Canadian Armed Forces soldiers participating multinational exercise Rapid Trident 2016

Fifteen soldiers from 5th Canadian Division are currently in Ukraine to participate in the multinational exercise: Exercise RAPID TRIDENT 2016.

The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) soldiers taking part in this exercise will fill leadership roles and provide valuable Counter Improvised Explosive Device expertise.

This multinational exercise is organized by the United States and Ukraine to promote regional stability and improve interoperability between participating nations.

Exercise RAPID TRIDENT, which began June 26 and will continue until July 9, involves the participation of 14 countries, equalling approximately 2,000 personnel. Besides Canada, the nations taking part this year are: Belgium, Bulgaria, Georgia, Great Britain, Lithuania, Moldova, Norway, Poland, Romania, Sweden, Turkey and the USA.

According to a Department of National Defence press release, “Participation in this specialized training contributes to the operational readiness and interoperability of the Canadian Armed Forces, NATO, and Partnership for Peace member nations.”

The press release goes on to say that, “Exercise RAPID TRIDENT 2016 is designed to support Allied and partner nations and focuses on enhancing military-to-military relationships, exchanging professional experiences through a “train-the-trainer” model, and improving interoperability between the Land Forces of the United States, Ukraine, and other partner nations.”

Exercise RAPID TRIDENT has been held annually at the International Peace Support Training Centre, in Yavoriv, Ukraine, since 2006.

Last year, fifteen members of the CAF participated in the combined Exercise SABER GUARDIAN/RAPID TRIDENT.