Canadian Armed Forces helicopters are set to fly between Edmonton, Alberta, and Alaska. Residents in northwest Alberta, northeast British Columbia, and southwest Yukon may witness six CH-146 Griffin helicopters flying as low as 500 feet from January 26 to 28 as part of Exercise STRIKING BAT. This exercise, aimed at preparing military forces for operations in Arctic and sub-Arctic environments, will involve Canadian forces collaborating with units from the United States, Norway, Italy, and Mongolia in Fort Wainwright, Alaska.
While Canadian forces have participated in previous STRIKING BAT exercises in Fort Wainwright in 2024 and Twentynine Palms, California, in 2021, the current event occurs amidst uncertainty regarding U.S. cooperation with traditional military allies in the Arctic. U.S. President Donald Trump recently made remarks questioning such cooperation, including threats of tariffs against European countries engaged in exercises in Greenland.
In an interview with CBC News on January 18, General Jennie Carignan, chief of the defence staff, discussed the future of military cooperation between Canada and the United States. She emphasized the importance of joint defense exercises, highlighting the ease of defending the continent together. Carignan reiterated the necessity of maintaining open communication channels with the U.S. military, even in cases of disagreement, to ensure mutual understanding and ongoing discussions.
Despite recent tensions, Carignan sees no reason to halt collaborative efforts with American counterparts. She emphasized the significance of military-to-military dialogues and the importance of continuous engagement, acknowledging that differences may arise but stressing the value of ongoing communication.