The Canadian military is trying to figure out how to bring a group of soldiers back from Latvia in the aftermath of July 2 incident in which a Polaris aircraft had to return to Trenton because of concerns those on board might have been exposed to COVID-19.
The aircraft carrying about 70 military members and aircrew took off from Canadian Forces Base Trenton on July 2 after those on board had spent two weeks in quarantine at the Ontario base. The troops were in the advance party for the Latvian mission and their arrival in Latvia would have kicked off a new rotation of personnel to that eastern European nation.
But the Polaris was forced to turn around in midair after the Canadian Forces received word that someone at CFB Trenton who may have come in contact with the plane and passengers had tested positive for COVID-19. The Canadian Forces couldn’t provide any details Sunday about the individual who tested positive for COVID-19 or whether the person was a military member or civilian.
The Polaris aircraft was also meant to return to Canada with approximately 70 Canadian Forces members who have completed their tour in Latvia. But it’s unclear when those personnel will now be brought home. “We are currently reviewing the options available to bring these members home as soon as possible,” the Canadian Forces noted in a statement.
The Canadian Forces couldn’t answer what options are being examined or how long the return will be delayed.
Military personnel who were on the Polaris are now in quarantine and will remain so for 14 days. After that they will proceed to Latvia.
“The delay of the Advance Party members deploying to Latvia will have no major effects on the mission in Latvia,” the military statement noted. “The follow-on affects to the CAF personnel is still being assessed at this time.”
The Canadian Forces’ mission in Latvia is a high-profile deployment. Canada leads the NATO Enhanced Forward Presence Battle Group there, part of the alliance’s efforts to reassure its eastern members in the wake of Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea and Moscow’s support for separatists fighting Ukraine’s military.
The Canadian-led NATO enhanced Forward Presence battlegroup Latvia was stood up during a ceremony at Camp Adazi, Latvia on June 19, 2017. In July 2018 Prime Minister Justin Trudeau visited Latvia to announce the government was not only extending the mission but expanding it. Canadian troops will stay in Latvia until March 2023 and the number of military personnel was boosted from 455 to 540.
(With files from the Canadian Press)
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