Domestically and Internationally 2019 marked a busy year for Canadian Army personnel

The Canadian Army, the largest of the Canadian Armed Forces’ three elements, ended 2019 on a high note. 

Participating in and completing over 25 operations, exercises, and events, 2020, is geared up to be equally as busy.

“The Canadian Army is always ready to accept whatever challenges come our way, and to execute our missions to the best of our ability and 2019 was no different. Here at home, our soldiers provided hurricane and flood relief to citizens across four provinces under the Operation LENTUS banner,” says Major-General Derek Macaulay, deputy commander Canadian Army. 

He added, “Abroad, they did outstanding work supporting NATO in Central and Eastern Europe and shared their considerable expertise with local security forces in the Middle East. I am proud of the excellent work done and professionalism demonstrated by our soldiers. I know this great work will continue throughout 2020, thanks in large part to the amazing support our soldiers receive from their families.” 

Domestic Operations

Over the course of the year, the Canadian Army helped communities across the country with Op LENTUS: 

• Supporting flood victims in Ontario, Quebec, and New Brunswick in the spring, 
• Pikangikum First Nation Evacuations in June, 
• Hurricane Dorian which affected residents in Nova Scotia in September.

While providing a helping hand to Canadians, troops were simultaneously completing training exercises and deployments across the globe.

International Operations 

Op Unifier, which focuses on assisting with security force training in Ukraine, saw 200 CAF members deployed every six months and was recently extended by the Government of Canada until March 2022.

Members also participated in Op Presence, providing consistent and reliable aeromedical evacuation coverage for civilians and UN peacekeepers in August 2019. Also, Canadian Army personnel were deployed on Operation Impact in Iraq and Syria, and on Operation Reassurance to name a few of the international operations. 

Events 

Although the majority of time was spent on the ground providing exceptional military training, collaboration, and support, CAF members enjoyed some fun events including the 2019 Canada Army Run in the nation’s capital, which moved locations to the Canadian War Museum, Military Combatives, and the IMJIN Hockey Classic.

In 2019, Canadians and military members commemorated the 75th anniversary of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy, as well as the 75th anniversary of the Corps of Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (RCEME).

Not slowing down in 2020

Now, in 2020 the Canadian Army is not slowing down. Already getting set for another year of High Readiness and the annual Exercise MAPLE RESOLVE, the Canadian Army is continuing to build partnerships across the country and around the globe.