Local Man-Tracker
Trains 250 Canadian Soldiers
Creston Search and Rescue member Bart
Bjorkman recently trained 250 soldiers over a nine day period in the
science of counter-tracking during an exercise put on by the Canadian
Manoeuvre Training Centre at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright. Counter
tracking is how to avoid, deceive or deter trained military canine
teams and combat trackers from active pursuit.
Bjorkman commented that it was an honor
to be selected to provide the training seminars. The current military
philosophy is “Train to Excite” requiring “a publicly
recognized individual in the field of tracking to provide distinctive
training and expertise to the Canadian Patrol Concentration”.
According to the military guidelines, “the purpose of bringing in a
public figure of renowned status is to amplify and excite the
participants”.
Bjorkman, a professional tracker, is a
regional resource for the Provincial Emergency Program. He was
featured last year with fellow tracker Darcy Fear in the nationally
televised Search and Rescue reality show “Call Out”.
Over the past two years, Bjorkman, who
is ex-military himself, has been training Canadian soldiers in
“tracking” with fellow instructor Kelly Carnochan from Vernon.
For his work with the Canadian Patrol
Concentration, Bjorkman was honored by Colonel Paul and Regimental
Sergeant Major Colbert with a “Recognition of Service” to the
overall success of the Canadian Manoeuvre Training Centre’s
Wainwright exercise.
