Photo Courtesy of The Ottawa Citizen
More than 30 soldiers based at CFB Petawawa suffered frostbite during a recent winter exercise in Alaska, according to the Canadian Army, raising concerns among some troops about equipment and conditions in the field.
The injuries occurred during Exercise Global Resolve in February, where soldiers were training in extreme cold near Fairbanks.
Army officials said a small number of troops were hospitalized, while about 30 others were forced to withdraw from the exercise due to frostbite injuries.
Several of those affected were members of the 3rd Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment based in Petawawa.
Some soldiers involved in the training told media outlets the number of injuries may have been higher, with claims circulating on social media suggesting between 60 and 70 cases.
A spokesperson for the Department of National Defence said the injuries were consistent with the risks associated with large-scale Arctic operations.
(Richard Evans)
