West Coast Navy still sailing

Taking part in exercise with USN--I wonder why they don't seem to have the same money problems as their East Coast counterparts. And I wonder if our national media will report this exercise.

Canadian warships will practice hunting and evading submarines in a training exercise off the Hawaiian coast from January 29 to February 16, 2007. The three-week exercise, designed to train prospective U.S. submarine Commanding and Executive Officers, provides the Canadian Navy with a dynamic and challenging opportunity to further develop its capabilities, with an emphasis on anti-submarine warfare (ASW).

With more than 40 countries operating submarines worldwide, the Commander of the Canadian Pacific Fleet, Commodore Bruce Donaldson, says participating in the exercise will benefit both Canada and our allies alike. “Training in anti-submarine warfare is essential if we are to retain the ability to control our own waters and to operate elsewhere in the world safely and effectively in support of Canadian Forces operations and objectives,” he said. “Our participation in this exercise will provide us with a high level of training at the unit and command team level which is extremely valuable in the development and refinement of Canadian procedures and tactics.”..

HMC Ships Algonquin and Vancouver [see IROQUOIS and HALIFAX classes] will participate in the exercise, each equipped with a CH-124 Sea King helicopter from 443 Maritime Helicopter Squadron at Patricia Bay. Also, a CP-140 Aurora long range Maritime Patrol Aircraft from 407 Maritime Patrol Squadron at CFB Comox will complete the Canadian Task Group. United States Navy participants will include three U.S. fast-attack submarines as well as U.S. Ships Chafee and Reuben James.