Commander Suggests U.S. War on 'Martians' as Likely as an Invasion of Canada
Paparo called the idea preposterous and said he would follow orders from President Donald Trump, while stressing Canada remains a close ally.
- Admiral Samuel Paparo, head of U.S. Pacific Command, dismissed questions about invading Canada as "absolutely and utterly preposterous" during a news conference in Victoria on Tuesday.
- Completed in 1930, "War Plan Red" was a U.S. military contingency strategy for a hypothetical war with the British Empire that designated Canada as "CRIMSON" for potential occupation and strategic targeting.
- During the War of 1812, American forces repeatedly attempted the "invasion and conquest of Canada," though these efforts failed to achieve decisive results before the conflict ended in 1814.
- President Donald Trump has suggested Canada could become the "51st state" and ordered Lake Ontario's renaming on August 27, yet Paparo maintains military-to-military relations remain strong and apolitical.
- The two nations have evolved from planning hypothetical invasions to integrated defense through the North American Aerospace Defense Command, which provides shared aerospace and maritime warning for the continent.
37 Articles
37 Articles
US Pacific Commander Says Canada, US Should Work ‘Shoulder to Shoulder’ When It Comes to Military Priorities
U.S. Admiral Samuel Paparo delivers opening remarks during the opening ceremony at the 28th annual Indo-Pacific Chiefs of Defence Conference in Victoria on Sept. 1, 2026. (The Canadian Press/Chad Hipolito)
TVA Nouvelles
A senior U.S. officer described the question of whether the U.S. will attack Canada as "emotional" and indicated that it would obey orders.
Launching a military action against Canada is an "absolutely absurd scenario" and asking the question is "unnecessarily emotional," according to a senior U.S. Navy officer. What if Donald Trump decides otherwise? Admiral Samuel J. Paparo replies that he follows "the commanding officer's orders."
National Post
U.S. admiral compares military action against Canada to fighting extraterrestrials
A question to a U.S. admiral about the possibility of military action against Canada was met with incredulity from the military leader, who called it "preposterous" and added: “Would you ask me please, also, what my attack plans are for the Martians?"
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