Canadian Armed Forces helicopters are conducting operations between Edmonton, Alberta, and Alaska. Residents in northwest Alberta, northeast British Columbia, and southwest Yukon may witness six CH-146 Griffin helicopters flying at altitudes as low as 500 feet from January 26 to 28 as part of Exercise STRIKING BAT. This exercise, described as a large-scale combat training event by the air force, aims to prepare military forces for operations in Arctic and sub-Arctic environments.
Taking place at Fort Wainwright, Alaska, the exercise will see Canadian forces collaborating with units from the United States, Norway, Italy, and Mongolia. Previous editions of the STRIKING BAT exercises were held at Fort Wainwright in 2024 and Twentynine Palms, California, in 2021.
Notably, this year’s exercise occurs amidst uncertainty surrounding U.S. cooperation with traditional military allies in the Arctic. Recent remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump raised concerns when he threatened tariffs against European countries participating in exercises in Greenland, advocating for U.S. control of the territory.
In an interview with CBC News on January 18, Gen. Jennie Carignan, chief of the defence staff, discussed the evolving landscape of military cooperation between Canada and the United States. Emphasizing Canada’s alignment with Europe while acknowledging shared defense responsibilities with the U.S., Carignan highlighted the importance of collaborative efforts in defense operations.
She expressed the importance of maintaining open communication channels with American counterparts despite potential disagreements, underlining the ongoing discussions and dialogues between military institutions. Carignan affirmed the necessity of continued cooperation on joint defense exercises for mutual understanding and effective defense strategies.
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