Current Operations and Combined Military Exercises list

Exercise ARCTIC EDGE

Arctic Region

Alaska, USA.

Last Iteration:February/March 2022.

Exercise ARCTIC EDGE is the premier US Arctic training event. This exercise is planned and delivered by United States Alaskan Command (ALCOM) supported by the United States Northern Command.

Canadian Participation:

The CAF focus on improving the Canadian-United States (CANUS) military alliance and its ability to operate as an effective team in an austere Arctic environment.

CANUS and our allied partners showcase Canada’s commitment to safeguarding security in the Arctic region. Exercise ARCTIC EDGE supports Arctic combat-related research and development, and practices Northern defence strategies.

For more information:Arctic Edge 2022. This website features stories and imagery on the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service.

News:

• Arctic Security: Canadian Armed Forces Exercise Alongside U.S. Allies

Exercise COALITION WARRIOR (CWIX)

North American Region

Norfolk, Virginia.

European Region

Poland

Last Iteration:June 2022.

The Coalition Warrior Interoperability eXploration, eXperimentation, eXamination, eXercise (CWIX) is an annual NATO program testing the ability of partners' online networks, computer systems and software to “talk to each other”, which allows the reliable exchange and use of shared information. CWIX is led by Headquarters Supreme Allied Commander Transformation (HQ SACT) on behalf of the North Atlantic Council (NAC) and the NATO Military Committee (MC).

Canadian Participation:

Canada, along with multiple other NATO nations, test current, near-term, experimental, and future networking capabilities that allow military commanders to communicate globally and make timely decisions. CWIX supports military readiness by emphasizing preparation for NATO missions.

For more information:CWIX. This website is maintained by Allied Command Transformation (ACT), at NATO's Warfare Development Command.

Exercise RIM OF THE PACIFIC (RIMPAC)

Pacific Region

Hawaiian Islands & Southern California, USA.

Past iteration:Summer 2022.

RIMPAC is the world’s largest international maritime exercise comprised of nations with an interest in the Pacific Rim region. This exercise takes place every other year and is conducted by Commander U.S. Third Fleet (C3F). RIMPAC provides a training opportunity for multiple nations, by building a coalition of capable, adaptive partners. RIMPAC improves partner nation readiness to respond to a wide-range of potential operations.

Canadian Participation:

Participation focuses on the ongoing building of CAF military expertise in the Indo-Pacific region, while fostering multinational relationships and trust, thus increasing the CAF’s proficiency to work with our partners whenever and however needed.

For more information, visit the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service'sEx RIMPAC 2022web page for the latest stories and imagery.

News:

• Exercise RIMPAC 2022: Canadian Armed Forces participated in the world’s premier joint and combined maritime exercise

Exercise STEADFAST DEFENDER

European Region

Last Iteration:May 2021.

Exercise STEADFAST DEFENDER 21 was the first in a new series of long-planned NATO exercises designed to ensure NATO forces are trained, aligned to operate collectively, and ready to respond to threats. This exercise demonstrates how North America and Europe work together, keeping our nations safe in a challenging security environment.

Canadian Participation:

CAF participation in Ex STEADFAST DEFENDER 21 showed Canada’s commitment to NATO, its willingness to protect the European region and deter aggressors. CAF operational objectives included exercising command structures and improving the ability to operate effectively together to achieve assigned tasks within a NATO coalition maritime security context.
A frigate, Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) HALIFAX, was recently deployed on Ex STEADFAST DEFENDER.

For more information:Exercise Steadfast Defender[PDF, 309KB] is found at NATO’s Exercises and Training website to find out about the last iteration in 2021.

Exercise TALISMAN SABRE

Indo-Pacific

Australia

Last Iteration: July 22 to August 4, 2023.

Exercise TALISMAN SABRE (Ex TS) takes place every other year and is a collaborative Australian-American exercise that takes place in northeast Australia.

Ex TS is a combined and joint exercise involving thousand of troops and capabilities from Australia, the United States, New Zealand, Japan, the United Kingdom, the Republic of Korea, and other allies and partners.

During Ex TS, the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) train with allies and partners, contributing to the stability and security in the Indo-Pacific, while improving combat readiness and military interoperability.

Canadian Participation:

The CAF’ participation in Ex TS 23 included:

• His Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Montreal, a Halifax-class frigate.
• 13 CAF personnel to enhance joint capabilities by working alongside allies and partners.

Visit the Australian Defence Force website to learn about Exercise TALISMAN SABRE.

Exercise TRADEWINDS (Ex TW)

Caribbean region

Last Iteration:May 2022, in Belize and Mexico.

Exercise TRADEWINDS (Ex TW) is an annual U.S. Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM) exercise. It focuses on countering threats, building partnerships and improving Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) capabilities.
Exercise TRADEWINDS promotes and strengthens regional safety and security in the Caribbean region.

Canadian Participation:

The CAF’s participation in Ex TW included Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) and CAF members serving as instructors and mentors for:

• the operational planning and execution of maritime and land security operations, dive operations,
• public affairs best practices, and
• the establishment of Caribbean Task Force headquarters to conduct effective security operations.

For more information: Ex TRADEWINDS 2022. This website features stories and imagery on the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service.