800 soldiers to ‘invade’ Ontario county for disaster training [Video]

Residents of Cobourg and Northumberland County need not fear an armed invasion when 800 soldiers “invade” the area next weekend for a large-scale training exercise.

Northumberland will welcome the 31 Canadian Brigade Group of the Canadian Army Reserve from London for a domestic training exercise on April 26-27 and residents can expect to see approximately 800 troops, military vehicles and support staff in Cobourg and Hamilton Township, Cramahe Township and Alderville First Nation.

Some activity, including driver personnel training, may extend beyond these areas.

As the Canadian Armed Forces personnel are increasingly called upon to assist with domestic disaster response, the army reserve is expanding training efforts to ensure “operational readiness.”

The large-scale exercise will provide vital hands-on experience for military personnel while also fostering collaboration with local municipalities and emergency management partners.

The advance team arrived this week and all personnel will depart by April 30 following cleanup operations. …