17 Wing soldiers feel 'shock and disbelief' over Ottawa shooting
Soldiers with 17 Wing in Winnipeg are reeling over the death of a comrade in Wednesday's shooting in Ottawa, while security has been ramped up at the air force base.
Two uniformed soldiers carrying assault weapons have been standing guard at the entrance to the base as they conducted security checks on Thursday.
Warrant Officer Darrell Bedard, who works in communications and electronics training in the air division, said the heightened security is in direct response to the Ottawa shooting.
Everyone on the base are trying to carry on, he said, despite having heavy hearts.
"Back to business as usual, I guess. Still some shock and disbelief over what happened, obviously," he told CBC News.
Bedard said he was at work on Wednesday morning when he received an email from his wife, urging him to check the news.
"I went upstairs and the room was full of people … similar to 9/11, I guess, when people were staring in total disbelief and couldn't fathom what was just happening," he said.
Flags are flying half-mast to honour Cpl. Nathan Cirillo, the Hamilton, Ont., reservist who was killed at the National War Memorial, where he was serving as an honorary guard.
Bedard said members of the base are thinking of Cirillo and Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent, who was killed in a separate incident in Quebec earlier this week.
"We are all very sad. Sincere condolences to the member … both members, actually, that were killed in the last 48 hours," he said.
Vincent died after he and another military member was struck by a car in a parking lot, in what CSIS has described as "the violent expression of an extremist ideology."
A spokesperson with Canadian Forces Base Shilo in western Manitoba told CBC News that it's "business as usual" on Thursday.
"Security stance remains unchanged but we are vigilant and responsive to a changing environment," the spokesperson stated in an email.
However, the shooting has affected cadet squadrons across Canada, including those in Manitoba.
All cadet activities have been cancelled at least for the rest of the month, including regular parade nights and optional and weekend activities, according to an email to parents from the 170 St. James Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron in Winnipeg.
A National Defence spokesperson confirmed that cadet and Junior Canadian Ranger activities nationwide are temporarily cancelled as a precautionary measure.
"While there is no indication that Cadets and Junior Canadian Rangers are at risk themselves, we are taking these precautions to ensure the safety of the youth entrusted in our care," the spokesperson stated in an email.
