Military vehicles may be spotted on Windsor roads this week

Military vehicle (Courtesy Canadian Army Reserve)

Canadian Army Reserve personal from Windsor will be taking to roads in military vehicles to conduct training exercises at a centre in Meaford.

“We have to train and retrain the soldiers and make sure they are up to date with their qualifications,” said Lt (N) Andrew McLaughlin of the 31 Canadian Brigade Group.

“It takes a long Canadian Army Reserve personal from Windsor will be taking to roads in military vehicles to conduct training exercises at a centre in Meaford.

“We have to train and retrain the soldiers and make sure they are up to date with their qualifications,” said Lt (N) Andrew McLaughlin of the 31 Canadian Brigade Group.

“It takes a long time to train from recruit to a person who is fit to complete a mission.”

McLaughlin said if people feel the frequency of these missions has stepped compared to previous years, “they are right,” as COVID made training challenging.

“When the training is interrupted we have to do some extra training.”

He said the Canadian Armed Forces wanted to let people know there would be increased military traffic near armouries in Windsor, London and Sarina starting on Thursday until Sunday.

The training is to help maintain and further develop the skills of Canadian Army Reserve soldiers in Armoured Cavalry operations, and to practice discipline, safety and effectiveness while operating specific vehicle platforms.

“Members of the public may see up to four Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicles (TAPV) and up to twelve Light Utility Vehicles, which are green Mercedes G-Wagens on Hwy 401, Hwy 23, Hwy 8, County Road 112, and Bruce County Hwy 12.”

People are told not be alarmed if they see soldiers with unloaded weapons and no ammunition will be issued during vehicle movements on the public roads.

“Our drivers are trained to drive in normal traffic.”

McLaughlin said the military vehicles are not intrusive but asks other drivers to treat the vehicles like larger tractor-trailers.

Reservists can be called upon to assist authorities in the event of a crisis, like a flood, or to assist the regular force during a military mission.