NORMAN WELLS - Soldiers have returned home after a military exercise that took place over the past two weeks in Norman Wells and surrounding areas.

Ranger Corporal Wilfred Lennie, of Tulita, Pte. Justin Merrick and Cpl. Trevor Brown, of the Lincoln and Welland Regiment, St. Catharines, Ont., hold position while working their way to a suspected location of enemy forces in support of Operation Narwhal 2007. - photo courtesy Master Cpl. Robert Bottrill, Canadian Forces Combat Camera

The Canadian Forces are now reviewing the operation to see what lessons were learned about deploying in the North.

The exercise, Operation Narwhal 2007, involved close to 400 soldiers deployed in and around Norman Wells, Fort Simpson and Inuvik from April 16 to 27.

Brig.-Gen. Chris Whitecross, commander of Joint Task Force North, said the exercise was as much about co-operating with different organizations as it was about practising tactical military skills.

"Generally the army works on its own," said Whitecross. During Operation Narwhal military personnel worked in conjunction with the RCMP and other local organizations.

"This is history in the making to get together and come up with a common vision, she said"

During the exercise, troops and aircraft personnel practised responding to a simulated threat to oil production and transportation in the NWT.

One lesson learned was how to deal with the different responsibilities of the RCMP and military troops, said Whitecross. For instance, while a military person might pick up a stray pair of bolt cutters while setting up an observation post, the RCMP would need the pair left in place as evidence.

Another lesson was dealing with the limited resources available in the North. It was crucial that military personnel by bring everything up from the South,so as not to deplete local resources.

"Logistics is always an issue. We cannot support from the North, we have to support from the South," said Whitecross.

That lesson was learned when they ran short of jet fuel. A contractor with the airfield in Fort Simpson couldn't supply enough fuel, forcing the military to find another source.

Jess Fortner, an assistant town manager in Norman Wells, said the military was pretty self contained, and didn't ask too much of the town except for places to stay.

He said he was impressed with the level of communication between the town and the military.

"They've been excellent in communicating very well with us," said Fortner. "We were kept up to date on all the activities."

A highlight for Fortner was being invited along to watch the deployment of the troops at the airport.

"It's been very exciting for all of us."

The military wrapped up the exercise with a community day barbecue hosted by the town of Norman Wells, and displays and activities put on by the military.

With attention on Canadian deployments overseas, Whitecross said, exercises like this one are part of the military's mandate to focus training on domestic operations as much as international ones.

"Our focus is the safety and security of Canadian citizens," said Whitecross. Separate from the international command, Canadian troops are also training on domestic operations such as responses to international disasters and terrorist threats.

With minimal resources in the North, Whitecross said this exercise helped the Canadian Forces see that a response in the North could prove tricky, requiring a quick reaction and a complete dependency on support from the South.