US Navy destroyer trains with Canadian frigate in South China Sea

Royal Canadian Navy’s Halifax-class frigate HMCS Vancouver (FFH 331) has conducted exercises in the South China Sea with Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Higgins (DDG 76).

Vancouver and Higgins conducted bilateral surface action group operations demonstrating interoperability in the execution of joint exercises in the South China Sea and highlighted the US Navy’s support to Canada’s Indo-Pacific deployment and their presence and role in the Western Pacific.

The bilateral training between U.S and Canadian maritime forces served to strengthen skills in maritime operations, anti-submarine warfare operations, air warfare operations and maneuvering.

“The two teams seamlessly integrated, conducting a variety of training exercises together,” said Cmdr. Kevin Whiteside, HMCS Vancouver commanding officer.

“The two teams seamlessly integrated, conducting a variety of training exercises together. As part of our deployment on Operation PROJECTION, Team Vancouver has been delivering robust capabilities, working with our partner navies since we departed home in June.”

Higgins is assigned to Task Force 71/Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, the US Navy’s largest forward-deployed DESRON and the US 7th fleet’s principal surface force.

Recently, the guided missile destroyer USS Zumwalt has also become a part of the US 7th fleet.