Mishall RehmanHundreds of Canadian Army soldiers are convening in Norway to sharpen their winter warfare skills alongside 13 NATO allies in a multinational exercise. Exercise COLD RESPONSE (Ex CR) 2016 will take place from March 1-9.
Held in the Trondheim region of Norway, approximately 500 kilometres north of Oslo, Ex CR 16 will feature land, air and sea elements. Participating soldiers will hone their winter war-fighting skills through offensive and defensive operations, patrols, surveillance, reconnaissance and battle-space management.
“Exercise COLD RESPONSE presents a great opportunity for Canada to engage with our NATO Allies and closest partners and further supports our excellent relations with Norway. It also allows the Canadian Armed Forces to enhance its operational effectiveness in challenging winter conditions,” said Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan.
To enrich their military capabilities in high-intensity, joint and combined operations held under strenuous winter conditions, CAF members from 2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group and 3rd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment from Petawawa, Ontario will be traveling to Norway. The goal of this exercise is to ensure Canadian soldiers can operate with international partners in an arctic environment.
The Canadian Army is contributing an Infantry Battalion Headquarters, a Company Group as well as staff officers to the Swedish Multi-National Brigade Headquarters.
Led by Norwegian counterparts, the exercise consists of 15,000 soldiers from various countries including Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Latvia, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Sweden, the U.S., and the U.K.
