Canadian Armed Forces contribute expertise to multinational exercise in Ukraine

News Release

July 19, 2015

OTTAWA – Fifteen members of the Canadian Armed Forces are participating in Exercise SABER GUARDIAN / RAPID TRIDENT 15, a multinational exercise at the International Peacekeeping and Security Centre in Yavoriv, Ukraine, from July 17 to 31, 2015.

Exercise SABER GUARDIAN / RAPID TRIDENT 15 is designed to support allied and partner nations and focuses on improving stability and peace support operations in Central and Eastern Europe. In addition to Canada, exercise participants include Belgium, Bulgaria, Estonia, Georgia, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Norway, Poland, Romania, Spain, Turkey, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Quick Facts

Canadian Army personnel will use expertise in Counter Improvised Explosive Device (C-IED) operations gained through experience in Afghanistan to contribute to SABER GUARDIAN / RAPID TRIDENT 15.
Nine Canadian Army C-IED instructors from 4 Engineer Support Regiment, supported by a medic from the Canadian Forces Health Services Group, will hone the skills and knowledge of participating soldiers’ C-IED methods and techniques in support of stability operations.
In partnership with several other nations, four officers and one non-commissioned member from the Canadian Army Headquarters and 5th Canadian Division Headquarters are occupying staff positions in the exercise’s Multinational Brigade Headquarters and Exercise Control Group. They are providing mentorship and support to Ukrainian officers in command positions.
Approximately 1 800 troops from 17 nations will be participating in Exercise SABER GUARDIAN / RAPID TRIDENT 15.
This year, Exercise SABER GUARDIAN 2015 has been integrated with Exercise RAPID TRIDENT 2015 and referred to as SABER GUARDIAN / RAPID TRIDENT 15.
The exercise helps prepare participants to operate successfully in a joint, multinational, integrated environment with host-nation support from civil and governmental agencies. The exercise supports Ukraine's Annual National Program to achieve interoperability with NATO.
When approximately 200 Canadian Armed Forces personnel begin their mission later this summer to train Ukrainian government forces, they will build on successful Canadian participation in SABER GUARDIAN / RAPID TRIDENT 15.

Quotes

“As the Putin regime continues its aggression in Ukraine, Canada will continue to place a priority on building defence capabilities and nurturing partnerships in Eastern Europe. Through our participation in Exercise SABER GUARDIAN / RAPID TRIDENT 15, we aim to support our allies in the region while helping to strengthen Ukraine’s resilience and its ability to protect its territorial integrity.”

The Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of National Defence

“Multinational exercises such as SABER GUARDIAN / RAPID TRIDENT 15 provide Canadian Army soldiers with crucial platforms to train for a wide range of operations with our NATO partners and to increase their experience and effectiveness in the face of international threats. These are relevant opportunities for showcasing the Canadian Army’s recognized professionalism, expertise and leadership skills.”

Lieutenant-General Marquis Hainse, Commander Canadian Army

Associated Links

National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces
North Atlantic Treaty Organization
The Partnership for Peace programme

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Contacts

Lauren Armstrong
Office of the Minister of National Defence
(613) 996-3100
Lauren.armstrong2@forces.gc.ca

Media Relations
Department of National Defence
Phone: (613) 996-2353
Toll-Free: 1 866 377-0811
mlo-blm@forces.gc.ca

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Hon. Jason Kenney National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces Military

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Date modified:: 2015-07-20

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Canadian Armed Forces contribute expertise to multinational exercise in Ukraine

News Release

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