My father served 3 tours of duty at CFS Alert in the 70s. Mental health issues were not high on the priotry list at the time and were not well understood. He spent almost 3 years of his life in Alert and the isolation of living in that environment I feel contributed to his decline in his mental health later in his life. He quit the service when they told him he was to be promoted but would be required to do another posting in Alert in 1982.

So these guys are like the Nights Watch .

@zileanicathun

3 жыл бұрын

literally the frozen chosen

This is why it's very important to get along and respect each other in the army.

@Corey_Lee_Slater

3 жыл бұрын

Umm, that's a Canadian thing, arguing in the cold is just dumb...

I randomly found this place on google maps and now here I am looking it up on u tube

oooph.... that is remote

@suspicioususer

5 жыл бұрын

Watchu doing here?

@raymondliu1647

2 жыл бұрын

Santa Claus

@stickynorth

2 жыл бұрын

@@raymondliu1647 Shhh, and let out a state secret of Canada? Where your mail really goes when you write a letter to Santa at H0H 0H0! ;-)

Omg I saw myself. The video is from almost 2 years ago now.

@avenuempire

4 жыл бұрын

And which one are you?

@T4B_M3RC

3 жыл бұрын

@@avenuempire the last guy...

Thanks boys. We appreciate keeping us safe. Gracias a los soldados Canadienses por mantener nuestro pais Canada seguro. Gracias.

I remember my uncle telling me how he was stationed here and a bunch of CANSOFCOM guys went to train out in Alert. Said they were superhuman.

a big change since I was there in 66

@dakohli

6 жыл бұрын

I was there in the mid 90s when they tore down the 50 line.

@wggooch

4 жыл бұрын

Joe R two tours for me 62 and 64. Big change.

@penquinbumbum6049

3 жыл бұрын

I was there in 66 with Polar Shelf. We lived in Parcalls (sp?) down by the runway. My dad down south used to run Ham radio phone patches so soldiers could speak to their families... a far cry from today. We used to come up to the station for a shower as we didn't have such luxuries ourselves.

@mp40submachinegun81

3 жыл бұрын

My dad was there in the 90s as a civilian when he and his brother ran a construction company building a couple buildings.

@mrrexychomp9829

3 жыл бұрын

thank you for your service

Thanks for doing a great job up there! We appreciate you

My dad was stationed there in the 80's, he still used to arctic gear when he used the snowblower

@mp40submachinegun81

3 жыл бұрын

My dad was there in the 90s, wore his coat and mittens the other day plowing snow on a tractor

Its nearly been 30 years since I was last there. Great time

Ofcourse they play road hockey everyother day, thats how we roll.

Yes what a place. I arrived in Alert in February 1988 for a 6 months tour. I was the Doc (taking care of the health of 140 persons). My assistant and I faced all kind of challenges every day there. There is no place like Alert!

Fantastic coverage by Matthew Fisher.

1:10 They look so hugely positive

The most Canadian of stories! Love it! It's totally on my bucket list of adventure hot spots!

Interesting comment about the polar bears as bears were never an issue at least up to the late-80's/early-90's. I worked in the quarry in the summers of '88 & '90 and the wild mammals I saw close to the station were Arctic Hare (think the killer bunny from the Monty Python movies - the hare are "big" and essentially fearless!), Arctic Fox, Arctic Wolf, Lemming, Peary Caribou and one time I saw a seal (not sure of the species) in the small bay below the quarry.

This guy I know was in the army, he went out to the bar one night and beat some guy almost to death. So now, they send him way up north and he phones in a whether report 3 times a day

Is everybody getting recommend this too?

@WindowsXPMapping1

3 жыл бұрын

Yes

This is where you get posted when you've finally pissed off everyone.

@mickeyjay8516

3 жыл бұрын

I've had a few family members up there and one who is currently up there. They love it!

@Bozewani

2 жыл бұрын

@Benito yeah that befor ehte cretion of Nunavut i love Canada i studied political science in St thomas univeristy my dream job is the Intenrational Criminal Court so I remember the times iN canada learned every UN language Arabic Chinese English French Russian and Spanish

Was there November- December 1980. Excellent life experience

I completed 5 tours of Alert, the first being in 1975 and the last in the late 1990´s .. I have so great memories of the tours - the only negative ones are the horribly uncomfortable flights in the Herc - a unique experience and an incredible spot. Thanks for the trip down memory lane.

