If you look for Latvia on Google Maps, you’ll see where North Bay’s Corporal Ryan Murphy is currently deployed.
The local reservist from the Algonquin Regiment has joined the Canada-led Multinational Brigade-Latvia for six months.
He’s serving on Operation REASSURANCE, which is currently the Canadian Armed Forces’ (CAF) largest overseas mission, contributing to NATO deterrence and defence measures in Central and Eastern Europe.
Cpl. Murphy is one of approximately 2,000 CAF members in Latvia for joint training to respond to any potential attack and demonstrate a unified front against adversaries. Latvia’s eastern border is with Russia.
Born and raised in North Bay, the infantry soldier has over three years of service in the CAF.
He joined to help serve Canada and chose infantry to utilize his bushcraft skills.
“I’m a very outdoorsy person, so the infantry suits my personality and hobbies,” he says.
Col. Murphy says the CAF is a great opportunity to work with a variety of people in an extreme teamwork environment.
“You become part of a close-knit group within your chosen trade and at your home unit, with others that are also passionate about it,” he says.
Cpl. Murphy joined the Regular Force unit, 2nd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment last fall, and participated in realistic combat training during Exercise MAPLE RESOLVE at 5th Canadian Division Support Base Gagetown, New Brunswick as part of pre-deployment training.
