Testing and Demonstrating CAF Personnel’s Ability to Operate in Arctic

The first iteration of Canada’s signature Arctic sovereignty exercise of 2024 is underway.

Demonstrating the CAF’s ability to project and sustain forces in the Arctic under the harshest conditions, Operation NANOOK-NUNALIVUT aims to build in-depth local knowledge, evaluate new capabilities and equipment, and improve interoperability with Canada’s Allies and partners, noted a press release.

To Test and Demonstrate

“Operation NANOOK-NUNALIVUT 2024 will allow us to test and demonstrate our ability to operate in the Arctic. The North is a vast, harsh, and demanding environment – careful preparation and close collaboration with our Northern partners is key. Knowledge shared with those Allies and partners strengthens our collective ability to adapt and meet these challenges,” said Brigadier-General J. Rivière, Commander of Joint Task Force (North), in a press release.

Established in 2007, Operation NANOOK-NUNALIVUT currently has over 300 Canadian Armed Forces personnel from 10 units working alongside approximately 50 military personnel from allied countries.

“It is increasingly important to be able to project and sustain forces in the Canadian Arctic. Operation NANOOK-NUNALIVUT is our opportunity to demonstrate Canada’s presence and sovereignty in the North, while training to operate in austere and difficult environments,” said Vice-Admiral Bob Auchterlonie, Commander, Canadian Joint Operations Command.

Conducted Annually

Marking its 17th year, Operation NANOOK-NUNALIVUT has been conducted annually in various locations throughout Canada’s North, including Rankin Inlet, Tuktoyaktuk, and Inuvik.

According to the press release, the operation is an all-domain defence and security operation designed to foster greater combined and joint compatibility with regional and international partners.

The first iteration of 2024 runs from March 1 until March 17 and has military personnel conducting activities, including:

• joint long-range patrols,
• austere logistics and
• below-ice diving.

Ice diving includes support from local and regional partners specializing in Arctic terrain, Arctic infrastructure, and Arctic logistics support.

First of Four

Op NANOOK-NUNALIVUT is one of four comprehensive annual activities designed to exercise Canada’s defence and secure Canada’s northern regions, all under the name of Op NANOOK. The exercises take place from early spring to late summer, demonstrating the CAF’s presence and exercising Canadian sovereignty in the Arctic.

Participating Units & International Personnel

Op NANOOK-NUNALIVUT 2024 has CAF Personnel from:

• 2nd Canadian Division, Quebec, including:
  • Primary Reserve units under 35 Canadian Brigade Group;
  • 1st Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment;
  • 1st Canadian Ranger Patrol Group;
  • Port Inspection Divers from the Naval Reserve;
  • Joint Task Force North Support Component; and
  • 440 Transport Squadron, from Yellowknife, Northwest Territories;
  • Combat Divers from:
    • 4 Engineer Support Regiment from Gagetown, New Brunswick;
    • 2 Combat Engineer Regiment from Petawawa, Ontario; and
    • 5 Combat Engineer Regiment from Valcartier, Québec;

International military personnel participating in Operation NANOOK-NUNALIVUT 2024 include:

• Around 30 members of the US 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (86th IBCT),
• With the Dive Task Force:
  • Approximately 5 Belgian Naval Component Clearance Divers,
  • Approximately 5 French Army Combat, and
  • A German Dive Medical Officer as an observer.

Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) is also participating by providing technical support to enable under-ice dive training during Op NANOOK-NUNALIVUT.

About Operation NANOOK

The operation is one of four comprehensive annual activities designed to exercise Canada’s defence and secure our northern regions, all under the name of Op NANOOK.

The exercises, which take place from early spring to late summer, demonstrate the CAF’s presence and exercise Canadian sovereignty in the Arctic.