@zolotozvezda5278

5 ай бұрын

I did 4 between 1977-1989 👍

My dad worked there when he was younger.

@georgekingsly3799

3 жыл бұрын

Bad computer is the best song in the entire world

@georgekingsly3799

3 жыл бұрын

It cures depression

I have the plaque from Alert awarded to my ham operator father for doing relay service for many messages to family from all over Canada.

Thanks for the memories de VE7EBA

@penquinbumbum6049

3 жыл бұрын

Hi, de VY0CT, formerly VE8CT.

This is where I support the troops, Shen they defend the borders and territorial integrity of our country. Salute to the brave men and women stationed at Alert.

Been there ... done that and have a few t-shirts, hoodie ... "Hut, Hut, Hut" "Frozen Chosen"

So, basically- one has to be alert in Alert! 😁

Been there and loved every second of it up until 322 went down. We tried but couldn't get to them due to the terrain.

@logos2613

3 жыл бұрын

I knew the loggie on flight 130322 ... he and I served together in Ottawa - Rich was lucky. Storms are not pleasant. and can come in quick. I know what you went through trying to reach them ... I launched a successful S&R for our Food Svc O when he was lost in a storm between the Stn and Crystal Mountain. He was a happy camper when we brought him in.

Best posting I have ever done. I would go back any day of the week.

@damyouggw

3 жыл бұрын

How and why did you get posted there?

@JasonBelliveau

3 жыл бұрын

@@damyouggw I'm a meteorologist for the forces. It was a sort posting I did in 2013. There are lots of civilian jobs you can apply for if the forces are not your thing.

@johonanandrewgomes7593

3 жыл бұрын

whats the coldest you experienced there?

@welynslostpumpkin6463

3 жыл бұрын

Sounds fun!

@JasonBelliveau

3 жыл бұрын

@@johonanandrewgomes7593 sorry I missed this comment I was off the coast of Scotland doing joint warrior last month. It was below -40 when I was there. That being said cold is cold and if your dressed for it its not bad. I find im colder in Halifax at -10 because it's so damp and windy here it cuts through your clothing no matter what you have.

I am very proud of are Canadian. Militrary.

But Amazon Prime delivers there right?

Pure adventure

You shouldve asked about the polar bear attack story Pretty popular at Alert it caused a panic despitw no one having been hurt And the cause of the attack was a bunch of opened beers left in a trailer

Keep up the great proctection too are world are national defence is at the most time high. 2020

I did 19 years best advice I can you be in great shape and dont have ties back home to distract you .

@Tribuneoftheplebs

3 ай бұрын

Thanks for the advice 👍

I want to see a chartered flight from Alert to Ushuaia. Maybe someone could travel there from north to south!

What a bunch of awesome folks! Also am I losing it or were they playing a Halo game in the backdrop at about 1:40 ish? xD Thought I heard a magnum from that game being fired

this is kind of relevant in 2022

0:34 that guy looks like a teacher I had in grade 10

@pinina8558

3 жыл бұрын

He reminds me of a highschool metalworks teacher.

After having lived indoors due to the Covid pandemic any isolated city is easy to live whether there is sunshine or not

How many signallers are posted here?

@David_Rafuse

2 жыл бұрын

Not that many nowadays, the comms are mostly remoted to CFS Leitrim, near Ottawa. Few if any operators, mostly technicians/maintainers.

Spent 6 very long months there in 1979. No internet, no live tv, no phones, no women and the nearest humans were 1000 miles away. Beautiful at times and the worst place on earth at other times.

@automotivetv9861

3 жыл бұрын

But there was alcohol and other guys to chat with. No need for any electronics when you have those two.

I was there in '83 when I was attached posted to 1 CEU out of Winnipeg to erect the HAPS building, Habitation and Personnel Services. The only wildlife we ever saw were terns and arctic fox. To have wolves and polar bears that far north is yet more evidence of climate change.

@Corey_Lee_Slater

3 жыл бұрын

Ever been to Cold Lake or Primrose Lake? Dad was Around there back then. -His name was Eric too.

@a.whyattmann5057

9 ай бұрын

But how would that be a sign unless you hadn't seen them there for an equal or greater amount of time than you did?

