Canada Hosts 15th Annual NATO Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Training Exercise

News release

July 9, 2018 – Ottawa – Department of National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces

From July 9 to 27, Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) is hosting Exercise PRECISE RESPONSE 2018 at Canadian Forces Base Suffield in Alberta. This annual NATO training exercise provides the Canadian Armed Forces, along with participants from various NATO Allies and Partner Nations, the opportunity to participate in chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) defence training in a multinational environment.

Ex PRECISE RESPONSE 2018 provides an opportunity for participating nations to test their skills and improve interoperability in a realistic environment. This training exercise will also provide specialists with the knowledge, experience and skills they need to respond effectively to domestic and/or international CBRN-related events.

The Canadian Army’s contribution to the exercise will include 34 Canadian soldiers from 1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group, based out of Edmonton, Alberta. The Canadian contingent will provide various command and control capabilities for their task, and form two decontamination elements.

Through Ex PRECISE RESPONSE 2018, Canada continues to uphold commitments made at the 2002 NATO Summit in Prague, providing our partners and allies a safe and secure site for CBRN training.  As outlined in Strong, Secure, Engaged: Canada’s Defence Policy, this exercise also supports the vision of a globally engaged Canada that can anticipate emerging threats and assist other government departments and law enforcement agencies.

Quotes

“Exercise PRECISE RESPONSE 2018 provides the Canadian Army, in collaboration with our NATO Allies and Partner Nations, an invaluable opportunity to practice the critical skills needed to deal with chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear events in today’s uncertain security environment. Canada’s participation in this exercise ultimately enhances our ability to respond decisively to CBRN threats to Canadians and our national interests.”

– Colonel R.T. Ritchie, Commander, 1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group

Quick facts

  • Defence Research and Development Canada is an agency of Canada’s Department of National Defence (DND). It provides DND, the Canadian Armed Forces and other government departments and national security communities with the knowledge and technological advantages needed to defend and protect Canada’s interests at home and abroad.

  • Defence Research and Development Canada`s (DRDC`s) Suffield Research Centre is co-located with Canadian Forces Base Suffield, in Suffield, Alberta, approximately 45 kilometres west of Medicine Hat, Alberta. CFB Suffield was established in 1941 as a joint Canada/United Kingdom experimental station for chemical and biological research. In addition to DRDC, CFB Suffield houses members of the Canadian Armed Forces and the British Army Training Unit Suffield, also known as BATUS.

Associated links

Contacts

Lieutenant Ken Jacobson
Public Affairs Officer
1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group
Phone: 780-973-4011 ext. 7415
Email: Kendell.Jacobson@forces.gc.ca

Media Relations
Department of National Defence
Phone: 613-996-2353
Email: mlo-blm@forces.gc.ca

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