politics
Canada Conducts Several Military Operations in the Arctic
Going forward, naval forces from Canada, the US, Denmark and France will conduct joint operations across the Labrador Sea and Davis Strait. Operation Nanook-Nunakput will soon follow, where 600 Canadian soldiers will carry out mobility training and surveillance along the Northwest Passage.
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Nanook is the Canadian Armed Forces’ annual series of operations to strengthen the defence of the country’s northern regions.
Operation Nanook-Tuugaalik is now underway, where the Canadian Navy and Coast Guard demonstrate presence and conduct surveillance in northern waters together with allies.
The United States, Denmark and France are taking part with naval vessels. Together, the naval forces and the coast guard will carry out advanced operations across the Labrador Sea, Davis Strait and Greenlandic fjords.
The operation focuses on strengthening maritime situational awareness and interoperability.
“Nanook-Tuugaalik provides an exceptional opportunity to train alongside our closest Allies in one of the world’s most strategically important maritime regions,” says Cmdr. Richard Dunn, commanding officer of the littoral combat ship USS Wichita.
Operation Nanook-Nunakput
On 17 August, the Canadian operation Nanook-Nunakput will also begin.
About 600 personnel from the Royal Canadian Navy, the Canadian Army and the Royal Canadian Air Force will exercise in Resolute Bay on Cornwallis Island, Nunavut, together with the coast guard and the Rangers. The latter are reservists who operate in Canada’s remote regions.
"Nanook-Nunakput is an annual operation that focuses on increasing Canadian Armed Forces joint capabilities in Arctic surveillance and mobility along Canada’s Northwest Passage," Captain Aaron Niles, Public Affairs Officer for the operation, tells High North News.
"The operation also the strength of the partnerships that enable us to operate successfully in Canada’s Arctic. This includes working alongside northern Indigenous communities, the Canadian Coast Guard, and other mission partners, ensuring the Canadian Armed Forces can respond effectively across the Canadian Arctic Archipelago when called upon," Niles continues.
The operation will continue until 25 September.
Operation Latitude
Recently, the Canadian naval vessel HMCS Max Bernays took part in the US operation Tundra Merlin in and off Alaska.
Canada has also carried out operation Latitude in northern waters.
The operation involved the Canadian navy, coast guard, air force and special forces, as well as US forces.
"Operation Latitude is a recurring Canadian Armed Forces multi-domain operation conducted in northern waters, including the Bering Sea, that enhances awareness and interoperability with the United States in support of continental defence," Major Cameron Hillier, Senior Public Affairs Officer, Canadian Joint Operations Command, writes to High North News.
