Canadian Army Deploys to the Arctic to Conduct Northern Exercise 2018 (NOREX 18)
News Release
February 2, 2018 – Ottawa – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces
Approximately 235 members from 4th Canadian Division, the Canadian Army in Ontario, will conduct Northern Exercise 2018 (NOREX 18) in and around Resolute, Nunavut from February 4 to 17, 2018.
NOREX 2018 is aimed at maintaining an Arctic response capability and is designed to ensure Canadian Army personnel have the ability to move, communicate, and command under harsh weather conditions, and in remote locations. Furthermore, Canadian Army personnel will be exercising first response scenarios. During the exercise, soldiers will hone their skills in survivability, mobility, and sustainability, and will have the opportunity to work alongside Canadian Rangers from 1st Canadian Ranger Patrol Group.
Exercises like NOREX 18 fulfill one of the pillars of Canada’s Defence Policy: Strong, Secure, Engaged. The Government of Canada is ensuring that Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) training meets the highly technical requirements of modern militaries through training and certification. Strong, Secure, Engaged provides the CAF with the force size and equipment it needs to succeed across the full spectrum of military operations including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, peace support operations, or combat.
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Quotes
“NOREX 18 will demonstrate our ability to rapidly respond to emergencies in the far North within its austere and harsh winter conditions. These exercises help to improve and sustain our Arctic expertise in support of Canada’s defence priorities in Northern Canada and to serve our most remote communities.”
– Brigadier-General Stephen Cadden, Commander 4th Canadian Division
“This challenging exercise is an incredible opportunity for our soldiers to test their survivability, mobility, and sustainability in Canada’s Arctic, while ensuring we can provide support and operate when and where Canadians require us.”
– Lieutenant-Colonel Perry Rittershofer, NOREX 18 Exercise Director
Quick Facts
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The Canadian Army participants in NOREX 18 include members of the following units:
- 31 Canadian Brigade Group, headquartered in London, Ontario
- 2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group, headquartered in Petawawa, Ontario
- 1st Canadian Ranger Patrol Group, headquartered in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories
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31 Canadian Brigade Group and 2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group are part of 4th Canadian Division, which is responsible for all Canadian Army Regular and Reserve Force elements in Ontario, with the exception of a portion of northwestern Ontario that falls under 3rd Canadian Division (Edmonton).
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The exercise will be replicating a first response by the Canadian Armed Forces to a major air disaster scenario in an Arctic location. Soldiers will be trained on the planning and response to this situation.
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Along with search and rescue operations, soldiers will also be demonstrating Arctic survival and winter warfare skills in a harsh climate, this will include weapons familiarization, operating survival equipment and conducting patrols.
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The Canadian Armed Forces is dedicated to enhancing its ability to operate in the Arctic, alongside the Canadian Rangers, to improve surveillance, control, and functional capacities with our Arctic allies and NATO.
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The Canadian Rangers are an integral part of the Canadian Army Reserves working in remote regions. They provide lightly-equipped, self-sufficient, mobile forces to support CAF national security and public safety operations within Canada. They regularly train alongside other CAF members to remain prepared.
Associated Links
Contacts
Sub-Lieutenant Andrew McLaughlin
Public Affairs Officer
4th Canadian Division
Phone: 867-252-3872 ext. 2355
Email: andrew.mclaughlin@forces.gc.ca
Media Relations
Department of National Defence
Phone: 613-996-2353
Email: mlo-blm@forces.gc.ca
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