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http://www.mytelus.com/news/article.do?pageID=news_home&articleID=2326358
Canadian special ops soldiers training in Kamloops
full image
Capt. Greg Poehlmann says Kamloops was chosen for training the elite force because of the region's terrain, which is similar to Afghanistan.
(Black Press) - For members of the new Canadian Special Operations Regiment (CSOR), parachuting is just one way they'll get to work on a regular basis.
The elite unit of approximately 140 soldiers is in Kamloops until Aug. 11, conducting training exercises throughout the area.
This is the final month in a 16-week specialized training program required for admission into Canada's Special Forces.
The main body arrived Sunday and will work on individual, collective and operation training while in the area.
"We chose the Kamloops area because it is similar to Afghanistan and it's a very challenging terrain," said Capt. Greg Poehlmann, public affairs officer for the almost anonymous regiment, one of four comprising the newly formed Commander Canadian Special Operations Force Command (CANSOFCOM).
Once certified, its members will have the ability to deploy to any part of the world by conventional and non-conventional means in record speed.
"This unit will have the ability to do what we call independent operations," said Poehlmann.
"The concept of the unit is it will be high readiness, meaning that it can deploy anywhere within the world in two to three days and get there and do what needs to be done."
CSOR's main directive will be to support the highly classified Joint Task Force 2, Canada's official counter- terrorism organization whose motto is "Deeds, not words."
Although not as classified, CSOR will maintain the position of the "public face" of CANSOFCOM, which also includes 427 Special Operations Aviation Squadron and the Joint Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Defense Company.
More than 300 regular and reserve force members applied to the unit initiated as part of new Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Rick Hillier's recent Canadian Forces transformation.
It is anticipated CSOR will have an interim operational capability by Sept. 1, with full operational capability slated for 2010.
There will be no explosions or live fire during local training exercises and the use of simulated ammunitions will be determined on a day-to-day basis with respect to the local fire index rating.
Residents will see some activity, but on a much smaller scale than the Cougar Salvo manoeuvres in March.
Troops will be conducting exercises in the Tranquille, Strawberry Hill, Lac du Bois and Savona areas, and military helicopters will be flying over Kamloops.
Contact between soldiers and the public will be minimal, but Poehlmann advises: "If you bump into a soldier, don't be afraid to go up and say hi and talk to them.
"All our soldiers are approachable and they can say a few words."
http://www.mytelus.com/news/article.do?pageID=news_home&articleID=2326358
Canadian special ops soldiers training in Kamloops
full image
Capt. Greg Poehlmann says Kamloops was chosen for training the elite force because of the region's terrain, which is similar to Afghanistan.
(Black Press) - For members of the new Canadian Special Operations Regiment (CSOR), parachuting is just one way they'll get to work on a regular basis.
The elite unit of approximately 140 soldiers is in Kamloops until Aug. 11, conducting training exercises throughout the area.
This is the final month in a 16-week specialized training program required for admission into Canada's Special Forces.
The main body arrived Sunday and will work on individual, collective and operation training while in the area.
"We chose the Kamloops area because it is similar to Afghanistan and it's a very challenging terrain," said Capt. Greg Poehlmann, public affairs officer for the almost anonymous regiment, one of four comprising the newly formed Commander Canadian Special Operations Force Command (CANSOFCOM).
Once certified, its members will have the ability to deploy to any part of the world by conventional and non-conventional means in record speed.
"This unit will have the ability to do what we call independent operations," said Poehlmann.
"The concept of the unit is it will be high readiness, meaning that it can deploy anywhere within the world in two to three days and get there and do what needs to be done."
CSOR's main directive will be to support the highly classified Joint Task Force 2, Canada's official counter- terrorism organization whose motto is "Deeds, not words."
Although not as classified, CSOR will maintain the position of the "public face" of CANSOFCOM, which also includes 427 Special Operations Aviation Squadron and the Joint Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Defense Company.
More than 300 regular and reserve force members applied to the unit initiated as part of new Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Rick Hillier's recent Canadian Forces transformation.
It is anticipated CSOR will have an interim operational capability by Sept. 1, with full operational capability slated for 2010.
There will be no explosions or live fire during local training exercises and the use of simulated ammunitions will be determined on a day-to-day basis with respect to the local fire index rating.
Residents will see some activity, but on a much smaller scale than the Cougar Salvo manoeuvres in March.
Troops will be conducting exercises in the Tranquille, Strawberry Hill, Lac du Bois and Savona areas, and military helicopters will be flying over Kamloops.
Contact between soldiers and the public will be minimal, but Poehlmann advises: "If you bump into a soldier, don't be afraid to go up and say hi and talk to them.
"All our soldiers are approachable and they can say a few words."
