This week, approximately 350 Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) personnel will deploy to Resolute Bay and Rankin Inlet, Nunavut as part of Operation NANOOK-NUNALIVUT 2020 (Op NA-NU 20).

“Each year, Operation NANOOK-NUNALIVUT provides us with a renewed focus on our operational capabilities and effectiveness in the High Arctic. The North is a vast, harsh and unique place to operate, and because of this, careful preparations and close collaboration with our northern partners is key. Sharing knowledge with our partners and Allies will allow us to be better able to adapt to new demands and challenges in the North, and address common northern defence, security and safety concerns in the High Arctic.”

Brigadier-General Patrick Carpentier, Commander, Joint Task Force (North)

• All activities and phases of Op NA-NU 20 are planned and commanded by Joint Task Force (North) on behalf of Canadian Joint Operations Command, and executed by the Task Force NUNALIVUT headquarters element, based in Resolute Bay and Rankin Inlet, Nunavut.

• Task Force NUNALIVUT comprises Regular and Reserve Forces personnel from the Royal Canadian Navy, Canadian Army, and the Royal Canadian Air Force including:

  • 12^e Régiment blindé du Canada, based out of Valcartier, Quebec.
  • 1^st Canadian Ranger Patrol Group members from various patrols in the North.
  • The Arctic Response Company Group, made up from various primary reserve units under 35 Canadian Brigade Group from Quebec City.
  • Canadian Army Combat Divers from across the country.
  • Royal Canadian Navy Fleet Diving Unit Atlantic divers from Halifax, Nova Scotia.
  • Joint Task Force (North) Support Component.
  • 440 (Transport) Squadron.

• International participation will include members from the United States 86^th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, and 12 international divers from Belgium, Finland, and France.

• Specialized Arctic skill-sets include:

  • Arctic diving operations.
  • Underwater equipment recovery operations.
  • Tactical movement across sea ice.
  • Tactical communications in an Arctic environment which prohibits the use of traditional means.
  • Long range patrolling in Arctic conditions (extreme cold weather and low light/visibility).
  • Sustainment of long range operations in austere Arctic conditions.
  • Building and maintenance of austere landing strips.
  • Landing of CAF aircraft on austere landing strips.

Associated links

• Operation NANOOK
• Joint Task Force (North) Website
• Joint Task Force (North) Facebook
• Joint Task Force (North) Flickr
• Joint Task Force (North) Twitter

Lieutenant-Commander Tammy Audet
Joint Task Force (North) Public Affairs
Phone: 867-873-0700 ext. 6056
Email: tammy.audet@forces.gc.ca  

Media Relations
Department of National Defence
Phone: 613-904-3333
Email: mlo-blm@forces.gc.ca