Operation NUNAKPUT participants take part in real rescue 

Operation NUNAKPUT 2016 came to a close Wednesday, July 20 after two weeks of maritime patrols and training involving members of the 1st Canadian Ranger Patrol Group and search and rescue (SAR) exercises.

The SAR exercises involved members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), different Governmental Departments and a civilian search and rescue organization.

During the period of the exercise, CAF members put their training to the test when a real life incident involving two separate searches for lost boaters occurred near Lutsel K’e, located 200 km east of Yellowknife.

The RCMP and the Royal Canadian Air Force’s CC-130 Hercules and CC-138 Twin Otter, joined forces to successfully rescue the boaters.

“The SAR training conducted during this year’s Op NANUKPUT ensures that the CAF and partners maintain the ability to respond to events such as this, enhancing the safety and security of all Canadians in the north.” stated a CAF press release.

This year’s Operation NUNAKPUT participants included members of the Canadian Rangers, the Canadian Army, the Royal Canadian Navy; the Royal Canadian Air Force, including Yellowknife-based 440 (Transport) Squadron; the Royal Canadian Mounted Police; Department of Fisheries and Oceans; the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary (Yellowknife Unit); Parks Canada; Department of the Environment and Climate Change; and the Civil Air Search and Rescue Association.

“I am extremely impressed by how our soldiers, sailors, and airmen and airwomen are able to efficiently and effectively operate in tandem with other government departments during scenarios like those conducted throughout Operation NUNAKPUT 2016. The real life search and rescue incidents that ended successfully on Great Slave Lake during this year’s operation highlight the value of practicing these skills and exchanging knowledge between organizations, enhancing the safety and security of people living in the North,” said BGen. Mike Nixon, Commanding Officer, Joint Task Force (North).

Operation NUNAKPUT is an annual sovereignty operation conducted in the Northwest Territories, typically along the Mackenzie River. This year’s operation focused on the South Mackenzie River and Great Slav Lake regions.

Caption: Members of 1 Canadian Rangers Patrol Group undergo Search and Rescue and small craft training from members of the Royal Canadian Navy on Great Slave Lake near Yellowknife, Northwest Territories during Operation NUNAKPUT (Op NK ) on July 12th, 2016. Photo: PO2 Belinda Groves, Task Force Imagery Technician