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IKALUKTUTIAK/CAMBRIDGE BAY
Putting up a tent is one thing. Setting up a camp, building a runway and organizing a search-and-rescue requires a different set of skills.

Twenty Canadian Rangers from all three territories, including 16 from Nunavut, are honing these skills during a patrol commanders course the Canadian Forces is holding in Cambridge Bay from Feb. 3 to 12. The training is a combination of six days of classroom and field training out on the land. It teaches rangers how to be leaders in a patrol group, explained Warrant Officer Craig Routery, officer in charge of the course.

"Every Ranger knows how to put up their tent but it takes leaders to be able to build a camp and be able to organize the building of a runway or organize a search-and-rescue," he said.

Out on the land, the Rangers will practise building runways, perform ground search-and-rescues, set up a rifle range and run it safely and properly, said Routery. He said they will also practise phoning back to the community and request supplies in stores they need and practise using the satellite phone.

This marks the first time the course has been given in Cambridge Bay, said Routery. The annual Rangers course is held annually. Last year's was held in the Northwest Territories.

The course is necessary because it can be difficult to get a job done while fighting the elements in the Arctic, said Routery. Those skills need to be taught, he said, as people don't naturally possess them.

"This leadership is teaching the up-and-coming Rangers to think beyond just staying warm," he said. "You think beyond just doing your own little job and you need to be that person that steps higher and keeps them motivated, keeps them organized and moves them along."

Rangers will learn how to look at a problem and how to take it apart and see what needs to be done, said Routery. They must then organize the people and supplies to do it and supervise the job until it's done. He said the course is going fine.

Nunavut News/North was unable to get in touch with the Rangers involved as they were out on the land as of press deadline.

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