Operation NEVUS 2017 begins today in Nunavut

News Release

June 5, 2017 – Yellowknife, Northwest Territories – National Defense / Canadian Armed Forces

Approximately 80 Canadian Armed Forces and Department of National Defence civilian personnel are participating in Operation NEVUS 2017 on Ellesmere Island, Nunavut near Canadian Forces Station (CFS) Alert and Eureka from 5 to 30 June, 2017. 

The purpose of the operation is to maintain the High Arctic Data Communications System sites between CFS Alert and Eureka, ensuring the critical communications link connecting the Canadian high Arctic to the Government of Canada in Ottawa remains unbroken and operable.

Quotes

Operation NEVUS provides the framework to perform preventive maintenance and upgrading of key communication systems and infrastructure in the most remote parts of Canada’s North. The Operation will be full of challenges, which I am confident that our skilled Canadian Armed Forces and Department of National Defence civilian members will successfully meet, on all accounts.

—  Brigadier-General Mike Nixon, Commander, Joint Task Force (North)

Quick Facts

  • Commanded by Joint Task Force (North), participants in Operation NEVUS 2017 include:

    • engineers and technicians from the Department of National Defence’s Assistant Deputy Minister (Information Management) and Assistant Deputy Minister (Infrastructure & Environment); 
    • construction engineers from 8 Wing Trenton; and 
    • personnel and aircraft from the Royal Canadian Air Force, including Valcartier-based 430 Tactical Helicopter Squadron equipped with the CH-146 Griffon helicopter, and Yellowknife-based 440 (Transport) Squadron equipped with the CC-138 Twin Otter.
  • Operation NEVUS has been an annual operation since 1982 when the High Arctic Data Communications System (HADCS) system first became operational.

  • The HADCS is a hybrid satellite/microwave communication system that links Ottawa and CFS Alert.

  • Operation NEVUS contributes to the Government of Canada’s priorities in the Canadian High Arctic through the maintenance of HADCS and sustainment of CFS Alert, Canada’s most northerly full-time occupied settlement.

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Contacts

Major Josée Bilodeau
JTFN Public Affairs
Phone: 867-873-0700, ext 6056 
Email: Josée.bilodeau@forces.gc.ca

Media Relations
Department of National Defence
Phone: 613-996-2353
Toll-Free: 1-866-377-0811
Email: mlo-blm@forces.gc.ca

 

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