Royal Canadian Navy and U.S. Coast Guard conduct second joint Arctic sail in the Bering Sea

U.S. and Canadian forces conducted their second combined sail of the year in the Bering Strait on Aug. 11 as part of Operation TUNDRA MERLIN, underscoring the ability of allied maritime forces to operate together in defense of North America’s Arctic approaches.

The Royal Canadian Navy’s HMCS Max Bernays and the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Stratton transited south through the strait while executing coordinated maritime operations and integrating with U.S. Coast Guard aviation assets in the region. During the mission, a U.S. Coast Guard MH-60 helicopter landed aboard Stratton to transfer personnel and equipment, demonstrating integration between Coast Guard surface and aviation forces in the Arctic maritime environment.

“The Bering Strait is a critical maritime approach to North America. A strong maritime presence in the Arctic, alongside our Canadian allies, demonstrates our shared ability to control, secure and defend our northern borders and approaches,” said Rear Adm. Bob Little, commander, U.S. Coast Guard Arctic District. “These maneuvers strengthen interoperability and readiness to counter threats in the High North.”

Operation TUNDRA MERLIN brings together U.S. joint forces and allied capabilities across domains to deter potential threats and, if necessary, defeat them in defense of the homeland and its approaches.