Canadian Armed Forces concludes its participation in Exercise Tradewinds 15

News Release

June 24, 2015

OTTAWA — The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) successfully participated in Exercise Tradewinds 15, a multinational training event which took place in the Caribbean region from May 31 to June 24, 2015.

Exercise Tradewinds 2015 involved ships, aircraft and personnel from 19 nations, as well as participation by key regional groups such as the Caribbean Disaster and Emergency Management Agency, the Regional Security System and the Caribbean Community Implementation Agency for Crime and Security. The CAF contributed both maritime and land assets in a training and support role to this year’s exercise.

Quick Facts

Exercise Tradewinds is a U.S.-led ground security exercise involving multiple agencies focussed on countering transnational organized crime, offering humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief in order to promote regional security cooperation.
A Maritime Coastal Defence Vessel, Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship Glace Bay, participated by providing training in areas such as firefighting, first aid, suspect vessel tracking, intercepting and boarding procedures, and weapons usage. Additionally, the ship carried military students from participating nations allowing them to all learn from each other.
A dive training team from Fleet Diving Unit (Atlantic) led training in areas including night dive operations, military dive planning procedures, hull search techniques and evidence site contamination prevention. Training during phase I involved students from multiple partner nations, while dive training in phase II concentrated on honing the skills of the Belize Coast Guard and the Mexican Navy. In total, the dive team completed 305 dives and delivered more than 95 hours of dive training to partner nations.
The Canadian Army provided a contingent of 34 personnel, primarily from the 2^nd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment, based in Gagetown, New Brunswick. In partnership with the U.S. Armed Forces, the Canadian Army helped develop and co-led training regarding the set-up and conduct of a firing range; urban operations; as well as command and control mentorship within a joint operational headquarters. Additionally, 12 CAF members participated in jungle warfare training led by the Belize Defence Force.
Select CAF representatives will join key regional and national decision makers at a follow-on seminar in July in Miami, Florida, to discuss the results of this year’s exercise as well as short-term goals and objectives for future exercises. This session will help the CAF ensure that overall efforts geared towards assisting our Caribbean partners are effectively meeting their needs.
Exercise Tradewinds provides an important opportunity for the Canadian Armed Forces to strengthen defence support between partner nations for civilian government-led disaster response efforts. Multinational exercises like Tradewinds develop skills and procedures that enhance interoperability, readiness, crisis response capabilities, and communications between partner nations.

Quotes

“Canada continues to strengthen its international partnerships in addressing security challenges in the Caribbean region by supporting these highly successful and effective exercises. We place great pride and value in Canada’s relationships with our Caribbean partners and we remain steadfast in our commitment to enhancing regional security and cooperation through activities such as Exercise Tradewinds.”
Jason Kenney, Minister of National Defence

“From planning to execution, our sailors, divers and soldiers have, once again, exemplified excellence in training and capacity building during Exercise Tradewinds. Working with our allies to enhance the existing skills of our Caribbean partners and further their operational efficiency and interoperability when addressing regional security issues, is a worthy investment that we will all benefit from.”
Lieutenant-General Steve Bowes, Commander, Canadian Joint Operations Command

“Exercises such as Tradewinds offer members of the Royal Canadian Navy the opportunity to hone a variety of significant skills – including boarding procedures and dive operations – and to share these skills with international partners. Bravo Zulu to HMCS Glace Bay and the team from Fleet Diving Unit (Atlantic) for their great work during this exercise and continued commitment to ensuring excellence at sea.”
Vice-Admiral Mark Norman, Commander, Royal Canadian Navy

“Exercise Tradewinds has once again given our Canadian Army soldiers the opportunity to share their expertise with our allies in the Caribbean. Their professionalism and skills have helped strengthen our relationships with our defence partners in the region.”
Lieutenant-General Marquis Hainse, Commander, Canadian Army