(Montreal) Hundreds of Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) reservists will take part in a military exercise near Montreal. Until October 31, military maneuvers will take place day and night in the Boucherville Islands sector, more specifically on Charron, Sainte-Thérèse and Bourdon Islands.
Posted at 4:57 p.m.
The population can expect to see movements of troops, military vehicles, helicopters flying over and to hear gunfire intermittently. Blank ammunition and pyrotechnics will be used. Noise will be kept to a minimum at night to minimize the impacts for area residents.
The 375 reservists taking part in the exercise titled “HARD XERUS” could practice communication drills, equipment handling, strategy planning, and “complex movement between different entities.” »
The scenarios set up are scenarios with very complex situations. It can also intervene in local support scenarios, whether national, so within the country or complex situations that could happen internationally.
Davy Chan, Captain of the Canadian Armed Forces
The goal is to engage members “through the entire planning process through to execution on the ground. »
CAF members will also practice battle procedures. This training aims to confirm the skills acquired by soldiers in different environments and different conditions.
“There are several teams set up for a shift 24 hours. […] Normally, the exercise takes place completely day and night to give a realistic scenario,” explains Captain Davy Chan.
He says the islands were chosen because they provide “a realistic training area that could take place for domestic or international operations. »
Mr. Chan indicated that the CAF has obligations every year in terms of exercise. “The goal is to confirm that we are able to work with all the partners and validate the qualification of our members”, specifies Mr. Chan.
Planning for the exercise was carried out in collaboration with municipal authorities, the Canadian Army, the Royal Canadian Navy, the Royal Canadian Air Force and the Canadian Coast Guard.
“These are exercises that are part of the training system to ensure the operational readiness of the members, who are mostly reservists,” said Lieutenant(Navy) Kary-Anne Poirier.
A reservist is a part-time soldier, who is required from time to time to participate in operations, training and education as a member of the CAF.
The training carried out off the base brings “a lot of realism”, indicates Mme Pear tree. It also provides new ground on which reservist members can practice their military maneuvers.