The 2nd Canadian Ranger Patrol Group (2 CRPG) is officially launching Exercise AQIKGIK today with a ceremony at the Royal Military College in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu. This exercise, consisting of a snowmobile expedition to Indigenous communities in Northern Quebec and on the Lower North Shore, is in honour of the 70th anniversary of the Canadian Rangers and will take place from January 27 to March 17, 2017.
Six teams of six Canadian Rangers each will visit the 35 communities where the 2 CRPG patrols are located.
During the course of Exercise AQIKGIK, participants will travel 3,690 kilometres on snowmobile. More than 120 members of the Rangers (100 Canadian Rangers and 20 executives and instructors) will participate and will engage with the Ranger and Junior Canadian Ranger Patrols in the respective communities.
This northern expedition will demonstrate the operational capability of the Canadian Rangers, the vitality of the Junior Canadian Rangers, and the importance of the intergenerational cohesion existing between the two groups.
Quotes
“Exercise AQIKGIK is an opportunity to showcase the Canadian Rangers’ determination, drive, and professionalism. The Rangers are an integral part of the 2nd Canadian Division and Joint Task Force East team. I would like to thank all the Canadian Rangers and Junior Canadian Rangers who have served in the last 70 years and congratulate them for their invaluable contribution to our national security and to their individual communities."
Brigadier-General Hercule Gosselin, Commander of the 2nd Canadian Division and Joint Task Force (East)
“Exercise AQIKGIK 2017 will be the 2nd Canadian Ranger Patrol Group’s first time conducting a training exercise across its entire area of operations. This historic exercise will highlight the co‑operation between the Canadian Army and the communities of Northern Quebec and the Lower North Shore. Exercise AQIKGIK 2017 is without a doubt an extraordinary accomplishment, showcasing the Canadian Rangers’ operational capability, professionalism, and pride.”
Lieutenant-Colonel Bruno Plourde, Commander of the 2nd Canadian Ranger Patrol Group
Quick Facts
The expedition will begin on January 27, 2017, in Waskaganish, on James Bay. Video clips will be posted on the official Facebook pages of the 2nd Canadian Division and the 2 CRPG to capture the northern expedition’s progress.
In 2017, the Canadian Armed Forces will celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Canadian Rangers. Exercise AQIKGIK is an opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to national-security and public-safety missions in sparsely populated northern and isolated areas of Canada.
The Canadian Rangers are the military’s eyes and ears in northern, coastal, and isolated areas of Canada. They provide the Canadian Armed Forces with lightly-equipped, self-sufficient mobile forces to support domestic operations and to protect the sovereignty of Canada.
Exercise AQIKGIK will demonstrate Canadian Ranger capabilities and their crucial role as part of the Canadian Armed Forces, while serving their communities in a variety of roles including support to civilian authorities.
The Canadian Rangers train, mentor, coach, and supervise the Junior Canadian Rangers. They help to improve the quality of life for young people in remote and isolated regions by teaching both Canadian Ranger and traditional skills, helping them the tools to be dynamic and engaged members of their community.
