Sovereignty exercise successful
Dive to wreck of HMS Erebus added to this year's efforts
Michele LeTourneau
Northern News Services
Monday, April 27, 2015
IKALUKTUTIAK/CAMBRIDGE BAY
After three weeks of activity in and around Cambridge Bay, including videotaped diving activities at the wreck of the HMS Erebus, Operation Nunalivut concluded April 22.
Royal Canadian Navy Leading Seaman Caleb Hooper gives a thumbs-up just before a dive to the wreck of HMS Erebus during Operation Nunalivut on April 14. - photo courtesy Master Seaman Peter Reed, Formation Imaging Services, Halifax |
The operation is one of Joint Task Force North's top priority High Arctic efforts.
In its ninth year, Nunalivut again highlighted Canada's ability to respond to threats in the North, stated public affairs officer Capt. Bonnie Wilken.
Nunalivut provides the opportunity for the Canadian Armed Forces to assert Canada's sovereignty over its northernmost regions, to demonstrate the ability to operate in the harsh winter environment in remote areas of the High Arctic and to enhance Armed Forces capability to respond to any situation in Canada's North.
Canadian Armed Forces members from 1 Canadian Ranger Patrol Group, the Third Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, as well as airmen and airwomen from the Royal Canadian Air Force together conducted the sovereignty patrols.
More than 200 personnel were deployed from across Canada and a temporary camp was built near the North Warning System Cambridge Bay site, providing accommodations for the military staff.
"To build the camp, 45 tonnes of equipment had to be shipped north from Yellowknife and other locations further south," said Wilken.
Nunalivut this year included a special effort, since it was located near the newly located underwater wreck of the HMS Erebus, discovered last September.
Joint ice-diving operations were conducted by Royal Canadian Navy divers and Parks Canada underwater archeologists beneath the Arctic ice in the vicinity of Victoria Strait.
"The ice-diving operations were part of an effort to learn more about the fate of the HMS Erebus, one of two ill-fated Franklin Expedition ships lost in 1846," Wilken said.
"I had the opportunity to see first-hand Canadian Armed Forces personnel in action in the High Arctic, and was extremely proud of their ability to operate so effectively in such a challenging climate," said National Defence Associate Minister Julian Fantino, who visited the site.
"I want to thank the men and women in uniform, including the Canadian Rangers, for their service, their hospitality during my visit, and their commitment to ensuring Canada's sovereignty and security in the North."
