Canadian, US navies complete bilateral maritime ops

The US Navy’s Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (HSTCSG) and the Royal Canadian Navy concluded three days of bilateral operations in the North Atlantic on September 12.

The multi-day event, under the direction of US Northern Command’s Navy Component Command, US Navy North, was comprised of training evolutions geared towards partnership building and enhancing interoperability between the two nations, to include liaison officer exchanges, rotary wing deck landing qualifications, replenishment at sea, and advanced surface ship maneuvering operations.

“Canada is a vital partner in ensuring security in the North Atlantic and our homeland,” said Rear Adm. Gene Black, commander of Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group.

“The opportunity to train with the Royal Canadian Navy enhances our proficiency and interoperability, and strengthens our long-standing alliance as we work as one team to achieve common goals,” he added.

Bilateral exercises between the US and Canada contribute to building a more lethal force through realistic training in a challenging environment while strengthening the NATO alliance.

“These training opportunities provide our sailors the skills needed to operate in a complex, multi-national environment,” said Commander, Canadian Fleet Atlantic, Commodore Craig Skjerpen.

“Our close partnership with the USN was forged over decades and this training demonstrates our continued ability to provide professional and capable forces that are ready to operate with our partners, whether it is here at home in the North Atlantic or elsewhere in the world,” he continued.

Canada and the US regularly participate in combined exercises and operations. The two NATO allies most recently participated together in larger scale exercises, Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2018 and Cutlass Fury 2016. The most recent bilateral exercises between US and Canada were Task Group Exercise 2015 and Trident Fury 2013.

Exercise participants included Royal Canadian Navy frigate HMCS Halifax (FFG 330), Nimitz-class aircraft carrier Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), guided missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG 60), guided-missile destroyers USS Forrest Sherman (DDG 98) and USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51), and squadrons from Carrier Air Wing One (CVW-1).