With the increasing importance of our Arctic lands for natural heritage, resources, as potential shipping lanes, and increasing infrastructure development, it is more important than ever to demonstrate the Canadian Forces’ ability to operate in this area.

The RHLI recently played a major role in this commitment.  From 16 to 27 April, 2007, approximately 150 personnel from across Ontario and Atlantic Canada deployed to the Northwest Territories for Operation Narwhal, under RHLI Major Gary McQueen as Land Component Commander.  The purpose of Op Narwhal was twofold:  to demonstrate Canada’s commitment to maintaining arctic sovereignty, and to practise the deployment of troops to the North to respond to a simulated terrorist threat to North America’s oil and gas infrastructure.  The operation was led by Joint Task Force North headquarters in Yellowknife, and included participation of the Canadian Rangers and elements of the Air Force as well as Naval and RCMP components.

The RHLI was chosen to provide key leadership positions.  In addition to Major McQueen as Land Component Commander, the RHLI deployed Captain Alex Colic as second-in command, and Master Warrant Officer Brian Robinson as the company sergeant-major, the senior non-commissioned officer in the company.  Lieutenant Matt Horvath was one of the four platoon commanders and led soldiers chosen from across 31 Canadian Brigade Group in South-Western Ontario.

The reserve soldiers that comprised the company (nicknamed Narwhal Company) were tasked with supporting the RCMP in defeating a simulated terrorist threat.  Over the course of the two-week deployment, the soldiers secured the main pumping station in Norman Wells, maintained observation posts overlooking key oil infrastructure in the Mackenzie River, deployed via Griffon helicopter and Twin Otter aircraft to on long-distance reconnaissance patrols, responded on short notice to cordon cabins used as “safe-houses” by the terrorists, and deployed to provide perimeter security of the Norman Wells municipal airport during a rehearsal of a community-wide evacuation.  Throughout the operation, a platoon of soldiers from Atlantic Canada provided security at the Fort Simpson airport, located approximately 450 km away, which in the exercise scenario was the overall staging base for the emergency response to the terrorist threat.

The RHLI is proud to have played such a major role in this important event demonstrating Canada’s role and participation in the War on Terrorism and preservation of our Arctic sovereignty.