CAF Land and Maritime Assets Conclude Participation in Exercise TRADEWINDS-16

DND Press Release 

The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) successfully participated in Exercise Tradewinds 16, a multinational training event that took place in Grenada and Jamaica from June 5 to 28, 2016.

Canada’s contribution to this year’s exercise included the deployment of maritime and land assets to provide joint training alongside the United States, France, and the United Kingdom to military and security forces from 15 Caribbean and partner nations.

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 the short and long-term goals and objectives for future exercises. This session will help the CAF ensure that overall efforts geared towards assisting Caribbean partners are effectively meeting their needs.

Participation in Exercise Tradewinds also contributes to the operational readiness of the Canadian Armed Forces, allowing the CAF to meet the tasks assigned by the Government of Canada.

“The Canadian Armed Forces’ involvement in Exercise Tradewinds promotes the development of Caribbean defence partners and fosters our security and defence relationships with key allies in the western hemisphere. Canada’s participation promotes regional security cooperation, enabling partner nations to counter transnational crime and enhance humanitarian assistance disaster relief skills.” - Harjit S. Sajjan, Defence Minister

“Exercise Tradewinds 16 has culminated with our soldiers and sailors demonstrating yet again that they are among the finest in the world. Their contributions have enabled a successful iteration of Tradewinds and helped to lay the framework for future operations in the Caribbean region.” - Lieutenant-General Steve Bowes, Commander, Canadian Joint Operations Command

Belize. 18 June 2015 - Warrant Officer Jocelyn Roy from the Royal 22e Regiment, provides a shotgun demonstration for the soldiers from the Belize Defence Force and members of the United States Marine Corps participating in marksmanship shotgun training during phase II of Exercise TRADEWINDS 15. (Photo: Sgt Yannick Bédard, Canadian Forces Combat Camera)

Led by U.S. Southern Command, Exercise Tradewinds provides an opportunity for the Canadian Armed Forces to strengthen defence support between partner nations for civilian government-led disaster response efforts. Participation in the exercise also strengthens the defence capacity of regional partners to address threats to security and stability in the Caribbean.

The CAF contributed a Maritime Coastal Defence Vessel (Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship Shawinigan), an 11-member dive training team composed of personnel from Fleet Diving Unit (Atlantic) and Fleet Diving Unit (Pacific), and a land contingent of approximately 30 personnel, primarily from 1st Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, to this year’s exercise. 

In addition to the practical training, CAF elements were integrated with a Regional Assessment Team throughout Tradewinds 16 to provide expertise and feedback to participating Caribbean organizations. This team supported Caribbean participants in their efforts to better plan for, coordinate, and execute response to disasters as well as security and defence threats.

Tradewinds 16 marked the first operational activation of the CAF’s Operational Support Hub Latin America and Caribbean. The Hub served as the in-theatre support platform for CAF personnel participating in the largest component of the exercise in Jamaica. 

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.

CAF Contingent being sent to TRADEWINDS-16

Frontline Defence News

The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) will participate in Exercise Tradewinds 16, a United States-led multinational and interagency maritime interdiction, disaster response, and ground security exercise taking place in the Caribbean from June 5th to 28th.

“International exercises like Tradewinds enhance, maintain and build the defence relationships Canada has with partnering nations," said Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan. "Participation in collective security exercises is key to keeping Canada prepared to assist our friends and neighbours.”

As part of their contribution, the CAF is deploying both maritime and land assets in a training and support role to this year’s exercise, which involves ships, aircraft and personnel from 20 nations.

Multinational exercises like Tradewinds are important for developing skills and procedures that enhance interoperability, readiness, crisis response capabilities, and communications between partner nations.

“Our soldiers and sailors are among the best in the world and can easily integrate in multinational exercises," said Lieutenant-General Steve Bowes, Commander, Canadian Joint Operations Command. "Just as they are professional in their instruction and skill, they are also keen to learn from and exchange knowledge with our Caribbean partners and allies.”

Led by U.S. Southern Command, 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. Participation in the exercise also strengthens the defence capacity of regional partners to address threats to security and stability in the Caribbean.

Canadian Armed Forces personnel will both lead and participate in various land and maritime training serials throughout the duration of the exercise.

Additional personnel will also participate in an observer/trainer capacity to assist regional organizations in the evaluation of current plans, enabling the success of this year’s exercise and aiding in the development of future iterations.

The Royal Canadian Navy’s contribution to Exercise Tradewinds 16 will consist of one Maritime Coastal Defence Vessel (HMCS Shawinigan), with a crew of 40, as well as a diver training team from Fleet Diving Unit (Atlantic) and Fleet Diving Unit (Pacific). HMCS Shawinigan will focus on areas such as firefighting, suspect vessel tracking and boarding procedures, and weapons handling. The team of divers will lead training in areas including nighttime diving operations, hull search techniques and evidence site contamination prevention.

The Canadian Army will provide a contingent of approximately 30 personnel, primarily from The 1st Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, based in Edmonton, Alberta. In partnership with the U.S. Armed Forces and the Jamaica Defence Force, the Canadian Army helped design and will co-lead training in conducting a firing range, urban operations, command and control mentorship in a joint operational headquarters, and Counter-Illicit Trafficking.

Tradewinds 16 will mark the first operational activation of the Canadian Armed Forces’ Operational Support Hub (OSH) Latin America and the Caribbean. The Hub serves as the in-theatre support platform for CAF personnel participating in the largest component of the exercise, in Jamaica.

Fleet Diving Unit Atlantic conducts diver training in Jamaica as part of Exercise Tradewinds 16

National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces Press Release

The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Fleet Diving Unit Atlantic will conduct diver training for Caribbean partner nations from May 30 to June 18, 2016, as part of Canada’s participation in Exercise Tradewinds 16.

Hosted by the Caribbean Military Maritime Training Centre and run in Discovery Bay, Jamaica, the training involves instruction of select components of the Canadian Armed Forces Ship’s Team Diver Course. More comprehensive diver training will take place later in the exercise.

“Canada’s participation in Exercise Tradewinds 16 will enable members of the Canadian Armed Forces to share their knowledge and contribute to the development of new maritime standards being adopted by the Jamaican Defence Force and other Caribbean nations in a collaborative training environment.” Lieutenant-General Steve Bowes, Commander, Canadian Joint Operations Command

“This dive training will serve to enhance the skills of the Jamaican Defence Force and other Caribbean nations’ divers, thus increasing their overall interoperability. The training will allow students to apply their new-found skills and qualifications in an operational setting alongside their international partners.” Lieutenant-Commander William Barter, Commanding Officer, Fleet Diving Unit Atlantic

During previous Exercise Tradewinds, a specific requirement for modern dive training was identified in order to maximize Caribbean nation diver participation in more complex underwater operations. This requirement included systematic individual and team diving skills.

Developed to support Jamaica’s regional diver training school, the training will consist of basic diving theory and practical skills, dive physics, various underwater search techniques, sea floor recovery, and deep dive procedures. Training in dive medicine will also be provided to Jamaican Defence Force Medical Officers in advance of Exercise Tradewinds 16.

Exercise Tradewinds provides an important opportunity for the CAF to strengthen defence support between partner nations for civilian government-led disaster response efforts. Participation in the exercise also strengthens the defence capacity of regional partners to address threats to security and stability in the Caribbean.

Multinational exercises like Tradewinds develop skills and procedures that enhance interoperability, readiness, crisis response capabilities, and communications between partner nations.