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A military presence in the Canadian Arctic is essential as the Arctic Ocean and its adjacent waters represent Canada’s northern coastline. Joint Task Force North (JTFN) is the Canadian Forces’ regional command overseeing all military operations in the Arctic. Headquartered in Yellowknife, NWT, JTFN has detachments in the Yukon at Whitehorse and also in Nunavut at Iqaluit.
The Canadian Forces regularly conduct Arctic military exercises with varying themed scenarios, as means for preparedness should a security event arise. Notable completed exercises include:
Operation Nanook (2007)
Performed at various locations within the vicinity of Baffin Island and focused on two scenarios: drug interdiction and environmental protection.
Operation Nanook (2008)
Executed in the Baffin Island region and involved three scenarios: oil spill from a cargo vessel, disease outbreak on a cruise ship including a hostage-taking incident and a fire aboard another vessel.
Operation Nanook (2009)
Exercises took place within the Baffin Island region and focused on a downed unmanned aerial vehicle, sovereignty patrols and intergovernmental coordination to practice necessary sharing of information and logistical assistance.
Canadian military and Coast Guard vessels participating in Operation Nanook 08
Image Credit: Sgt Kevin MacAulay -- Canadian Navy
This section will examine existing Canadian Arctic military capabilities, along with future developments. | 
