If you see some extra action happening around Iqaluit in the coming days, there's a good reason for that.

North American Aerospace Defence (NORAD) announced on March 4 that an "increased military presence" would be seen at its forward operating location (FOL) around the city's airport starting on that day. That was followed by a joint release from the GN and Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated (NTI) on the same issue.

FOLs are used to support NORAD and Canadian NORAD Region (CANR) missions, operations and exercises.

What it means is that there will be increased deployments of aircraft and personnel to FOLs, which are required to ensure the logistical maintenance of facilities as well as maintaining and enhancing the expertise of personnel operating in remote environments.

"The defence of Canada and the United States is NORAD鈥檚 top priority," stated NORAD's release. "For more than 65 years, NORAD aircraft have identified and intercepted potential air threats to North America in the execution of the command鈥檚 aerospace warning and aerospace control missions."

In their statement, Premier P.J. Akeeagok and NTI president Jeremy Tunraluk, stated "shared priorities for nation-building infrastructure to address Canada鈥檚 Arctic sovereignty and security needs in Nunavut."

鈥淣unavut stands together with other territories and provinces in opposing any threats to Canada鈥檚 sovereignty and security,鈥� stated Akeeagok. 鈥淲e know what鈥檚 at stake for the Canadian Arctic and Inuit Nunangat, and we know that Nunavut needs to be united and strategic to respond to the challenges before us.鈥�

The joint release indicated that "heightened geopolitical tensions globally" have resulted in national and international attention to security and sovereignty in the Arctic region. It also emphasized that both these organizations have "roles to protect the rights of and promote the socio-economic well-being of Nunavummiut and Nunavut Inuit respectively."

鈥淚nuit historical and continuous use and occupancy have provided the strongest support for Canadian sovereignty claims in the Arctic,鈥� stated Tunraluk. 鈥淚nvestments in infrastructure, food sovereignty, Inuktut and higher education and the formalization of the Canadian Rangers will greatly enhance the security and well-being of the Arctic region. Thriving Inuit communities will ensure perpetual use and occupancy of the Canadian Arctic.鈥�

The NORAD release did not indicate how long the exercise would last nor was there any indication of what sort of vehicles would be involved.