"It will be the largest operation that has taken place in recent history," Defence Minister Peter MacKay said Saturday, moments after bidding an emotional farewell to combat troops now leaving Kandahar. "All of this is very much about enlarging the footprint and the permanent and seasonal presence we have in the North. It is something that we as a government intend to keep investing in."
Exercise Nanook is to play out in several phases on and near Baffin Island and Ellesmere Island throughout August. It will involve CF-18 fighter jets as well as surveillance and transport aircraft, a warship, infantry companies from Quebec and Alberta and 5 Canadian Ranger Patrol Group — Inuit reservists who have broad experience surviving in the extremely austere environment of the Far North.
While MacKay and Chief of the Defence Staff Gen. Walter Natynczyk will visit the High Arctic for Op Nanook, their emphasis during their 30-hour visit to Kandahar was very much on thanking the troops for their sacrifice and toil in a mission that has resulted in the deaths of 157 Canadian soldiers since 2002.
"This country is so much better because of your efforts. Our country is so much better because of your efforts," MacKay said as more than 1,000 troops pressed enthusiastically around him outside New Canada House. "You are the best citizens of our country."
To loud applause and whistles of encouragement, Natynczyk, who is Canada’s top general, gave the soldiers a stemwinder of a speech in French and English about what had been achieved collectively and individually in Afghanistan.
"There are not many Taliban there (in Kandahar) now because of you," the ‘four-leaf’ general said.
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Source: Ottawa Citizen
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