Canadian Armed Forces Training In Meaford a Success

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Aug. 25, 2013) - Approximately 1,500 Canadian soldiers fro m Regular and Reserve units from across Ontario successfully conducted training in the vicinity of Meaford, Ontario, from August 17 to 25, as part of Exercise STALWART GUARDIAN 2013.

The exercise was designed to increase operational readiness by providing a realistic and challenging scenario for the personnel of 4^th Canadian Division in order to hone their knowledge and skills and remain prepared to assist Canadians when and where military help is needed. The military exercise was a continuation from Exercise TRILLIUM RESPONSE 2013 held in Cochrane and Moosonee in February. It provided a realistic and challenging scenario for the soldiers of 4^th Canadian Division in a defence of Canada scenario.

"Exercise STALWART GUARDIAN 2013 has confirmed our ability to deploy in response to a domestic situation while providing an opportunity for soldiers of 4^th Canadian Division to continue to build on their skills learned during their trades training," said Brig.-Gen. Omer Lavoie, Commander 4^th Canadian Division. "We are grateful for the suppo rt we received from the community, which was vital in our exercise success," he added.

Each year, the men and women of 4^th Canadian Division, conduct individual training courses to enhance their personal military skill sets. These courses are followed by a major field training exercise designed to test their collective abilities at the Territorial Battalion Group. Named the STALWART GUARDIAN series of exercises, they address a range of scenarios under varying environmental conditions. Exercise STALWART GUARDIAN 2013 provides a realistic and challenging scenario for 4^th Canadian Division personnel by testing command and control mechanisms in a realistic training environment.

4^th Canadian Division is the Canadian Army formation in the majority of Ontario. The mission of 4^th Canadian Division is to generate and maintain, at designated states of readiness, combat capable, multi-purpose land forces to meet Canada's defence objectives, both at home and abroad.