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Disaster response team in exercise around Island

Canadian Armed Forces members will be taking part in training exercises around Comox, Port Alberni, Nanaimo and Campbell River starting Monday. Members of the Kingston, Ont.

Canadian Armed Forces members will be taking part in training exercises around Comox, Port Alberni, Nanaimo and Campbell River starting Monday.

Members of the Kingston, Ont.-based 1st Canadian Division will be on Vancouver Island until next Sunday for an exercise of the Disaster Assistance Response Team, also known as DART. The team assists in overseas disasters and humanitarian crises.

Maj. Isabelle Bresse of the Joint Operational Council in Ottawa said about 100 military members will take part in the exercise to ready themselves for providing assistance with an overseas disaster.

“It’s just to flex their muscles and make sure everybody is always good to go,” Bresse said.

In April 2015, Canada deployed DART members to Nepal following a major earthquake.