Whitehorse carries out joint exercises with US Coast Guard

By Lookout on Mar 01, 2016 with Comments 0

HMCS Whitehorse conducts a hoist exercise with a United States Coast Guard (USCG) SH60 Jayhawk helicopter near Mary Island, Alaska, on Feb. 18, while the USCG Ship Liberty sailed in formation.

SLt Eric Mullen, HMCS Whitehorse ~

In the early morning hours on Feb. 18, HMCS Whitehorse sailed into Alaskan waters and conducted a series of exercises in order to enhance interoperability with the United States Coast Guard Cutter (USCGC) Liberty. The two vessels manoeuvred in formation until an American SH-60 Seahawk helicopter from Coast Guard District 17 arrived to conduct a series of helicopter hoists.

For Whitehorse and Liberty, a large portion of their manoeuvring was towing exercises. Both crews had opportunities to learn the technically precise nature of the procedures and what is involved in working together to achieve operational effectiveness. The same can be said for the air crew of the SH-60 while practicing helicopter hoists.

Since interoperability requires both the sharing of knowledge and the forging of relationships, both ships also set time aside to exchange sailors for the afternoon. Guests enjoyed lunch and a tour of their host ship, and met with their professional counterparts. In addition, the crew of Whitehorse prepared a care package of baked good for the helicopter crew to enjoy.

The last time Whitehorse cooperated with the USCG was during Operation Caribbe in October 2015. En route to the operating area, Whitehorse led ships from the United States Navy, the USCG, and the Secretaría de Marina in a Passage Exercise, which is any number of naval exercises grouped together and executed while transiting to and from locations. This exercise, just like the one completed this month, helps to promote interoperability and give our ships the training to be able to seamlessly integrate with naval partners.

Over the coming weeks, Whitehorse will continue its maritime security patrol along Canada’s west coast before returning to home port in Esquimalt in early March.