‘This Is What We Trained For:’ Soldiers Depart to Help Humanitarian Crisis in Europe

Eighty soldiers from across 3rd Canadian Division board a plane while deploying to Poland to join the lead elements already in that country as part of the Government of Canada's response to the war in Ukraine, in Edmonton, April 15, 2022. The Canadian Press/Jason Franson

Dozens of Canadian soldiers boarded a plane to Poland Friday for what their commander said would be an intense but gratifying mission to help Ukrainians fleeing Russian aggression.

The roughly 80 soldiers who took off from Edmonton and another 20 from Trenton, Ont., will offer humanitarian assistance at reception centres throughout Poland, said Maj. Ryan Pridmore, a company commander with 3rd Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry.