Shilo Stag
Patrick Grundle reached out to the Shilo Stag asking if there would be coverage of his son Gnr Nicholas Grundle’s return home from Latvia.
It happened mid-morning June 14, when two buses finally arrived out front of 1RCHA’s unit on Base. There were a dozen family members and friends awaiting the arrival, whereas, Patrick Grundle had to rely on photos relayed to him via Stag FB messenger.
“Awesome — thank-you so much,” he said after seeing photos of the buses arrive, then observing his son smiling for a snapshot as he waited to collect his military luggage off the bus.
It was a long day for the soldiers from B Bty, plus a few medics from 11 Health, after taking flight from Latvia following their six-month deployment as part of Op REASSURANCE. Once back in Canada at Edmonton International Airport in Nisku, Alberta, the military members boarded buses in darkness and their drivers used the Hwy 16 route back to Manitoba.
Hugs and kisses, some military members opened gifts from their children, or greeted by an excited canine companion who had not seen their owner since last December.
Then once paperwork was completed with 1RCHA clerks, luggage gathered, the returnees scattered in many directions leaving their unit. Up next, deployment leave where they can deflate following their six months overseas working alongside the Latvian military and their NATO partners.
Op REASSURANCE is currently the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) largest overseas mission, through which the CAF contributes to NATO assurance and deterrence measures in Central and Eastern Europe, and is part of the biggest reinforcement of Alliance collective defence in a generation.
Under Op REASSURANCE, the CAF currently has deployed a Maritime Task Force, which contributes ships to the Standing NATO Maritime Groups; an Air Task Force, providing logistical support out of Prestwick; and a Land Task Force, including enhanced Forward Presence Latvia, for which Canada is the Framework nation and 2PPCLI and 1RCHA have both been involved.
Op REASSURANCE is Canada’s largest current international military operation.
NATO agreed upon and began to enact a series of military measures on April 16, 2014 based on the principles of defence, deterrence and de-escalation meant to reinforce NATO’s collective defence and demonstrate the strength of allied solidarity.
The CAF offered assets and members to NATO on April 17, 2014.
When it comes to the current mission timeline, on June 29, 2022, Canada signed a joint declaration with Latvia to augment NATO’s enhanced Forward Presence in Latvia.
Going forward, Canada will:
• continue to lead NATO forces as the Framework Nation in Latvia;
• work with Latvia and NATO Allies to generate and stage forces in order to surge to a combat capable brigade;
• establish and lead elements of a forward brigade command and control; and
• be prepared to provide critical capabilities to operations, such as ammunition and explosives, air defense systems, and anti-tank weapons systems.
March 8, 2022 – Canada announced the multi-year renewal of Op REASSURANCE. This announcement was a year ahead of schedule and responded to the changing security situation in Eastern Europe.
Feb. 22, 2022 – Canada announced a battery of M777 artillery guns with forward observers, and an electronic warfare troop, consisting of approximately 155 soldiers, would be added to the Latvian Battle Group.
June 28, 2021 – The CAF opened the new multi-national headquarters building, adjacent to the Latvian National Armed Forces Joint Headquarters. This building currently houses Task Force Latvia headquarters and will be poised to house the leadership of the other allied nations that will contribute personnel to the NATO eFP Battle Group.
July 10, 2018 – Canada announced the renewal of Canada’s contribution to NATO’s enhanced Forward Presence until March 2023, which included increasing the number of members deployed to Latvia from 455 to 540.
August 17, 2017 – The Land Task Force in Poland completed its final deployment.
June 19, 2017 – Canadian-led NATO enhanced Forward Presence battlegroup Latvia was stood up.
May 13, 2014 – The CAF sent a Maritime Task Force of one frigate to Central and Eastern Europe. ceremony at Camp Adazi, Latvia.
May 3, 2014 – the CAF sent a Land Task Force to Central and Eastern Europe, based in Poland.
April 29, 2014 – the CAF sent its first CF-188 Hornet Air Task Force to Europe. Since then, the CAF had periodically sent air task forces to Central and Eastern Europe.
CAF members have continuously supported NATO assurance and deterrence measures since 2014. To date, 11 different ships have contributed to this operation over 18 deployments.
From April 16 to July 31, 2022, the CAF assisted the Polish Territorial Defence Force with managing the flow of refugees fleeing the Russian invasion of Ukraine. CAF elements also took part in interoperability training with their Polish counterparts.
From May 2014 to August 2017, more than 1,000 soldiers deployed in eight rotations to Europe as part of Land Task Force – Poland. Based at Drawsko Pomosrkie training area, they regularly took part in exercises with allies and partners.
The CAF has sent an air task force to three different countries: Romania (in 2014 and from 2017-21), Iceland (2017), and Lithuania (2014).
1RCHA CO LCol Joe O’Donnell and RSM CWO Sean McGowan greeted returning B Bty members after their two buses arrived mid-morning June 14, following a 12-hour drive from Edmonton, Alberta after the plane arrived from Latvia. Kids were reunited with dads, while an enthusiastic canine companion could not hide its excitement after the buses arrived. Once paperwork was completed and military luggage was collected, returnees left for a well-deserved rest after a long journey back home. Photos Jules Xavier/Shilo Stag
