG: And how has your experience been so far in the last 11 days?
JH: It's been eye-opening and it's also been positive. I've been having a great time out here. It's a bit different from traveling in northern Ontario waters, and it's different in southwestern Ontario waters. It's been good, having a good time, learning new things learning how to travel around the buoys and through lift locks, rather than depending on the tide back home.
GG: Thank you so much for joining us today.
JH: Thank you. My pleasure.
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