In a press release sent July 20, the public was warned that “residents may notice military vehicles, uniformed military personnel with weapons and hear noises associated with explosives and personal weapons,” the statement written by Major Amber Bineau said.

In an interview with The Equity last Friday, Major Bineau said the general public was unlikely to come into contact with military personnel due to the remoteness of the training location, but the DND wanted to warn locals out of an abundance of caution.

Major Bineau said simunitions (simulated munitions) would be used, but it was very unlikely locals would hear them due to the training exercises’ distance from populated areas of Sheenboro.

Due to COVID-19, many multinational forces have curtailed training. In normal times, Canadian forces would run training exercises in multiple international jurisdictions.

“Canadian populations who may not normally see us might be seeing us a little bit more than they would,” Bineau said.

This isn’t the first time training exercises have been conducted in the area. “They offer us a unique environment, that the bases don’t necessarily offer us, because when we train on the bases all the time, it becomes familiar to people.”

Special forces from locations across Ontario participated, though the majority were from the Petawawa garrison.

Staff and military personnel will complete training and clean up of the area by Monday, Major Bineau added.

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