On the morning of Feb. 14, CFB Comox celebrated Valentine鈥檚 Day with a bang, with the beginning of the annual Exercise Taz Runner.

This 12-year-long tradition, conducted from Feb. 15-29 at 19 Wing Comox, focuses on counter-improvised explosive device training and includes participants from the Royal Canadian Air Force, Canadian Army, and Royal Canadian Navy.

(Feb. 14 was a media event, introducing the exercise.)

鈥淭he exercise is a national level exercise where members practise the counter improvised explosive device procedures (with) teams coming from all across Canada,鈥� said operation officer Capt. Rich Howis. 鈥淲e鈥檝e got teams from as far away as Halifax, Nova Scotia.鈥�

CFB Comox invited Record to observe their teams at work.

鈥淭oday we鈥檙e simulating that there鈥檚 an improvised explosive device inside (a) vehicle,鈥� explained Howis. 鈥�(A remote-controlled) robot will be moving towards the vehicle and then, using a directional water disrupter, will be punching through the vehicle鈥檚 (door) and disrupting the package inside.鈥�

During the simulation, everyone鈥檚 attention was riveted on Teodor, a German-made, remote-controlled, heavy-duty robot.

As this military vehicle slowly made its way toward a beaten-up red Hyundai Accent, it carried the directional water disrupter at the end of a long wooden stick. Minutes later, it positioned itself beside the car, and following a short countdown, the device detonated, sending a shockwave rippling through the air.

Howis highlighted the importance of this annual pan-Canadian exercise as it ensures military personnel remain sharp and continuously refine their abilities when it comes to handling explosive devices.

鈥淢embers need to maintain their skills. They鈥檙e very highly trained, but it鈥檚 something you need to keep proficient at,鈥� said Howis. 鈥淭he qualifications are good for three years and at that point, everybody needs to recertify and this is one of the main recertification exercises in the country for that.鈥�

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