US-Canadian exercise "Vigilant Guardian" Aug 17-26

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US-Canadian exercise "Vigilant Guardian" Aug 17-26 (same exercise run on 9-11)

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(FFN Editors note: These same "Vigilant Guardian" drills were being run on 9-11, which depleted the NORAD air defenses. More coming soon on these drills in August...)

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http://www.broadcastermagazine.com/issues/...;issue=08042006

Daily News Friday, August 04, 2006

Media Invited to Embed with Canadian Army

Members of the broadcast and print media are being invited to embed with the Canadian Army, and to experience a "battle rhythm" of combat-related activities and exercises.

Some 2,500 soldiers from across Ontario will be involved in what's called a "practise Full-Spectrum Operation" during EXERCISE VIGILANT GUARDIAN '06, to be held in Petawawa, ON from Saturday, August 19 to Sunday, August 27.

The exercise is described as a chance for reporters and news crews to experience the embedding process and to get an inside look at life in a Forward Operating Base; living with, patrolling with, and reporting on Canadian soldiers in an operation-like setting.

Opportunities include: cordon-and-search operations, presence patrolling, raids and vehicle checkpoints. As well, there will be opportunities to cover artillery live-fire and armoured reconnaissance.

Embedding media can sign up for as long as they want, up to the duration of the Exercise.

There will be high-speed Internet connections available at an Exercise Public Information Centre to assist media in sending/filing their stories from Petawawa; media are advised to bring their own laptop computers for composing stories.

For embeds, the ideal is to plan for a two-and-a-half day embed, with a first half-day for orientation prior embedding on the first evening. The second day reporters would integrate with soldiers as the troops ready themselves in a planning and preparation cycle. Reporters are given insight into battle procedure, and will accompany the soldiers on assignment the third day.

The exercise will involve all 40 of the Reserve units of Land Force Central Area (LFCA), the Army command in Ontario. Air Force, Communication, and Field Ambulance Reservists will also deploy to support the exercise.

Full-spectrum operations can include simultaneous combination of humanitarian assistance, stabilization and/or peace support operations, generally set within the context of medium-intensity fighting, exercise spokepeople describe. As the culmination of a year of training, Vigilant Guardian '06 is designed to demonstrate the skills and cohesion of the units involved and will simulate as closely as possible actual overseas operations.

A suggested packing list of personal gear and clothing for media is provided to the media, with notes on clothing to be worn and suggested items for a small knapsack.

Packing List for Embedded Media ? based on a 48-72 hour embed:

Clothing to be worn

(All clothing should be of a neutral colour ? especially avoid white, bright or fluorescent colours.)

Sturdy hiking-type boots

Heavyweight socks & lightweight socks (A "sock system" of a lightweight synthetic sock on the inside and a heavyweight wool blend or heavy cotton blend sock on the outside helps keep feet drier and reduces chaffing on longer hikes.)

T-shirt

Pants ? khaki

Shirt ? long-sleeved

Tilley-type hat

Water bottle (at least 1L size) and carrier

Media ID

Sunglasses

In a small knapsack for hiking

(Line the knapsack with garbage bag to keep contents dry.)

Change of socks

Rain suit (rain pants and rain jacket ? green or brown, not yellow or red)

Foot powder

Insect repellent

Sun block

Lip balm

Camping knife-fork-spoon combination

Plastic (melmac) plate

Plastic (melmac) cup

Compact flashlight

Gloves

In a lockable dufflebag with lock:

(Pack items in plastic garbage bags or ziplocks to help keep them dry.)

Change of footwear

Change of underwear x 3

Change of socks x 3

Change of T-shirt x 3

Pants

Shirt ? long-sleeved

Sweater

Light jacket (Jacket should be able to go over the sweater for cooler weather.)

Bath towel

Hand towel

Face Cloth

Toiletries (pack in a separate kit and store in the duffle bag)

Shaving gear or feminine protection

Toothbrush

Toothpaste

Deodorant

Soap

Shampoo

Shower shoes or flip-flops

Sleeping Gear

Sleeping bag and valise (Line the valise with a green garbage bag to keep the sleeping bag dry when packed.)

Small pillow

Thermarest pad

Media Gear

Any gear that you require for your job as a reporter or photographer, including cameras, laptops, cables, notepads, pens, etc.