Canadian Army to hold largest military drill in 2016

Exercise MAPLE RESOLVE 2016, the Canadian Army's largest and most complex training event of the year, will take place in Wainwright, Canada, from May 23 to June 6, 2016, according to the Canadian National Defence Ministry Tuesday.

More than 6,000 CAF service people will participate in the exercise, which will provide Canadian Army soldiers, leaders, and other Canadian Armed Forces personnel a unique opportunity to enhance their combat readiness by responding to conventional and hybrid threats in a joint, integrated, multinational, and national whole-of-government environment.

The military game is expected to check the readiness of 1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group (1 CMBG) and elements of the Royal Canadian Air Force, testing their ability to operate anywhere in the world in order to deliver decisive land and air power as directed by the Government of Canada.

The exercise is the culminating phase of training that will allow 1 CMBG to assume its responsibilities as the Canadian Army's High Readiness brigade on July 1, 2016.

Canadian Army soldiers serving with 1 CMBG based in Edmonton, Alberta and Shilo, Manitoba will train with elements of the Royal Canadian Air Force, the United States (U.S.) Army, U.S. National Guard, U.S. Army Reserves, U.S. Marine Corps, and the British Army.

Over 1,200 soldiers from the U.S. Armed Forces and 150 soldiers from the British Army are to participate in the exercise.

"Exercise MAPLE RESOLVE is an excellent venue to provide soldiers and air personnel the opportunity to experience the realistic and dynamic training required to produce a combat-effective, multi-purpose land force. CAF members will leave Wainwright ready to deploy anywhere in the world on behalf of Canada, while enhancing our abilities to work with Allies and partners," Canadian National Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan said. Endit