Recce mission lays groundwork for Ex Guerrier Nordique

Photo: Left to right: CWO Denis Bédard, Chief Roderick Pachano, Daisy House and LCol Jean-François Bédard during ARCG action plan presentations in Chisasibi.

Saturday, November 14, 2009

Chisasibi, Quebec — The Arctic Response Company Group (ARCG) planning team from
35 Canadian Brigade Group (CBG) travelled to Chisasibi earlier this fall on a reconnaissance mission.

The team was preparing for Exercise Guerrier Nordique, which will be conducted in the region in March 2010. It is an annual winter warfare exercise that will include sovereignty patrols, search and rescue operations and reconnaissance patrols.

The three-day mission gave the planning team the opportunity to meet the civil authorities of Chisasibi. It is crucial that the various planning and coordination meetings between civil and military authorities take place to ensure a successful outcome.

Positive welcome, positive results
Chief Roderick Pachano, in the company of his band council and Administrative Director Daisy House, welcomed the ARCG planning group from 35 CBG. The event opened with a spiritual ceremony performed by the band council, followed by a presentation by the Voltigeurs de Québec commanding officer and leader of the exercise, Lieutenant-Colonel Jean-François Bédard.
 
LCol Bédard described the training objectives and the positive impact the mission would have on the community. A gift exchange then took place with the Voltigeurs de Québec Sergeant-Major, Chief Warrant Officer Denis Bédard. Chief Pachano ensured total cooperation so that the planning team, headed by Major Daniel Lamoureux, could perform the appropriate planning and coordination.

A master marksman, Chief Pachano challenged Brigadier-General Guy Laroche to an ancestral shooting competition on the traditional shooting range prepared for the occasion. People gathered round to witness the Cree ritual. This historic occasion enabled 35 CBG to meet local authorities and lay the ground for ongoing cooperative ties.

Meekwech!

Article by the Voltigeurs de Québec Public Affairs Team