Canadian troops train in UK alongside British forces for first time in over 30 years

For the first time in more than 30 years, Canadian troops are in the UK training alongside British Forces on Exercise Wessex Storm in Wiltshire.

A platoon of reservists from the Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa are being put to the test alongside soldiers from the Royal Regiment of Scotland for the battlegroup exercise. 

Corporal Alexander Brundige, from the Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa, told Forces News: "This is an excellent experience, understanding how different militaries operate and sharing that... it's enriching for both parts."

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Wessex Storm is an important exercise for 4 SCOTS ahead of its deployment as part of Nato's Very High Readiness Joint Task Force.

The field training phase lasts 10 days and runs 24/7. The exercise will run for six weeks in total and ensures units can deliver the very high level of operational effectiveness expected.

It is tough on the troops but the vehicles get a bruising too, and it is up to the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) to keep them going.

Staff Sergeant Adrian Roberts, 4 Scots, REME, said the main issues were Land-Rover gearbox changes and full engine changes for the Foxhounds.

"It's large scale, due to the usage of the vehicles deployed on exercise and out on the arduous terrain day to day, so definitely the faults are a lot more than we would get back at camp."