Canadian Armed Forces conduct Operation NANOOK-TAKUNIQ to strengthen Arctic awareness
Press Release
June 29, 2026 – Ottawa, Ontario – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces
The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) will conduct Operation NANOOK-TAKUNIQ throughout the summer, fall, and winter across the Canadian North and Arctic. Activities will take place in key locations including Banks Island, Akpotak Island, and the coastlines of Hudson Bay and Labrador.
Operation NANOOK-TAKUNIQ focuses on land-based awareness and surveillance in remote and austere environments. Led by Canadian Rangers, with support from the Canadian Army the operation uses long-range patrols, reconnaissance, and close coordination with Joint Task Force (North) (JTFN) to strengthen the CAF’s understanding of the Arctic and enhance Canada’s ability to monitor its northern approaches.
Throughout the year, Operation NANOOK serials are conducted in coordination with North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) activities, including enhanced Vigilance Activity ARCTIC SENTRY, in support of Canada’s role in continental defence. As an Arctic nation and founding member of NATO, Canada works with Allies to strengthen awareness, deterrence, and defence in the Arctic, while contributing to a layered approach to North American security. Together, these efforts reinforce Canada’s sovereignty and security interests and support stability across the Arctic and the North.
Quotes
“Operation NANOOK‑TAKUNIQ advances our enhanced Arctic operations by reinforcing the Canadian Armed Forces’ permanent presence and ability to operate in our North. Through near‑persistent, land‑based activity and close cooperation with Indigenous partners and Allies, TAKUNIQ strengthens Canada’s ability to understand and secure its Arctic approaches.’’
Major-General Tim Arsenault, Acting Commander, Canadian Joint Operations Command
“TAKUNIQ demonstrates how joint forces enable reach across the Arctic. By integrating Canadian Rangers with air mobility provided by 440 Transport Squadron out of Yellowknife, the CAF is able to extend operational awareness across vast distances and operate effectively in some of Canada’s most challenging environments.”
Captain (Navy) Norman Gautreau, Deputy Commander, Joint Task Force (North)
Quick facts
Operation NANOOK‑TAKUNIQ is a land‑focused serial under Operation NANOOK, Canada’s signature Arctic operation. It focuses on land‑based domain awareness and surveillance across Canada’s Arctic and the North.
Led by Canadian Rangers, with support from other Canadian Army members, TAKUNIQ is conducted under the direction of Joint Task Force (North) in coordination with federal, territorial, and Indigenous partners.
Canadian Rangers conduct small-party patrols in key coastal and inland areas, observing activity, assessing terrain and access routes, and reporting on conditions in remote regions that are difficult to monitor by other means.
These patrols include areas near North Warning System sites, contributing local awareness around critical northern infrastructure.
Operating from northern communities and integrating with broader Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) activities, Canadian Rangers provide continuous on‑the‑ground awareness that complements air, maritime, space, and sensor‑based monitoring.
The operation enhances the CAF’s ability to detect, monitor, and respond to activity in remote Arctic regions, supporting informed decision‑making and the protection of Canada’s Arctic approaches.
TAKUNIQ requires specialized Arctic skills, including long‑range patrolling, navigation and survival in extreme weather, operation in austere environments, and deep local and Indigenous knowledge.
Operation NANOOK-TAKUNIQ forms part of coordinated operations, exercises, and activities that support a near-persistent CAF operational posture, enabled by Canada’s permanent military presence in the Arctic and the North.
TAKUNIQ is one of several NANOOK serials that collectively reinforce Canada’s strategic interests, including Arctic sovereignty, security, and cooperation with Allies.
The CAF welcomes NATO’s enhanced Vigilance Activity (eVA) ARCTIC SENTRY, which brings NATO activities in the Arctic together under a single, overarching operational approach.
Aligning the CAF’s Arctic efforts with eVA ARCTIC SENTRY will contribute to NATO’s deterrence and defence efforts, further reinforcing collective security and resilience across the Alliance and the Arctic.
They seem to be excluding the Queen Elizabeth Islands?
I'd have though they might go further North given Russia's Sovereignty Challenge before the tribunal in the Hague under the UNCLOSE & the US's potential Russian support of the claim.