Canadian Army reservists practise cold weather survival tactics in Hearst area

Canadian Army reservists have been conducting a nine-day winter exercise in the Hearst area. The winter warfare exercise is titled Glacial Arrowhead 26.

Canadian Army reservists have been conducting a nine-day winter exercise in the Hearst area. The winter warfare exercise is called Glacial Arrowhead 26.

“If you can fight in the cold, you can fight anywhere in the world because it’s the hardest thing to do,” said Sgt. Seth Wiggins of the Grey and Simcoe Foresters.

A command centre was established in the town’s fire hall to maintain communication with three platoons positioned in the Arctic Watershed, north of Constance Lake First Nation.

Maj. Mark Richardson, the commanding officer for the tactical portion of the operation, said the soldiers were working on defensive tactics.

“We are holding a position to prevent a notional or pretend enemy force from advancing south towards the community of Hearst, so we are protecting (Roger’s Road) from an advancing enemy force,” said Richardson.

About 170 reservists from communities mostly in southern Ontario were in Hearst to rehearse warfighting skills in a sub-zero climate in the event of being called to serve.

Hearst was chosen this year from a dozen locations for its austere environment and its proximity to the Trans-Canada Highway.

“This is my first trip to Hearst,” said Wiggins.

“But we do these exercises every year as part of a large reserve mobilization to practise our warfighting skills in the Arctic and subarctic environment. It was very cold when we got here. It was -45 and very challenging conditions. But we persevered through and did our job.”

Cpl. Kira Pawluk of the Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada said the experience has taught her a lot about managing herself and others.

“If you’re cold and you’re getting cold, you’re not going to be very helpful to everybody else if you’re suffering,” Pawluk said.

“So keeping accountability of yourself and then also checking in on your friends -- because if they’re cold, they might not say it or if people aren’t complaining, typically that’s a bad sign. They’re suffering in silence and you don’t want that.”

As world politics evolve, Richardson said it’s important for reservists be prepared.

“Should we need to defend Canada or respond to anything domestically, as well,” he said.

Training in Hearst also presented the unique opportunity to learn skills from the Canadian Rangers. Master Corporal Donny Sutherland with Constance Lake First Nation Canadian Rangers said they are supporting the reservists with whatever they need to learn.

“Like living, surviving off in the land, or how do you properly maneuver through the snow?” Sutherland said.

“How to build fires, how to check the ice. What else could there be? How to properly take down trees, how to properly look for, you know, firewood.”

Glacial Arrowhead 26 concludes this weekend with personnel returning to their home garrisons. Leaders said it’s this exposure helps Canadians be aware that reservists operate in 117 communities and play a role in defending Canadian Arctic sovereignty.