Residents across the Durham Region, particularly in Oshawa and the township of Scugog, should prepare for a noticeable military presence this week. The Army Supporting Documentary Filming in Durham Region initiative has brought members of the 4th Canadian Division to local roads to facilitate the production of a new, original 10-part documentary series titled Fallen Heroes. Produced by Combined Forces, the project aims to provide a definitive look at the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) experience during the mission in Afghanistan from 2001 to 2014, and the local landscape is playing a vital role in recreating those historic moments.
The primary filming location is centered at 1620 Boundary Road in Greenbank, Ontario. Because of this, the Army Supporting Documentary Filming in Durham Region has resulted in increased military traffic along corridors connecting Petawawa, Oshawa, and Greenbank. Motorists may encounter Coyote armored vehicles and other heavy equipment being transported to the site. The Army issued a media release early Thursday morning to ensure the public is aware that these movements are part of a coordinated logistics effort to deliver essential gear for the film’s production.
The documentary itself is a deeply personal project, exploring the long-term effects of the Afghanistan conflict on service members and their broader communities. To achieve maximum authenticity, members of the Canadian Armed Forces participating in the Army Supporting Documentary Filming in Durham Region will be seen wearing various uniforms, including those of the Afghan National Army (ANA) and the Afghan National Police (ANP). These members will also be equipped with period-accurate weapons. However, the military has clarified that no live ammunition is being used, and weapons will not be carried while members are traveling on public designated routes to and from the Greenbank site.
Public safety is a top priority for the 4th Canadian Division during the Army Supporting Documentary Filming in Durham Region. Military officials are advising residents to exercise “extra caution” when approaching or passing military convoys. The sight of soldiers in foreign uniforms and the presence of armored vehicles in residential or rural areas like Scugog can be startling, but the CAF emphasizes that this is a controlled, supportive role for an educational and commemorative artistic project.
This collaboration highlights the Durham Region’s growing reputation as a versatile filming destination for high-budget productions. By hosting the Army Supporting Documentary Filming in Durham Region, local municipalities are helping to preserve the history of Canadian veterans through film. The production is expected to wrap its local segments by the end of the week, with equipment being demobilized shortly thereafter. The Army thanks the residents of Oshawa and Greenbank for their continued cooperation and patience as they help bring this important chapter of Canadian military history to the screen.
