CAF Successfully Concludes OP NEVUS 2016

DND Press Release

Approximately 100 Canadian Armed Forces personnel and civilian members from the Department of National Defence have completed Operation NEVUS 2016 — the performance of essential preventive and corrective maintenance on the High Arctic Data Communications System (HADCS) in and around Canadian Forces Station (CFS) Alert, Nunavut, located on Ellesmere Island, from June 1 to 28, 2016.

The month-long operation involved CAF Information Operations Group technicians, Geomatics Technicians from the CAF Mapping and Charting Establishment, and several aircrew and aircraft from the Royal Canadian Air Force, including: one CC-130J Hercules and one CC-177 Globemaster from 8 Wing Trenton, Ontario; three CH-146 Griffons from 430 Tactical Helicopter Squadron in Valcartier, Quebec; a CH-147 Chinook from 450 Tactical Helicopter Squadron in Petawawa, Ontario; and one CC-138 Twin Otter from Yellowknife-based 440 Transport Squadron.

Ellesmere Island. – Mr. Yves Gauthier guides Master Corporal Marty Stride and Corporal Graeme Ross (CFS LEITRIM) through the maintenance program on one of the High Arctic Data Communication Systems Line of Sight Systems (HADCS LOS) Sites. (Photo: Lieutenant-Navy Clayton Erickson, Joint Task Force (North))

During Operation NEVUS 2016, technicians travelled between CFS Alert and Fort Eureka by helicopter, maintaining and repairing communication components and sites. The Mapping and Charting Team conducted surveys of CFS Alert, Fort Eureka, and the HADCS sites.

Operation NEVUS is one of an annual series of operations conducted by Joint Task Force North in the High Arctic that contributes to Canadian sovereignty.

“Operation NEVUS 2016 has been a success due, in large part, to the initiative and energy demonstrated by this highly professional team. Each member of the operation worked tirelessly to ensure that his or her assigned tasks were completed to the highest standards and with due regard for the environment in which they operated. I am privileged to have had the opportunity to work with such a highly capable team, and I am proud of the work they have accomplished during this year’s operation.” - Major Meagan McGrath, Commanding Officer, Task Force NEVUS 2016

Ellesmere Island,  A CH-146 Griffon helicopter slings a battery over the site codenamed WHISKEY. (Photo by: Canadian Armed Forces)

100 CAF Members start OP NEVUS-16 in High Arctic

DND Press Release

Yellowknife, NWT – National Defense / Canadian Armed Forces

Operation NEVUS 2016 (Op NE 16) will take place in and around Canadian Forces Station (CFS) Alert, Nunavut, from June 1 to 30, 2016.

Commanded by Joint Task Force (North) and involving approximately 100 Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) personnel from across Canada, Op NE 16 is the annual deployment of a technical team to Ellesmere Island to perform essential maintenance on the High Arctic Data Communications System (HADCS), located between CFS Eureka and  CFS Alert.

Op NE 16 will involve technicians from the Canadian Forces Information Operations Group, military members from the Mapping and Charting Establishment, and personnel and aircraft from the Royal Canadian Air Force, including a CC-177 Globemaster from 8 Wing Trenton, Ontario; a CH-146 Griffon detachment from 430 Tactical Helicopter Squadron in Valcartier, Québec; and a CC-140 Twin Otter from Yellowknife-based 440 Transport Squadron. The Canadian Armed Forces’ northern operations contribute to wider Canadian efforts to improve northern surveillance and reconnaissance, and to demonstrate a visible presence in Canada’s Arctic.

“I am proud of our men and women in uniform and DND civilians, who have deployed on Operation NEVUS. Their individual and collective efforts are essential to maintaining critical Government of Canada infrastructure on Ellesmere Island. They also have the opportunity to experience the unique environment found only in the High Arctic.” - Brigadier-General Mike Nixon, Commander, Joint Task Force (North)

Maintenance operations on the HADCS have been carried out annually since 1982, when the HADCS system first became operational. The operation began as Operation HURRICANE and was also briefly carried out under Operation NEMESIS before being renamed Operation NEVUS.