Warsaw, Poland - 4 June 2014
On June 4, 2014, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced that members of the Canadian Armed Forces will deploy to Latvia to participate in Exercise SABER STRIKE 2014, a long-standing, multilateral, multifaceted, U.S. Army Europe-led security cooperation exercise.
A Canadian Armed Forces contingent of approximately 75 soldiers – from 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry based in Edmonton, Alberta – will join more than 2,000 personnel, including approximately 45 Canadian soldiers already deployed, from nine other countries participating in this annual exercise which is being held this year in Latvia, Estonia, Poland and Lithuania from June 9 to 21. The Canadian contingent will be attached to the United States Army’s 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment.
Exercise SABER STRIKE 2014 provides commanders and their staff with practical experience in organizing, controlling and supporting coalition operations with a view to enhancing interoperability between military partners. The exercise uses a brigade-level command post and computer assisted exercises, as well as company-level field and situational training exercises. It also features the integration of U.S. close-air support with partner nation ground forces and provides a demonstration of U.S. Expeditionary Medical Support capability.
The Exercise will allow Canada, the United States and other participating nations to demonstrate the unique roles they can take on when contributing to international operations to promote regional and global stability.
Participating nations include the three Baltic States: Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia, as well as Canada, Finland, the United Kingdom, Norway, Denmark, Poland, and the United States.
Canadian Armed Forces personnel also participated in Exercise SABER STRIKE 2012 in Estonia with a dismounted infantry platoon and a modest support element.
