Canadian Army starting training exercises on Ottawa River, Rideau Canal for next three Saturdays in August

Canadian Army Reserve personnel is conducting training exercises on the Ottawa River and Rideau Canal over the next three Saturdays, beginning on Aug. 12.

The Department of National Defence said personnel from 33 Combat Engineer Regiment will be conducting Exercise ‘Able Sapper’ on Aug. 12, Aug. 19 and Aug. 26, which is convoy and assault boat training.

Excercise include convoy drills on planned routes and the deployment of inflatable boats and Army personnel on the Ottawa River and Rideau Canal.

The training will start each morning and be completed the same evening, and participating soldiers will not carry any weapons or ammunition.

Members of the public may see military vehicles on area roads and highways throughout Ottawa and surrounding areas, including Pakenham, Arnprior, Dow’s Lake, Fitzroy Harbour and Shirleys Bay. They may also see inflatable boats on the Ottawa River with uniformed Canadian Army soldiers operating them.

The training is being done to maintain and further develop the skills of Canadian Army Reserve soldiers in convoy and small boat operations, and to test discipline, safety, and effectiveness while operating specific equipment platforms.