CF Assists Halifax in the Aftermath of Hurricane Juan

Hurricane Juan landed on the east coast of Nova Scotia in the wee hours of Monday morning, 29 September 2003. Juan was reportedly the most powerful hurricane to hit Nova Scotia in 40 years, wreaking destruction along its path. The category 2 hurricane packed winds reaching up to 174 kilometers an hour.

The Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) was hard hit; more than 300,000 residents were left without power, and authorities from the Province of Nova Scotia requested assistance from the Canadian Forces a few hours after Juan left the region. This CF operation is known as Operation SPLINTER.

Under the leadership of Rear-Admiral Glenn Davidson, Commander Maritime Forces Atlantic, East Coast sailors, Land Force Atlantic Area soldiers, and Air Force personnel from 12 Wing Shearwater were called in to assist.

"Our sailors, soldiers and airmen and -women are working hand in hand with city authorities and helping in the clean-up of debris in order to allow Nova Scotia Power crews to move in and restore power to the city as quickly as possible," said RAdm Davidson.

About 800 military personnel from Maritime Forces Atlantic units, 12 Wing Shearwater and local Army Reserve units are helping with the clean-up in Halifax. More than 200 residents evacuated from an apartment building are being served by a field kitchen operated by 33 Service Battalion and 1 Field Regiment. Land Forces Atlantic Area dispatched its Immediate Reaction Unit (IRU), which comprises about 420 soldiers, from Canadian Forces Base Gagetown. The first elements of the IRU arrived in Halifax early on Tuesday morning, and the main body arrived on Tuesday afternoon. The IRU will conduct operations from 12 Wing Shearwater, handling clean-up tasks in Dartmouth.

As the hurricane covered the Shearwater airfield with debris, 12 Wing was forced to cease routine flying operations at 12 noon on Monday. Despite the lack of electrical power, helicopter crews were ready to launch from the inner ramp on two hours' notice in case of emergency. As their comrades worked to clear the airfield, several helicopter crews assisted with clean-up efforts in the Halifax Regional Municipality, while others supported the IRU's soldiers, who were housed in Wing facilities.

By 12 noon on Tuesday, less than 24 hours after the airfield closed, 12 Wing was fully operational again, and its electricity supply was restored on Wednesday night. Flight crews continue to conduct reconnaissance flights to provide military and civilian authorities with a better picture of the situation.