Military training of an air disaster to take place in Northumberland in April
Canadian Reservists help to remove fallen debris. Image courtesy of 4th Canadian Division.
By Dan Jones, Northumberland 89.7 FM News, Local Journalism Initiative.
Approximately 800-1000 military reservists will be deployed to Northumberland County next month to practice a simulated air disaster. The 4th Canadian Division will be headquartered in Baltimore, but have troops positioned throughout the county. The crash site is a 10-15 kilometer zone situated north of Centreton. This is part of Operation Trillium Venture, the second deployment of reservists to the County this year. The previous exercise occurred in January. Lieutenant Col. Nick Arakgi told Northumberland County Council today that soldiers will be working with local law enforcement and fire during the mission.
“In this particular domestic scenario we are going to be doing things like setting up a perimeter and sending soldiers to search for either survivors or evidence of the air crash. We will also be doing some potential casualty evacuation. As well as water search and rescue in some of the bodies of water you have in Northumberland County,” Arakgi stated.
Campbellford, Warkworth, Colborne, Roseneath and Bewdley will see troops in their communities from April 25-27. Support staff are expected to arrive to set up on April 22. Arakgi said this exercise is meant to get troops from London out of their comfort zone, so they are trained in various terrains of the country, making them deployment ready for any domestic emergency.
“We need to practice our ability to get out of our comfort zone, deploying at least 250 kilometers from our headquarters. The Army can get pretty comfortable deploying in our home turf. So, when you need us, we can come on short notice,” said Arakgi.
Northumberland County Communications Director Kate Campbell said her team is working on developing a strategy to inform all residents of the military exercise, well in advance of late April.
