NAVRES Western Region holds Small Boat Exercise

Kateryna Bandura, 
Lookout Editor

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The Western Region of the Naval Reserves (NAVRES) held a simulated training scenario of maritime drug interdiction operations for the first time ever.

The Small Boat Exercise (SBEX) was held Nov. 19-20 in English Bay outside Vancouver.

The exercise scenario followed the work performed in Operation Caribbe, a core operation that NAVRES sailors participate in several times annually in partnership with other nations.

“The simulated training scenario provided our sailors with skills and training experiences that lend themselves to one of the flagship operations conducted by the Naval Reserve,” said Lieutenant (Navy) John Foster, NAVRES Western Region Public Affairs Officer.

SBEX is a large-scale training exercise held two to four times per fiscal year. It sees sailors from all ranks and trades conduct simultaneous operations coordinated around a central exercise scenario with on and off-the-water components.

“The purpose of this exercise was to provide real-life experience-based training and development for our sailors in a safe and secure learning environment, both on land and at sea,” Lt(N) Foster said.

The training also enhanced the collaboration between the Navy and Army, as over 100 sailors and Maritime Forces Pacific (MARPAC) members trained alongside the 39 and 41 Canadian Brigades.

Petty Officer First Class (PO1) Matthew Luipasco, Recruiter at HMCS Tecumseh and the Exercise Coxswain, said exercises such as these greatly enhance the skills of Canadian sailors.

“We can employ members in exciting real-world training while also offering them time to experience the world class city of Vancouver. The work-life balance of events like these are second to none,” he said.

PO1 Luipasco said the exercise went well.

“We could employ members in their specific occupations in a meaningful, real-world scenario that encompassed different layers of both operational and tactical planning and execution,” he said.

The next SBEX will grow larger and more complex, with aircraft from the Royal Canadian Air Force and the Canadian Army and Royal Canadian Navy assets.

“This will add yet another layer of real world experience to our training,” he said.

A unique aspect of this year’s exercise included cooperation between Intelligence Operations and Public Affairs Operations for operational training in the information and maritime environment.

“In addition to the logistical concerns, there were significant preparations to try to generate a real-life training scenario and experience for our sailors,” he said.

Lt(N) Foster said the training’s Food Services and Logistics aspect also went smoothly. 

“Our cooks did an outstanding job both with their training and development, but also in feeding all those sailors over the exercise. It was a great morale booster!” he said.