Army reservists from 17 Wing hopped on a plane bound for a special mission in Canada’s high arctic.
One hundred army reservists in the Arctic Response Company Group are flying to Resolute Bay, Nunavut to put their winter training to the ultimate test.
Exercise Arctic Ram is taking place 1,000 kilometres from the North Pole. While there, men and women will work between Resolute Bay and Little Cornwallis Island, conducting a simulated search and recovery of a downed satellite component.
The reservists met the crisp air and beautiful sunrise boarding their flight at 9 a.m. Saturday morning.
According to 17 Wing, the soldiers are making history. This is the farthest north the group has ever travelled for training.
The military says challenges the climate, geography, distance, and infrastructure pose significant challenges.
"This is one of the most dangerous missions I've seen the army reserves do in a very, very long time, aside from going to war in Afghanistan,” said Maj. Mike Lagace of the 38 Canadian Brigade Group.
“This is going to be a very dangerous mission for them. They are well prepared, but you just don't know the arctic ice, especially when you are going over the Arctic Ocean, and they are going to see that."
The mission of arctic exercises is to train for the Canadian Armed Forces' capability to deploy in the north, but it's also giving young people new skills and new experiences.
"As a medic, I will be supporting the platoon, and I will be making sure nobody freezes,” said Pvt. Janique Fillion. “It's going to be a great experience. I get to work my whole platoon. I get hands-on experience and make sure everything goes very smoothly."
"It's an adventure right? It's hard to turn it down," said Mcpl. James Zubriski, who will be working in communications.
In addition, 120 members from the Princess Patricia Canadian Light Infantry in Edmonton are also taking part.
The group returns Feb. 20.
