American, Canadian Ships Begin Exercise Trident Fury

The Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate USS Ford (FFG 54), the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance (DDG 111), and ships from the Royal Canadian Navy began Exercise Trident Fury May 3.

Trident Fury is a biennial joint and multinational naval training exercise led by the Royal Canadian Navy and is designed to provide mutually beneficial, realistic and relevant training necessary for an effective global Navy.

“I am very excited that my crew has been given the opportunity to participate in Exercise Trident Fury with the Royal Canadian Navy and other U.S. Navy units.” said Cmdr. Joseph T. Shuler, commanding officer of Ford.

The bilateral training exercise is taking place in the waters west of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, and was developed by Canada’s Pacific Joint Task Force Headquarters for the purpose of building a strong working relationship between the maritime and aviation forces of the United States and Canada.

“We worked with the Canadians twice last year and were greatly impressed with the professionalism and skills they exhibited,” said Shuler.

During the exercise, Sailors from Ford and Spruance will participate in many bilateral evaluations including anti-submarine warfare, war-at-sea exercises, daily multi-ship maneuvering and gunnery exercises on a flying target.

“This is a great exercise for us,” said Command Senior Chief Joe Lovelace, command senior chief aboard Ford. “It allows us the opportunity to continue training and better develop our Sailors.”

Exercises like Trident Fury strengthens the U.S. Navy’s ability to respond to crises and protect the collective maritime interests of the U.S. and its allies and partners.

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Press Release, May 7, 2013; Image: US Navy