Monday, 05 April 2010 09:00
I’m waiting in a state of excited anticipation bordering on panic…
OK, here’s the deal. Next week, I’m supposed to fly out to the northernmost tip of Canada, to the Canadian Forces Station Alert, to cover a military exercise, Operation NUNALIVUT 10.
Here’s how a press release by the Canadian Forces describes the exercise:
Canadian Forces (CF) Operation NUNALIVUT 10, one of three major CF operations conducted each year in Canada’s High Arctic, begins on April 6th and runs until April 26th , 2010. During this year’s Op NUNALIVUT, which is Inuktitut for “land that is ours,” the Canadian Forces will face some of the most challenging terrain and weather conditions Canada has to offer. Training exercises will be conducted along the most northern tip of Ellesmere Island; in the vicinity of CFS Alert, Ward Hunt Point and Alert Point.
NUNALIVUT 10 will include reconnaissance and surveillance patrols by the Canadian Rangers, air surveillance and parachute insertions of search and rescue technicians from the Air Force, a diving team from the Navy and support from several military units across Canada, under the command of Joint Task Force North (JTFN). This year’s operation will also feature combined training with the Danish Navy’s SIRIUS Dog Team patrol to enhance interoperability, as well as a visit by the Commander of Greenland Command, Danish Rear-Admiral Henrik Kudsk, as part of the closing ceremony festivities.
The aim of the operation is to demonstrate and improve upon the Canadian Force’s land, air and sea capabilities in order to respond to safety and security challenges in the Arctic.
In addition to reinforcing security in this remote region of Canada, Op NUNALIVUT 10 will also assist Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) scientists to conduct research on and around Ellesmere Island.
The problem is getting there. There are no commercial flights to Alert so I have to rely on the military to fly me up there. Last week, I was told to book a ticket to Gander, Newfoundland, to then connect with a military flight to Alert. A day later, that flight was cancelled.
Now, I’m waiting for Lt. Jill Strelieff , the Public Affairs Officer for the Joint Taskforce North in Yellownknife, who’s taking care of this trip to call me with a new location. I just hope it’s not too late to book another flight.