Canada Ping!
Posted on 05/02/2014 12:56:31 PM PDT by Tailgunner Joe
Local troops are off to Poland for 'readiness' training designed to 'reassure Central and Eastern European Allies.'
About 50 soldiers from the 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry as well as support staff from Edmonton will conduct training in parachuting, airborne operations and infantry skills alongside Polish and American counterparts in this United States-led exercise with a view to enhancing alliance-interoperability and readiness.
The local troops were set to depart from the Edmonton International Airport Friday afternoon.
The effort -- dubbed Exercise ORZEL ALERT -- is a NATO-led exercise taking place in Swidwin, Poland from May 5 to 9 as part of NATO's efforts to reassure Central and Eastern European Allies.
Earlier this week, Canada sent six CF-18 fighter jets to Romania to help patrol the skies of NATO member countries threatened by Russian aggression in the Ukraine.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper Friday morning announced that Canadian Army soldiers would take part in Exercise ORZEL ALERT."The Putin regime's persistent military aggression and illegal occupation of Ukraine threaten the stability and security of Central and Eastern Europe. By taking part in Exercise ORZEL ALERT, along with NATO allies, Canadian troops will contribute to the promotion of stability and security in the region, and demonstrate that the international community will not standby in the face of Russian militarism and expansionism," said Harper.
The Canadian Army has trained with the Polish Army on many occasions, including:
• Canadian and Polish parachutists trained together in Quebec during Exercise RAFALE BLANCHE, from January 28 to February 5, 2014.
• Canadian soldiers joined American mentors in Poland to prepare a Polish headquarters to go to Afghanistan last October.
• The Canadian Army also trained with Polish, Lithuanian and Ukrainian counterparts during Exercise MAPLE ARCH, from September 9 to 20, 2013.
• Canadian and Polish soldiers also participated in Exercise RAPID TRIDENT, from July 8 to 9, 2013.
• Canadian and American soldiers frequently train together as continental and NATO Allies. In addition to naval exercises such as Rim of the Pacific held biannually in the Hawaiian training areas, and on air force exercises such as MAPLE FLAG in Cold Lake, Alberta, Canadian and American army personnel have also frequently trained together in Wainwright, Alberta for the MAPLE RESOLVE series of exercises.
• The Canadian Armed Forces have been a major contributor to NATO operations since its founding 65 years ago. Canada continues to provide modern, deployable capabilities to Allied missions and highly trained personnel to its command structure.
Canada Ping!
That’s my old badge, I was 2PPCLI, Edmonton has 1st and 3rd battalions. Sometimes I miss it, but not right now given the current stupidity flying around.
When are we going to get that sexy new Enfield 303?
A big and sincere thanks to you, Canadian buddies.
Humour or ignorance? I can’t decide. The C-7 rifle I used among many other weapons are much more reliable than the m-16 they derived from.
I do wish they would of stayed with FN style rifle for main battle rifle though, there’s no substitute for 7.62
Thanks familyop. Myself and men like me still stand ready, you just yell when we’re needed.
Oh, I know they’ve been up to no good, I’ve been trying to convince people here to pay attention.
Unfortunately, life ain't that simple but I guess it makes things easier for some.
Glad they are getting some training.
Oh, I understand. You’re seeing the stupidity that I’m seeing. Thank you.
PPCLI: very good and tough soldiers. Very respectable. I was a combat engineer (light type) in the National Guard—infantry work with a little more emphasis on obstacle clearing for infantry. One asset that many Canadians and Royal engineers (U.K.) possess is humor during times of necessity for that (U.K. soldier: “too many bloody foxholes”).
As I type this I have on my desk some .303 cartridges built by the best: L. E. Hull of Shepherdstown, W. V. I have no idea where he is now, but he is a master, from .228 through .998
Never order a Canadian soldier to climb a pole ;-)
To bad there are only 50 instead of 5,000.
Oh I needed to say that the PPCLI are a sister regiment to the Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders of the UK.
The regiment has a very long and famous battle history.
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