Exercise CANDIAN RANGER READY 1 prepares participants for domestic operations
October 3, 2023 - Capt Natasha Tersigni, Public Affairs Officer, 4th Canadian Ranger Patrol Group
To ensure Canadian Rangers (CRs) are prepared and ready to deploy on domestic operations in support of the Canadian Armed Forces, Exercise CANADIAN RANGER READY 1 (Ex CRR1) was held at 4 Wing Cold Lake in Alberta from Sept. 20 to 27.
This training event was hosted by the 4th Canadian Ranger Patrol Group (4 CRPG) and saw over 180 Rangers and staff from across Canada come together to share best practices and improve their domestic operations skillsets.
With close to 5,000 Rangers in over 200 communities across the country, it is important to ensure all CRs have the baseline knowledge needed to ensure success on operations.
“The focus of Ex CRR1 is to ensure we train the fundamental skills we want all CRs to have, which is to shoot, move, communicate and lifesaving. We don’t know what the next mission for the Canadian Rangers will be, but we do know it will involve these broad skillsets,” explained Ex CRR1 Director and 4 CRPG Deputy Commanding Officer Major Darin Jenkins.
“There is an increasing demand for Canadian Rangers to assist with domestic operations. Just this month, 4 CRPG had CRs and a Canadian Ranger Instructor deployed to northern British Columbia to assist with Operation LENTUS 23‑08, which was support to the wildfires. To continue to deploy on these types of operations, we want our members to have the confidence and skills to be integrated into any domestic operation.”
The three main training stands for Ex CRR1 were: marksmanship, rope training and lifesaving first aid. Each training stand was led by CRs. Exercise participants spent one day at each site and received hands‑on experience on those skills.
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During Exercise CANADIAN RANGER READY 1, 4th Canadian Ranger Patrol Group Sergeant Major Chief Warrant Officer Dave Shultz demonstrates how to use a Canadian Ranger‑constructed highline on Sept. 22 at 4 Wing Cold Lake in Cold Lake, Alta.
Photo by Sgt Jesse Wagner, 4th Canadian Ranger Patrol Group
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Canadian Rangers participating in Exercise CANADIAN RANGER READY 1 took part in a C‑19 rifle range on Sept. 22 at the Primrose Small Arms Complex near 4 Wing Cold Lake in Cold Lake, Alta.
Photo by Cpl Alex Thornton, 4 Wing Cold Lake
“While the focus was on the hard, tangible skills, we also wanted CRs to be put in situations where they were able to further develop their leadership, communication, teamwork and personnel management skills. These skills are essential for success on any domestic operation no matter what region or CRPG the CR comes from,” explained Maj Jenkins, who added the exercise was led by CRs with support from full-time CRPG staff.
“As staff we wanted to enable the CRs to execute training self-sufficiently in a safe manner, so this exercise further emphasized the importance of having the CRs lead training and staff support when needed. Our Canadian Ranger Patrols operate in very remote and isolated communities, so we need ensure our members have the tools necessary to execute operations and training on their own.”
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Participants on Exercise CANADIAN RANGER READY 1 take part in a simulated wilderness first aid scenario during one of their three training stands on Sept. 23 at 4 Wing Cold Lake in Cold Lake, Alta.
Photo by Cpl Alex Thornton, 4 Wing Cold Lake
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During Exercise CANADIAN RANGER READY 1, held at 4 Wing Cold Lake in Cold Lake, Alta., from Sept. 20 to 27, participants had the opportunity to visit the local Combat Support Squadron, which specializes in Search and Rescue and medevacs. Canadian Rangers were able to speak with crew members and tour their equipment.
Photo by Canadian Ranger Peter Harvey, 4th Canadian Ranger Patrol Group
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