By Sarah Stone

Arctic Response Company Group sets up in Prince Albert

Feb 16, 2013 | 7:12 AM

Prince Albert will soon see an influx of soldiers step foot in the city.

A group of roughly 120 reserve soldiers from the 38 Canadian Brigade Group will be training in the Arctic Response Company Group (ARCG), known as the Exercise Arctic Bison 13.

“Right now we’re getting ready for the arrival of the main body from Winnipeg, Thunder Bay, Saskatoon. Some [soldiers] are coming in today and the rest are coming in tomorrow. So, right now we’re getting our duty centre command post set up, we’re taking a look at the ground further out by

Candle Lake and we’re getting the armouries ready for the arrival of everybody,” said Lieutenant Keith Hancharuk, senior duty officer on the exercise.

This training exercise began in 2009 as a basic winter survival exercise outside Churchill, Man. and is now alternating between regions above and below the Arctic Circle.

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From Feb. 17 to the 23 the troops will head to the Candle Lake area and Lt. Hancharuk said they’ll be split up into three platoons stretching over 250 kilometres. They will be equipped with 65 light over snow vehicles (LOSV), Canadian Forces Arctic clothing, Komiteks and Superboggins.

“They’re going to be engaged in patrolling, search and rescue and going over the normal battle task standards and learning to operate in cold weather,” he said, explaining this is to ensure if they government should call on their services they will be well prepared.

“We try to expand our capability to operate and work in cold weather and bring back some skill sets we’ve let slide slightly in the last 10 years as we’ve been busy in a desert environment in Afghanistan and we’re coming back to be masters of our own domain back here at home.”

Although the troops will be gathering at the Prince Albert Armoury on Exhibition Drive, there will be no local reserve soldiers attending the exercise as they are training elsewhere.

Media has been invited to join the ARCG on Feb. 20. paNOW reporter Sarah Stone (@sarahstone84) will be flying to the location and reporting from the training.

sstone@panow.com

On Twitter: sarahstone84