The Operations Room is the nerve centre of a ship. With radar, sonar and communications equipment covering the full range of electronic and electro-magnetic detection and analysis, the Ops Room staff track the activity of vessels and aircraft in the ship’s area of responsibility. In action, they are responsible for fire control – directing and controlling the ship’s weapons – and electronic warfare. Under the distinctive red lighting that preserves night vision, they work around the clock while the ship is at sea.
It was here in the Ops Room, over the continuous crackle of the radio and flicker of radar screens, that the crew of HMCS Charlottetown made its primary contribution to Proud Manta 2012, the largest NATO anti-submarine warfare exercise to date.
Conducted from the NATO naval air base at Sigonella, Italy, over 13 days beginning February 14, Proud Manta 2012 was the latest in an annual series of anti-submarine warfare (ASW) exercises organized by Allied Maritime Command Naples, and led by Commander Submarines, Allied Naval Forces South, and Commander Maritime Air Naples. Exercise Proud Manta demonstrates NATO’s determination to maintain proficiency and improve interoperability in all kinds of coordinated multinational maritime operations, especially anti-submarine warfare, surface warfare and coastal surveillance.
Eleven participating NATO nations – Canada, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States – contributed five submarines, 12 surface ships and 15 aircraft. The surface fleet included two auxiliaries from Italy, a NATO research vessel and, among the frigates, HMCS Charlottetown. The air armada engaged in the exercise included two CP-140 Aurora maritime patrol aircraft that deployed from Canada with four crews and a maintenance detachment, and “Osprey”, the CH-124 Sea King helicopter embarked in HMCS Charlottetown.
“[Charlottetown’s] role throughout the exercise [was] to support NATO forces as an effective ASW platform,” said under-water warfare officer Lieutenant (Navy) Mark McShane . “In particular, Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 used Charlottetown as a towed-array sonar unit, to sweep and sanitize waters well ahead of the main body in protection of mission-essential units.” “Osprey” took an active role in the exercise. Designed and built primarily for anti-submarine warfare, the CH-124 Sea King helicopter vastly extends the frigate’s effective range.
“During Proud Manta 2012, Charlottetown’s air detachment will be on a 30-minute standby to launch,” said helicopter pilot Captain Chris Cole before the exercise began. “When called upon, we will be asked to use the helo’s variety of sensors – such as sonar, forward-looking infra-red radar, sonobuoys, and its latest addition, an augmented surface plot – to search, localize, detect and track the five submarines involved. The helo will work in conjunction with the ship’s sensors and operators to accomplish the various tasks the exercise may present.”
“This is a challenging exercise for both surface and subsurface contacts,” said Lt(N) McShane. “There are five very effective subs participating, and all provide significant challenges to the fleet, both as individual units and in coordinated attacks. The sheer number of surface and air assets provides a very demanding environment.”
The CP-140 Aurora flight went into Exercise Proud Manta 2012 with a plan for 24 long-range patrol sorties that would demonstrate Canada’s proficiency in anti-submarine and air-to-surface warfare, and intelligence-gathering, surveillance and reconnaissance operations. The aircrew also had force-generation objectives to complete, and seven qualification check-rides were also on the agenda.
HMCS Charlottetown is currently deployed on Operation Metric, Canada’s participation in international efforts to enhance security in and around the Mediterranean Sea. Since mid-January, the Halifax-based frigate has been integrated into Standing NATO Maritime Group 1, and assigned to Operation Active Endeavour.
[mappress] Naval Today Staff , March 05, 2012; Image: navy