Navy Reservists demonstrate small-boat capability to their Army brethren

Mission Complete: Army and Navy Reservists line the jetty at Albert Head following the at-sea move from HMCS Malahat in downtown Victoria to the training area during Exercise Strong Mariner May 22. Photo by Capt Jeff Manney, 39 CBG Public Affairs

Capt Jeff Manney, Public Affairs Officer, 39 Canadian Brigade Group ~

In a first since the onset of the COVID-19 crisis, Army and Navy Reservists of Land Task Force Vancouver Island combined forces May 22 for a critical proof-of-concept event.

Exercise Strong Mariner saw HMCS Malahat’s two Rigid-Hull Inflatable Boats convey soldiers with the Task Force’s Domestic Response Company (DRC) on a choppy but exhilarating 30-minute crossing from Malahat’s downtown Victoria location to Albert Head. The marine-to-land movement aimed to explore the unique capabilities of the DRC’s naval component.

“Across Vancouver Island there are literally thousands of islands with isolated populations that might require immediate assistance, but that could not be reached without our small boats,” said Lt(N) Stephen Holisko, commander of the DRC’s 4 Platoon. “This is what we’re good at – moving equipment, sustenance and people from point A to point B quickly, in a safe manner and with an economy of effort.”

This was the first action Lt(N) Holisko’s sailors had seen since the Chief of the Defence Staff directed the Canadian Armed Forces to “stay home, stay healthy and stay fit”. The DRC’s Army Reservists had recently chalked up a pair of convoy exercises, Strong Drive I and II, but were just as excited to get out of the house again.

“This is a great way to spend a day,” shouted Master Corporal Jesse Hunt through his improvised personal protective mask. “But it’s also a great experience. It’s rare enough we get to work with other trades let alone another element. This kind of face-to-face time is really beneficial.”

Like Lt(N) Holisko, MCpl Hunt thinks of the challenges in bringing aid to the far-flung corners of Vancouver Island should the government ask them to; corners where proficiency in convoy driving might not be enough.

“If we end up being deployed and inserted into a remote island, we don’t want to fumble through it,” he said. “This is the kind of thing we need to know how to do first time in, so working with the navy is critical.”

Back at Malahat, as sailors put another section of soldiers through a rigorous lesson on how to inspect their hazardous-duty life jackets, Lt(N) Holisko said he was looking forward to more operations with his DRC colleagues in green.

“I can’t tell you how excited we are to work with the Army. We don’t get the opportunity enough to put the ‘J’ in joint, but we are a joint task force. Confidence-builders like this will help ensure the Army and Navy can work together towards our common goals.

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