Combined Presence and Partnership in the Arctic

Photo By Staff Sgt. Christopher Chen | From left, U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Storis (WAGB 21), USCGC Fir (WLB 213), USCGC Munro (WMSL 755) and Royal Canadian Navy HMCS Max Bernays transit the Bering Sea July 21, 2026. In support of the enduring Operation Tundra Merlin, the Storis, the U.S. Coast Guard and Royal Canadian Navy conducted training together to strengthen and expand combined capabilities across the land, sea, air, & space. Conducted in coordination with the Canadian-led Operation LATITUDE and U.S. Coast Guard-led Operation FRONTIER SENTINEL, the combined transit demonstrated seamless binational defense coordination in the High North. This collaborative effort under Operation TUNDRA MERLIN strengthened tactical integration and validated the collective ability to secure maritime approaches within the Alaskan Theater of Operations. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Cameron Snell)  

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, ALASKA, UNITED STATES

07.22.2026

Story by Staff Sgt. Christopher Chen 

Alaskan NORAD Region/Alaskan Command/11th Air Force

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska— In support of the enduring Operation TUNDRA MERLIN, the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Munro (WMSL 755), USCGC Storis (WAGB 21), and USCGC Fir (WLB 213) conducted a combined sail in the Bering Sea alongside Royal Canadian Navy HMCS Max Bernays, reinforcing the maritime partnership between our two nations on July 21, 2026.

Through a series of rigorous training drills and collaborative exercises, crews of Munro, Storis, Fir, and Max Bernays sharpened their combined interoperability, showcasing a strong, united presence in the Arctic. This combined sail directly supports Operation TUNDRA MERLIN, which is designed to expand combined capabilities across the land, sea, air, and space domains to achieve complete multi-domain awareness in the Arctic.

By aligning force postures, the United States and Canada improve regional security and expand combined interoperability. This relationship ensures both forces are seamlessly prepared to contribute to shared continental defense responsibilities and detect, deter, disrupt and defeat potential threats from all approaches in the Alaskan Theater of Operations. Combined sails ensure the Bering Sea remains safe and secure, and ships of both nations are prepared to defend North American sovereignty.

• Date Taken: 07.22.2026
• Date Posted: 07.22.2026 19:07
• Story ID: 570545
• Location: JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, ALASKA, US