NR-04.061 - August 13, 2004 OTTAWA - Exercise NARWHAL, a Canadian Forces (CF) joint exercise, involving about 600 CF personnel from navy, army and air force elements, will take place August 13-30 in the Cumberland Peninsula area of Baffin Island, Nunavut, as part of the Canadian Forces national strategy for training. The exercise is designed to challenge the Commander Canadian Forces Northern Area (CFNA) and his staff as an operational-level headquarters in a domestic operation. Throughout the exercise, CFNA HQ, located in Yellowknife, N.W.T., will plan and conduct contingency and sovereignty operations in a remote northern environment. "Training in Canada's North presents the Canadian Forces with challenges it would not face in other areas of the nation," said Vice-Admiral Greg Maddison, Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff. "This exercise will be a test of the our military's command, control and communications ability during northern domestic operations." Soldiers from G Company, 2nd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment, from Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Gagetown, N.B., will manoeuvre over rugged terrain near Pangnirtung, with naval and air forces, Canadian Rangers, an uninhabited aerial vehicle (UAV) and a satellite providing support. Her Majesty's Canadian Ship (HMCS) Montreal will operate in the Pangnirtung and Kingnait Fiords and the Cumberland Sound area. Air operations will include CH-146 Griffons from 427 Tactical Helicopter Squadron, CFB Petawawa, Ont., and aircraft from 440 Squadron, Yellowknife, which will support the placement of troops for patrolling. The Canadian Coast Guard Ship (CCGS) Henry Larsen will also participate in the exercise. -30- For further information: 613) 996-2353/54, After hours: (613) 792-2973, World Wide Web: http://www.forces.gc.ca
