Impressive parachute training on display for the public at CFB Petawawa
The public got a rare glimpse at the unique training that takes place at CFB Petawawa Wednesday.
The Armed Forces Base in Petawawa, Ont. allowed the public to view the training exercise "Royal Trident" - which does not normally happen - due to the impressive display of parachuting skills involved.
Dozens of members of the 3rd Battalion of the Royal Canadian Regiment jumped from a low flying plane over Black Bear Beach to land in the water of Lamure Bay.
The exercise also involved a technique called helocasting, which involves members jumping from a low hovering helicopter into the water.
"It's to practice insertion methods by parachute both into a water drop zone as well as an insertion method from a low hover in a helicopter to insert light infantry forces," explains Maj. Paul Mayne, who organized the exercise.
"Paratroopers may at some point accidentally land in the water, so conducting an exercise such as this today allows us to practice their drills and how to react accordingly."
The public was invited to watch the 3rd Battalion of the Royal Canadian Regiment particiapte in a parachute training exercise in Petawawa, Ont. on Wednesday. (Dylan Dyson/CTV News Ottawa)
It was a rare opportunity for the public who live so close to Garrison Petawawa to see first hand the type of training that takes place, with over a hundred people lining the beach, cheering and applauding the jumpers.
"When we came out of the water with our parachutes and our equipment and we looked upon the beach and saw the crowd, definitely puts a bit of a tear in your eye because it's nice to see the families able to see their members participate in exercises like this," Master Warrant Officer Matthew Christensen said.
Christensen says he has participated in roughly 45 jumps to date - but the adrenaline and emotions behind it never fade.
"Definitely when the ramp or door opens up and you see the water or how high you are nerves definitely kick in," Christensen says. "But because we're taught and do so much repetition we just focus on the drills and getting out of the aircraft."
"Once you leave the aircraft, your static line that is attached to the parachute will deploy your parachute and gravity does the rest," adds Mayne.
CFB Petawawa is currently in the Canadian Armed Forces contingency phase, meaning they are on standby should they be needed elsewhere.
Its real-world training that keeps Armed Forces members sharp in a currently unpredictable climate.
"In the contingency phase for the Canadian army we are a high readiness unit," Mayne says.
"We're just preparing to respond to whatever the government of Canada decides we need to be used for."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW From yearning for a change to cost of living, why some Canadians have left or may leave the country
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
NEW Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
Defence attacks Stormy Daniels' credibility as she returns to the stand in Trump's hush money trial
Stormy Daniels will return to the witness stand Thursday in Donald Trump's hush money trial as the defence tries to undermine the credibility of the porn actor's salacious testimony about their alleged sexual encounter and the money she was paid to keep quiet.
With contactless screening tech, this Toronto startup hopes to catch breast cancer early — and save lives
Amid evidence of rising breast cancer rates among young women in Canada, one Toronto startup is offering a contactless and radiation-free device that can help doctors identify suspicious changes in breast tissue. The company, Linda Lifetech, says this can lead to earlier detection of breast cancer.
Tornadoes tear through southeastern U.S. as storms leave 3 dead
Forecasters warned a wave of dangerous storms in the U.S. could wash over parts of the South early Thursday, a day after severe weather with damaging tornadoes and large hail killed at least three people in the region.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.