LOW-LEVEL TACTICAL AVIATION EXERCISES IN PONTIAC

LOW-LEVEL TACTICAL AVIATION EXERCISES IN PONTIAC

Military training activities will take place in several areas of the Pontiac region over the coming weeks.

From October 13th to November 10th 2026, the Royal Canadian Air Force 2602 Tactical Aviation Basic Course will be held at Garrison Petawawa, Ontario. As part of this training, CH-146 Griffon and CH-147F Chinook helicopters will conduct low-level flights in authorized training areas.

In Quebec, affected areas include Mansfield-et-Pontefract, Sheenboro, Lac-Nilgaut and L’Isle-aux-Allumettes, as well as some municipalities in the Pontiac.

Landowners have voluntarily granted access to their land to allow the military to train under realistic conditions. Low-level flight operations are therefore planned in several areas of the region.

Exercises will include simulated friendly and enemy forces. Residents could observe, among other things, blank ammunition, flares and pyrotechnics, as well as military vehicles circulating in the area.

Simulated enemy forces will be identified with orange caps and orange or yellow reflective armlets. Weapons used during training shall be clearly identified, and blank ammunition shall only be used in designated training areas.

National Defence indicates that activities will be closely supervised and flight operations will be planned for weather and visibility. Authorities are simply asking residents not to worry if they see military helicopters or hear unusual noises.

The objective of this training is to prepare members of the Royal Canadian Air Force to conduct helicopter operations in realistic environments, both at home and abroad.