Military begins lengthy exercise at Resolute
Team North invites U.S. navy and air force to High Arctic winter mission
Laura Busch
Northern News Services
Published Saturday, April 5, 2014
QAUSUITTUQ/RESOLUTE
Operation Nunalivut 2014 began rolling in to Resolute on April 2 but the bulk of the 250 expected participants in the joint operation are expected to arrive later in the month.
Ranger Corporal Paul Ikuqliaq from Gjoa Haven readies his kamotik before leaving on a two-week patrol near Resolute Bay during Operation Nunalivut April 10, 2013. This year's Operation Nunalivut will run from April 2 until May 3, with the heaviest military presence expected between April 16 to 24. - photo courtesy of Cpl. Pierre Letourneau
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This year's operation will focus on building the skills and relationships between members of Team North: the Canadian Rangers, the Canadian Army, the Royal Canadian Navy and the Royal Canadian Air Force – as well as special invitees from the U.S. Navy and the 109th Airlift Wing.
Having American military members in the High Arctic is not altogether unusual, said Brig.-Gen. Greg Loos, commander of Joint Task Force North.
“From this headquarters, we take a broader view of what sovereignty means,” he said. “For me, sovereignty means the ability of the Government of Canada to respond to the needs of its citizens in the North. So, as opposed to protecting and defending it's about exercising and demonstrating.
“This operation for us is about showing ourselves and learning how we get to the places we may need to get to in times of need in austere and challenging conditions. So us being able to invite partners in to witness us doing that, I think is a demonstration of sovereignty.”
Operations will be carried out in three locations, with the main headquarters located at the new High Arctic training facility in Resolute. A company from the Royal 22nd Regiment will patrol west, around Bathurst Island and will set up an interim camp about 500 km northwest of the community. Finally, the combined dive team will conduct dives near Gascoyne Inlet, about 100 km east of Resolute.
Members of the Canadian Rangers will guide all groups and pass on knowledge to military personnel on how to travel and survive on the land.
