Reservists test combat skills in rigorous CFB Meaford training

Reservists undergo combat training at CFB Meaford Nearly 300 reservists train for urban and CBRN operations at CFB Meaford.

Nearly 300 reservists from across Ontario are in the middle of an intense and detailed training exercise at CFB Meaford.

The exercise, called Stalwart Guardian,' is set up to simulate combat operations.

"We're doing combat rehearsals over the first period of the exercise, and then we'll move into full spectrum operations," said Lt.-Col. Jason Fox, the training exercise direction. "These combat rehearsals are actually going to be a combination of urban operations as well as CBRN, which is our chemical, biological, radiological type activities, and we're going through our drills."

Participants in the training described it as valuable practice and experience.

"It's a way for us to test our skills and make sure we are able to do the job that the country needs us to do when we need to do it. It's meant to be intense, but most of us are able to handle it due to the training we have," explained Sgt. Kevin Davenport with the Toronto Scottish Regiment.

Warrant Officer Adam Winnicki, who works with the Canadian Military, said they work in various environments, including challenging weather conditions. "Because we don't know where the future wars will happen and where the next battle will be, so we have to train in all different types of scenarios."

The group will take part in a large-scale simulated battle that will test them on everything they've been taught this year.

The training will continue at CFB Meaford until Tuesday.