Approximately 300 Canadian Army Reservists from 31 Canadian Brigade Group will practice their combat skills at the Muscatatuck Urban Training Center and Camp Atterbury Joint Maneuver Training Center in Butlerville, Indiana, as part of Exercise ARROWHEAD LIGHTNING from March 12 to 19, 2016.

“Reserve soldiers sacrifice a considerable amount to balance their education and careers with military service," said Colonel Kevin Bertoia, Commander, 31 Canadian Brigade Group. "Exercises like ARROWHEAD LIGHTNING provide unique opportunities to test their skills and maintain their enthusiasm for interesting and challenging training.”
 
Exercise ARROWHEAD LIGHTNING 2016 begins with preparation training, including live-fire ranges, and culminates in a deployment to the Muscatatuck Urban Training Center, making use of combat watercraft for part of the movement into the training area. Training in new and challenging environments such as the Muscatatuck Urban Training Center and Camp Atterbury Joint Maneuver Training Center will help strengthen soldiers’ capabilities to operate effectively at home and abroad.

Reservists play a fundamental role in meeting the operational needs of the Canadian Armed Forces by contributing to security and defence requirements across Canada and internationally. They are fully-trained soldiers, many of whom maintain civilian careers or attend school. A number of soldiers participating on Exercise ARROWHEAD LIGHTNING have served overseas, putting their civilian commitments on hold for periods of up to a year.
 
Canadian Army Reserve units must ensure that their soldiers maintain key skills so they can participate in full-spectrum, joint, and combined operations at home and abroad.
 
Camp Atterbury Joint Maneuver Training Center and the Muscatatuck Urban Training Center offer unique live-fire ranges and state-of-the-art facilities that will greatly enhance this training experience for members of 31 Canadian Brigade Group.