Backgrounder
Canada and the United States have traditionally undertaken bilateral exercises in order to ensure their joint preparedness and effective coordination of efforts. The Exercise ARDENT SENTRY series are U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff directed and U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) sponsored Homeland Defense and Defense Support of Civil Authorities exercises. The key objective of this exercise series is to validate plans that support military assistance to civil authorities.
Department of National Defence/Canadian Forces participation in bilateral exercises such as the ARDENT SENTRY series is directed by the Chief of the Defence Staff. The Department of National Defence/Canadian Forces has participated as observers for USNORTHCOM and North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) exercises in the past.
The Department of National Defence/Canadian Forces participated to a limited degree in the first of the ARDENT SENTRY series of exercises in 2005, which was conducted concurrently with Exercise TRIPLE PLAY and Exercise TOPOFF.
Exercise ARDENT SENTRY/NORTHERN EDGE 07
Exercise ARDENT SENTRY/NORTHERN EDGE 07 is a bilateral exercise involving Canada Command, USNORTHCOM and NORAD. The Canadian Forces’ aim in this annual national-level exercise is to practice military assistance to civil authorities, including bi-lateral planning, communication, information sharing and coordination with USNORTHCOM and its subordinate formations.
Canada Command is the Canadian Forces organization responsible for the conduct of all routine and contingency domestic operations. During the exercise, Canada Command will task three of its six Regional Joint Task Forces (North, Pacific and West) to coordinate responses to a variety of threats and events. The Combined Forces Air Component Commander is also participating.
The Canadian scenarios, to take place in Alberta, British Columbia and the Northwest Territories involve threats to infrastructure, air and maritime security.
Exercise ARDENT SENTRY 06
Exercise ARDENT SENTRY 2006 (AS 06), conducted in Canada May 1-12, 2006, and in the United States from May 8-19, 2006, comprised command post and field training exercises and live-fly events involving the Department of National Defence (DND), Public Safety Canada, USNORTHCOM and NORAD, and a number of federal and provincial departments and agencies.
During AS 06, Canada Command tasked two of its six Regional Joint Task Forces (Atlantic and Central) to coordinate responses to a variety of threats and events. The provinces of New Brunswick and Ontario and the states of Arizona and Michigan also participated in the exercise. The scenarios included issues related to terrorism threats, critical infrastructure protection, cross-border information sharing, public health and marine security.
The following departments and agencies participated in varying degrees in AS 06:
Department of National Defence
Public Safety Canada
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Transport Canada
Health Canada
Public Health Agency of Canada
Environment Canada
Canada Border Services Agency
Foreign Affairs Canada
Justice Canada
Privy Council Office
Communications Security Establishment
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
New Brunswick Emergency Management Office Operations
NB Security Emergencies Directorate
NB Department of Health Emergency Operations Centre
NB Department of Health
NB Department of Natural Resources
NB other government departments
Emergency Management Ontario
During the course of threats to national security or during domestic operations, civil authorities have the lead for government response. As part of its mandate, when requested, the Canadian Forces will provide military assistance to civil authorities in order to protect and defend Canada.
More information about Canada Command can be found at www.canadacom.forces.gc.ca
More information about U.S. Northern Command can be found at www.northcom.mil
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