“Who are we? Airborne! Who are we? Airborne! How far do we go? All the way!”

This is the sound of Canadian paratroopers jumping from a perfectly good flying aircraft at 1,000 feet AGL. Approximately 50 soldiers from the 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light infantry and support staff participated in Exercise Orzel Alert. The US Army’s 173rd Infantry Combat Brigade Combat Team also sent about 100 jumpers. Poland hosted the exercise with the participation of the Polish 6th Airborne Brigade.

Ex. Orzel Alert was held between May 5 and May 9 in Poland, providing opportunities for the three countries’ airborne forces to boost their cooperation at the battalion level and below.

With the recent events in Ukraine, NATO countries are expanding their presence in Eastern Europe’s member countries. Canada has been one of the leading countries in the imposition of severe sanctions against Russia, and is extending their military presence both in Poland and in the Black Sea.