Department of National Defence Handout Photo

By Chris Brown

Exercise Gander Warrior 2020

Helicopter training exercise taking place at CFB Suffield

Sep 18, 2020 | 2:27 PM

CFB SUFFIELD, AB – Don’t be surprised to see more helicopter activity than usual in the southeastern Alberta sky for the next two weeks.

408 Tactical Helicopter Squadron is taking part in training exercise Gander Warrior 2020.

According to the Department of National Defence, the exercise, from Sept. 18 to Oct. 2, will “deliver realistic and complex training missions to enhance and refine the 408 Squadron’s core tactical skills necessary to operate in a modern, mobile and austere battle space.”

The public can expect to see CH-146 Griffon helicopters operating in the area of CFB Suffield. Flying will take place only between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. and weapons will not be employed during the exercise.

Low-flying aircraft will be limited to an area north of the base, up to the Red Deer River. DND says aircraft will not be landing or refuelling in the low-flying area. Any flying outside the designated tactical low-flying area will conform with standard aviation regulations of 500 feet above ground and 1,000 feet above populated areas.

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408 Tactical Helicopter Squadron is co-located with 1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group at the 3rd Canadian Division Support Base, Edmonton. When the local training exercise is finished, up to 20 military vehicles will head back to Edmonton along Alberta highways in smaller convoys.

CFB Suffield is located about 40 kilometres west of Medicine Hat along Highway 1.