A 2017 West Seneca East High School grad and Western New York native, is participating in Operation Nanook-Tuugaalik 2020, described by the U.S. Navy as a multinational maritime exercise conducted in the Canadian Arctic.

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Petty Officer 3rd Class Christopher Brunner is serving aboard USS Thomas Hudner, a guided-missile destroyer, that has been taking part in the exercise which
"focuses on multiple warfare areas including maritime interdiction operations, ice diving, air defense, damage control, search and rescue and amphibious operations."

Operation Nanook-Tuugaalik is a series of joint, interagency, and multinational activities designed to exercise the defense of Canada and security in the region and will continue over the course of a year in Canada’s northern and Arctic regions.

Brunner is a boatswain’s mate with responsibilities that include driving the ship, search and rescue operations, ship preservation, and landing helicopters.

 

“My favorite part of my job is that not every day is the same,” Brunner said. “We are always doing different evolutions and that’s what keeps things exciting.”

 

According to the Navy Office of Community Outreach approximately 350 sailors assigned to USS Thomas Hudner will participate alongside other entities including the U.S. Coast Guard, Canadian, French, and Danish allies to enhance their Arctic capabilities, and meet the requirements of each nation’s defense policies.

Operation Nanook-Tuugaalik usually consists of one or two major activities during the months of August and September. Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions, it will be a shorter deployment this year as compared to previous years.

(Navy Office of Community Outreach)

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