Operation NANOOK 2014 successfully achieved objectives

News Release

Iqaluit, Nunavut

Operation NANOOK 2014, the premier annual Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) operation held in Canada’s North, has now concluded, highlighting the CAF’s ability to exercise sovereignty and support the safety and security of Canadians in the North.

This year’s operation involved more than 800 participants, including personnel from all branches of the CAF and 12 federal and territorial departments and agencies.

During the 10 day operation, participants from departments and agencies partnered to provide whole-of-government responses to safety, security and environmental incidents in our northern lands and waters. A Poseidon P-8 surveillance aircraft from the United States Navy and the Danish warship HDMS Triton also participated during the search and rescue portion of this year’s operation.

Quick Facts

Operation NANOOK is one of Joint Task Force (North’s) (JTFN) flagship operations, combining air, land, maritime, international and interagency operations.

The objectives met were:

To exercise Canada’s sovereignty in the North;
To enhance the CAF’s ability to operate in Arctic conditions;
To improve coordination in whole-of-government operations; and
To maintain interoperability with mission partners for maximum effectiveness in response to safety and security issues in the North.

Aircraft involved in the operation flew approximately 26,000 nautical miles (48,152 kilometres) with 440 hours in the air.

The Royal Canadian Navy ship Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship Shawinigan and the Canadian Coast Guard Ship Henry Larsen sailed 2,140 nautical miles (3940 kilometres).

JTFN transported 120,000 pounds of cargo from Iqaluit to York Sound by air and by sea.

Quotes

“The successful execution of Op NANOOK 14 has, once again, allowed the Canadian Armed Forces to demonstrate their capacity to work within a whole-of-government framework to respond to safety and security incidents in the North. With the shifting global climate, Canadians can take pride in a strong military that is capable of defending our interests and exercising Canada’s Arctic sovereignty.”

The Honourable Rob Nicholson, PC, QC, MP for Niagara Falls and Minister of National Defence

“Building and maintaining relationships with other government departments and agencies is an ongoing objective, and by every measure this was successfully achieved. Taking the opportunity to exercise joint and interagency responses in the North, like we have over the last two weeks, enhances our interoperability and effectiveness overall.”

Brigadier-General Greg Loos, Commander Joint Task Force (North)

“Operation NANOOK 2014 was focused on the role of the Canadian Armed Forces at home: demonstrating sovereignty, defending Canada, and in particular, supporting safety and security of Canadians. I am very proud of all the military personnel and northern partners who were involved in this operation and have shown their dedication to protecting Canada and Canadians.”

Lieutenant-Colonel Deanna Manson, Task Force Commander, Operation NANOOK 2014