Two B.C. Canadian Ranger Patrols conduct ATV training exercise
October 11, 2024 - Pte Doug Zdanivsky, Quesnel Canadian Ranger Patrol, 4th Canadian Ranger Patrol Group
Canadian Rangers from the Quesnel and 100 Mile House Canadian Ranger Patrols (CRPs) recently participated in Exercise WELDWOOD from Aug. 23 to 26.
This Multiple Patrol Exercise was one of two annual field training exercises every Canadian Ranger Patrol conducts with logistical and command support from 4th Canadian Ranger Patrol Group headquarters in Victoria, B.C.
The exercise took place in the Keithley Creek, B.C. area, which is where the areas of operations for both Patrols meet. Both Patrols—comprising 26 total Rangers—set out from their respective communities and met at a designated forested staging area close to the Yanks Peak Recreational Trail.
The main objective of the training consisted of completing the Canada Safety Council ATV Training Course, given by Canadian Rangers from the 100 Mile House CRP who are certified ATV instructors.
Those who had already completed the course performed concurrent ATV patrols of the surrounding area, amassing info such as the state of bridges and possible mass staging areas or helicopter landing sites. This information is used to update each Patrol’s Local Area Resource Report, so that in the case of a search or wildfire the Patrols have the information on these areas ready to pass on to their chain of command. This ensures a plan of action can be formulated as quickly as possible.
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Canadian Rangers from the 100 Mile House Canadian Ranger Patrol (L-R) Private Cherie Nickel, Pte Michelle Riley and Pte Scott Gorman conduct an assessment on a bridge on a Forest Service Road.
Photo by Pte Doug Zdanivsky, Quesnel Canadian Ranger Patrol
The training culminated the next day in a challenging ATV recce of the alpine recreational trail, testing the units’ ability to maintain safety, and conduct proper convoy procedures and effective communications in large packets over rugged terrain. The entire exercise was also geared towards developing planning, organizational and logistical cooperation between the two Patrols.
“I was very impressed how well both our Patrols worked together,” said Private Joe Elliott of the Quesnel CRP. “Both Patrols brought their skills and experience to the exercise. It gave new riders like myself confidence and ability to complete our objectives. It also gave me an opportunity to learn more about our patrol area of operations.”
With each exercise, the Patrols improve the speed and efficiency with which Canadian Rangers can mobilize a response to emergencies in and around their communities, and remain a force multiplier for the Canadian Armed Forces in remote and sparsely populated areas around the country.
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The Quesnel and 100 Mile House Canadian Ranger Patrols are packed and ready to roll at the end of Exercise .
Photo by Pte Doug Zdanivsky, Quesnel Canadian Ranger Patrol
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The Quesnel and 100 Mile House Canadian Ranger Patrols on the move.
Photo by Pte Doug Zdanivsky, Quesnel Canadian Ranger Patrol