Exercise Trident Fury ... Canada/US Joint Military Exercise

Canadian Forces (DND/CF) Website ^ | June 9, 2005 | Staff Writers

[NorthOf45]

Exercise Trident Fury

Canadian Forces (DND/CF) Website
June 9, 2005

As HMCS Protecteur steamed in formation with Canadian and American ships, some of the ship's company enjoyed some well earned down time while watching ‘Top Gun' in their mess. They were treated to true surround sound as Air National Guard F-15s and F-16s screamed out of a dazzlingly blue sky in a low pass over the formation. Protecteur , and the other ships were participating in exercise Trident Fury , (one of the largest task group exercises ever held in this region), which ran from May 16-24. The exercise was organized by the navy's Maritime Forces Pacific, and led by Commodore Roger Girouard, Commander of Canadian Fleet Pacific.

“This exercise enabled us to work with our American allies, and demonstrated the interoperability of our forces. It was an excellent training opportunity for our forces and theirs alike, so it was a real win-win situation,” said Commodore Girouard.

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Over 2000 personnel participated in the exercise in four Canadian navy ships, three Canadian Coast Guard ships, three US navy vessels, and over 32 aircraft from the Canadian air force, the US Air National Guard, and NATO.

Throughout the exercise the ships steamed both in formation, and independently. They engaged in mock attack and defence scenarios, and practiced seamanship evolutions such as replenishment-at-sea, helicopter and boat transfers of personnel. The navy scheduled the exercise in support of the Operations Room Officer Course and Directed work-ups for HMCS Protecteur . Due to the tremendous training opportunity that resulted from the intense level of planning done by the Fleet the exercise grew in scope as more and more units wanted to get involved.

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[NorthOf45]

I'm glad our military doesn't see things the way our government does.

Here are some visuals ...



Photo by Sgt Alain Martineau - The USS SHOUP veers off to the left after following HMCS Vancouver in formation off the west coast of Vancouver Island.




Photo by Sgt Alain Martineau - An American Sea Hawk helicopter flies over the formation of Canadian and American Ships on exercise off the west coast of Vancouver Island. The USS MCCLUSKY sails in the foreground, the USS SHOUP (right), HMCS Protecteur (center) and the Tanu of the Canadian Coast Guard.




Photo by MCpl Robert Bottrill - HMCS Protecteur supplies the American vessel USS SHOUP with fuel under the darkness of night.




Photo by MCpl Robert Bottrill - Four American F-16s from Atlantic City Air Guard Station fly over HMCS Algonquin off the coast of British Columbia.

[NorthOf45]

Joint military exercise ping

[familyop]

Yes, regardless of political news, our US and Canadian military is very integral by necessity. It is all one.

[Rokke]

I was the Atlantic City project officer for this exercise. I know people like to make fun of the Canadian military, but I haven't worked with a harder working bunch of dedicated professionals in years. We flew out of CFB Comox and were treated like absolute royalty. And the Canadian Navy put on an outstanding exercise that provided far better training than most of the larger US exercises I've flown in (like Red Flag). They even had a towed surface target for us to drop laser guided bombs on. That is the first time in my career I've had an opportunity to hit a moving target outside of actual combat.

The Canadian Military deserves nothing but praise for doing such an excellent job despite having to work with a government that seems intent on destroying it.

[Pukin Dog]

How many beers did they poor down you for you to make that post? However, I would consider the Canadians best indeed at providing for target practice. But you are right, blame the leaders, not the troops for the crap going on up north.

[stocksthatgoup]

Glad to see Canadians sailors are getting the Latest movies from the US.

[NorthOf45]

: )

[lt.america]

"For the exercise Vancouver Island was divided into a number of countries in a state of war. In this fictitious scenario, the participating ships worked to implement a United Nations Security Council resolution in the region..."

My guess is the region they were gearing towards probably has several countries with a lot of green in their flags.

[mad_as_he$$]

Big surprise to me that the Kanucks still had a military! I do notice that most of the ships referenced are Coast Guard.

[Rokke]

Come on Pukin, you know I'm not the kind of person to blow a bunch of hot air up anyone's skirt just to make them feel good. The Canucks put on a real class act. They are taking on some of the best attributes of our Marine Corps. They are figuring out how to do more, more effectively with less. And I've never worked with a bunch more proactive support folks.

With regard to the exercise....have you been to Red Flag lately? What a waste of time. They just can't shift out of the Fulda Gap mindset. Last time I was there we were locked into a 2000' altitude block, could not actually maneuver to defeat SAM threats, and had to hit the same targets I've been bombing out there for 15 years. All that, and about 20 hours of PowerPoint slide coordination prior to each sortie just to make it look pretty. YGBSM. In Canada, the airspace was better, we worked with multi-national, multi-service assets, in a littoral environment flying TST type sorties against realistic and moving targets. They may talk a little funny, but the Canuck military has got its marbles in one sock.

[NorthOf45]

Over 2000 personnel participated in the exercise in four Canadian navy ships, three Canadian Coast Guard ships ...

[NorthOf45]

They may talk a little funny ...

Ever been to the Dakotas? ; )

Thanks for your input on this article.

[Pukin Dog]

2000'? Hell man, why not NOE to a loft, if they are going to keep you in SAM acquisition all day? Let me guess, you shut off the gear and just mashed through? Screw the rules, I want to win. Are the coords so fixed now that you cant 'improvise'? See, that is why NAVY is best. If the rules make us lose, we just don't follow em. Where is the Fighter Mafia when you need them? That sucks dude.

[Finalapproach29er]

Chortle,chortle.

[fanfan]

PING

Please let me know if you want on or off the Canada/Adscam ping list

[commonasdirt]

"Ever been to the Dakotas? ; )"

Was stationed at Minot in the early 70's. To tell the truth, going into the Provinces on the weekend you would hardly notice the difference but for the lack of catsup offered with your fries ;-)

[Levante]

"...and over 32 aircraft from the Canadian air force,..."

(Sigh) I wish it was still 'ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE'.

Great post/pix. Thanx.