Training at its Finest The sprawling 240 square miles (440 sq km) of varied terrain that is Camp Wainwright has earned its title as the largest training area for the Canadian Army in Western Canada. Since its conception in 1940 its boundaries and facilities have expanded to become the third largest training area in Canada. As Camp WAinwright begins its 50th year it is proud to remain the “home away from home” of 1 Canadian Brigade Group whose units are located across the West from Winnipeg to Victoria. Training areas and support services are also supplied to all other Regular and Reserve units of Mobile Command, various Air Command Squadrons, Communications Command the British Army Training Support Unit, foreign military forces, and a number of cadet corps and civilian agencies. Accommodations and full support facilities at Camp Wainwright are available for approximately 3000 troops, however during a major training exercise, troop numbers may exceed 18,000. At these times, military and civilian personnel is temporarily increased. The huge training area, surrounded by perimeter fences and carefully maintained by Range Control staff, offers an ideal selection of pertinent training territory. Dense bush and undergrowth, Battle River, Ribstone Creek, lakes, swamps, desert-like area, open prairies, hills and valleys present perfect practice areas capable of accommodating every piece of equipment necessary for air and ground manoeuvres. The variety of natural obstacles, including extreme temperatures, realistically prepares trainees for every conceivable wartime circumstances. Only FIBUA, Fighting In Built Up Areas, cannot be successfully enacted in the expansive training fields at Camp Wainwright. And one can never be prepared for war’s “real” death and emotional trauma.