Entered into the database on Tuesday, May 02nd, 2006 @ 15:32:33 MST
More than 500 soldiers carrying guns will fan out through Winnipeg
streets beginning Sunday, in the largest urban-warfare training exercise in
the Canadian military's history. The military reservists from Saskatchewan, Manitoba and northwestern Ontario will
take part in Exercise Charging Bison from Sunday to May 6. The military says it's important because soldiers are finding themselves patrolling
civilian areas more often, in places like Afghanistan. Letters have been sent to 58,000 homes in three neighbourhoods where the drills
will take place. No road closures are planned, said Brian Hillier, a civilian public affairs
officer with Land Force Western Area headquarters in Edmonton. Soldiers will be armed, but they'll be using blank or simulated munitions or
pyrotechnics during day sessions, he said. INDEPTH: Canadian
military
