Exercises

The 21st biennial Northern Edge wargames this month in the Gulf of Alaska, which brings different U.S. commands, is facing criticism from commercial fishers, environmental activists and coastal communities. They say the timing and location of the exercise, which includes live ammunition, is detrimental to local and migratory marine life. [node:read-more:link]

The U.S., the Philippines and Australia today launched a major combat exercise in the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait. Understood to be the largest in decades and involving more than 17,600 personnel, it is scheduled to run until April 28. [node:read-more:link]

Russia is following up 12 days of Arctic gear testing with multilateral drills April 6-7 which will involve nine non-Arctic nations from Africa, Latin America and Eurasia. The activities follow increased NATO cooperation in the region such as the month-long Arctic Forge exercise involving 16 member-states which ended March 17. [node:read-more:link]

The Royal Canadian Navy frigate HMCS Fredericton and its crew left Halifax January 22 on a six-month deployment to Operation Reassurance in the Mediterranean along with another frigate, HMCS Montreal, and the support ship HMCS Asterix. ““There absolutely is a heightened sense of urgency,” said Rear-Admiral Brian Santarpia, Commander Maritime Forces Atlantic and Joint Task Force Atlantic. “They will monitor Russian activity on a daily basis. [node:read-more:link]

Russia and Belarus sparked increased fears in Ukraine and its allies today by starting two weeks of joint military exercises, potentially as a springboard to launch a fresh ground offensive by Ukraine’s northern neighbour even as Russia renewed its missile barrage from the east. Belarus insists that the drills are “defensive in nature” but accuses Ukraine of provocation. [node:read-more:link]

One of the most comprehensive wargame simulations about a conflict over Taiwan has prompted the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies to conclude in a report released today that a Chinese victory would be unlikely and that all participants would suffer massive casualties and crippling equipment losses. [node:read-more:link]

Two Royal Canadian Navy coastal defence vessels left Halifax today on the RN’s sixth deployment to Operation Projection in West Africa. HMCS Glace Bay and HMCS Moncton will conduct exercises, engagements and port visits to promote stability in the Gulf of Guinea. The two-and-a-half-month deployment includes the 12th Exercise Obangame Express, which begins January 23, focusing on piracy, terrorism and smuggling in the Gulf. [node:read-more:link]

Russian and Chinese naval forces have completed their Joint Sea 2022 exercise in the East China Sea, the latest in a series that began a decade ago. Russian vessels transited northeast through the Tsushima Strait between Korea and Japan while the Chinese carrier group continued a deployment to the Philippine Sea. [node:read-more:link]

Russia’s war in Ukraine is putting added pressure on the U.S. and its allies to take a harder look at joint training. The renewed focus is on display this week at the annual Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation & Education Conference in Orlando. “There’s no individual service that is going to own the next fight,” said Caroline Baxter, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Force Education and Training. “Look at what’s happening in Ukraine: the coalition of countries that are sharing weapons and tools and training tactics and techniques.” [node:read-more:link]

The Chinese and Russian navies are set to begin a weeklong live-fire exercise December 21 in the East China Sea off Japan. “The active part of the exercise will include joint missile and artillery firing against air targets, artillery firing against sea targets, and practising joint anti-submarine actions with practical use of weapons,” Russia said today, adding that it was part of a united effort “to maintain peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region.” [node:read-more:link]

Using missiles launched from destroyers, Japan has successfully carried out two ballistic intercepts near Hawaii, the U.S. Missile Defense Agency reported November 21. The tests were conducted over a two-week period in cooperation with the U.S. Navy. [node:read-more:link]

The Department of National Defence confirmed November 17 that three members of 7 wing (Space) will participate alongside Australian and British personnel in a U.S. Space Force exercise next month. Space Flag 23-1 is the latest in a series of exercises which began in 2017 under the auspices of the U.S. Air Force before Space Command was established and it now incorporates more cyber and intelligence personnel. [node:read-more:link]

The Royal Canadian Navy frigates HMCS Vancouver and Winnipeg are participating in a twos-week Keen Sword joint exercise with Australian, Japanese and U.S. warships in Japanese and international waters. The U.S. navy said their involvement in Operation Project includes extensive anti-submarine and other tactics designed to “enhance readiness and interoperability to support the security interests of allies and partners in the region.” [node:read-more:link]

Russia has rehearsed its response to a nuclear attack in an exercise involving its strategic forces and Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said that it had gone as planned. The U.S. said October 25 that it had been notified of the Russian event as NATO rehearsed its own use of U.S. weapons in an annual exercise. [node:read-more:link]