21 August 2013
Gjoa Haven, Nunavut
Operation NANOOK 13 is a Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) operation conducted in close cooperation with other federal departments and provincial, territorial and regional partners in Canada’s North. Operation NANOOK 13 provides a visible presence in the North and demonstrates Canada’s ability to respond to any emergencies in the region. It builds upon previous NANOOK operations that have been conducted primarily in the eastern and high Arctic every summer since 2007.
Operation NANOOK 13 encompasses four regions of the Arctic, each with its own unique scenario.
- In Whitehorse, CAF personnel will work with the Yukon territorial government in a disaster-relief scenario.
- Military personnel deployed to Cornwallis Island will work with Environment Canada personnel to protect wildlife from threats.
- Resolution Island will see the combined efforts of the CAF and the Canadian Coast Guard at work at sea and on land in support of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
- On King William Island, the Canadian Rangers will patrol the land unsupported and in austere conditions. The Canadian Rangers will also be refining multi-vessel patrolling techniques while demonstrating their skills in observing and reporting activity in the Northwest Passage.
Each scenario demonstrates the abilities of the Royal Canadian Navy, Canadian Army and Royal Canadian Air Force to work jointly as well as with participating provincial, territorial, regional, and municipal partners on land, at sea and in the air. Operation NANOOK 13 demonstrates the CAF’s ability to assert Canada's sovereignty over its most northerly regions. It enhances the CAF’s ability to operate in arctic conditions, improves coordination in whole-of-government operations and maintains interoperability with mission partners for maximum effectiveness in response to safety and security issues in the North. Operation NANOOK 13 also helps the CAF develop and maintain strong relationships with local authorities and indigenous populations, in addition to showcasing the unique expertise of the Canadian Rangers.
Executed by Joint Task Force (North), Operation NANOOK 13 supports a key objective of Canada’s Northern Strategy: to protect and defend Canadian sovereignty. More than 1,000 CAF personnel are deployed on Operation NANOOK 13 from August 2 to 23.
This document is also available in Inuktitut at http://pm.gc.ca/grfx/docs/20130821_BG_Op_NANOOK_IU.pdf
