December 22, 2016 – Chilliwack, British Columbia – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces
More than 200 soldiers from 39 Combat Engineer Regiment, along with additional engineers from across Canada, will practice bridge and raft design and construction during Exercise PALADIN RESPONSE from 26 to 31 December 2016, at 3rd Canadian Division Support Group Detachment Chilliwack, British Columbia. This exercise will offer reserve engineer soldiers the opportunity to train with bridging equipment on complex terrain and water.
Participation in Exercise PALADIN RESPONSE enhances the readiness of the Canadian Armed Forces to undertake missions at the direction of the Government of Canada. Reserve Force Combat Engineers have a particular focus on supporting domestic operations, such as natural disasters, where they may be asked to provide assistance to provincial and territorial authorities.
Quote
“Exercise PALADIN RESPONSE is designed to develop the core skill of gap crossing, which is critical for mobility support. We will practice operating Assault Boats, assembling Medium Floating Bridges, constructing Medium Girder Bridges, and building prefabricated modular steel bridges. Through mentorship and practice, this training will allow 39 Combat Engineer Regiment and all reserve combat engineer regiments in the Canadian Armed Forces to better respond to humanitarian disasters or combat mobility requirements both domestically and abroad.”
Lieutenant-Colonel Cameron N. McLean, Commanding Officer 39 Combat Engineer Regiment
Quick Facts
Exercise PALADIN RESPONSE will focus on building bridges required to cross water obstacles in a domestic operations environment.
In addition to the design and construction of bridging, the exercise will involve simulated casualty play and will include the participation of a mobile medical unit.
As members of the Corps of Royal Canadian Engineers, Combat Engineers are responsible for providing mobility, counter-mobility, and survivability support. Combat Engineers have been recently deployed internationally in Ukraine and Nepal.
39 Combat Engineer Regiment is a unit of 39 Canadian Brigade Group, the Canadian Army Reserve in British Columbia.
