Exercise STAGED RESPONSE 2017 to take place May 5-7

Throughout western Nova Scotia, from May 5 to 7, the Canadian Army will be conducting Exercise STAGED RESPONSE 2017, an annual emergency response exercise.

During the exercise, more than 200 Reserve and Regular Force soldiers from 36 and 37 Canadian Brigade Groups will establish Territorial Battalion Group headquarters in locations throughout western Nova Scotia and exercise the Command and Control elements of an emergency response operation.

“Exercise STAGED RESPONSE 2017 is a valuable training opportunity that confirms that 5th Canadian Division commanders and staff are ready to plan and implement operations in response to potential emergency situations that affect Canadian citizens. The safety and security of Canadians is our highest priority, so it is important for us to maintain a high level of readiness in order to be able to respond to the call for assistance from the Government of Canada whenever required,” said Col. George Thomson, Exercise Director, Exercise STAGED RESPONSE 2017.

The exercise will enable the 5th Canadian Division to confirm their ability to intuit and support Joint Task Force Atlantic in times of emergencies.

“Humanitarian and Disaster Response is part of the Canadian Armed Forces core mandate and was demonstrated in January 2017, when 5th Canadian Division troops deployed on Operation LENTUS to support residents of northeastern New Brunswick who were affected by a major ice storm,” stated a Department of National Defence/ Canadian Armed Forces press release.