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’. 🇨🇦
— Erin O'Toole (@erinotoole) January 21, 2026
Paul Goranson - RCAF Briefing at Kiska @CanWarMuseum pic.twitter.com/qAJUwqwraH
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 Essex Variant (@JGerrings) January 24, 2026
The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) frequently utilizes U.S. training facilities and programs to maintain operational readiness, particularly for… pic.twitter.com/Lk7Tgohb1K
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.