Task Force TOMAHAWK

2 CMBG on the Road to High Readiness

Submitted | October 3, 2019 | Local

Man shakes other mans hand, woman stands beside them, several people stand in background

Mrs. Barbara Sarazin and Mr. Stan Mercredi shake hands with Colonel Jason Adair, Commander 2 CMBG during the Task Force Tomahawk stand up parade on September 30 at Garrison Petawawa. (Photo by Private Robert Kingerski, 2 CMBG HQ)

GARRISON PETAWAWA - On the morning of September 30, the Task Force TOMAHAWK stand up parade occurred at 0800 at Simmonds parade square on Garrison Petawawa. It included all 2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group (2 CMBG) units alongside representatives of Pikwakanagan First Nation and members of Task Force Tomahawk, both military and civilian.

Accompanied by the sound of a ceremonial drum song, the presentation of Task Force TOMAHAWK’s tomahawk was passed from Mrs. Barbara Sarazin and Mr. Stan Mercredi to the Brigade Sergeant Major Chief Warrant Officer Michael Forrest and the Commander of 2 CMBG, Colonel Jason Adair.

From tribal ceremonies and celebrations to spiritual festivals and tribal councils, drums lead the way for expressing Pikwakanagan First Nation culture and finding close spiritual relationships with the creator, which is the heartbeat of the people.

2 CMBG units gathered together to participate in a number of sporting activities events to commemorate the stand up of Task Force Tomahawk. Through sport and physical activity, 2 CMBG promoted healthy competition amongst units of Task Force Tomahawk, developing physical and mental resilience in preparation for our Road to High Readiness.

Large crowd of people standing, several in middle near podium

2 CMBG units stand alongside Pikwakanagan First Nation representatives and members of the Task Force Tomahawk, both military and civilian, during the parade. (Photo by Private Robert Kingerski, 2 CMBG HQ)

This will consist of one year of focused high readiness training, culminating with a high intensity exercise in Wainwright, Alberta in May 2020.

Task Force TOMAHAWK will remain active until the last of its deployed soldiers return to Canada.

While at high readiness, Task Force TOMAHAWK will train and remain prepared for all types of operations, from fighting potential foes, to security force capacity building and peace support operations.