NUNAVUT
Communication and the rapid deployment of troops were successfully tested during a military sovereignty exercise in the North, but some aspects will need improvement, said JTFN's chief of operations.

Chief of Defence Staff General Walt Natynczyk gives a firm handshake while placing a CDS coin in the palm of Ranger Corporal David Suqsiak, a Canadian Ranger from Pond Inlet. - photo courtesy of Sgt. Norm McLean, Canadian Forces Combat Camera

During Operation Nunalivut from April 6 to 22, about 200 Canadian Forces personnel from the Canadian Rangers, the army and the air force conducted sovereignty exercises between Resolute and Isachsen, an uninhabited weather station 500 kilometres north of Resolute on the western shore of Ellef Ringnes Island.

Lt. Col. Gino Chretien said the operation went "very well" as they were able to deploy troops in a timely manner.

"Everybody came back safe and we were able to test our capability to deploy troops in the North," he said. "We drew good conclusions at the end of the operation, especially on the communication … testing new equipment and seeing their durability or robustness in that kind of environment."

He added being able to communicate with patrols while they were out was successful.

The operation also tested the feasibility of Joint Task Force North's Rapid Reaction Force North, a concept the Canadian military is developing, a group that includes about 50 Canadian Rangers under JTFN command.

Chretien said it is a very useful concept but some aspects need improvement.

The next mission is Operation Nanook from Aug. 1 to 31 around Resolute, where the Canadian army, air force and navy will be involved and will possibly be joined by American and Danish military personnel, said Chretien.

He added JTFN will bring reservists from New Brunswick to give them an overview of what they would be facing if deployed in the North. And troops will also conduct a major air disaster exercise, the first time at that level, said Chretien.

"We will simulate a crash of an airplane and go through the procedures of rescuing passengers and doing all the process for that. That will involve army, jumpers, the search-and-rescue technicians over there and also Transport Canada, obviously with the transport safety board and RCMP," he said.

"This year, we really want to make sure our procedure is tested and we will be able to react if that kind of incident happens in the North."

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