NR - CAS 06.006 - September 29, 2006
OTTAWA Approximately 180 military personnel from Canada, Poland, Ukraine and Lithuania will conduct Exercise MAPLE ARCH 06 at the Rukla training area in Lithuania from 13-27 October 2006.
A Canadian team of approximately 50 people will work with selected Polish, Ukrainian and Lithuanian trainers to address key aspects of NATO-led coalition Peace Support Operations. This will help nations prepare designated units for potential future duty with NATO-led coalitions.
The primary Canadian unit in the exercise will be Third Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment, which is based in Petawawa, Ontario. The other participants are comprised of approximately 40 personnel from Poland, 30 from Ukraine and 60 from Lithuania (including 20 role players.)
MAPLE ARCH 06 will exercise light infantry skills across a variety of PSO settings to improve military interoperability at the individual and multinational small unit level. Participating nations will share their experience and expertise gained through international operations, and refine their collective abilities to work together in the future.
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NOTE FOR THE EDITOR:
A Press Information Centre (PIC) will be operational in Kaunas, Lithuania, from October 12, 2006. Questions prior to the establishment of the PIC should be addressed to Captain Jim Hutcheson, Canadian Air Force Public Affairs, National Defence Headquarters, in Ottawa, 613-995-6977, e-mail: hutcheson.jgm@forces.gc.ca
MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES:
Interested journalists should be accredited by bona fide media organizations (press ID or accreditation letter.) The PIC will register media representatives and arrange escorts during media activities. Due to a limited number of personnel and posts for every event, the PIC cannot guarantee attendance by every interested journalist. Planned media opportunities for registered journalists include the following:
October 13: Opening Ceremony (photo opportunity)
October 15: International Weapons Handling (photo opportunity)
October 19-21: PSO Training (media coverage and photo opportunity)
October 27: Distinguished Visitors Day and Closing Ceremony (photo opportunity and press conference)
