Exercise Northern Lights 24

Members of the 4th Canadian Ranger Patrol Group and the Australian Defence Force’s North West Mobile Force prepare to depart for a patrol exercise during Exercise Northern Lights 24.

Capt. Keun Kang, 
Public Affairs Officer, 4th Canadian Ranger Patrol Group 

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Canadian Rangers strengthen partnership with Australia’s NORFORCE

From Aug. 25 to Sept. 13, the 4th Canadian Ranger Patrol Group (4 CRPG) and the Australian Defence Force’s North West Mobile Force (NORFORCE) conducted Exercise Northern Lights 24.

Ex Northern Lights is a joint reciprocal exercise between these two units that began in 2011. Through this exercise, 4 CRPG and NORFORCE aim to enhance interoperability, foster camaraderie and promote mutual understanding between the two ally forces.

This year’s exercise saw NORFORCE personnel travel to Lac Brochet and Churchill, Man., before concluding in Grand Cache, Alta. The exercise involved support from Canadian Rangers across 4 CRPG’s area of operation. Planning for the exercise required sustaining a group of approximately 50 personnel in three remote locations throughout Western Canada for three weeks while providing valuable training opportunities. It took considerable time and effort to bring it to fruition.

Captain Eric Watters, second-in-command of 4 CRPG’s C Company, was involved in planning the exercise and highlighted the importance of building relationships and demonstrating the capabilities of the Canadian Rangers.

“This exercise fulfilled several purposes,” he said. “We developed our relationship with Canadian allies, provided high quality training for Australian counterparts and Canadian Ranger participants, and showcased the capabilities of the Canadian Rangers.”

For Canadian Ranger Sergeant (Sgt) Emily Coombs, who travelled from Ucluelet, B.C., to participate in the exercise, the experience was a chance to develop key skills and adapt to the unique challenges of operating in a remote and isolated environment. As a seasoned Patrol Commander in her own community, Sgt Coombs is no stranger to working in remote areas. However, this exercise presented new and unfamiliar challenges that pushed her to think creatively and find innovative solutions.

“My community is nowhere near as remote or isolated as those in Northern Manitoba,” she said. “Expect the unexpected and be prepared to be creative when finding solutions”.

Sgt Coombs was also impressed by the strength and resilience of the residents in these communities, saying the experience highlighted their adaptability, knowledge and ability to thrive in the harsh conditions of the Boreal Forest.

Major (Maj) Vatzlavik, who led NORFORCE participants, was impressed by the experience as well, describing the exercise as a “career highlight that exceeded [his] expectations.”

He was struck by the openness and willingness of the Canadian Rangers to share their knowledge, culture and country, calling it a truly special opportunity.

“The key takeaway for me was how similar our two countries and units are,” Maj Vatzlavik said. “While the climate and terrain are vastly different, our colonial history and culture of our First Nations are surprisingly similar in many ways. The challenges we face in both the remoteness and harshness of our terrain and the reliance on local knowledge are fundamental to both our units.”

Canadian Ranger (CR) Peterson, who participated in the exercise, echoed Maj Vatzlavik’s sentiments, highlighting the parallels between the Canadian Rangers and NORFORCE.

“I was struck by the similarities between our two organizations and the expectations placed upon them,” CR Peterson said.

As a Canadian Ranger from Grande Cache, Alta., CR Peterson emphasized the importance of intercommunity training, noting its value in providing opportunities for members to learn new skills and gain diverse experiences.

“I felt fortunate to engage with other Canadian Rangers from different communities, discussing and sharing their operational requirements and challenges,” he added.

Ex Northern Lights 24 was a memorable experience for all participants, leaving a lasting impact, with Maj Vatzlavik highlighting the great personal opportunity it offered.

“It was a chance to see some amazing country, meet some amazing people, and learn some new skills,” he said.

The exercise sets a high standard, and both forces are committed to continuing this partnership in the future.

The Australian Defence Force’s North West Mobile Force and their colleagues with the 4th Canadian Ranger Patrol Group pose together in Lac Brochet, Man.