Operation NUNALIVUT 2018 begins in the High Arctic
News release
February 23, 2018 – Yellowknife, N.W.T. – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces
About 350 Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members will take part in Operation NUNALIVUT 2018. The annual sovereignty operation in the High Arctic takes place this year in Resolute Bay and Cambridge Bay, Nunavut, from February 23 to March 21, 2018.
Operation NUNALIVUT began in 2007 to demonstrate the CAF’s ability to operate in the harsh winter environment common to the remote areas of Canada’s North, and to enhance the CAF’s capability to respond to a variety of situations in the High Arctic.
As outlined in Strong, Secure, Engaged, Canada’s defence policy, operations such as NUNALIVUT enhance the CAF’ ability to adapt to a changing security environment. These operations provide opportunities to work collaboratively with other government departments and agencies, as well as local and territorial governments and Indigenous associations. Through Task Force NUNALIVUT, the CAF are also directly contributing to building collective capacity to operate in the Arctic environment.
Quotes
“Operation NUNALIVUT 2018 is more than winter warfare training. It is a unique opportunity for deployed members to conduct sovereignty patrols, ice diving activities and support the scientific community. Regular and Reserve members of the Canadian Armed Forces will come together with other government departments and agencies to cooperatively work on multiple objectives during the coldest period of the year in the Arctic.”
— Brigadier-General Mike Nixon, Commander, Joint Task Force (North)
Quick facts
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Commanded by Joint Task Force (North), Task Force NUNALIVUT comprises regular and reserve forces personnel from the Royal Canadian Navy, Canadian Army, and the Royal Canadian Air Force.
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On the ground – 2nd Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, the Arctic Response Company Group from 38 Canadian Brigade Group and the 1st Canadian Ranger Patrol Group will conduct Arctic survival training, sovereignty patrols, and support scientific research in both locations.
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Under the ice – Members from the Royal Canadian Navy’s Fleet Diving Unit Atlantic, Canadian Army combat divers from across Canada, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Dive Unit, and the Canadian Coast Guard divers will conduct ice diving operations in Cambridge Bay, NU with various international partners observing the activity.
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In the air – The CC-177 Globemaster and CC-130J Hercules will transport troops, supplies, and equipment to Resolute Bay and Cambridge Bay. In addition, CC-138 Twin Otters will deploy to both locations to provide local air transport.
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Task Force NUNALIVUT will work cooperatively with Kitikmeot Inuit Association, and other government departments and agencies, such as the RCMP, as well as local and territorial governments.
Associated links
Contacts
Capt Soomin Kim
JTFN Public Affairs
Phone: 867-873-0700 ext. 6923
Email: soomin.kim@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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