MA# 09.002 - July 10, 2009
YELLOWKNIFE, N.W.T. – From August 6 to 28, the Canadian Forces (CF) will conduct Operation NANOOK 2009, a sovereignty operation in Canada’s eastern Arctic. This operation will see the CF demonstrate a visible presence with land, sea and air forces operating in the Baffin Island region. It will include sovereignty patrols, a military exercise, and a whole-of-government exercise designed to evaluate a response to an emergency in the Iqaluit area.
To facilitate media coverage of this operation, specific short-duration opportunities have been created to enable journalists to embed and embark with deployed ships and aircraft, and to interact with the deployed Arctic Reserve Company Group, and the Canadian Rangers. These opportunities will enable media to see first hand each element of the CF (navy, army and air force), and the Canadian Coast Guard, in their own environment. Additional opportunities have been organized in Iqaluit to enable media to see the dynamic whole-of-government exercise scenario as it unfolds.
MILITARY EXERCISE
- Spaces have been made available to enable journalists to have first hand access to see the military exercise near Iqaluit. This opportunity will include:
- The chance to see the amphibious landing of an Arctic Reserve Company Group deployed to conduct patrols on an island near Iqaluit.
- The chance to embark in a Canadian Patrol Frigate to view anti-submarine exercises in the Arctic.
- Transportation from Iqaluit to the exercise location (and back), and rations and quarters while deployed.
- Participants will be responsible for bringing suitable clothing and personal gear for the embark duration (a required kit list will be provided once confirmation is received).
EMBARKED AIR OPPORTUNITIES
- Members of the media will be invited to embark with participating aircraft as opportunities permit (dependent on weather, and operational requirements).
- These will be short-duration opportunities to see air patrol and support operations first-hand.
- Air support operations such as these are critically important to sustaining missions on the ground.
- Spots for these flights will be dependent on operational commitments, and will be of limited availability.
COMMUNITY DAY
- A Community Day has been planned for August 22. This will give the CF and participating governmental departments and agencies a chance to thank the residents of Iqaluit for their support; and will offer the Iqaluit community a chance to see some of the personnel and resources at work for them in their North.
- Planned activities include a daysail aboard the participating frigate in the morning, and a BBQ held downtown in the afternoon with interactive displays, information kiosks, and activities for children.
WHOLE-OF-GOVERNMENT EXERCISE
- This Government of Canada exercise has been designed to enable the departments and agencies of multiple levels of government (municipal, territorial and federal) to work together in response to a threat to the critical infrastructure in Iqaluit.
- This opportunity will include first-hand access to a mass casualty exercise, to maritime security operations, a diving operation, and an inside look at how governmental response at multiple levels is coordinated.
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Note to Editors: For more information, or to sign-up for these media opportunities, please contact Lieut.(Navy) Jordan Holder, Public Affairs Officer JTFN HQ,
Phone: (867) 873-0700, ext 6005, Fax: (867) 766-6803, Cell: (867) 445-4060;
Ms. Summer Halliday, Public Affairs Advisor JTFN HQ,
Phone: (867) 873-0700, ext 6922, Fax: (867) 766-6803, Cell: (867) 444-9228.
