Private David Lincoln: Gaining new experiences through operations

Story and Photo provided by Lt Jenn Jackson, Operation NANOOK 11 Public Affairs Officer

Private David Lincoln, from 22 Wing, North Bay, Ont., has been spending a lot of time sending and receiving messages. He is currently deployed to Yellowknife, N.W.T. in support of Operation NANOOK 11 and is part of the team responsible for coordinating and maintaining communication between all of the units involved in the operation.

Since arriving in Yellowknife on 17 July, 2011, Pte Lincoln, who is originally from Greenwood, N.S., has discovered a new world of experience within his trade of Aerospace Telecommunications and Information Systems Technician or ATIS Tech.

“At 22 Wing, I work for the Wing Telecommunications and Information Services Squadron doing maintenance and repairs on Information Technology equipment such as computers and telephones as well as setting up internet accounts,” says Pte Lincoln. “Here in Yellowknife, I have had a chance to work with new equipment in a new way and it has given me a whole new realm of experience.”

The maintenance of communications between all of the units in an operation such as NANOOK 11 is a key factor to the success of the operation. During his 12-hour shift Pte Lincoln works with a team to ensure the effective maintenance and coordination of communications between Joint Task Force North Headquarters in Yellowknife, its Forward Headquarters deployed to Resolute Bay, Nu., units in Iqaluit, Nu., and ships at sea.

“I have only been in the Canadian Forces two years, and my posting to 22 Wing is my first experience really working in my trade,” adds Pte Lincoln. “The experience I am gaining during Operation NANOOK 11 is completely different from anything I have done before, and I am really enjoying these opportunities.”

Pte Lincoln will work in support of Operation NANOOK 11 in Yellowknife until 3 September, 2011. He decided to become an ATIS Tech because he grew up working and “tinkering” with computers with his father who worked as an Information Technology teacher in Auburn, N.S. until he retired. Although enjoying the new experiences he is gaining in Yellowknife, Pte Lincoln is looking forward to returning home to 22 Wing and seeing his 3-year-old daughter.

Operation NANOOK 11 is a Joint (Navy, Army and Air Force), Integrated (involving Whole of Government partners), and Combined (multi-national) operation conducted under the authority of Canada Command and Joint Task Force North, and is the centrepiece of three annual major Canadian Forces sovereignty operations held in Canada's North.

Private David Lincoln is adjusting a microwave dish that is a component of the remote communication link used in conjunction with the headquarters’ high frequency radio system, on the roof of the headquarters building for Joint Task Force North in Yellowknife, NWT. This system is being used during Operation NANOOK 11 for communications between Yellowknife, Resolute Bay, NU, Iqaluit, NU, and the ships involved in the Operation. Private Lincoln is deployed to Yellowknife from 22 Wing in North Bay, Ont. in support of Operation NANOOK 11.

Operation NANOOK is one of three recurring sovereignty operations conducted annually by the Canadian Forces (CF) in Canada's Arctic. Planned by Canada Command and executed by Joint Task Force North (JTFN), the whole-of-government operation highlights the Canadian Force’s capability to operate in the High Arctic with our whole Government and international partners. Operation NANOOK 11 takes place in Canada's Eastern and High Arctic area from August 4 to 25 and is conducted in two parts. The first part is a combined military operation with Canada’s Northern Partners. The second part is a Whole of Government response exercise to a major air disaster (MAJAID) in the vicinity of Resolute Bay and a maritime emergency in Strathcona Sound.