Canada-US military helicopters transit BC Alberta Yukon for Arctic training exercise
Edmonton (Washington Insider Magazines) January 26, 2026
– Six Royal Canadian Air Force CH-146 Griffon helicopters from 408 Tactical
Helicopter Squadron based at CFB Edmonton will transit northwest Alberta,
northeast British Columbia, and southwest Yukon from January 26 to 28 heading
to Exercise Striking Bat at Fort Wainwright, Alaska.
The month-long multinational exercise from January 28 to
February 28 involves U.S. Army aviation units alongside forces from Norway,
Italy, and Mongolia replicating large-scale Arctic combat operations. Public
notices advise residents to expect low-level flights generating noise during
daylight hours with all activities coordinated under civil aviation
regulations.
The helicopters depart Edmonton January 26 flying designated
routes avoiding populated areas where possible. Canadian Armed Forces confirmed
altitudes remain above 500 feet ensuring safety compliance with Transport
Canada standards. Exercise Striking Bat enhances joint interoperability
focusing on cold weather aviation tactics sustainment challenges in sub-Arctic
conditions.
RCAF 408 squadron
griffon helicopters technical details
Credit: ottawacitizen.com
408 Tactical Helicopter Squadron operates CH-146 Griffon
multi-role helicopters equipped for tactical transport reconnaissance armed
escort missions. Specifications include 278 km/h maximum speed 945 km range
capacity for 13 troops four crew members advanced avionics defensive systems.
Recent fleet upgrades incorporate night vision satellite communications
improving allied interoperability.
Pre-exercise maintenance airworthiness inspections completed
with crews certified for arctic operations. Squadron history traces to Second
World War Spitfire operations D-Day contributions Goose squadron designation.
Flight paths publish NOTAMs through NAV CANADA coordination
with commercial air traffic.
Exercise striking bat
multinational participation scope
Credit (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Hunter
Hites)
US Army Alaska hosts Striking Bat at Joint Pacific
Multinational Readiness Centre utilising 1,500 personnel 100 aircraft
instrumented ranges live-fire capabilities. Norwegian forces contribute arctic
warfare specialists Italian Army provides Bell 412 helicopters tactical
insertions. Mongolian contingent observes ground tactics exchanges
high-altitude expertise sharing.
Canadian 1 Wing Kingston dispatches planning staff 408
Squadron assets focusing aviation-ground integration. Exercise replicates peer
competition scenarios data collection after-action reviews refinement tactics
procedures.
Public reactions appeared on social media platforms. Erin
O’Toole recalled historical precedents. Erin O’Toole said in X post,
“Worth remembering that the first military deployment
to the North American Arctic was when Canadians deployed to Alaska and the
Aleutians Islands to help defend the United States. ‘That others may live’.Paul
Goranson – RCAF Briefing at Kiska @CanWarMuseum.”
Worth remembering that the first military deployment to the North American Arctic was when Canadians deployed to Alaska and the Aleutians Islands to help defend the United States. ‘That others may live’. 🇨🇦
Paul Goranson – RCAF Briefing at Kiska @CanWarMuseum pic.twitter.com/qAJUwqwraH— Erin O’Toole (@erinotoole) January 21, 2026
Transit routes
specific communities affected notifications
Northwest Alberta sees helicopters over Peace River Grande
Prairie oilfield regions January 26 morning departures. Northeast British
Columbia Fort St. John Dawson Creek corridors follow afternoon progressions.
Southwest Yukon Haines Junction Whitehorse approaches complete January 27
daytime transits refuelling Watson Lake.
Local governments RCMP detachments receive advance briefings
emergency response protocols establishment. Wildlife disturbance minimised
migration patterns avoidance low-altitude restrictions sensitive areas.
Tourism operators notified viewing opportunities promotion
economic impacts assessment.
Norad arctic defence
modernisation programme integration
Credit (U.S. Air Force/Staff Sgt. Carlos Ferran)
NORAD modernisation invests CAD 38.6 billion replacing North
Warning System radars satellite networks over-the-horizon surveillance. F-35
squadrons deploy CFB Alert extending patrol ranges CP-140 Aurora missions drone
incorporations. Recent Russian Tu-95 intercepts Alaska ADIZ underscore
vigilance requirements.
U.S.-Canada exercises like Striking Bat validate continental
defence architectures interoperability certifications. General Glenn VanHerck
NORAD commander testimonies congressional committees affirm alliance
resilience.
Yukon territory
territorial government coordination efforts
Yukon Protective Services issues advisories Carmacks Faro
First Nations traditional territories consultations. Whitehorse Airport
supports transient operations fuel logistics local contractor hiring. Economic
Development minister highlights defence contributions regional stability
recognitions.
Kwanlin Dena Carcross-Tagish self-governments cultural
protocols site avoidances agreements.
Alberta provincial
emergency management preparations
Alberta Emergency Alert systems ready misinformation
countering resident reassurance campaigns. Grande Prairie Peace River
municipalities town hall meetings community engagement sessions. Energy
Regulator coordinates pipeline facilities airspace clearances low-level pass
authorisations.
Enbridge TC Energy operators safety zones establishment
operations continuity assurances.
British columbia
northeast regional district notifications
Fort St. John Regional District public bulletins helicopter
sightings explanations emergency contacts. BC Wildfire Service aviation branch
deconfliction fire season planning overlaps avoidance. Propane facilities LNG
Canada operations safety protocols adherence.
