Our Navy Today - Volume 6 Issue 3
Naval Experience Program launches
The Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) has launched a new recruitment program to give Canadians the opportunity to experience the Navy as a sailor on a one-year contract and provide them with exposure to a variety of naval trades before deciding if a career in the Navy is the right fit for them.
Through the new Naval Experience Program, the Navy is rethinking the way it attracts, recruits, and trains sailors. The aim of the program is simple: to reduce the amount of time it takes to train civilians as sailors, to foster the development of sailors who love their work, and to attract those who enjoy the unique lifestyle that the Navy offers. Complete information about the program is available on the RCN Internet.
Operations forecast
HMCS Montréal departs for Op Projection Indo-Pacific
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HMCS Glace Bay sailors display Sierra Leone’s flag alongside members of Sierra Leone’s Navy.
On March 26 His Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Montréal departed its homeport of Halifax and is now enroute to the Indo-Pacific region – delivering on Canada’s commitment to increase its annual naval deployments in the region from two to three frigates, boosting our presence particularly in the Indian Ocean.
During its deployment Montréal will be supported by Naval Replenishment Unit Motor Vessel Asterix. Two other Canadian frigates are set to deploy to the region at later dates.
Montréal, with an embarked CH-148 Cyclone helicopter detachment, is the first East Coast frigate to deploy on Operation Projection in the Indo-Pacific region. During the deployment, the ship will work in close coordination with partner and allied nations’ maritime forces, promoting peace and stability to support rules-based international order.
In addition to Operation Projection, HMCS Montréal will also participate in Operation Neon, Canada’s contribution to multinational efforts to monitor sanctions imposed on North Korea by the United Nations Security Council.
NRU Asterix stays ready alongside Montréal
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NRU Asterix conducts a liquid replenishment-at-sea with HMCS Halifax in April 2022.
Naval Replenishment Unit (NRU) Asterix also departed Halifax on March 26 and is sailing alongside and supporting HMCS Montréal on its deployment to the Indo-Pacific region. The support NRU Asterix provides is critical to Montréal’s mission success and ensures that the RCN is ready to put the first of the two Protecteur-class Auxiliary Oiler Replenishment vessels to work immediately upon delivery.
Moncton and Glace Bay return from Ops Projection and Globe
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HMC Ships Moncton and Glace Bay sail off the coast of Haiti during Op Globe on March 10.
HMC Ships Moncton and Glace Bay return today! In early January the ships departed to participate in Op Projection West Africa where they took part in Exercise Obangame Express, before being re-tasked to support Op Globe on February 28.
The ships arrived in Haitian waters near Port-au-Prince and conducted presence patrols until March 20, at which time their mission concluded and the ships started for home.
HMCS Fredericton participates in Dynamic Manta
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HMCS Fredericton participates in Exercise Dynamic Manta with NATO naval units in the Mediterranean Sea.
HMCS Fredericton kept their skills sharp participating in Exercise Dynamic Manta 23 from February 27 to March 11. Eight of Canada’s partner nations were present including France, Germany, Greece, Spain, Türkiye, the United Kingdom, the United States and Italy, who hosted the exercise.
The serials were conducted off the coast of Sicily, Italy, in the Mediterranean Sea and enhanced interoperability in a number of advanced above and below sea warfare scenarios.
HMCS Edmonton conducting patrols on Operation Caribbe
HMCS Edmonton continues its deployment on Op Caribbe in the Eastern Pacific, supporting U.S.-led enhanced counter-narcotics operations and tracking vessels of interest to help disrupt drug trafficking and organized crime in the region.
Top stories
Upgraded missiles to better defend ships against air attacks
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In November 2022, the RCN successfully fired the first ESSM Block II from HMCS Fredericton at the naval range off the coast of Norfolk, Virginia.
The RCN is upgrading its missile defences to better protect our ships against current and future air threats. The system, called ESSM Block 2, is expected to be fully operational by December 2025 and will sustain the Halifax-class ships’ ability to defend itself at home and abroad.
Underwater drones to seek and destroy mines
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A Seafox Mine Disposal System is lowered into the water. Photo: U.K. Ministry of Defence.
A new underwater drone called the Remote Mine-Hunting and Disposal System aims to make clearance diving safer and easier for the RCN’s dive teams operating in dangerous parts of the world.
Canadian Surface Combatant bridge design tested
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Sailors participate in two-day stress test of CSC bridge complex.
The Canadian Surface Combatant project team recently completed a two-day full scale mock-up stress test of the bridge complex at HMCS Venture.
The bridge design was tested against a variety of scenarios with real-time input from sailors being collected and analyzed. The information will inform design iterations of the bridge so it is ready to execute the missions of today and tomorrow.
Announcements
Up ranking Senior Engineering Watchkeeper positions
Master Sailors with the Senior Engineering Watchkeeper qualification, who serve as the Engineer of the Watch in Halifax-class ships, are eligible to submit for a temporary up ranking to Petty Officer 2nd Class.
This up ranking is to recognize qualified sailors who accept significantly greater workload, responsibility, accountability, and their higher-than-usual operational tempo. More info is available in the NAVGEN “UP RANKING OF SENIOR ENGINEERING WATCHKEEPER (SEWK) TO PO2”
RCN Mentorship Program session to discuss psychological safety
Join Commander Stephen Churm, Naval Reserve Special Advisor Workplace Relations, in an exploration of cognitive diversity, influencing culture change, promoting trauma informed person-centred approaches, and ally ship.
Sailors – Regular and Reserve Force – at all ranks and civilian employees at all levels are invited.
- Date: Wednesday, April 12th
- Time: Noon to 1:30 p.m. EST
- Location: Microsoft Teams
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