Joint Task Force North
Joint Task Force North (JTFN) is one of six regional joint task forces of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). The task forces are situated in key locations across Canada and they are responsible for conducting CAF continental operations.
Canada’s military has operated in the North for more than one hundred years. The area continues to increase in strategic importance today.
JTFN Headquarters and Detachments
JTFN Headquarters, located in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, coordinates, supports and conducts operations in the most unique and challenging environment in Canada. The JTFN permanent military presence in the area continues to enable joint and Allied military operations throughout Canada’s Arctic and supports whole of government partnership.
The Team North complement includes approximately 300 military and civilian personnel. JTFN also has detachments in Iqaluit, Nunavut, and Whitehorse, Yukon.
JTFN Lodger Units
The following units are co-located with JTFN in Yellowknife but report to other parent units:
- 440 Transport Squadron (8 Wing Trenton);
- The C Company (The Yellowknife Company) (The Loyal Edmonton Regiment); and
- 1st Canadian Ranger Patrol Group (3rd Canadian Division).
JTFN Area of Responsibility (AOR)
JTFN is responsible for leading CAF continental operations in the North. This includes its territorial waterways. The area includes:
- the Arctic Region - the part of Canada that lies north of 60 degrees North latitude; and
- the High Arctic Region - the part of the Arctic Region that lies north of the Arctic Circle, which is 66.5 degrees North latitude.
Command and Tasking Authority
Reporting to Canadian Joint Operations Command, the JTFN Commander has the authority to form mission-appropriate task forces. This includes tasking any and all CAF resources held in the AOR by the Royal Canadian Navy, the Canadian Army and the Royal Canadian Air Force.
JTFN Operations
The CAF maintains a continuous watch of the AOR through JTFN. It does so to maintain full awareness of security and defence conditions in the North. JTFN also conducts a series of CAF northern operations and exercises each year with mission partners from:
- the federal government;
- territorial governments;
- Indigenous governments and northern communities; and
- defence forces from other countries.
Northern operations:
Related links:
Report a problem or mistake on this page
- Date modified: