Forces members lost and found

Two Canadian Forces members and two Canadian Rangers stranded in a blizzard for about 24 hours were found safe this week and returned to Rankin Inlet on March 4. After surviving windchill temperatures of -78 °C, Ranger Nippi Alogut of Chesterfield Inlet arrived in Rankin Inlet on his own at about 2:45 p.m. with no injuries.

Ranger Kevin Issaluk of Chesterfield Inlet, Capt. Bob Saunders of Canadian Forces Northern area, Yellowknife and Sgt. Bill Lepatourel of Canadian Forces Northern area, Yellowknife, were met by two members of the Baker Lake Canadian Ranger patrol mid-afternoon on March 3, while a C-130 Hercules aircraft flew overhead to provide additional support if needed.

The group made its way to a cabin about 50 kilometres outside of Rankin Inlet where Rangers provided additional fuel from the community. After a rest, both groups made their way back to Rankin Inlet, arriving at about midnight on March 4.

Saunders sustained minor frostbite to the tips of his fingers and nose and Lepatourel was sent to Winnipeg to see a specialist about his frostbitten feet. Neither Ranger sustained any injury.

The four Forces members were participating in an exercise involving Rangers from Rankin Inlet, Whale Cove and Arviat and were separated from the main party as they were returning to Rankin Inlet on March 2 at about 11 p.m.