Thirteen Canadian Army soldiers will participate in Exercise RAPID TRIDENT 14, a multinational exercise at the International Peacekeeping and Security Centre in Yavoriv, Ukraine from September 11-28, 2014 as Canada continues to support our allies in Eastern Europe.

Exercise RAPID TRIDENT 14 is designed to support allied and partner nations and will focus on improving stability and peace support operations in the region. Other participating nations include Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Georgia, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Poland, Romania, Spain, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom.

Quick Facts

• Exercise RAPID TRIDENT 14 is an annual Ukraine/United States-led exercise as part of U.S. European Command’s Joint Training and Exercise Program, which is comprised of approximately 1 200 troops from 16 nations.

• Nine Canadian Army Counter Improvised Explosive Device (C-IED) instructors from 4 Engineer Support Regiment will hone the skills and knowledge of participating soldiers’ C-IEDs methods and techniques in support of stability operations.

• In partnership with several other nations, four officers from 5 Cdn Div Headquarters will occupy staff positions in the exercise’s Multinational Battalion Headquarters and Multinational Brigade Headquarters. They will provide mentorship and support to Ukrainian officers in command positions.

Quotes

“Canada is committed to building capabilities and nurturing partnerships in Eastern Europe, which has become increasingly important in light of the Putin regime’s unacceptable continued aggression in the region. Our participation in Exercise RAPID TRIDENT is an opportunity to support our allies in Eastern Europe and to protect the stability and integrity of Ukraine.” 

Honourable Rob Nicholson, PC, QC, MP for Niagara Falls and Minister of National Defence

“Canadian Army soldiers have an international reputation based on their professionalism, expertise and leadership skills. Multinational exercises such as RAPID TRIDENT provide the required forum and scenarios for our soldiers and our partners to exercise coalition operations, build interoperability and address commonly perceived threats.”

Lieutenant-General Marquis Hainse, Commander Canadian Army

src:news.gc.ca