Exercise UTRIA ASSAULT 2020 - Estonia
February 22, 2020 - Capt Rob Day
Congratulations are in order for both of the Canadian teams that participated in Exercise UTRIA ASSAULT 2020 from Jan. 16 to 19 in Estonia.
The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) sent two Long Range Reconnaissance Teams from 2nd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment (2 RCR) from Gagetown, N.B., and 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (3 PPCLI) from Edmonton, Alta.
Ex UTRIA ASSAULT is an annual long-range reconnaissance patrol competition held in the northern part of Estonia. This is the first year the CAF has participated in the competition. The competition was a grueling 115-kilometre march through mud, snow, swamps, sand and thick forest.
Both teams completed the competition in under 40 hours, placing 18th (3 PPCLI) and 24th (2 RCR) out of the 30 international teams participating in the competition.
Throughout the competition, the teams showed exceptional determination and overcame great obstacles—especially since this was their first time competing in this environment.
Overall, both CAF teams enjoyed the competition and camaraderie between the participating countries. When asked if they would do it again, all remained tight lipped and said, “It’s a once in a lifetime experience.”
Caption
The 1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group (1 CMBG) Command Team presented the Exercise UTRIA ASSAULT team with the Commander’s commendation to the team leader and coins to the members of the Brigade. Pictured are (L-R) 1 CMBG Sergeant Major Chief Warrant Officer Darren Hessell; Corporal Trevor Kelly; Commander 1 CMBG Colonel Bob Ritchie; Cpl Glen Martelle; Lieutenant-Colonel Adam Moore, Commanding Officer 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (3 PPCLI); Cpl Wesley Boissonneault; Cpl Tiaan DeJongh; and 3 PPCLI Regimental Sergeant Major CWO Jason Pickard. The presentation took place at the 3 PPCLI lines on Feb. 19.
Photo by Cpl Wes Pfneisl, 3rd Canadian Division Support Base Edmonton Imaging
Caption
Members of 2nd Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment (2 RCR) from Gagetown. Pictured are (L-R) Sergeant Jonathan Goss, Private Zach Weaver-Potter, Corporal Dylan Misseri and Cpl Kurtis Rutherford.
Photo by Capt Martin Diegel