Experts from across the Canadian Armed Forces are in the Comox Valley to hone their skills at safely disposing explosives.
Exercise Tazz-Runner '13 is a two-week training opportunity, designed to challenge explosives ordnance disposal (EOD) personnel by putting them through a number of realistic situations.
While in Comox, teams have a chance to not only improve their own abilities, but to share experiences and knowledge with members from other bases across Canada. Teams from the Royal Canadian Navy, Canadian Army and Royal Canadian Air Force are taking part in the exercise.
"This is important continuation training for our members," said Capt. James Cox, commanding officer of 19 Explosives Disposal Flight. "Explosives are constantly evolving and our personnel need to ensure they will be ready to meet the challenge they pose, regardless of where in the world we are called upon to deploy."
The teams will take part in a wide range of scenarios during the exercise, which will involve training at 19 Wing Comox and various locations throughout the Comox Valley, to simulate working in dynamic and complex urban environments.
"The teams use a wide range of equipment to remove explosives," said Capt. Greg Owens, an exercise controller with 1 Canadian Air Division, Winnipeg. "Given the number of recent advances in EOD technology, it is important for our members to train constantly with this equipment to ensure they can use it to its maximum effect."
Many of the exercise participants are members of the RCAF who specialize in air weapons. However, as experts in dealing with explosive devices, they are often deployed around the world to support army, navy or joint operations as well.
— CFB Comox