DVIDS – News – Surviving the Canadian Arctic

It’s minus 57.1 degrees Fahrenheit as the Canadian Air Operations Survival class prepares to take to the field for a five-day, four-day exercise. Two members of the Minnesota Air National Guard’s 133rd Contingency Response Team (CRT) flew to Resolute Bay, Canada to train with the Canadian military in surviving Arctic air operations.

U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Jeremiah Wickenhauser and U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Cody Hallas were invited to participate in the International Arctic Survival Training Event to strengthen international ties and expand the CRT’s survivability capabilities in the barren land of the Arctic.

“The arctic environment is constantly trying to kill you; Any task is more difficult in the cold,” said Hallas. “Every task takes longer and there is always a risk of serious injury. Moisture management and the inability to dry gear is a big problem. Cold, wet clothing is miserable to wear and work in, and extremely dangerous in the Arctic.”

The international course had visiting British Army Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape (SERE) instructors teaching alongside Canadian SERE specialists and Canadian Rangers. The course, held twice a year, has hosted SERE students from around the world and Canadian aircrew. Minnesota Guardsmen trained with active-duty French, German and New Zealand military students in the frigid Arctic temperatures.

It was almost too cold to train. Most of the classroom training took place in Resolute Bay, Canada, near 74th Parrel North. The class then traveled to Crystal City, a nickname for a frozen river bed in a snow-covered canyon, in a Small Unit Support Vehicle (SUSV) for a five-day, four-day field training exercise. The students experienced temperatures that ranged from highs around minus 25 degrees Fahrenheit to lows around minus 45 degrees Fahrenheit. The wind chill made it much colder, around minus 65 degrees Fahrenheit. The class spent their days cutting snow blocks, building shelters, cooking food, melting water, and keeping warm.

The Canadian Rangers, a sub-group of the Canadian military made up of local Inuit members, captured a seal and shared the raw harvest with the students. The Rangers also showed how to build an igloo. The students then built an igloo and spent a cold night sleeping in it.

“It’s been great that our American counterparts are enduring this hostile environment while maintaining a positive attitude,” Guay said. “They really embraced the training goals and implemented the new technique, which was validated by our teaching method, demonstrations and exercises. It is always a pleasure to have positive, professional, allied troops interested in the arctic environment, especially those willing to share their experiences with their home units.”

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