OP NUNAKPUT taking place June 26th to July 18th

A group of nearly 140 Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members and government employees from other departments and agencies are currently convened in the Northwest Territories for Operation NUNAKPUT 2017.

Running from June 26 to July 18, Operation NUNAKPUT will take place around Great Slave Lake, around Deline, along the Mackenzie River up to Tuktoyaktuk, at Hay River, and on the Nahanni River.

The operation consists of a series of maritime and safety patrols; water and ground reconnaissance and survival training. Additionally, a team from 38 Canadian Brigade Group in Winnipeg, MB, is conducting a disaster preparation assessment in Hay River, Northwest Territories.

440 Transport Squadron, based in Yellowknife, will be transporting personnel and supplies throughout the operation.

“Joint Task Force (North), as part of the Canadian Armed Forces, is responsible to continuously execute surveillance and control operations in the Canadian North, year-round. This responsibility is shared with several other government departments from all three levels of government. Operation NUNAKPUT allows us to build relationships with other northern partners to meet these responsibilities,” said BGen. Mike Nixon, Commanding Officer, Joint Task Force.

Both the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) and the Canadian Army are contributing personnel to Operation NUNAKPUT.

Approximately 22 personnel from Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Halifax, Nova Scotia, and CFB Esquimalt, British Columbia are taking part. The RCN is also providing three Inshore Jet Boats (32-foot patrol boats).

The Canadian Army has deployed 85 members of the 1st Canadian Ranger Patrol Group, 2nd Battalion, the Royal 22nd Regiment, 4 Engineer Support Regiment, and 38 Canadian Brigade Group.

The close to 25 other government department and agencies members taking part in this operation include the RCMP, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary, and Government of Northwest Territories.

Featured image:  Combat Camera

Tom Girror (left), from Yellowknife Search and Rescue, describes a search and rescue scenario to members of 1 Canadian Ranger Patrol Group (1CRPG) at Lustel K’e, Northwest Territories, during Operation NUNAKPUT on July 7, 2016. Photo: PO2 Belinda Groves, Task Force Imagery Technician YK-2016-055-014