Partnership in practice: Canada and UK strengthen ties through winter training

March 9, 2026 – Defence Stories

Estimated read time – 2:13

By Nicole Gatis, Canadian Forces Health Services Communications Advisor, Canadian Joint Forces Command

Braving snow and sub-zero temperatures, Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and United Kingdom (UK) military medical personnel recently completed a joint Cold Weather Operator (CWO) Course at CFB Petawawa. From February 2 to 13, participants from 1 Canadian Field Hospital, along with two UK military nurses, learned the fundamentals of cold weather operations in challenging winter conditions, ensuring that they have the skills needed to deliver safe, effective medical care in extreme environments.

“This course turns environmental hardship into operational advantage,” said Lieutenant-Colonel David A. Tarso, Commanding Officer of 1 Canadian Field Hospital. “It prepares health services personnel to operate and deliver care in austere, sub-zero environments—conditions central to Canada’s Arctic and northern operating reality.”

Training for the toughest conditions

Participants learned essential winter skills including shelter setup, equipment maintenance, ration preparation, and winter‑appropriate concealment and camouflage. Training also covered survival and mobility tasks such as fire building, finding water, preparing wild game, snowshoeing, skiing, navigation, and toboggan hauling.

Captain Emily Howe, a Registered Nurse with Joint Hospital Group (JHG) North in the UK Defence Medical Services, quickly grasped the seriousness of operating in such harsh conditions: "On exercise in England, if you get a bit wet you can kind of just plough on through it, where in these temperatures, you cannot afford to make those mistakes or to let your standards slip. What you've got is what you need to survive."

Strengthening partnerships

In line with CAF Surgeon General, Major-General Scott Malcolm’s strategy for greater Canada/UK cooperation, the CWO course supported efforts to share lessons learned, best practices, and cold weather tactics, techniques, and procedures, while enhancing mutual understanding and trust.

UK Surgeon General Defence Medical Services, Major-General Phil Carter said, “The collaboration between Canadian and UK medical teams exemplifies the strength of our shared commitment to mutual interoperability and operational readiness. By working together in challenging cold weather environments, our nurses are not only honing critical skills to provide exceptional care in extreme conditions such as the High North, but they are also fostering strong relationships that enhance our ability to operate seamlessly as allied forces. This partnership underscores the importance of mutual learning and cooperation, ensuring we are prepared to support each other and deliver world-class medical care wherever and whenever it is needed.”

In a show of true Canadian hospitality, the CAF also brought UK participants to visit Winterlude ice sculptures and shared a classic Canadian winter experience — skating on the Rideau Canal with coffee and Beavertails.

Corporal Abigail Arnold, a Registered Nurse with JHG South in the UK Defence Medical Services, expressed her gratitude for the warm welcome, “We really felt part of that team and of their army for those two weeks. I can't say enough good things about the Canadians, they live up to their nature of being a very lovely group of people, but also very knowledgeable in what they do.”

Prepared and united

The CAF’s collaboration with international allies ensures that military medical teams remain ready for operations worldwide. As one of Canada’s premier winter training opportunities, the CWO Course continues to help allied forces stay prepared, adaptable, and ready to respond, no matter the conditions.