Days after HMCS Calgary’s successful drug interdiction operations with the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Cutter Active and the Mexican naval warship Farias, the three ships conducted a “cross-pollination” exercise where sailors visit other ships for training and familiarization purposes.
In this case, 21 sailors switched positions between the three ships. Crew members were transferred between ships by boat and helicopter.
Three officers and eight crew members left Calgary to visit the USCG and Mexican ships, while Calgary received six officers and crew members from Active and four from Farias. Once aboard, all were treated to multiple tours, demonstrations of daily operations and a visit to their respective messes. They were also provided with the opportunity to exchange ideas with their occupational counterparts to get a better sense of how the Royal Canadian Navy operates.
Upon completion of the cross-pollination exercise, which ranged from one to three days for the different sailors, Calgary’s participation in Operation Caribbe came to an end and she continued her transit to San Francisco for Fleet Week.
Calgary will remain at sea until the first week of November.
Press release, Image: Canadian Navy