Military training mauneuvers bring vehicles through Oshawa

Military training maneuvers are set to bring numerous army vehicles through Durham Region this weekend.

Canadian Armed Forces vehicles will begin to head up to the military base at Garrison Petawawa on Aug. 16. Starting then military traffic will be heavy on major highways throughout central and southern Ontario.

Members from the 4th Canadian Division, which includes regular and reserve military members from across most of Ontario will converge on Camp Worthy for summer training. This Division is one of five across the nation and contains;

• 5,880 Regular Force members
• 5,980 Reserve Force members
• 620 Canadian Rangers, and
• 1,140 civilian employees

These forces are spread across 46 Ontario communities, many of which will send vehicles to Petawawa. They’ll mostly head through Windsor, Sarnia, London, the GTA, Oshawa, Peterborough, Barry’s Bay and Bancroft.

During the trip they intend to hold several planned stops for rest, maintenance and training exercises. The CAF notes residents may see armed service people on the route. However, the weapons will not be loaded. The convoys will travel along Highways 401, 407, 115, 28, 62, 66 and others.

This exercise “supports year-round preparations for international operations and maintains [the 4th Canadian Division’s] readiness to support our partners and allies overseas with trained and professional soldiers. Canadian Army exercises also help maintain readiness to respond to emergencies in Canadian communities, including natural disasters like flooding and wildfires, as our members always prepare to deploy in response to Requests for Assistance and to serve alongside community members and other first responders,” the CAF wrote.

At the Camp they will conduct a major Royal Canadian Armoured Corps field exercise. The Corps was formed in 1940 by fusing Canada’s Cavalry and Tank divisions.

Though it used many vehicles and tanks since the Second World War, it now operates Leopard 2 Battle Tanks, LAV 6.0 infantry fighters, Coyote reconnaissance vehicles, TAPV Reconaisasnace Vehicles, and G-Wagon light utility vehicles.

“All Canadian Army Reserve vehicle operators train regularly and maintain specialized qualifications and proficiency in safe and effective convoy and vehicle operations, and constantly practice discipline, safety, and effectiveness on various vehicles,” the forces said.

Notably, a military vehicle flipped over on Highway 401 in Oshawa back in March.