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Nearly 450 CAF Personnel deploy to Latvia 

Nearly 450 Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members, mainly from the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment (2 RCR) deployed to Latvia over the weekend to support Canadian operations under Operation REASSURANCE.

“The men and women of 2 RCR, along with the many soldiers, sailors, airmen and air women who have joined us from other units across the Canadian Armed Forces, are honoured to represent Canada in Latvia. We are prepared and ready to fulfill the commitment of which we have been asked,” said LCol. Sean French, Commanding Officer 2nd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment, and incoming commander of the eFP.

Members of 2 RCR will be replacing the 1st Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry in NATO’s enhanced Forward Presence (eFP) Battlegroup Latvia. The 2 RCR soldiers will serve as headquarters staff, an infantry company with Light Armoured Vehicles, military police, and logistical and communications support.

Before deploying, the soldiers completed an intense schedule of individual and collective training including weapons training, mental readiness, and language and cultural awareness.

“After months of training and preparation, the deploying members of the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment Battlegroup are ready to carry out the critical role of leading NATO’s enhanced Forward Presence Battlegroup Latvia. My very best wishes go out to all of our members deploying and I thank their families for their support and dedication,” said BGen, Stephen Cadden, Commander 4th Canadian Division, Canada’s Army in Ontario.

The eFP Battlegroup is tasked with training alongside Latvian Land Forces Infantry Brigade in order to deter, and if necessary, help defend the Latvian people against aggression.

The eFP Battlegroup is comprised of soldiers from Albania, Canada, Italy, Poland, Slovenia and Spain.

“I am extremely proud of the nearly 40 women and men of 5th Canadian Division — Canada’s Army in Atlantic Canada — who are supporting 4th Canadian Division and deploying as part of NATO’s enhanced Forward Presence Battlegroup Latvia. Our soldiers are strong, proud and ready to work alongside our Allies, building soldier-to-soldier relationships and mutual understanding that enhance NATO readiness and collective defence,” said BGen. Derek Macaulay, Commander 5th Canadian Division, Canada’s Army in Atlantic Canada.

Photo caption: Members of the Canadian armed forces deployed in Latvia to continue the deterrence mission. The majority of the troops participating in the deployment are from the 4th Canadian division in Ontario; approximately 40 are from Canada’s 5TH DIVISION

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Mishall Rehman

Originally from Atlanta, GA, Mishall is a freelance journalist pursuing her passion for writing in her new homeland Canada. She currently lives in Trenton, ON with her husband.

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