HMCS Charlottetown is participating in Operation NANOOK 2018.
Her Majesty’s Canadian Ships Charlottetown and Kingston departed from their home port of Halifax on August 8, 2018 to participate in this year’s Operation NANOOK, Canada’s premier annual northern sovereignty operation.
During Op NANOOK 2018, Charlottetown and Kingston will work with the Canadian Army, the Royal Canadian Air Force, other Government of Canada agencies, northern community leadership, and allies, including Denmark and the United States, in joint maritime defence and security scenarios. These joint engagements are designed to foster greater interoperability amongst partners, and ensure the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) have the ability to effectively respond in the North when called upon by the Government of Canada.
“Our annual contribution to Op NANOOK demonstrates the Royal Canadian Navy’s commitment to the Arctic region,” said RAdm Craig Baines, Commander Maritime Forces Atlantic and Joint Task Force Atlantic. “Operation NANOOK 2018 will provide a unique opportunity for multiple agencies and allies to work together and strengthen our security capabilities in the North. This deployment will also test the ability of the Royal Canadian Navy, Canadian Army and Royal Canadian Air Force to work successfully in a joint environment.”
Op NANOOK is Canada’s largest and best known annual operation in the North and builds on the CAF ability to operate in the challenging Arctic environment to provide a rapid response to issues of public safety and security. Op NANOOK has taken place each year since 2007 and consists of one or two major activities during August and September.
This year, the CAF have amalgamated some northern operations that will now form separate deployments throughout the year, allowing the CAF to work more effectively with other government departments and partner agencies. A more persistent presence in the North through Op NANOOK will enhance the mobility, reach and footprint of the CAF in Canada’s North to support operations, exercises, and the CAF’s ability to project force into the region.
Charlottetown and Kingston will visit various communities in the Arctic, including Iqaluit, Nunavut, and Nuuk, Greenland.
The maritime component of Op NANOOK 2018 will be conducted in the vicinity of the Labrador and Eastern Arctic Seas from August 8 to September 4.
