TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Dec. 15, 2015) - Joint Task Force (Central) (JTF(C)) is organizing a large-scale military exercise in Northern Ontario from February 13^th to 21^st, 2016 called Operation TRILLIUM RESPONSE 2016.

An opportunity exists to embed a few journalists (first come first serve) with soldiers on the ground for 24 to 36 hours in order to gain firsthand understanding of the training and conditions they experience.

If interested in participating please signify your interest to Lt (N) Karpenchuk (Daniel.karpenchuk@forces.gc.ca) at the latest 13 January 2016.

Please note that travel to Thunder Bay will be required (at the reporter's expense) to pick up necessary equipment, receive briefings and sign waivers to enter the Operational area. Air travel from Thunder Bay to one of the communities of the Exercise will be arranged by the Canadian Armed Forces, though some flexibility may be required due to weather and operational requirements. Media visits will be organized once the media participants are known and further information will be communicated at that time.

BACKGROUND:

TRILLIUM RESPONSE 2016 is a major field exercise and will involve members of dozens of units from all across Ontario, among them both members of the Regular and Reserve Force, training together to maintain the skills necessary to deploy as a team, wherever their help is needed.

TRILLIUM RESPONSE will see soldiers of Joint Task Force (Central) (JTF(C)) deploy to several communities in Northern Ontario to conduct training in remote and austere winter conditions, while simultaneously building and fostering relationships with First Nations and other government departments. Maintaining those skills and making these connections to First Nations and our partners in government will help to set the conditions for success for any future disaster relief operation or response to a Request For Assistance in the geographical area for which JTF(C) is responsible.

The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) will produce articles and imagery during the course of the operation. Those products will be available on the 4^th Canadian Division website and social media accounts. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you would like more information, including interviews.

Thank you for your interest. We look forward to sharing more about Operation TRILLIUM RESPONSE 2016 in the near future.