Strengthening Community Ties

Members of 4 Canadian Ranger Patrol Group on board PCT Grizzly during Exercise Sea Ranger at sea on Sept. 25. Photo: Sailor 3rd Class Jordan Schilstra, MARPAC Imaging Services

A/SLt Samantha Cortes Munoz, 
MARPAC Public Affairs 

— 

Royal Canadian Navy and Canadian Rangers Unite for Humanitarian Response Exercise

The Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) teamed up with the 4th Canadian Ranger Patrol Group (4CRPG) last month for a humanitarian training exercise simulating a 7.2 magnitude earthquake north of Port Hardy. The purpose of this exercise, taking place from Sept. 23 to 26, was to improve emergency response in remote communities in the Broughton Archipelago and Alert Bay areas demonstrating the military’s capacity to support Canada in its response to natural disasters.

The Ranger’s deployment to these areas during this simulated disaster reinforces the Military’s role as a key player in humanitarian efforts not only within Vancouver Island but across Canada and its surrounding waters. The exercise emphasizes military readiness along with the importance of promoting strong relationships with the communities they serve.

During the exercise, 4CRPG focused on strengthening skills such as predator control, search and rescue, first aid, damage assessment, and managing disaster zones. Some of the exercises included looking for and assessing hazards and damaged buildings, as well as practising how to build structures to support collapsing buildings while attending to injured personnel.

The Naval team helping in the transport of 4CRPG during this exercise included personnel from the Patrol Craft Training Unit, Naval Warfare Officer (NWO) IV Course – Bonaventure, and other sailors from CFB Esquimalt. Their varied experiences and knowledge, strengthened through sharing and learning from one another, ensures effective emergency strategies for remote areas that may lack immediate aid.

“I thought Ex Sea Ranger was a fantastic exercise, as it not only enriches the training experience for our NWO IV Charge Phase students but also enhances the skills of the Rangers,” said Commander Vincent Pellerin, the officer in tactical command. “Working alongside the Rangers of British Columbia opens new doors for collaboration and training, using the strengths of both the RCN and the Rangers to unlock untapped potential in these remote regions.”

“It is always a great experience to be able to cooperate with different branches of the military as we each bring unique experiences and are able to learn from one another throughout these exercises,” said NWO IV student Acting Sub-Lieutenant Rachel Kim.

Community engagement was a strong priority during Exercise Sea Ranger. By actively involving local residents through Orca-vessel tours and being host to an end of exercise dinner for the community and participants, the RCN and Canadian Rangers are not just preparing for potential emergencies, they are building a foundation of trust and cooperation that will benefit all involved for years to come.

As natural disasters can occur unexpectedly, the partnership between the RCN and 4CRPG demonstrates a strong commitment to supporting remote communities, ensuring they are prepared and not alone in facing challenges. Together, they stand ready to respond and strengthen their ties with British Columbia’s communities.

“Exercise Sea Ranger provided a valuable opportunity for the 4th Canadian Ranger Patrol Group to collaborate with the RCN.”, said Captain Byron Fetherston, 2IC of 4CRPG A Company. “Together, we were able to build connections in remote communities, develop critical emergency response capabilities, and enhance interoperability. Our Rangers departed the exercise with strong appreciation for the RCN’s expertise and a keen enthusiasm to work together in the future.”

Acting Sub-Lieutenant Nowlan explains a man-overboard drill to members of 4 Canadian Ranger Patrol Group onboard Patrol Craft Training Grizzly as part of Exercise Sea Ranger while at sea en route to Alert Bay.