Photo: PO2 Belinda Groves, Task Force Imagery Technician
By DND
A group of about 140 CAF members and employees from other government departments and agencies will take part in Operation NUNAKPUT 2017 beginning on June 26 in the Northwest Territories.
Operation NUNAKPUT 2017 consists of a series of maritime and safety patrols, water and ground reconnaissance, survival training, and a disaster preparation assessment. This year’s operation takes place around Great Slave Lake, around Deline, along the Mackenzie River up to Tuktoyaktuk, at Hay River, and on the Nahanni River.
The CAF regularly conduct operations and exercises in the North to exercise Canadian sovereignty and to maintain a visible and persistent regional presence. Strong, Secure, Engaged, Canada’s new defence policy, tasks the CAF with enhancing its ability to operate in the North while building whole-of-government capacity to ensure regional safety and security.
“Joint Task Force (North), as part of the Canadian Armed Forces, is responsible to continuously execute surveillance and control operations in the Canadian North, year-round. This responsibility is shared with several other government departments from all three levels of government. Operation NUNAKPUT allows us to build relationships with other northern partners in order to meet these responsibilities,” said BGen Mike Nixon, Commanding Officer, Joint Task Force (North).
The Royal Canadian Navy has provided three Inshore Jet Boats (32-foot patrol boats) and 22 personnel from CFB Halifax and CFB Esquimalt.
The Canadian Army has deployed 85 members from the 1st Canadian Ranger Patrol Group, 2nd Battalion, the Royal 22nd Regiment, 4 Engineer Support Regiment, and 38 Canadian Brigade Group.
A team from 38 Canadian Brigade Group in Winnipeg, Manitoba, is conducting a disaster preparation assessment in Hay River, Northwest Territories.
440 (Transport) Squadron, based in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, is transporting personnel and supplies throughout the operation.
Approximately 25 other government department and agencies (OGDA) members, including the RCMP, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary, and Government of Northwest Territories are working with CAF members.
Enhancing the ability to operate collectively and share best practices in training with OGDAs in the North benefits all parties involved while respecting each participating department’s unique mandate, role, and responsibility.
