U.S. and Canadian forces conducted a joint maritime strike scenario in the Bering Sea, Sept. 18–22, 2026, as part of Operation TUNDRA MERLIN.
The scenario integrated aircraft, surface ships and a submarine under the command and control of U.S. Northern Command and Alaskan Command to validate the ability of the participating bi-national forces to find, fix, track, target, engage, and assess maritime threats.
In support of U.S. Northern Command, a Royal Canadian Air Force CP-140 Aurora and the Royal Canadian Navy HMCS CORNER BROOK detected and tracked the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter ASPEN in the Bering Sea north of Dutch Harbor, Alaska. The Canadian crews relayed real-time data utilizing multiple communications pathways to enable a simulated strike on the ASPEN.
The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter STRATTON supported the Royal Canadian Navy Frigate HMCS OTTAWA while conducting additional simulated strikes in coordination with U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II fighters from the 354th Fighter Wing at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska.
A U.S. Air Force E-3 Sentry from the 3d Wing at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson provided Aerospace Warning and Control while an Alaska Air National Guard KC-135 Stratotanker from Eielson Air Force Base provided aerial refueling.
“This scenario showcases our ability to hold simulated adversarial maritime activity at risk through a seamless kill chain involving air and maritime forces,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Robert D. Davis, commander of Alaskan Command, the Alaskan North American Aerospace Defense Command Region and Eleventh Air Force. “Integrating operations from two Air Forces, the Royal Canadian Navy, and the U.S. Coast Guard demonstrates our collective capability and our will to defend the homelands in the Arctic.”
Operation TUNDRA MERLIN integrates forces to deter and posture to be able to defeat threats in the Alaskan Theater of Operations, strengthening homeland defense and protecting the northern approaches to North America.
