Vehicles for Canada's largest military training exercise roll through Greater Sudbury

Video of military vehicles being transported by rail Watch video of military vehicles being transported via train April 9 at a railway crossing in Greater Sudbury. (Source: Rick Corbeil)

SUDBURY — Hardware set for use in Canada's largest military exercise, were returning to home bases across the country, after the operation was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 'Maple Resolve' would have seen 4,000 soldiers and 1,450 vehicles participate in the military exercise from May 11 - 24 at the Canadian Forces Base in Wainwright, AB.

The annual Canada-U.S. joint exercise is designed to prepare a brigade and its soldiers for deployment and includes major offensive and defensive operational scenarios against simulated enemies.

The video above was taken on the afternoon of Wednesday, April 9 and shows military vehicles including tanks, armoured cars and other equipment passing though Garson, Ont. by rail.

The Canadian Armed Forces cited several considerations for the cancellation including, the potential for COVID-19 spread amongst the troops and how that would impact operational capabilities, as well as the exercises' rural location and the potential to overwhelm medical centres in the surrounding communities.

Military officials are also restricting public access to all recruiting centres across the country. While the military continues to recruit, it is asking all applicants to begin the process through their website.