MILITARY EXERCISE IN ARCTIC AIMS TO SEND MESSAGE OF UNITY

Canada and some of its closest allies are launching a major naval exercise in the Arctic that aim to send a message of unity without spreading COVID-19. The three-week training exercise, launched on Tuesday and known as Operation Nanook, has been a mainstay for the Canadian Armed Forces since 2007, but this is the first year that the U.S., France and Denmark will all be participating. Canadian and U.S. naval officers say the involvement of those other nations reflects the importance of co-operation with allies when conducting military operations in the Far North. More countries are starting to increase their interest — and military footprints — in the Far North, with many Western eyes on Russia and China in particular. Canadian officials say this year’s operation will only include naval vessels and aircraft.