Meet HMCS Harry DeWolf’s C6 gunners deployed on Op Caribbe
Navy News / December 7, 2021
Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Harry DeWolf, the first Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ship to deploy on Operation Caribbe, successfully confiscated narcotics in its first bust soon after arriving in its area of operations. Its C6 gunners – volunteers from different parts of the ship’s company – were key to this success.
Op Caribbe is Canada’s participation in the U.S.-led enhanced counter-narcotics operations in the Caribbean Sea and the eastern Pacific Ocean. While the interdictions themselves are made by the embarked United States Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET), who board and inspect vessels of interest, Royal Canadian Navy ships and sailors provide the LEDETs with logistic support and transport. This includes Canadian C6 gunners who protect both their boat’s crew and the ship at large as they are deployed forward of Harry DeWolf.
“It’s my first time working alongside another nation and it’s been awesome so far. They are super professional, know what they are doing, and we’re learning a lot from them,” said one Canadian C6 Gunner, who cannot be named for security reasons. The gunner is a Sailor 1st Class who works onboard Harry DeWolf as a Material Management Technician.
A vital component to boarding parties are the boarding vessels themselves, charged with chasing after vessels of interest, which are frequently small and fast-moving.
HMCS Harry DeWolf is well-equipped for this task with two Multi-Role Rescue Boats, capable of supporting personnel transfers, rescues and boarding parties. These new craft boast top speeds of over 35 knots, and at 8.5 metres long, they give boarding parties enhanced capabilities.
A crucial feature of these boats are the C6 gun mounts located at the bow. The Canadian C6 gunners are usually junior members who are entrusted with a technical and demanding role on the frontline within boarding parties.
“I’ll be down in the engine spaces and a pipe will go off through the ship,” said one Sailor 2nd Class Marine Technician, explaining their role when preparations begin to board and search a vessel of interest. “That means I’ll have to go and get all my tactical gear on, and I’ll get ready to be lowered into the boat. Then I’ll take my place in the boat. I will go up front, load ammunition and defend the ship and fire if necessary.”
C6 gunners also double-hat in the boats.
“So I’m also the bowsman,” the Sailor 1st Class said. “When we’re launching the boats, I’m the one letting go of the lines, and when we’re recovering the boats, (I) make sure that we’re going up properly. When we’re transiting to a target from the ship, we’re keeping our eyes open, making sure that there’s no obstacles or anything in the water.”
Reflecting on their experiences on Op Caribbe, the Sailor 2nd Class Marine Technician commented, “It’s a great job we’re doing down here, stopping the flow of drugs into North America.”