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IGLULIK
A search-and-rescue technician died Oct. 27 during a hazardous ocean operation that resulted in the successful rescue of two Iglulik residents, a Canadian Forces press release said.

Sgt. Janick Gilbert of Baie-Comeau, Que., died Oct. 27 during a search-and-rescue mission near Iglulik.

Sgt. Janick Gilbert, 34, of Baie-Comeau, Que., was a technician with 424 Transport and Rescue Squadron at CFB Trenton in Ontario.

Gilbert was part of a mission that included search-and-rescue aircraft and crews from Winnipeg, Trenton Ont., Gander, N.L., and Greenwood, N.S.

Details of the operations were not immediately available.

"He lost his life in the service of his country while unselfishly answering the call for help," said the commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force, Lt.-Gen. Andre Deschamps.

In the early evening, searchers spotted two hunters stranded in an open boat in the Hecla Strait and dropped a radio to them.

The condition of one of the people in the boat was deteriorating, 8 Wing Commander Col. Sean Friday told media on Oct. 22,

After communications were lost with the boaters, Gilbert and two other technicians performed a parachute jump from a Hercules aircraft.

A Cormorant helicopter from Gander, N.L. transported the rescuers and boaters to hospital.

Canadian Forces would not say what caused Gilbert's death. Friday said Gilbert was "a devoted husband, exceptional father, and a professional SAR technician" with 13 years of experience.

Nunavut Premier Eva Aariak expressed her sympathies to Gilbert's family in a press release issued Friday.

"We are humbled by his bravery and forever grateful for his actions," she said.

An investigation is pending.

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