YELLOWKNIFE, N.T. – Today, the Honourable Peter Gordon MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, will join General Walter Natynczyk, the Chief of the Defence Staff, in downtown Iqaluit, Nunavu ut, to launch Operation NANOOK 2008, a sovereignty operation in Canada's eastern Arctic.
The launch ceremony will be held in conjunction with Community Day activities in the downtown area. These activities, including a day-sail aboa rd the frigate HMCS Toronto, a BBQ, a ball-hockey game, and an obstacle course for children, are put on by Operation NANOOK participants to thank the Iqaluit community for their support, and to enable the community to get to know some of the over 600 personnel who will be participating in the operation.
Community Day Sea Program:
7 – 8:30 a.m. HMCS Toronto embarks day-sail passengers.
8:30 – 11:30 a.m. Day-sail with ceremony organized by Veteran's Affairs.
11:30 – 1:00 p.m. HMCS Toronto disembarks passengers.
Community Day Shore Program:
12 p.m. BBQ in front of Nakasuk School commences (many concurrent activities, incl uding an obstacle course, ball hockey game, and numerous static displays).
2 p.m. Minister of National Defence, and the Chief of the Defence Staff arrive, Minister receives Quarter Guard. They then tour the Community Day activities.
3 p.m. T he Minister of National Defence and the Chief of the Defence Staff in turn address the Community Day attendees, and officially launch Operation NANOOK 2008, with a CP-140 Aurora Maritime Patrol Aircraft fly-past.
3:30 p.m. The Minister of National Defence and the Chief of the Defence Staff will be available to answer questions.
4 p.m. Community Day activities conclude.
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Note to Editors:
For more information, or to participate in the at sea, or ashore programs, please contact:
Lieutenant (Navy) Jordan Holder, Public Affairs Officer, JTFN.
Cell Phone: (867) 445-4060.
