Canadian Army to train with US and Finnish allies in Sodankylä, Finland

February 13, 2025 – Ottawa – National Defence/Canadian Armed Forces

From February 17 to 28, 40 members of the Canadian Army’s 2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group (2 CMBG) will join 850 Finnish and United States (US) military personnel on Exercise ARCTIC FORGE 25 in Sodankylä, Finland to further strengthen our ability to operate with our Arctic allies.

2 CMBG will integrate with soldiers of the US Army’s 10th Mountain and 11th Airborne Divisions in Fort Wainwright, Alaska. Then, in coordination with the US Air Force, they will conduct an airlift through the Arctic, over the North Pole, to Finland. Upon arrival, Canadian and US forces will link up with Finland’s Jaeger Brigade for Exercise ARCTIC FORGE 25 and conduct field training and cold weather exercises.

Exercise ARCTIC FORGE 25 will enhance the combat readiness of participating allies by strengthening plans for rapid deployments to NATO’s Northern flank and building a better understanding of each other’s cold weather equipment and capabilities through the sharing of best practices for operating in an Arctic environment.

Quotes

Interoperability with our Arctic allies provides strategic advantage to Canada and the Alliance. Exercise ARCTIC FORGE 25 offers a valuable opportunity to share expertise in warfighting, mobility, and logistics amongst seasoned Arctic operators. Our participation in this exercise underscores our commitment to strategic deterrence and the collective defence of NATO’s Northern Flank.”

-            Lieutenant-General Michael C. Wright, Commander Canadian Army 

Exercise ARCTIC FORGE 25 is a great opportunity for our soldiers to meet their allied counterparts and exercise their skills to thrive, fight, and win in Arctic conditions. Our soldiers have the knowledge and experience, but to maintain our cold-weather excellence we need to embrace the Arctic environment.”

-            Colonel Kristopher M. Reeves, Commander 2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group

Quick facts

• Exercise ARCTIC FORGE 25 is a US-sponsored, multinational exercise that involves the participation of forces from allied nations. While it is not a NATO exercise, all participants, Canada, Finland and the United States, are NATO Allies. 

• This is the second iteration of Exercise ARCTIC FORGE and the first time the Canadian Army will participate. The exercise is conducted every two years.

• The Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces share a very deep defence relationship with the US military. Whether here on the continent or abroad, we have a long history of deploying alongside each other in support of allies and partners.

• Regular Arctic and northern training exercises are necessary to ensure the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) maintains high levels of proficiency and readiness for operations in Canada’s north. The CAF, along with Arctic and northern partners and Allies, continually prepare to confront the challenges of the Arctic and northern operations.