Military exercise alarms city's refugee community

[Canadian Socialist]

CBC News
Simulated warfare set to take place on Winnipeg's streets next week could cause major emotional stress among recent immigrants, a refugee agency says.

About 500 military reservists will take part in Exercise Charging Bison, one of the largest urban-warfare exercises in Canadian history.

Wanda Yamomoto, volunteer service co-ordinator with Welcome Place, says soldiers patrolling the streets could evoke horrific memories for new immigrants, many of whom came to the city from war-ravaged nations.

"We have a number of refugees who are located primarily in the downtown area," Yamomoto said. "As soon as they start to see folks in full military combat uniforms carrying rifles and things like that, they may be re-traumatized."

Col. Kelly Woiden with the Armed Forces' 38th brigade said Charging Bison will focus very little on combat scenarios.

"You'll see some smaller patrol-sized groups of soldiers doing what we call stabilization operations – training for an environment which looks at peace support operations, humanitarian assistance and operations," Woiden said.

"The population as a whole will not see World War II."

<snip>
more here...http://www.cbc.ca/manitoba/story/mb-charging-bison-20060428.html
Why Winnipeg? Weather similar to Iraq and/or Afghanistan? :shrug:

[Canadian Socialist]

1. Boots on ground

Troops train for real-life role

By CHRIS KITCHING, STAFF REPORTER

A week-long military exercise involving 500 soldiers training for situations in urban warfare begins today in Winnipeg.

Residents may have already noticed an unusual military presence in the city, especially in three neighbourhoods where camps have been set up.

Dubbed Exercise Charging Bison, troops from Canada and the U.S. will occupy those areas day and night until Saturday.

"The whole aim is to train our troops with minimal disruptions to the public," said Brian Hillier, a civilian public affairs officer with Land Force Western Area headquarters in Edmonton.
http://www.winnipegsun.com/News/Winnipeg/2006/04/30/1557333-sun.html">More at link