33 CBG prepares at the 'training ground of the warriors”

33 CBG prepares at the "training ground of the warriors"

October 15, 2026 - Defence Stories

Estimated read time - 1:16

By: Lt(N) Andrew McLaughlin, PAO, 33 CBG

Over 500 soldiers from Northern, Central, and Eastern Ontario units of 33 Canadian Brigade Group (33 CBG) deployed to Garrison Petawawa from August 21 to 29, 2026 for Ex WOLFPACK GUARDIAN.

The exercise focused on modern offensive infantry operations supported by key enablers. "Canadian Army modernization dictates that we enhance our soldiers' ability to fight in today's battlespace, not yesterday's," said Lieutenant-Colonel Jamie Bell, Battalion Commanding Officer. "The evolving operational demands on the Canadian Army and the way we're modernizing to meet those demands drove this exercise from its conception."

33 CBG units deployed to Garrison Petawawa, "training ground of the warriors" to form Wolf Battalion, an infantry battalion group based on two infantry companies and critical support elements. The unit was supported by an integral Combat Service Support Company for logistics and sustainment, Combat Engineers for mobility and counter-mobility support, a robust Signals Platoon enabling digital and wireless communications and combat support effects that brought effective tools to a realistic, simulated combat environment.

In addition to these conventional aspects, the exercise was also supported by 450 Squadron, RCAF CH-147 Chinook helicopters for air mobile operations, an attached 33 Signal Regiment Electronic Warfare (EW) unit, and even an integrated Regular Force Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) course.

"This was the largest and most complex exercise we've fielded in years," said LCol Bell. "We not only deployed at scale and confirmed our ability to fight and sustain at the Bn level; we also brought multiple key enablers to the fight."

Other key training events and enabler activities included Military Police scenarios, an integrated intelligence section, field testing of modernized communications and EW assets, mobility and counter-mobility operations by a deployed Combat Engineer Troop (including Riverine Operations), real-time Combat Service Support operations including vehicle recoveries, and even a CANSOFCOM familiarization and recruiting event.