The Canadian Manoeuvre Training Centre (CMTC) designs and delivers collective training exercises which replicate real-world conditions, enhancing the foundation level of training for Army units and formations.  CMTC’s exercises are full immersion – allowing exercise participants to become completely absorbed in the exercise, maximizing the efficiency of the training conducted.

CMTC, located in Wainwright Alta., officially opened in 2004 with 30 permanent staff. Two years later, it conducted its first large scale exercise. Since then, CMTC has rapidly developed into one of the most sophisticated training establishments in the world. CMTC is a learning organization that works closely with allied forces to ensure relevant, challenging scenarios and learning methods.

The goal of CMTC is to ensure soldiers are ready for whatever they may be called on to do now and in the future.  Exercises conducted by CMTC can be tailored to support the varied operational theatres in which the Canadian Forces may be deployed. 

In its exercises, CMTC uses technology and imagination to present, as authentically as possible, the conditions found within modern operations. Personnel and vehicles are fitted with laser devices that objectively register kills, serious and light wounds, and near misses.

This high degree of combat realism is matched by CMTC’s faithful replication of the contemporary operating environment, which includes entire villages populated with citizens, refugees, local officials, humanitarian workers and enemy forces.  Media and interest groups are also replicated to a high degree of realism during exercises. 

CMTC’s expertise is also exportable and not limited to exercises conducted in the Wainwright training area.  CMTC has fostered significant relationships with many militaries, most notably the UK and USA.  The experience and skill-level found within CMTC results in exercise design and delivery that meets and often exceeds national and international training standards

CMTC and the Royal Canadian Air Force work closely together in order to streamline training between Air and Land elements.  In the future, Marine aspects will be included in this training, making CMTC a leader in military interoperability.

The electronic nerve-centre of CMTC is Exercise Control (EXCON), which houses numerous computers, monitors, control staff, contractor analysts, and even a large theatre. EXCON tracks each soldier’s and vehicle’s movement on the ground via a GPS system.  Weapon Effects Simulation (WES) gear works in conjunction with this system to show where vehicles and soldiers equipped with it are on the ground.  It can simulate a hit, near miss, artillery strike or kill – thus enhancing the realism of the training.

Support elements are practiced in planning and conducting the movement of their personnel and equipment to the exercise location.  Best practices in coordination and support then translate into increased capability of troops in the field to conduct operations.

In the field, visiting troops are tested by the resident Contemporary Operating Environment Forces (COEFOR) designed to replicate every level of threat that may be encountered, from criminal gunmen to suicide bombers to more conventional near-peer (opponents with similar training or equipment as the CF) threats.   

One of the most crucial elements of CMTC are the specially trained Observer Controller Trainers (OCTs). At the end of each training event, these experienced individuals prepare and present detailed after-action reviews. Relying on the data collected by EXCON, OCTs are able to pinpoint the soldiers’ strengths and weaknesses, adding significant value to the training goals of the exercise.

CMTC currently conducts MAPLE RESOLVE serials each fall, allowing soldiers, sailors, airmen and airwomen a unique opportunity to train for the complex operations of the future.