Defence Team News with Major Rafe Mackenzie, J3 Joint Task Force Central, Commanding Officer, on Ex TRILLIUM DRAGON
Video / December 01, 2022
Transcript
Genevieve Germano: Today we're joined by Major Rafe MacKenzie, J3 for Joint Task Force Central, to learn more about Exercise TRILLIUM DRAGON, which recently took place at 4th Canadian Division Headquarters.
Can you tell us a little bit about Exercise TRILLIUM DRAGON, and speak on its importance?
Major MacKenzie: Exercise TRILLIUM DRAGON is the first of two exercises that we undertake at Joint Task Force Central. And it is for the initiation and training of Territorial Battalion Groups, which represent the Reserve Forces domestic response capability here. And it's extremely important because it is really the first opportunity for these Territorial Battalion Groups to get together, and to sink their teeth into, you know, a tactical problem tied to a domestic crisis and work through the staff processes.
Genevieve Germano: Can you give us some examples of tasks that were accomplished during the exercise?
Maj MacKenzie: During Exercise TRILLIUM DRAGON, the TBGs were able to address a myriad of tasks related to support to local communities in the face of an ice storm. So as a force of last resort, the Canadian Armed Forces, in this scenario, were drawn in to provide support to the local communities in the form of reception and warming centres, as well as to assist with planning and communication needs.
Genevieve Germano: How will Exercise TRILLIUM DRAGON increase Joint Task Force Central's readiness when called upon by the Government of Canada to assist Canadians?
Maj MacKenzie: Because we conduct Exercise TRILLIUM DRAGON during a period of time when traditionally we don't have much of a requirement to address domestic response, it affords us the opportunity to work through simple tactical problems in a controlled environment. And so by doing this, the headquarters of the Territorial Battalion Groups are able to work through a series of issues, and find out where it is that they're strong, and where it is that they're weak, to enhance their overall responsiveness and readiness in the face of a real domestic crisis, which could come up in the future.
Genevieve Germano: How does JTFC protect Canadians during domestic emergencies?
Maj MacKenzie: During domestic emergencies, JTFC is available and trained to address a myriad of crises that could emerge as a force of last resort, when all other government departments and commercial options have been exhausted. JTFC is there to provide soldiers and equipment to get Canadians out of harm's way.
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