BERING STRAIT, Alaska — U.S. and Canadian forces conducted their second combined sail of the year in the Bering Strait, Aug. 11, as part of Operation TUNDRA MERLIN, demonstrating the ability of allied maritime forces to operate together in defense of North America’s Arctic approaches.
The operation brought together Royal Canadian Navy HMCS Max Bernays and U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Stratton, supported by a U.S. Coast Guard MH-60 helicopter. During the sail, the vessels conducted coordinated maritime operations while transiting south through the Bering Strait and integrating with U.S. Coast Guard aviation assets operating in the region. As part of the operation, an MH-60 landed aboard Stratton to transfer personnel and equipment, demonstrating the ability of Coast Guard surface and aviation forces to integrate while operating 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 integrates U.S. joint forces and allied capabilities across domains to deter potential threats and, if required, defeat them in defense of the Homeland and its approaches.