Road Advisory:  Increase of military vehicles expected on roads and forest service roads in Vernon area between 9 Feb and 11 Feb.

Road Advisory:  Increase of military vehicles expected on roads and forest service roads in vicinity of Vernon between 9 February and 11 February.

The British Columbia Dragoons, and the British Columbia Regiment, are conducting EXERCISE RAPID DRAGOON 24 in the area surrounding Vernon and the North Okanagan. EX RAPID DRAGOON 24, is a squadron level training exercises integrating planning cycles, with reconnaissance tasks, and sustainment rehearsals. Various army vehicles will be used on the exercise, and will likely have weapons systems mounted, with blank ammo only being used on Canadian Armed Forces / Department of National Defence facilities. Residents of the area may see an increased presence of army personnel and vehicles practicing navigation on both paved and unpaved roads in the North Okanagan Regional District.

According to LCol Trevor Waaga, BCD Commanding Officer, “This important training is being conducted concurrently with ongoing courses being run locally, and it’ll allow us to complete performance objectives for members’ career progression, while providing some valuable armoured vehicle training.” 

Roads being utilized:
Highway 97 (between Kelowna and Vernon)
Highway 6 (West of Lumby)
Commonage Road (Between Natal Drive and Bailey Road)
King Edward FSR
Noble Canyon Road

Measures are being taken to minimize inconvenience to additional road users, but residents are asked to give additional space to vehicles and personnel.

For information or media inquiries, contact:
Capt Michael Uusoue
Michael.uusoue@forces.gc.ca