Carl Hager
Published online February 25, 2026, at www.pontiacjournal.com.
MUNICIPALITY OF PONTIAC — Forty-three reservists from the Hull Regiment, along with medics from an Ontario unit and soldiers training in field ambulance services, took part in winter exercises in Luskville over the Feb. 20–22 weekend. The training took place on private property located behind the town hall.
Capt. D’Alesio Ziabrov, a 25-year veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces, told the Journal the training focused on “developing fieldcraft and junior leadership skills in realistic environmental conditions in the defence of Canada.”
The soldiers training in Luskville carried the C7 rifle, a Canadian-made weapon based on the American M16. No live ammunition was used during the exercises, which included radio signalling training.
“This location is ideal because we have Gatineau Park behind us, and the grounds were lent to us by a Luskville resident,” Ziabrov said. “It is easy to access and convenient for our operations.” Ziabrov added that “the Pontiac has been very receptive to this activity, including Mayor Larose and MP Chatel.”
Reservists are required to devote one evening each week and one weekend per month to training, with more extensive exercises held during the summer. Anyone interested in joining can apply online or visit the regiment’s office in Hull at 188 Taché Blvd. The office is open every Tuesday at 7 pm, when applicants can receive information and have their questions answered during bilingual sessions. More than 140 reservists are based in Hull, supported by a full-time staff of 15.
Photo – Canadian Army reservists from the Hull Regiment take part in winter training exercises in Luskville, firing blank rounds during fieldcraft drills. (CH)
