Defence Minister Peter MacKay is expected to arrive in Resolute Bay, Nunavut, on Wednesday to observe Operation Nanook, Canada's annual military exercise in the North.

This year will be the first time that the U.S. and Denmark are also taking part.

The three-nation exercise is a chance to share knowledge, said Capt. Tanya Thordarson, the military's deputy commanding officer in Resolute.

"Well, some of these other countries also have expertise in doing these types of operations in the North, or they want to learn from us because we have more expertise than them," Thordarson said. "So, it's kind of a collaboration and a dual learning process, if you will."

Jim Hordinski, a chief warrant officer with the United States Navy, said Canadians are experts in Arctic operations.

"Anything we can learn from them is of great value to us, just to make us better all around," said Hordinski, who was part of a dive team that joined Canadians underwater outside Resolute.

Hordinski said he hopes for future collaborations.

"For us, it's been a huge learning experience in as far as logistics with our movements up here, exercising our cold-weather gear, our cold-weather operating procedures — something we don't do a lot of in Virginia Beach," he said.

Later this week, Canadian troops are expected in Pond Inlet while Danish and American vessels, along with the Canadian Coast Guard and Navy, will conduct ocean exercises throughout eastern Nunavut.