Shipborne Air Controller trade recognized with new specialty skill badge

Four Atlantic fleet sailors received the Royal Canadian Navy’s (RCN) new Shipborne Air Controller (SAC) specialty skill badge in a presentation ceremony held on July 28 in the operations room aboard Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Charlottetown. 

Shipborne Air Controllers are responsible for the tactical air control of helicopters and fixed wing maritime aircraft assigned to a warship, as well as the care and safety of the ship’s aircrew while under their control.

The SAC role is a rigorous but hugely rewarding job for NCMs (non-commissioned members), said Chief Petty Officer Second Class (CPO2) Gordon Rittwage, Fleet Shipborne Air Controller for Canadian Fleet Atlantic.

“The two SACs onboard ship are busy from the time each one gets on watch until the time they’re off watch. They are the subject matter experts on aircraft operations on that ship,” he said.

“That means regularly getting up in front of the Commanding Officer and speaking, as the subject matter expert, to the same level that a director or lieutenant would. They’re constantly in motion and carry a lot of responsibility.”

Drawing from the trades of Naval Combat Information Operators (NCIOP), Naval Electronics Sensor Operators and Sonar Operators, the SAC specialization is a NATO-level qualification and standard across NATO countries.

In a Naval Order released on July 18, the RCN endorsed the new SAC specialty badge for members who have earned the SAC NATO grade Delta level qualification, as a way to recognize the extra workload and responsibility the job entails.

Master Sailor (MS) Andrew Coshell, MS Ellsworth Lawrence III, MS Genevieve Reynolds and MS Matthew Butchart were among the first four Atlantic fleet recipients in the RCN to receive the new badges, along with counterparts on the west coast.

Presenting their badges, Commodore (Cmdre) Trevor MacLean, Commander Canadian Fleet Atlantic, said the specialized skill and unique role of SACs onboard a warship is “absolutely critical” to the Navy.

“This job touches all of the areas of warfare. It’s like the connective tissue across the board,” said Cmdre MacLean. “It’s important to recognize the time and effort that’s put into getting and maintaining this qualification. Congratulations to all of you. Wear this pin on your uniform with pride.”

Both MS Lawrence III and MS Coshell completed the SAC Delta course at Naval Fleet School (Atlantic) on May 26, 2022. MS Lawrence III was the first East Coast Sonar Operator to successfully challenge the SAC course and MS Coshell, an NCIOP, was top student throughout all phases of the course. Both are posted to HMCS Charlottetown and will deploy in the near future.

MS Reynolds recently returned from a six-month deployment with HMCS Montréal on Operation Reassurance, providing control to the embarked CH-148 Cyclone and other NATO assets. MS Reynolds, who has been with the CAF since 2008, is an NCIOP and completed the SAC Delta course on December 13, 2019.

MS Matthew Butchart also has deployment experience as a SAC, having been with HMCS Fredericton on Operation Reassurance in 2020, shortly after earning the SAC designation on December 13, 2019.

Despite the tough times he’s faced as a SAC, MS Butchart said he loves the role. 

“You’re overseeing flight safety and the tactical employment of aircraft assigned to the ship. It’s a significant amount of responsibility,” said MS Butchart, who joined the CAF in 2012.

“It’s the best job in the Navy, in my humble opinion. You get the opportunity to be challenged and work with complete autonomy. It is an adjustment but once you take that on, it reaps its own rewards.”