Another northern exercise

One in the east and but first one in the northwest:

The Canadian military's largest operation scheduled for the Western Arctic this year began Tuesday near the Mackenzie Delta.

Operation Beaufort is designed to promote Canada's claim to sovereignty over the western approaches to the Northwest Passage.

About 20 members of the Canadian military, 20 local reservists, patrol aircraft and boats will travel over the Mackenzie Bay area, Herschel Island and the Pullen Islands near Tuktoyaktuk this week.

Some coast guard and RCMP officers will also be involved in the operation, which will test the military's command and control procedures, as well as develop co-operation with other federal departments working in the North.