The role of Joint Task Force (North) (JTF(N)) is to exercise Canadian sovereignty and contribute to safety, security and defence North of 60, to coordinate and lead Canadian Forces activities in the North, and to liaise with the territorial governments and people of the Northwest Territories, Yukon and Nunavut.

Created as part of a broader transformation of the Canadian Forces in 2006, JTF(N) is one of six regional joint task forces across Canada, and reports directly to Canadian Joint Operations Command. In fact, JTF(N)’s area of responsibility encompasses approximately four million square kilometres, or 40 per cent of Canada’s land mass, and 75 per cent of its coastal regions.

JTF(N) supports, and is supported by, the 59 patrols of 1 Canadian Ranger Patrol Group, Area Support Unit (North), C Company of the Loyal Edmonton Regiment, the Canadian Forces Recruiting Detachment, and 1 Field Ambulance Detachment.

The Canadian Rangers are an Army element that operates under JTF(N) control. Conversely, 440 (Transport) Squadron is not directly under JTF(N) control, although it does provide much of JTF(N)’s air movement requirements.

The total strength of JTF(N) , including the Yellowknife-based 440 (Transport) Squadron and detachments in Whitehorse, Yukon and Iqaluit, Nunavut, is approximately 260 Regular Force, Reserve Force and civilian personnel.

JTF(N) provides planning advice and liaison support to other Canadian Armed Forces and visiting foreign units exercising in the North. Operations within the northern area involve deployments as diverse as sovereignty exercises, communications unit exercises, deployments to northern airfields of Canadian and NORAD-assigned fighter and support aircraft and Northern Operations Readiness Patrol flights by CF CP-140 Aurora maritime patrol aircraft.

Terms & Conditions: www.forces.gc.ca/en/terms-conditions.page#social