Defence Team News Interview with Major Andy Holden, 407 Squadron, "The Demons" Detachment Commander
Video / July 21, 2022
Transcript
SVH: We're here at the Marine Corps Base, Kane'ohe Bay, known as K-Bay during RIMPAC 2022. Today, we're talking with the 407 Squadron Detachment "The Demons" Commander, Major Andy Holden, about the RCAF's contribution to RIMPAC. What is the RCAF's role at RIMPAC?
AH: Well, the RCAF, the Royal Canadian Air Force, has two CP-140 Auroras here, taking part in RIMPAC. This is a detachment from 407 Squadron. We have two operational air crews taking part doing anti-submarine and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance exercises.
SVH: And what is your role specifically at RIMPAC?
AH: I'm the detachment commander for the long-range patrol and deployable mission support system detachment. My role when the flying starts is that I will be linked in with CTF 172.1, who will be controlling the flying program and ensuring that they're aware of our detachment's status.
SVH: And how did your detachment train for RIMPAC?
AH: We regularly train for exercises such as these, be it in the simulator back home, or be it on what we term a crew operational readiness exercise, a COREX, in the local area. The biggest difference from that training to doing exercises RIMPAC training is we are now working with our international partners with live units and live operators on the other end of that radio. So, it's different in that sense, and that's why exercise flying is really important for us.
SVH: So, what is your day-to-day like once the exercise gets going? Your day, the detachment's, the Aurora? What happens?
AH: It's very different. Myself, and the crews, and the maintainers. Myself, I will go to a battle rhythm, where I will attend certain briefings that I need to attend, reporting on our status. The crews will be solely focused on their flying events. Three teams of techs, 24/7 shift, and they'll be working around the clock working on these aircrafts. And the Op support teams will, again, go onto shift patterns to tie in with our exercise flying events.
SVH: Thank you very much for taking the time to talk with us today.
AH: You're welcome.
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