SOLDIERS READY
Operation Vector involves military in distribution
Edmonton-based soldiers will be ready to help with the COVID-19 pandemic including distributing a vaccine if called upon by the Alberta government, says the commander of 1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group (1 CMBG).
In a year-end interview, Col. Wade Rutland said the military has a long history of running logistics and communications. He said part of the military's domestic mandate is to provide aid to provinces upon request including with the distribution of a vaccine.
“If a province does ask for help, we will look internally (in) what capacity we can provide (it),” he said.
“It is without a doubt that domestic operations are the top priority. If we are asked, we will look internally at what can be provided and we will go to the maximum to do that. I actually don't know what next year will bring but we'll be ready for whatever phone call comes our way.”
Premier Jason Kenney on Dec. 2 unveiled the province's vaccination distribution strategy, which will be rolled out over three phases. Leading the charge is former Lt.- Gen. Paul Wynnyk, the deputy minister of municipal affairs. While Kenney did not mention any specific involvement of the military, he did highlight Wynnyk's more than 38 years of military service during his announcement.
In November, Ontario Premier Doug Ford made a similar announcement with the appointment of retired Gen. Rick Hillier leading the rollout of the vaccine in that province.
Last week, the federal government announced the approval of a COVID-19 vaccine developed by pharmaceutical giant Pfizer.
Canada is expected to receive up to 249,000 doses.
The first round of vaccinations in Alberta is scheduled to begin on Wednesday at two hospitals in Edmonton and two in Calgary.
Nearly 4,000 doses will be given to intensive care doctors, nurses, respiratory therapists and carehome workers.
Canada's military response to the pandemic is called Operation LASER. Throughout the year, Canadian soldiers have been deployed to provinces and territories for a variety of tasks from assisting local officials with COVID-19 relief to evacuations.
Military personnel were notably involved in assisting health officials in Ontario and Quebec manage outbreaks at long-term care facilities.
Following a request from the federal government, Gen. Jonathan Vance, chief of the defence staff, issued a formal order to the Canadian military to start planning for the distribution of a vaccine. Known as Operation Vector, the military's role will include preparing storage facilities and possibly flying in doses on short notice from Europe and the United States.
Rutland said for soldiers to be able to provide aid, they have to be sure they haven't contracted the virus. He said base operations had to be modified to allow for soldiers to continue to train in a safe way, which included keeping people separated as much as possible such as during marches.
“(Soldiers are) really innovative because we're used to dealing with friction of operations and not having everything you ever need, but they're also great at creating new habits and following orders,” he said.
“When you tell people, `Hey, you need to wear a mask' or you need to wash your hands upon entering a building, it happens really fast.”
Rutland said each battalion is its own cohort and if someone presents symptoms, the unit will leave work and return home to self-isolate until officials can do contact tracing.
Rutland wasn't able to provide details on how many cases the base has had but he said there hasn't been any big spread or cluster like what has been happening outside in the greater community.
Rutland said the biggest challenge has been breaking habits that have been learned over the centuries.
“We pride ourselves that the mission comes first and if you are injured or sick, there's a mission to do so you carry on,” he said.
“(Now) it is the opposite. It's like, `Hey if you're feeling ill, you will not come to work because you're doing everyone a favour.' ”
Rutland praised the support provided by military families whether soldiers are at home or overseas.
From June 2019 to the end of November, 2,000 Edmonton-based soldiers have been deployed for a variety of missions, including missions in the Middle East.