A pair of 105mm howitzers bark constantly as they turn plywood tank targets into kindling miles away in the windswept landscape of one of Canada’s largest military bases .

This is a weekend training session at Canadian Forces Base Suffield, 260 kilometers southeast of Calgary, for 158 members of the 41st Canadian Brigade Group, made up of units from the Army Reserve in Alberta and the Northwest Territories.

They range in age from 18 to 49 and include a high school teacher, the owner of a tailoring business, a private detective and a mountain guide.

Many hope to be deployed as part of NATO’s multinational battle group in Latvia and help fend off Russian threats.

Colonel Chris Hunt, brigade group commander, gives a pep talk to reservists training with C6 machine guns.

“For those of you… who just finished your basic infantry course, we’re going to have to form two consecutive battle groups in ’27 and ’28. So get as many qualifications as you can now,” he said. declared. screams because of a howling west wind.

“It’s going to make you competitive for deployment. We’re one bad news away from being on full-time active duty for all of us.”

CFB Suffield

CFB Suffield has been the military training site in the region since 1972 and, with an area of ​​2,700 square kilometers, constitutes the largest military training area in Canada. There are knee-deep hills and native prairie grasses as far as the eye can see, and for safety reasons, the artillery range is 12 miles from the base’s other training areas.

Captain Peter Rosendal, 49, is deployed to Latvia and promoted to the rank of major for a period of six months starting in December.

“I’m looking forward to it. It’s my first deployment.”

Rosendal belongs to the Southern Alberta Light Horse, an armored reconnaissance unit, and was in the reserves from 1986 to 2000. He then worked as a high school teacher in Lethbridge, Alberta, for 17 years before joining the military.

“Actually, I’m a strange bear. I had to (do basic training) again,” he said.

He says conflicts around the world, including in Ukraine, make training more urgent.

“There is a direct impact on what you do.”

Major Brent Peters joined the Canadian Forces at the age of 17. He continues to serve part-time with the King’s Own Calgary Regiment and has been deployed to Bosnia-Herzegovina and Afghanistan.

“The new soldiers are really eager to get out and ride in the armored vehicles,” says Peters, who in his civilian life works as a mountain guide.

Pte. Rhys Dunnill Jones, 23, says he comes from a military family and wanted to improve his mental and physical strength.

He owns a company that sews and designs tactical gear.

“I think it’s great to be part of a bigger, more cohesive group. You can also play with machine guns,” he says with a laugh.

“I would love, if I had the opportunity, to deploy.”

At 18, Pte. Zachary Fowler is the baby of the group. Also from a military family, he looks forward to serving overseas.

“I’m trying to take whatever steps I can to be able to do it,” he says.

Bombardier Raymond Chow owns a paintball field in the Edmonton area, works at the airport and is also a process server and private investigator.

Chow, 31, says he joined the reserves after college and would like to be deployed one day.

“Now I do it as sort of a side hobby. It’s kind of fun,” he says.

“Definitely at some point in my career. Maybe when I’m a little older… Maybe in five years.”

Hunt, the brigade group commander, says recruiting in the reserves has been ramped up to produce as many part-time professional soldiers as quickly as possible.

“Canada has a long-term commitment to Latvia,” he said.

“The army will be in Latvia for the long term, so maintaining this commitment will require reservists working alongside our regular force colleagues.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published November 10, 2024.