ENGLISH IS2011-5017-03 25 July 2011 Yavoriv, Ukraine

Paratroopers from 3rd Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment, embark on a Ukrainian MI-8 Helicopter throughout airborne operations during Exercise Rapid Trident 2011.

Thirty-one Canadian Forces paratroopers have undergone Ukrainian paratrooper training from Ukrainian paratroopers of the 80th Airborne Regiment in Lviv, Ukraine, 2011. From July 19 to 23, Canadian soldiers prepared for Exercise Rapid Trident 2011 where they will use Ukrainian paratrooper equipment and aircraft, a first for any NATO country.

Rapid Trident 2011 is an exercise held from July 25 to August 5, 2011, that involves approximately 1,600 personnel from 13 NATO and Partnership for Peace member nations: Belarus, Estonia, Georgia, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Poland, Serbia, Slovenia, Ukraine, the UK, USA and Canada. This year, Exercise Rapid Trident 2011 consists of a multi-national airborne operation and field training exercise that is hosted by Ukraine in support of Ukraine’s Annual National Program to achieve interoperability with NATO. The complete Canadian delegation is represented by 25 paratroopers from C Company, 3e Battalion Royal 22e Régiment, augmented by four reserve paratroopers, two parachute riggers from Canadian Forces Land Advanced Warfare Center and one medical technician from 5 Field Ambulance with paratrooper qualifications, and representatives of ADM (Pol) and ADM (PA), for a total of 35 personnel. Canadian soldiers are participating only in the first week of Exercise Rapid Trident 2011 where, along with troops from Partnership for Peace countries, they will jump from Ukrainian Illusion 76 aircraft and MI-8 helicopters. Held at the International Peacekeeping and Security Center in Yavoriv, Ukraine, Exercise Rapid Trident 2011 is designed to enhance joint combined interoperability with allied and partner nations to achieve common goals of security, stability and peace.