Exercise Northern Bison

WINNIPEG, Mb - "The moose meat we got today is going to be excellent," said Master Corporal Steven Arens of The Saskatchewan Dragoons.

More than 100 Army Reserve soldiers from across 38 Canadian Brigade Group took to the sub-arctic about 30 kilometres outside Churchill, Manitoba for Exercise Northern Bison from 14-21 February.

This training event is one of several steps to increasing the Army's northern capability. In response to the growing strategic importance of Canada's Arctic Region, the Canada First Defence Strategy mandates significant Canadian Forces presence in the Arctic. And, this exercise is an example of how strategic direction translates into tactical level reality.

The Army Commander tasked four formations across Canada to stand up Arctic Response Company Groups (ARCGs). Within Land Force Western Area, 38 Canadian Brigade Group has been given that role.

Members of 2 Platoon begin heading back to their bivouac after learning how to skin and butcher a moose

"So far we've had un-paralleled success," said Major Dennis Desrochers, Company Commander for the ARCG.

"We've had great weather. Combined with that, we have a very motivated group of individuals from across 38 CBG who are out here on the land doing the business of soldiering in the winter."

Two platoons and a company headquarters deployed to the training area accompanied by Rangers from 4 Canadian Ranger Patrol Group (4 CRPG).

"The training is broken down into two parts: One platoon is focused on mobility through the use of our Light Over-Snow Vehicles (LOSVs) and are conducting navigation by day and by night," said Maj Desrochers.

"Our second platoon works dismounted. So, their practising gives them the opportunity to conduct a number of tasks using snowshoes and skis."

After a 48-hour period, the platoons are rotated so each has an opportunity to practice both mounted and dismounted operations.

To Maj Desrochers, the Rangers are force multipliers who are able to provide soldiers with local expertise about the sub-arctic environment from the geography to the unique wildlife. As part of the exercise survival training, the Rangers demonstrated to each platoon how to fish with gill nets below the ice as well as how to skin and dress big game.

"One of the Rangers went out and got a moose with a couple of guys that won the lottery," said MCpl Arens. "All the tents have gotten big slabs of meat and are going to cook them up tonight and have a little feast before we head out."

"The exercise is going great, it's the normal amount of confusion when you're bringing in guys from three different provinces who have never met each other before and you're all in the same section and you got to work together."

Article and photos by Cpl Bill Gomm a photojournalist with 38 CBG