What of our former Comm Research stations that were in Aklavik, Inuvik.....Masset? Bermuda.....? Leitrim? Etc etc.......and the "others"?

@cannack

6 жыл бұрын

Aklavik operations were transferred to inuvik in 1961, inuviks rcn comm base was closed in 1986. cfs bermuda was closed in 1992 with the fall of the soviet union, leitrim is still operational and another site in ganer is as well (likely submarine communication or detection) masset is not station leitrim (special antenna remains)

@dylanbennett41

6 жыл бұрын

Inuvik is a skeleton crew mostly now. Was there a year and a half ago. All the old PMQ's are used by locals and are painted vibrant colours. Was a very cool experience being up there for a few months.

@gordonmohr2268

6 жыл бұрын

I served over 2 years at CFS Inuvik starting in 1977 I also went to Alert twice, then down to Kingston at 1CSR, was in for over 6 years total.

@davynhainstock7503

6 жыл бұрын

The one in masset is still running I think

@Dargonkin527

3 жыл бұрын

I painted the curbs and packed up old teletype parts in the early 90's at CFS leitrim as far as i know it's still running

Id like to work there

Going there next week in a CH149 Cormorant helicopter. I'm very afraid. BC boy.

@deltasquared5530

3 жыл бұрын

You can do it br0ther. B.C. boy.

@Corey_Lee_Slater

3 жыл бұрын

Cigarette lighters on the mittens helps keep hands warm.

@benmitchell0036

8 ай бұрын

How was it??

The beards though... I just..... nevermind.

@oscorrar117

6 жыл бұрын

Matsimus pppffffft what d'you mean that's definitely in regs

@Marty32

6 жыл бұрын

He has a chit it's fine shhh

@chiefdogma

3 жыл бұрын

@@Marty32 pretty sure the beardforgen came out in like 2017 if i'm not mistaken

@Marty32

3 жыл бұрын

@@chiefdogma Just looked up, looks like 2018 actually. Initially thought 2017 too

@chiefdogma

3 жыл бұрын

@@Marty32 haha unfortunately for me im almost 30 and still grow a patchy beard. So I still have to be clean shaven. It suck's lol.

A Canadian plane stops in an American airbase which is in Greenland, a danish territory

wooooooooooooow

1:16 I worked with Dominik. His name is Valade, not Varade. Amateurs. lol

If you want to imagine what life will be on a moon station in the not too distant future, the mental health challenges they face here will be similar.

Thought all the ice is melted?

Obviously it's the Airforce MWO that has his hands in his pockets

@jamied.4932

6 жыл бұрын

He don't give a F*** same with my stepdad: warrant officer, been in 2svc battalion for over 30 years. It's just a job

@wolfram2299

6 жыл бұрын

you see a CWO in the video ??? cuz i know everyone in the video ... i was on station when this was taken ... there was no CWO there

@Legion004

6 жыл бұрын

Ooops, had a brain fart. I saw the rank and they even made it clear at 0:35 but somehow still chose to write CWO instead of MWO, thanks :D

@dalejanisse9157

4 жыл бұрын

As a Radio technician I was always taught that the good techs kept one hand in their pocket to prevent accidental electrical currents from running through their heart from one hand to the other. I was also taught that the really good techs kept both hands in their pockets!

@welynslostpumpkin6463

3 жыл бұрын

I thought that it was a WO2, then I remembered Air and ground have different rank names

How tall do you need to join the Canadian army???

@wolfram2299

3 жыл бұрын

shortest person i know is 4'10 ish

@alvindurochermtl

3 жыл бұрын

@@wolfram2299 Depends on the job and the trade. I don't suppose you can be in the Ceremonial Guards at the Parliament for example if you're 4'10.

@wolfram2299

3 жыл бұрын

@@alvindurochermtl yes you can. those guards are pulled from reg force, and reserve. if your in and you get the post. you get the post.

@alvindurochermtl

3 жыл бұрын

@@wolfram2299 What does whether they are regular or reserve anything to do with height requirements. I’ve done the hills and I’m pretty sure they still have height requirements.

@wolfram2299

3 жыл бұрын

@@alvindurochermtl what I'm saying is, the only requirement is to be in (reg or res). now if your short I don't see your chain pushing you forward for the gig. but if your short and want it, enough I can totally see it happening.

Someday, I'm hoping to serve here.

