Veteran
Operation NEON Designates Special Duty Operation
Above image: Sailor Third Class Katelyn Harris, a Sonar Operator onboard HMCS MONTREAL, looks out towards His Majesty’s Australian Ship (HMAS) STALWART (left) and United States Ship (USS) OAKLAND as they conduct a liquid Replenishment at Sea (RAS) as part of exercise TALISMAN SABRE while deployed on Operation PROJECTION on 31 July 2023. Photo by: Cpl Connor Bennett, Canadian Armed Forces Photo.
Operation NEON has now been designated as a Special Duty Operation to allow Veterans of the tour to qualify for the Veterans Well-Being Act.
According to CANFORGEN 029/23, the Minister of National Defence approved the new designation.
The designation is in effect retroactively from May 1, 2019.
About Operation NEON
Operation NEON is Canada’s contribution to the multinational effort to support the implementation of United Nations Security Council sanctions imposed against North Korea. CAF has been a part of this mission since 2019.
The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) contribution to this operation includes Canadian frigates and CP0140 Auroras. The CAF works alongside partner nations such as Australia, France, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
The most recent deployment was in April of this year when the CAF deployed a CP0140 Aurora.
Veterans Well-being Act
The Veterans Well-being Act aims to recognize and fulfil the obligation of the people and Government of Canada to show just and due appreciation to members and veterans for their service to Canada.
“This obligation includes providing services, assistance and compensation to members and veterans who have been injured or have died as a result of military service and extends to their spouses or common-law partners or survivors and orphans. This Act shall be liberally interpreted so that the recognized obligation may be fulfilled,” stated the Veterans Well-being Act.