A soldier from London is providing important technical support as the 31 Canadian Brigade Group conducts an annual winter training exercise.
Corporal Nick D’Ariano of London with the 31 Canadian Brigade Group, which is headquartered in London, is one of around 150 soldiers taking part in the NOREX exercise in the Geraldton, Ontario area from February 28 to March 8. NOREX is held yearly for the soldiers to practice their winter operations skills and demonstrate their ability to command, move, and communicate under harsh weather conditions in remote locations.
D’Ariano is a vehicle technician who is responsible for maintaining over 80 Canadian Army vehicles, such as snowmobiles, during the exercise. The soldier said he “signed up to be part of NOREX for the challenge of working in the harsh conditions found in the Canadian North.”
During the exercise, new patrols of Canadian Rangers from the 3rd Canadian Ranger Patrol Group are providing close mentorship to the soldiers of the 31 Canadian Brigade Group, many of whom are learning how to operate here as they go.
“This is the first time I’ve worked with the Rangers, and I’ve already learned many interesting survival skills from them,” said D’Ariano, who has been a vehicle technician for six years.
The best part about being in the Army, according to Corporal D’Ariano, is that “every day has a new challenge and it helps develop new ways to complete my job.”
