US and Canada fortify alliance through bilateral counterterrorism exercise.

The United States and Canada have jointly concluded a substantial counterterrorism and counter-weapons of mass destruction exercise known as Vital Archer 23. This bilateral military exercise, held throughout June 2023, sought to strengthen alliances and deliver significant and lasting benefits for the security of North America.
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Members of the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command repel from a helicopter during Exercise Vital Archer 23 in June 2023. (Picture source U.S. DoD)

The exercise Vital Archer 23 was led by the U.S. Northern Command and Canadian Special Operations Forces Command, and saw the participation of approximately 1,400 individuals from 23 different U.S. and Canadian government agencies, spanning both countries' national security enterprises. These participants included special operations forces from both nations.

The exercise, Vital Archer 23, was devised to allow the two countries to practice bilateral coordination, collaboration, and operations in response to a hypothetical national security scenario. Given their status as neighbors and close Allies, the U.S. and Canada share a common goal: to defend North America against any potential threat.

"The exercises like Vital Archer increase our collective ability to defend the Homelands," a spokesperson from the U.S. Northern Command stated. "They provide an opportunity to work closely with our interagency partners including the Department of State, the Department of Energy, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and more."

The exercise also served as a platform for each participating agency to develop and strengthen relationships with their Canadian counterparts.

"Global alliances and partnerships, like those strengthened during Vital Archer, provide the United States and Canada with an asymmetric advantage over our strategic competitors," the spokesperson further added.

These collaborations are seen as pivotal for enhancing bilateral cooperation and collective security efforts, which are increasingly crucial in the complex global geopolitical climate. Through initiatives like Vital Archer 23, the US and Canada are taking proactive steps to ensure their joint preparedness and response capabilities against terrorism and weapons of mass destruction.

Defense News July 2023