Canadian Army dives into Gagetown, New Brunswick

News Release

January 30, 2018 – Gagetown, New Brunswick – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces

Canadian Army divers, along with divers from respective NATO partner nations are participating in Exercise ROGUISH BUOY 2018; taking place at 5th Canadian Division Support Base Gagetown (5 CDSB Gagetown) Range and Training Area (near George Lake, New Brunswick) from January 30 to February 12, 2018.

This year, dive teams from around the world will carry out a series of activities that will test and challenge important dive skills such as vehicle recovery, search and rescue, and the recovery of modular bridge piers.

International participants include 24 divers from Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and the United States, reaffirming Canada’s unwavering commitment to its long-standing alliances and partnerships as mentioned in Canada’s Defence Policy: Strong, Secured, Engaged.

Exercise ROGUISH BUOY 2018 is hosted by the Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering, a part of the Combat Training Centre located at 5 CDSB Gagetown, New Brunswick. This annual Canadian Army Combat Diving training event is designed to prepare dive teams to expertly and safely undertake diving tasks in support of operations.

Additional multimedia

Canadian and Dutch divers conduct a simulated diving casualty evacuation during Exercise ROGUISH BUOY 2017, the Canadian Army’s annual combat diving training event held near Victoria, British Columbia, 7 to 26 February 2017.

Quotes

“Dive operations are a vital capability in the Canadian Army as well as among Canada’s Allies. Divers are used throughout the spectrum of conflict from peace keeping to combat operations. They require physical robustness and mental agility so it is not surprising that they are among the best soldiers in any force.”

Colonel John Errington, Commander, Combat Training Centre

“Being an army diver takes an enormous amount of time, effort, expertise, and dedication. They must master combat engineering skills, and must develop and maintain the skill sets necessary to extend those capabilities under water, thus extending the Army’s ability to affect the battlefield. It is strenuous and challenging work; divers must be smart, creative, and physically fit.”

Lieutenant-Colonel Barbara Honig, Commandant, Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering

Quick Facts

  • Exercise ROGUISH BUOY 2018 aims to provide a collective training vehicle for the Canadian Army to:

    • Clarify and confirm dive doctrine, tactics, techniques and procedures to achieve the assigned Combat Fitness Standards;
    • Integrate lessons learned into the combat diver and dive supervisor qualification standards and training plans;
    • Normalize combat diving operations with the Canadian Army; and
    • Ensure that Canadian Army Combat Divers are able to work with other NATO Combat Divers.
  • Past editions of the exercise have resulted in the development of procedures for such skills as underwater demolition, and hydraulic and thermal cutting. As well, in past years divers have faced difficult diving conditions, under ice for example; skills that are essential for operations such as search and recovery missions making Exercise ROGUISH BUOY a world-class training event.

  • Canadian teams are represented by approximately 60 members from the following units/organizations:

    • 1 Combat Engineer Regiment
    • 2 Combat Engineer Regiment
    • 4 Engineer Support Regiment
    • 5 Combat Engineer Regiment
    • Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering Army Dive Centre 
  • Through Strong, Secure, Engaged: Canada’s Defence policy, the Department of National Defence ensures that the Canadian Armed Forces are supported, equipped, and prepared to protect Canadian sovereignty, defend North America, and contribute to the security of allies and partners today and into the future.

Associated Links

Contacts

Captain Ian McIntyre
Combat Training Centre Public Affairs
5th Canadian Division Support Base Gagetown
Phone: 506-260-3640
Email: ian.mcintyre@forces.gc.ca

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