Operation NUNAKPUT 2017 launches today in the Northwest Territories
Press Release
June 26, 2017 – Yellowknife, N.W.T – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces
A group of about 140 Canadian Armed Forces members and employees from other government departments and agencies will take part in Operation NUNAKPUT 2017 from June 26 to July 18 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 Canadian Armed Forces 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 Canadian Armed Forces with enhancing its ability to operate in the North while building whole-of-government capacity to ensure regional safety and security.
Quotes
“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.”
— Brigadier-General Mike Nixon, Commanding Officer, Joint Task Force (North)
Quick Facts
- The Royal Canadian Navy has provided three Inshore Jet Boats (32-foot patrol boats) and 22 personnel from Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Halifax, Nova Scotia, and CFB Esquimalt, British Columbia.
- 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 Canadian Armed Forces 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.
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Contacts
Major Josée Bilodeau
Joint Task Force (North)
Sr Public Affairs Officer
Phone: 867-873-0700 ext 6056
Email: josee.bilodeau@forces.gc.ca
Media Relations
Department of National Defence
Phone: 613-996-2353
Toll-Free: 1-866-377-0811
Email: mlo-blm@forces.gc.ca
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