Troops honoured for efforts after Arctic plane crash

Halifax, Nova Scotia — When Master Corporal Justin Eddison of the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Newfoundland Regiment suited up for Operation NANOOK in the high Arctic last August, he and his platoon were preparing to respond to a simulated plane crash.

Instead, they got the real thing.

A First Air civilian charter flight crashed into the arctic tundra on August 20, 2011 as it was approaching the airport at Resolute Bay, Nunavut, just a few kilometres from the training area. Twelve passengers were killed; three survived.

Soon after the crash, a call went out for volunteers to assist the RCMP at the crash site. MCpl Eddison responded immediately, assembling a five-person team, including Corporal Brandon Young, a fellow member of 2 R Nfld Regt.

Earlier this month the two young soldiers were recognized for the professionalism and initiative they showed in aiding the recovery efforts.

In a small parade held February 18 at the Gallipoli Armoury in Corner Brook, Newfoundland, home of 2 R Nfld Regt, commanding officer Lieutenant-Colonel Clyde Russell presented the commendations on behalf of the Joint Task Force Commander of Operation NANOOK.

“I’m proud, but I feel that [the special recognition] is unnecessary,” said MCpl Eddison, who – as a corporal at the time – was a section commander in a patrolling platoon for the operation. “To me I was doing my job.”

MCpl Eddison credits his experience in Afghanistan with preparing him for the crash scene.

“I did it because I believe as a soldier you should be ready and willing to do anything requested of you,” he said.

The training exercise that turned all too real for MCpl Eddison and his colleagues was part of Op NANOOK, a joint agency sovereignty operation held each year in the Arctic. The training exercise was suspended following the crash.

Article by: Master Corporal Dave McCord

Photos submitted by: 2 R Nfld Regt