2:00 , aw yeah ;)

@automotivetv9861

3 жыл бұрын

Haha I wonder if she lets anyone near her

proof the world is round again

Honestly best way to keep folks in the dark for a long time. Give them a gaming console..weed..and munchies..wont have no problem with them as long as they're supplied x)

done that.

I applied for Alert but they didn’t need military police.

@roberttanguay8532

3 жыл бұрын

When I was there, it was a Sgt MP position

@duanepigden1337

3 жыл бұрын

@@roberttanguay8532 -- thanks, I guess it was another case of them lying to me.

Is there a Tim Hortons?

@mrafflin

Жыл бұрын

yes right next to the Angolese embassy

aah' scare off polar bears could train them in the army or something :)

@John-kr7iz

3 жыл бұрын

they go outside point away from the base and in there most polite voice they yell "GO!"

the wolves and polar bears being there is NOT climate change related -- it is their natural habitat - from before my first tour in 1976 the camp kept a few dogs to deter the wolves from entering the camp - polar bear sightings were frequent -

Hope you guys are there . . . . Canada reaally needs you right now. Were all dead if your not.

Why no mention of the foxes or the meat eatting rabbits?

@AoSFreaKz

6 жыл бұрын

cuz who gives a shit

It’s a shame if that facility has no free weights.

why is the guy in the thumbnail so damn handsome? shit, his scruffy look is so cute

Go canada

Keep us free we are the bes

When you invite the Americans up. " what do ya mean ya just scare the polar bears off!? Don't you have a tank or something!??

@thecloudyfox

5 жыл бұрын

RZ RZ I would have thought they’d feed it XD

1:20 typically Kyle

@kenogu436

3 жыл бұрын

Huh?

do you actually get a medal for this ?

@JasonBelliveau

6 жыл бұрын

its a 6 month deployment so yes.

@roberttanguay8532

3 жыл бұрын

You get whats called the SSM with Alert bar

@Gameplayery

3 жыл бұрын

@@roberttanguay8532 i heard the SSM is not longer applicable to this "tour"

I guess you can say you have to be active to be...alert..

Plot twist, it's just Russians in polar bear suits that rummage through the stations garbage. "ooh Commisar, we found the Canadian cheese, not edible glorious leader."

That’s climate change for you, did two tours in the 90s one light one dark, no polar bears. Lots of dump wolves those days though.

@logos2613

3 жыл бұрын

Polar Bears are all (?) tagged ... the science ice-shelf team were able to track them. I think we were down to only two wolves after the dump was cleaned up ... plenty of foxes, and lemming.

5.56mm scares off most polar bears they say. 🇺🇲😎🍺⚓

top of the world my ass!

When tf did everyone start getting shave chits?!

@qboxer

3 жыл бұрын

Beards no longer require chits. Members may grow neatly groomed beards if desired - with the caveat that if one's beard looks like rubbish, the chain of command can tell them to shave it off.

All that junk inside that trunk......

Polar bear vs LAVV

Polar bears incoming! Lock'er up boys!

The Roman empire has been defeated

That funny read between the lines is the Queen of England under arrest and in US hands just a thought Q

Probably super under funded

Why his lips like that

@Youdontknowwhatliterallymeans

3 жыл бұрын

My martial arts instructor's like that. Always assumed it was from getting hit in the face.

and not a slim airforce mwo in sight lol

if the media is doing an interview the least you should do is wear your toque properly.

The beard needs to go 😂🇨🇦👍

Seems like the worst place to be stationed ever

Hey Bear get your hands out of your pockets. Lol

You might as well sign up for prison as live in this place. Isolation? Way worse.

honestly, and it pains me to say it, this is one of the most unprofessional looking militaries in the world.

@sharmoutha

3 жыл бұрын

Why?

@andenbrown22

3 жыл бұрын

@@sharmoutha buddy i dont have the time to list it all haha

@charlesharper2357

3 жыл бұрын

@@andenbrown22 You mean brains...

@davidrichter9164

3 жыл бұрын

Andy Brown; 🖕🖕🖕🖕

2:01 🍑

Too bad ya'll cant spell his name 🤣🤣 dominic VALADE

Hands in his pockets and fat....wtf

@automotivetv9861

3 жыл бұрын

Its cold

Thumbs down for the Nat Post, Salute to the subject of the video.

what a wasted life.

The national post sucks