Exercise GANDER GUNNER brings Air Force and Army together
October 31, 2022 - Tim Bryant, Western Sentinel
When in the military, it’s rare that one branch operates completely independently. In most cases, there is operational co‑operation between the Army, Air Force and Navy in some capacity.
Exercise GANDER GUNNER, which took place in September at 4 Wing Cold Lake, was an example of that co‑operation, bringing together the Royal Canadian Air Force’s 408 Tactical Helicopter Squadron (408 THS) and members of the Canadian Army from 3rd Canadian Division Support Base Edmonton.
The goal? To certify CH146 Griffon pilots as qualified to fly with door gunners, and to provide the door gunners with their own certifications to operate in that role.
“Ultimately this is so they can be employed in their jobs,” explained Major Jayson Gordy, a detachment commander with 408 THS.
The exercise took place from Sept. 12 to 21, and saw 52 personnel involved during the 10‑day trip to Cold Lake, of whom 42 to 44 were involved on a daily basis.
Among the personnel taking part was pilot candidate Captain Adam Schambers, who had about one year of experience with the Griffon before embarking on Ex GANDER GUNNER.
Capt Schambers explained the exercise is just one of several steps pilots need to take to become fully qualified to fly the Griffon. Prior to Ex GANDER GUNNER, pilots are limited to utility and some tactical roles before advancing to complex aerial door gunnery that teaches them how to fly with the Army in the battlespace.
Training runs during Ex GANDER GUNNER are intricate events involving two Griffons, and feature both day and night flights.
“The flying is pretty dynamic,” Capt Schambers said. “You have to have an understanding of where the friendly forces are, where the enemy is, and then where the other aircraft is, as well.”
Having two door gunners in place along the sides of the Griffon adds to the complexity of the flights, he added.
“It’s interesting having all four crew members—the two pilots and the two people on the guns—everyone's communicating accurately and succinctly the entire time,” he said.
The pilots are responsible for flying the helicopter, while also relaying information about what the gunners should be on the lookout for. Meanwhile, the gunners are responsible for relaying what they can see from their vantage point that the pilots cannot. For both ends of the helicopter, trust is paramount.
“We’re trusting them to point out obstacles if we’re landing, or point out other aircraft,” Capt Schambers said. “That's built throughout all the flying, you do get to trust your other crew members just to keep the entire crew safe.”
One of the door gunners participating in Ex GANDER GUNNER to earn his wings was Master Corporal David Trenholm, who was attach posted to 408 THS from 1 Combat Engineer Regiment.
Caption
Corporal Jordan Soloman of 408 Tactical Helicopter Squadron looks ahead as a Royal Canadian Air Force CH146 Griffon flies in trail over the Cold Lake Air Weapons Range outside Cold Lake, Alta. during Exercise GANDER GUNNER on Sept. 15.
Photo by Cpl Avery Philpott
Caption
A pilot from 408 Tactical Helicopter Squadron inputs co‑ordinates for their co‑pilot in a Royal Canadian Air Force CH146 Griffon over the Cold Lake Air Weapons Range outside Cold Lake, Alta. during Exercise GANDER GUNNER on Sept. 15.
Photo by Cpl Avery Philpott
Caption
Members of 408 Tactical Helicopter Squadron take in the view from a Royal Canadian Air Force CH146 Griffon as it flies over the Cold Lake Air Weapons Range outside Cold Lake, Alta. during Exercise GANDER GUNNER on Sept. 15.
Photo by Cpl Avery Philpott
As an Army member linked in with the Air Force, he said he brought a different perspective with him when interacting with his Air Force peers. With expertise in the Army realm, he was able to bridge gaps that may exists between the two branches, such as the various terms each branch uses, as well as being able to interpret and explain what is happening on the ground from an Army point of view.
He also explained the importance of having combat arms personnel serve as door gunners.
“In the event of a helicopter crash, there's somebody with relevant experience on the ground to provide intimate, close security, as well as having somebody focusing solely on the operation of the machine guns in the back,” he said.
Unlike the pilots who must go through Ex GANDER GUNNER to be qualified to advance in their careers, MCpl Trenholm said Army personnel have the opportunity to participate but it is not guaranteed. He explained it is usually the Regimental Sergeants‑Major in units who will choose who will take part when the rotation comes along, so there is an element of luck involved.
“It very much can be a right place, right time [situation] for when people end up coming over here,” he said, adding there is some lobbying that takes place.
“I think almost everybody makes it known to their chain of command that they want to come to 408 [THS]. It's a very coveted position.”
Prior to Ex GANDER GUNNER, MCpl Trenholm had had limited exposure to the Griffon, having only been on one flight, as a passenger with the doors closed.
Being in the air, responsible for looking after the guns and paying attention to his surroundings with the doors open, was a marked change in the experience.
“It becomes a lot different when you have responsibilities,” he said. “It's not just gunning and whatnot. You're still keeping your head on a swivel, you're looking for where the other helicopter is, as well as any other obstacles or potential threats.”
As Capt Schambers said, the gunners are also passing along what they see to the pilots and the other gunner on the other side of the helicopter.
MCpl Trenholm acknowledged all those responsibilities can feel overwhelming when thinking and talking about it on the ground, but said it doesn’t feel that way in the air.
“When you’re in the moment and you’ve trained up for it, it just becomes second nature,” he said.
Caption
A Canadian Armed Forces member from 408 Tactical Helicopter Squadron surveys the ground beneath their Royal Canadian Air Force CH146 Griffon while participating in Exercise GANDER GUNNER at the Cold Lake Air Weapons Range outside Cold Lake, Alta. on Sept. 15.
Photo by Avr Conor R.G. Munn, 4 Wing Imaging
Caption
A Canadian Armed Forces member from 408 Tactical Helicopter Squadron looks out onto the tarmac during Exercise GANDER GUNNER. The exercise took place at 4 Wing Cold Lake and in the skies above the Cold Lake Air Weapons Range outside Cold Lake, Alta. from Sept. 12 to 21.
Photo by Avr Conor R.G. Munn, 4 Wing Imaging