Northeast Local Governments Association supports training
contributions national security enhancements.
CH-146 griffon
operational history recent deployments
Griffon fleet supports domestic operations disaster response
VIP transport international missions. Recent Latvia NATO battlegroup rotations
Mali MINUSMA contributions arctic sovereignty patrols. Hawk trainer retirement
2023 shifts advanced training U.S. facilities reliance increases.
The Essex Variant commented on training dependencies. The Essex
Variant said in X post,
“Oh dear, Canada just fucked itself and it cannot
even afford NATO spending so a huge crash in training efficiency for it’s
airforce. The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) frequently utilizes U.S. training
facilities and programs to maintain operational readiness, particularly for
fighter pilot training and joint exercises.
Following the cessation of domestic Hawk training in
2023, Canada sends pilots to the Joint Jet Pilot Training (ENJJPT) program in
Texas. Recent collaborations include F-35 simulator training for Canadian
pilots and joint exercises with U.S. forces in Alaska.”
Oh dear, Canada just fucked itself and it cannot even afford NATO spending so a huge crash in training efficiency for it’s airforce.
The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) frequently utilizes U.S. training facilities and programs to maintain operational readiness, particularly for… pic.twitter.com/Lk7Tgohb1K
— The Essex Variant (@JGerrings) January 24, 2026
Joint pacific
multinational readiness centre facilities overview
Fort Wainwright JPMRC spans 800,000 acres ranges urban
combat villages arctic trails instrumented training aids data analytics. Apache
Blackhawk battalions host rotary-wing gunnery close air support validations.
Cold weather hangars simulators sustainment training modules multinational
adaptations.
Visitor centre media operations centre daily updates
participant nations coordination.
1 canadian air
division tactical aviation oversight
1 Canadian Air Division Winnipeg oversees expeditionary air
wings 1 Wing Kingston tactical helicopter squadrons. CH-146 CH-147 Chinook
fleets maintain 70 percent readiness rates NATO benchmarks exceedance. Arctic
Response Company Group integrates Rangers patrols northern exercises
traditional knowledge incorporations.
Recent Operation Nanook arctic operations sovereignty
patrols drone trials evaluations.
Russia operates Nagurskoye airfield S-400 batteries Franz
Josef Land Tu-142 patrols Barents Sea. Nuclear icebreakers Yamal Arktika-class
support basing logistics year-round operations. SeveromoCivil military
aviation deconfliction procedures standardsrsk Northern Fleet
submarines hypersonic missile deployments Kola Peninsula.
Canadian-U.S. exercises counter domain denial capabilities
collective responses calibrations.
Civil military
aviation deconfliction procedures standards
NAV CANADA publishes military flight supplements flight
service stations advisories. Visual flight rules corridors instrument
approaches prioritisation commercial traffic accommodations. Drone operators
temporary restricted airspace notifications UAS BVLOS waivers military
coordination.
Transport Canada special flight operations certificates
low-level authorisations issuance.
First nations
engagement traditional territory protocols
Tahltan Nation Northwestel consultations telecommunications
infrastructure protections. Liard First Nation wildlife monitoring
collaborative low-level impact assessments. Yukon First Nations Gaming
Resources Development Council economic reconciliation opportunities
discussions.
Cultural advisors embed exercise planning traditional land
use accommodations.
Previous canadian-us
arctic exercises cooperation history
Canada and the United States have maintained a robust
history of military cooperation in the Arctic, rooted in shared sovereignty
interests, continental defense, and evolving geopolitical challenges. This
partnership, spanning decades, emphasizes joint exercises that integrate
multi-territory operations, enhance interoperability, and project power in the
High North.
Central to this collaboration is Operation Nanook, Canada’s
flagship annual sovereignty operation launched in 2007, which asserts presence
across the Canadian Arctic Archipelago and northern territories. Involving the
Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), Rangers, Coast Guard, and RCMP, Nanook has
progressively incorporated US partners, including frequent U.S. Coast Guard
(USCG) icebreaker visits like the Healy and Polar Star for polar
interoperability training.
Recent iterations, such as Nanook 2024 and 2025 (Nunalivut),
featured multinational maritime phases Tuuglaalik with U.S. Navy’s Second
Fleet, USCG cutters, Royal Danish Navy, and others conducting gunnery,
search-and-rescue, interdiction, and fleet maneuvers near Greenland and
Nunavut, reinforcing Arctic surveillance amid climate-driven accessibility.
Media community
relations public affairs strategies
The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) employs a multifaceted
public affairs strategy to foster robust media and community relations,
emphasizing transparency, engagement, and strategic communication. Central to
this approach are meticulously crafted media lines pre-approved talking points
that ensure consistent messaging across all interactions.
These lines are released daily, often tied to operational
updates, training exercises, or national security developments, allowing
spokespersons to address inquiries with precision and authority. For instance,
during joint exercises in remote regions, media lines might highlight
interoperability with allies while underscoring the CAF’s commitment to
sovereignty.
Complementing these are daily updates disseminated through
official channels, including press releases, fact sheets, and embedded photo
and video assets.
High-resolution imagery captures troops in action such as
Arctic patrols or disaster response drills while videos offer behind-the-scenes
glimpses, humanizing the forces and countering misinformation. Distribution
leverages a networked ecosystem: wire services like Canadian Press, social
platforms (X, Instagram, Facebook), and targeted email blasts to journalists,
ensuring wide reach and real-time relevance.
