RANKIN INLET, NUNAVUT-  Canadian Armed Forces – Approximately 300 members of 4th Canadian Division’s Arctic Response Company Group (ARCG) and Domestic Response Company completed Exercise TRILLIUM RESPONSE 2014 today, following 10 days of training in the challenging conditions of Canada’s North.

The soldiers from Army Reserve units across Ontario spent the exercise honing their skills in survivability, mobility and sustainability around Rankin Inlet, Nunavut, supported by the Canadian Rangers of 1st Canadian Ranger Patrol Group.

Members of the ARCG successfully completed two long-range patrols, travelling nearly 375 kilometres across sea ice and tundra to reach the communities of Chesterfield Inlet and Whale Cove.

Despite temperatures that at times fell below -50°C, the soldiers conducted presence patrols, live fire ranges, tactical ambush operations and with the support of the 440 Squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), airmobile insertions to set up camps on the sea ice of Hudson Bay.

Quick Facts

• Nearly 300 Canadian Armed Forces members from Army Reserve units based across Ontario, participated in Exercise TRILLIUM RESPONSE 14, along with 25 Canadian Rangers from 1st Canadian Ranger Patrol Group and aircrew from 440 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force.
• Soldiers used 66 Light Over Snow Vehicles (LOSV) during the exercise, travelling nearly 375 kilometres on two long-range patrols and were airlifted into remote camps on the Hudson Bay sea ice aboard a CC-138 Twin Otter transport aircraft. The soldiers were armed with C7 rifles, C9 light machine guns and C6 medium machine guns.
• During the course of the exercise, temperatures ranged from a high of -35°C to a low of -59°C, including wind chill.