3 RCR members help Canadians return home during Operation SAVANNE
August 8, 2023 – Defence Stories
By Lieutenant Adam Robbins, Public Affairs Officer with 4th Canadian Division, Toronto, ON
Caption
Members of 3rd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment in Djibouti set up equipment and resources to help the evacuees from Sudan as part of the Global Affairs led, Whole of Government effort to evacuate Canadians Eligible Persons during Operation SAVANNE 23 on April 30, 2023.
Photo credit: Master Corporal Bryan Carter, Canadian Forces Support Group (Ottawa-Gatineau) – Imaging Services, Canadian Armed Forces Photo
Facing conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Force, the civilian population in Sudan, including foreign nationals, were in danger. Consequently, the Canadian government decided to evacuate its citizens. The Canadian Army’s high readiness unit, 3rd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment (3 RCR), under 1 Canadian Division HQ, played a crucial role in evacuations during Operation SAVANNE: the Canadian Armed Forces' response to the deteriorating security situation in Sudan.
After receiving the initial warning order on April 20, 3 RCR worked swiftly through the weekend, and by April 23 the battalion was ready to deploy. The battalion then flew to Aman, Jordan and brought all the necessary equipment for the NEO (Non-combatant Evacuation Operation) task in Sudan. Evacuations were carried out from Wadi Sayyidna Airport in Khartoum, Sudan, and Canadian Entitled Persons (CEPs) were processed in Djibouti.
The objective was to assist CEPs who were requesting assistance and evacuation out of Khartoum. One infantry company from 3 RCR was deployed to provide security and manpower at the evacuation location and aid in processing CEPs through a neutral airport in Djibouti. Additionally, 3 RCR stood ready for potential ground evacuation convoys from the Khartoum area to Port Sudan.
“Being part of the operation, to put it casually, was pretty cool” said Captain Brett Backs-McClatchie, member of 3 RCR’s high readiness unit. “Experiencing the speed at which a light battalion can deploy was eye-opening. When Global Affairs Canada (GAC) and Army HQ made the request, the majority of the battalion was already green on readiness, and all that was required was loading kit onto pallets and a deployment DAG (Departure Assistance Group).”
During their two weeks in theater, the situation rapidly evolved, and Op SAVANNE HQ required flexibility from 3 RCR. While the roles requiring boots on the ground were minimal, the battalion remained ready, conducting low-level training at the platoon level. One platoon from 3 RCR was assigned to Djibouti, assisting with CEPs processing at the international airport.
In Djibouti, the platoon was able to experience a small portion of Africa, and provide assistance to Canadian Entitled Persons. They facilitated the movement of CEPs from Wadi Sayyidna Airport to Djibouti, guided them through GAC processing lines, customs, and onward to the proper airport terminal. The platoon's medics provided medical assistance, while soldiers helped those in need, even carrying wheelchairs up several flights of stairs.
In conclusion, Op SAVANNE was an unforgettable experience for the platoon, with the highlight being their work in Djibouti, helping CEPs return home. The exceptional and hardworking members of the platoon exemplified the qualities expected of soldiers, making it a memorable and rewarding endeavor.