More on Canadian reservists training in Virginia

Further to this post, here are some more details:

FORT PICKETT, VA - More than 300 army reserve soldiers from 37 Canadian Brigade Group (CBG) (New Brunswick and Newfoundland and Labrador) [a reserve unit] are now in Virginia for a nine-day exercise with the goal of presenting "Afghan type" scenarios to hone soldier skills in the areas of urban operations and range training.

"There are some great advantages in terms of some of the ranges that we don't currently have in Canada - When you go to Gagetown 15 times in a row you get to know the terrain," said Maj. Mike Bech, an operations officer with the 37 CBG. "By coming here everything is new and there's a heightened sense of awareness of the environment."

Known as Exercise Maritime Raider, it is the largest training event for 37 CBG this year and aims to teach skills that will aid Reserve soldiers in future deployments to conflict areas around the world.

The exercise started on Feb. 29 with a day of general skills taught for those who may not have been previously trained with their individual units. Then the next three days focused on section and platoon level missions and personal weapons.

For the final three day operation, soldiers will have to undergo a 24/7 rotation where they participate in one of three activities - one is a mock search for explosive materials or enemies, another is dealing with an attack on a building and the final one is a defensive posture on home base out in the field.

Bech says thus far response from the soldiers has been overwhelmingly positive.

"It's been a resounding success. They're very happy with the level of training and have fired a lot of ammunition and are becoming confident with the weapon systems. It's really an awesome chance for them to bring it up to another level," he said. "By and large, everyone is really pleased with the training, really satisfied and looking forward to next year."

While the soldiers in attendance from New Brunswick are likely happy to get away from the miserable weather that is looming in the area, the weather has been far from perfect in Virginia.

"It's actually quite funny - we've had pretty reasonable weather the whole time up until (Tuesday)," Bech said noting that a tornado warning and a flash flood through the camp caused the power to have to be cut from operations. "It was raining sideways, if you can believe that."

Bech says the goal is to have soldiers become prepared for more intense training, as realistically some reserves could see themselves deployed overseas within a year.

The simulations are also making much use of people "role playing" and use of sensor equipment which allows full electronic monitoring for further feedback on training missions.

"Everyone's got (sensors) on, so you never know what villager is going to be a bad guy in actuality, until he pulls a weapon out and fires at you," Bech said of the simulations.

Bech says the simulation strives for as much realism as possible, whether it's having the same tents that are used in overseas deployment to having names on the maps similar to what you would find in Kandahar.

"It's the best we can provide for an overarching scenario that provides them with the look and feel of Afghanistan. While it's not a 100 per cent solution, I think we've got it pretty darn close," he said.

The 37 CBG soldiers will return on March 9.