Pegasus Lift - Mission Headquarters

Overview

Operation Guardian Skies

This mission places you at the forefront of Operation Guardian Skies, a UN-sanctioned, multinational effort to protect vulnerable populations and restore stability in Myanmar.

As part of an elite Canadian Special Operations Task Force, you are charged with executing a high-risk mission deep inside contested territory. You must navigate a volatile landscape shaped by hostile forces, shifting alliances, and unforgiving terrain.

Under mounting pressure, every decision matters — demanding a careful balance between operational effectiveness, strategic impact, and ethical conduct. Success will depend on your team’s cohesion, adaptability, and resolve in one of the world’s most challenging environments.

Protection of civilians Multinational coordination Terrain & threat mastery Ethical decision-making
Watch the overview to understand the mandate, coalition structure, and key operational risks.
Your Team

Your Team

Your team — Callsign DAGGER — is part of an elite Canadian Special Operations Task Force supporting Canada’s contribution to a United Nations-sanctioned mission in Myanmar to enforce a no-fly zone and stabilize a rapidly deteriorating security environment in Southeast Asia.

Callsign DAGGER Canadian Special Operations Task Force UN-sanctioned mission No-fly zone Stabilize Southeast Asia
Canadian special operations team preparing for mission
Callsign DAGGER
Context

Myanmar’s Situation

Myanmar, rich in culture and history, occupies a strategic position in Southeast Asia, bordering India, Bangladesh, China, Laos, and Thailand. Its location makes it a nexus of geopolitical interests and has thrust it into the centre of substantial tensions and humanitarian crises. Watch the 3min 46sec video by the UNHCR to better understand the context and plight of the Rohingya people.

Myanmar, rich in culture and history, occupies a strategic position in Southeast Asia, bordering India, Bangladesh, China, Laos, and Thailand. Its location makes it a nexus of geopolitical interests and has thrust it into the center of substantial tensions and humanitarian crises. Myanmar has long been under military rule, leading to ongoing ethnic conflicts, civil unrest, and recent intensifications that echo the turmoil up to 2021. This has resulted in increased military conflicts, widespread human rights abuses, and greater regional instability, profoundly impacting its diverse population of over 54 million as well as drawing significant international attention and responses. At the heart of the turmoil is the worsening plight of the Rohingya, a Muslim minority facing systemic discrimination, violence, and displacement, with military operations against them drawing international accusations of ethnic cleansing and genocide.

Strategic location Ethnic conflict Humanitarian crisis Rohingya displacement
Myanmar overview map showing borders with India, Bangladesh, China, Laos, and Thailand
Myanmar — regional position in Southeast Asia.
UNHCR video (3:46) — Rohingya context.
Mission Framework

Operation Guardian Skies

Operation Guardian Skies is a United Nations sanctioned, United States-led operation to establish and enforce a no fly zone over Myanmar to ensure the safety of the Rohingya, create a secure corridor for essential humanitarian aid, and contribute to regional stability.

The United States is supported by an international coalition that includes the United Kingdom, France, Australia, and Canada, each contributing military capabilities spanning air, naval, and special forces. The neighboring countries, Bangladesh, Thailand, and India will provide logistics and basing requirements to support Operation Guardian Skies.

UN-sanctioned No-fly zone Humanitarian corridor Multinational coalition
Operation Guardian Skies mission logo
Coalition-led airspace security and humanitarian access.
Adversary

Myanmar’s Military (Tatmadaw)

The Tatmadaw, Myanmar's military with over 350,000 active personnel, has historical roots dating back to the 1940s independence movement against British colonial rule. Since Myanmar's independence, the Tatmadaw has maintained political dominance, ruling directly via military juntas. Despite a shift towards a civilian government, the military still holds significant authority, controlling major government ministries, securing a fixed share of parliamentary seats, and leveraging constitutional provisions that affirm its central role.

