Alaskan Command and the Canadian Armed Forces completed a multi-day joint maritime operation in the Bering Sea earlier this month, showcasing the growing importance of bi-national coordination and air-sea integration in the defense of the Arctic region.
From September 3 to 5, 2025, U.S. and Canadian forces carried out combined joint maritime operations under the framework of the Alaska Theater of Operations (AKTO).
The exercise featured U.S. Air Force F-35 Lightning II aircraft operating in close coordination with His Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Regina, enhancing real-time interoperability across air and maritime domains.
The operation also involved a range of U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard assets, including F-35s from the 354th Fighter Wing, an E-3 Sentry airborne warning and control aircraft from the 3rd Wing, and KC-135 Stratotankers and HC-130 Hercules aircraft from the Alaska Air National Guard. The participating units demonstrated the ability to quickly project and sustain airpower in coordination with allied maritime platforms.
“This operation highlights the seamless integration between Alaskan Command and the Canadian Armed Forces, underscoring our shared commitment to homeland defense within the AKTO,” said Lt. Gen. Case Cunningham, Commander of Alaskan Command. “These joint efforts ensure that the United States and our allies remain prepared to counter adversary attempts to expand influence or military capabilities in the Western Hemisphere and the Arctic region.”
On the Canadian side, the operation was part of Operation LATITUDE, a Royal Canadian Navy-led initiative designed to strengthen domain awareness and enhance force integration with U.S. military partners. In addition to HMCS Regina, Canada deployed HMCS Max Bernays, Motor Vessel Asterix, and CP-140 Aurora patrol aircraft to support the mission’s surveillance and coordination objectives.
“Canada and the United States face similar threats to our respective national security and prosperity, and work closely together to protect and defend North America,” said Rear-Admiral Josée Kurtz, Canada’s Maritime Component Commander. “By operating with our United States partners, we demonstrate our collective readiness to respond with agility and resolve in the maritime domain.”
While the exercise was tactical in scope, its implications point to the broader strategic alignment between the U.S. and Canada in addressing shared Arctic challenges. The operation emphasized domain awareness, rapid force deployment, and synchronized command and control across two national militaries operating in a complex and increasingly contested environment.
The mission was conducted under the authority of U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM), which holds responsibility for the defense of the homeland. Alaskan Command serves as USNORTHCOM’s operational lead in the region and routinely coordinates joint and combined operations that support both national and continental defense objectives.
As Arctic sea routes open and geopolitical interest in the region intensifies, defense planners from both nations have placed growing emphasis on readiness, mobility, and the ability to operate in extreme conditions.