NANOOK 09

Operation NANOOK 09 is one of three major sovereignty operations conducted every year by the Government of Canada in Canada's North. Canada will demonstrate a visible presence in the eastern Arctic with military and civilian assets operating in the Baffin Island region. The operation will run from August 6 to 28, 2009, and will include sovereignty patrolling, a military exercise, and a whole-of-government exercise.

Operation NANOOK 09 is a joint operation that includes Canadian Forces personnel, ships and aircraft from the Army, Navy and Air Force, working under the command of Joint Task Force (North) (JTFN). As one of six regional commands reporting to Canada Command in Ottawa, JTFN is responsible for the conduct of all Canadian Forces routine and contingency operations in Canada's North. JTFN is headquartered in Yellowknife, NT, and commanded by Brigadier-General David Millar.

SOVEREIGNTY PATROLLING

Maritime surveillance patrols will extend through the Hudson and Davis Straits, and aerial reconnaissance missions will be conducted over Canada's northern territory and sea and air approaches.

Surveillance patrols will also be conducted by the Canadian Coast Guard and Transport Canada. The CF works closely with federal government partners to ensure the monitoring of Canada's territorial, aerial and maritime approaches, including in the Arctic, to detect threats to safety and security.

MILITARY EXERCISE

In addition to surveillance patrols, this year's operation will include a military exercise involving sea, land and air forces, the Canadian Coast Guard and Transport Canada. The exercise will see the amphibious landing of an Arctic Reserve Company Group on an island near Iqaluit to search for a suspected downed unmanned aerial vehicle. The exercise will include diving operations and an anti-submarine warfare component.

Canadian Rangers will provide support to the land patrols, demonstrating the traditional skills required to live off the land. The Canadian Rangers, who are experienced in Arctic survival and deployed almost every time the CF operates on the land in the North, will act as guides, experts on the land, and provide predator control. The Canadian Rangers are skilled Reserve Force members of the CF, and a major contributor to the training and effectiveness of the military in the North.

INTEGRATED WHOLE OF GOVERNMENT EXERCISE

Operation NANOOK 09 will conclude with a Government of Canada exercise, designed to enable the departments and agencies of multiple levels of government (municipal, territorial and federal) to work together. Operation NANOOK 09 enables federal and territorial partners to exercise the knowledge and skills necessary to practice inter-departmental coordination.

Operation NANOOK 09 will include over 700 participants from:

• Emergency Management Office, Nunavut
• Qikiqtani Regional Hospital, Iqaluit
• Public Safety Canada, Arctic Region
• Canadian Coast Guard, Central and Arctic Region
• Canadian Coast Guard Ship Pierre Radisson
• Royal Canadian Mounted Police
• Canadian Ice Service
• Public Health Agency Canada
• Canada Border Services Agency
• Canadian Security Intelligence Service
• Health Canada
• Transport Canada
• Department of National Defence
• Canada Command Headquarters, Ottawa
  • Joint Task Force (North) Headquarters, Yellowknife
  • Canadian Operational Support
  • Command Headquarters, Ottawa
  • 8 Air Communications and Control Squadron, Trenton
  • Aerospace and Telecommunications
  • Engineering Support Squadron, Trenton
  • Combined Force Air Component Commander, Winnipeg
  • 440 Transport Squadron, Yellowknife
  • 405 Maritime Patrol Squadron, 14 Wing Greenwood
  • Land Forces from 32 Canadian Brigade Group
  • 435 Transport and Rescue Squadron, Winnipeg
  • 1 Canadian Ranger Patrol Group
  • Her Majesty's Canadian Ship Toronto
  • Her Majesty's Canadian Ship Glace Bay
  • Her Majesty's Canadian Submarine Cornerbrook

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