The Tatmadaw comprises the Myanmar Army, the Myanmar Navy, and the Myanmar Air Force with auxiliary services including: the Myanmar Police Force, the Border Guard Forces, the Myanmar Coast Guard, and the People's Militia Units. The Tatmadaw are a versatile military, capable of conducting both conventional and asymmetric operations. With advanced anti-aircraft and air defense systems, the Tatmadaw poses a significant threat to Operation Guardian Skies.

350,000+ personnel Tri-service force Political dominance Integrated air defence
Partner / Non-state Actor

Kachin Independence Army (KIA)

The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) is an armed group that operates in Myanmar's Kachin and northern Shan States. The KIA’s purpose is to fight for autonomy for the Kachin people. Organized as a guerrilla force of approximately 7,500 troops, the KIA are especially adept in mountainous and jungle terrains and skilled in asymmetric warfare tactics.

Despite being much smaller and more poorly equipped than the Tatmadaw, the KIA's local knowledge, community support, and expertise in guerrilla tactics make it a potential strategic ally for Operation Guardian Skies.

≈7,500 fighters Guerrilla / asymmetric Mountain / jungle Local intelligence
Kachin Independence Army personnel in the field
KIA — smaller but terrain-fluent and locally supported.
Canada

Canada's Involvement

Why Myanmar Matters to Canada

Engaging Myanmar advances Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy by promoting stability in a geopolitically significant region, countering authoritarian influence, and reinforcing a rules-based international order. Myanmar’s location between South and Southeast Asia gives it strategic importance for regional security and emerging trade corridors. By supporting democratic resilience, human rights, and inclusive governance, Canada strengthens its credibility as a principled actor, deepens ties with key partners like ASEAN, and contributes to a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific aligned with Canadian values and long-term interests.

Government of Canada — Indo-Pacific Strategy

Canada's Involvement

Canada's engagement in "Operation Guardian Skies" aligns with its national interests in promoting global stability, preventing humanitarian crises, and supporting international cooperative security arrangements. Canada's involvement has two primary goals:

  • contribute to the immediate protection of the Rohingya population in Myanmar; and
  • support a stable SouthEast Asia that respects human rights and international norms

The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) will support the no-fly zone mission by contributing air, naval, and special forces. The Royal Canadian Air Force will send fighter jets, maritime surveillance aircraft, air-to-air refuelers, and strategic transport aircraft to support the no-fly-zone operation. The Royal Canadian Navy will deploy a frigate and a support ship to support maritime security and the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command will contribute a Task Force to perform strategic reconnaissance and other high-value tasks.

Indo-Pacific Strategy Rohingya protection CAF joint contribution
Special Operations

Special Operations Forces (SOF)

Special Operations Forces (SOF) represent the pinnacle of military precision, flexibility, and strategic value. Distinguished by their elite selection process, rigorous training, and distinctive skills, SOF excel at carrying out missions that conventional forces cannot, such as direct action, special reconnaissance, and counter-terrorism. Deploying SOF involves strategic considerations, weighing the necessity for covert, politically sensitive operations against potential risks and outcomes. Their capability to operate discreetly with minimal risk of escalation provides commanders with adaptable military options in complex situations.

Direct action Special recce Low-signature

Operation Barras (video)

Watch the 46:19 video (optional) to better understand Special Operations Forces and their capabilities.

Operation Barras Case Study

Operation Barras was a highly successful British Special Forces mission conducted in Sierra Leone in September 2000. This operation was carried out by the Special Air Service (SAS) and the Parachute Regiment to rescue 11 British soldiers and one Sierra Leonean soldier who were held hostage by the West Side Boys, a notorious rebel group.

The rescue used a coordinated assault, combining helicopter-borne forces and ground troops, resulting in the liberation of all hostages with minimal casualties to the rescue force — a classic example of precision, tempo, and joint SOF integration.

Setting the Stage

Watch this short 2 min video to set the stage for your upcoming mission!

Avoid Audio Feedback: Lower Volume | Wear Headset | Mute Mic

Pre-Briefing Checklist

Before you advance to the Mission Briefing please ensure:

  • everyone has read the information above
  • your Facilitator and all Team Members share a good video connection
Mission Briefing
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