Canadian soldiers marching through Oshawa this weekend as part of training exercises

If you happen to see some soldiers marching down Simcoe Street this weekend the Canadian Armed Forces want you to know we are not being invaded by aliens.

Instead, local Canadian Army Reserve personnel from Oshawa’s Ontario Regiment (33 Canadian Brigade Group) will be conducting dismounted soldier marches and mounted reconnaissance driver training in the city in preparation for the day that we are.

The training exercises will happen downtown on roads and sidewalks near the Col. R.S. McLaughlin Armoury on Simcoe Street and at the Ontario Regiment Museum grounds on the Oshawa Airport’s South Field

All activities will occur throughout the day and evening on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Participating soldiers may be seen with unloaded weapons, noted 33 Canadian Brigade Group Public Affairs Officer Lt(N) Andrew McLaughlin, but “no ammunition of any kind” will be present.

The training is being conducted to maintain and hone the skills of Canadian Army Reserve soldiers in Armoured Cavalry operations, and to practice discipline, safety and effectiveness while operating as a team on the ground carrying equipment and while operating specific vehicle platforms, McLaughlin (no relation to Col. Sam) added. There are similar training operations going on in other Ontario communities this month

All measures are being taken to ensure minimum inconvenience to those in the area, although certain areas may be inaccessible during the exercise dates, McLaughlin said.

“Members of the public are asked to take extra caution when approaching military vehicles and are thanked in advance for their understanding and co-operation.”

The Ontario Regiment, RCAC is a Primary Reserve armoured reconnaissance regiment based in downtown Oshawa. Formed in 1866, the regiment ranks amongst the oldest continuously serving reserve regiments in Canada and is one of the senior armoured regiments in the Royal Canadian Armoured Corps. The Ontario Regiment continues to produce well-trained soldiers to augment operations of the Canadian Armed Forces and “remains prepared to respond to any emergency or natural disaster in the region.”