Army of Canada military exercise RAFALE BLANCHE 2014 with Polish and Canadian paratroopers.

Sunday, February 23, 2014 11:58 AM

Exercise RAFALE BLANCHE 2014 took place in several municipalities including Beauce-Sartigan, La Nouvelle-Beauce, Les Appalaches, Les Etchemins, Lotbinière and Robert-Cliche from January 28 to February 5. Almost 2500 soldiers were on the ground training for winter weather combat operations: personnel from all units within 5 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group (5 CMBG) participated, as well as personnel from 5 Military Police Regiment, 430 Tactical Helicopter Squadron and 5 Field Ambulance.




These members were also joined by a Polish platoon of about 20 paratroopers from the Polish Army’s 6th Airborne Brigade, based in Krakow, Poland. They completed chilled morning parachute drops in -30 degree Celsius.

“The Polish platoon came to parachute with us on the first day of the exercise. We gave them a refresher with our drills and our equipment and they jumped from the CC-177 Globemaster III. I think they really appreciated it,” said MCpl Poulin.

“Every military is going to operate in a different fashion. It is important to practise working with our partners and adapt to their tactics and procedures,” added Captain Giles McClintock, Plans Officer for 5 CMBG.



More than 700 vehicles were brought to the region for the exercise. Residents got to see some of the equipment up close, a few even got inside the vehicles.

Soldiers from 5 Combat Engineer Regiment built an ice bridge and conducted experiments on ice fortifications while other units focused simultaneously on their occupation specific skills.

Winter weather exercises demonstrate just how much cold weather can slow you down. Even something as basic as setting up a tent can require a different procedure and take much longer than in the summertime, explained Capt McClintock.

“It was a good and challenging exercise - particularly focusing on cold techniques, tactics and procedures,” said Capt McClintock.

Army Recognitions and other sources