Six Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) warships sailed from Halifax earlier this week to participate in a Task Group Exercise (TGEX) off the Canadian Atlantic coast from November 25 to December 6.
“This Task Group exercise will have the added value of being a part of NORAD Exercise Amalgam Dart, proving interoperability between the Royal Canadian Navy, the Royal Canadian Air Force and the U.S. Air Force,” said Rear-Admiral John Newton, Commander Maritime Forces Atlantic. “Such training strengthens ties and understanding amongst allies, improving our ability to successfully work together on operations.”
RCN units participating in the exercise include Her Majesty’s Canadian Ships Iroquois, Ville de Québec, Halifax, Fredericton and Kingston, and Her Majesty’s Canadian Submarine Windsor. The ships will be supported by CH-124 Sea King helicopters from 12 Wing Shearwater.
“Task Group exercises strengthen Canada’s ability to work on a wide range of potential operations,” explained Commodore Scott Bishop, Commander Canadian Fleet Atlantic. “Exercises like TGEX offer valuable training for the RCN to maintain readiness and deploy when called upon by the Government of Canada.”
The Royal Canadian Air Force will participate in Exercise Amalgam Dart, together with the RCN and the United States Air Force, from December 3 to 5, with the following aircraft: a CC-130 Hercules from 8 Wing Trenton, a CP-140 Aurora long-range patrol aircraft from 14 Wing Greenwood, and CF-188 Hornets from 3 Wing Bagotville, augmented by personnel from 22 Wing North Bay.
NORAD Exercise Amalgam Dart offers an opportunity to hone skills in intercept and identification procedures used to respond to any potential air threat, as well as air-to-air refueling procedures.
[mappress] Press Release, December 03, 2013; Image: Canadian Navy