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.

US Coast Guard Meritorious Team Commendation awarded to CAF members

DND Press Release

By: Ashley Black

After an exceptional contribution to Exercise TRADEWINDS 2015, Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members have been recognized by the Commandant of the United States Coast Guard.

Members of the TRADEWINDS 2015 Maritime Team were awarded the US Coast Guard Meritorious Team Commendation for their support and participation in the US-led exercise that focuses on countering transnational organized crime in the Caribbean.A total of 64 Defence Team members were among the 160 recipients who were part of the overall TRADEWINDS 2015 Maritime Team, being recognized for showcasing the exercise’s potential within the framework of maritime operations.

LS Vanessa Conde Torres, Marine Engineering Systems Operator on HMCS Glace Bay, stabilizes a member of the US Coast Guard as he operates the fire hose at maximum power during Ex TRADEWINDS in St. Kitts and Nevis, June 2015.

“The TRADEWINDS 2015 Maritime Team distinguished themselves as true professionals and showcased the Coast Guard’s unique capabilities while expertly demonstrating how the service fits into the great US Joint and Combined force,” reads the official commendation citation.

Ex TRADEWINDS helps strengthen relationships of partner nations in North America and the Western Hemisphere. This annual exercise allows for Canadian and American forces to promote regional security co-operation by training and supporting regional nations in the Caribbean community.

A CAF contingent consisting of HMCS Glace Bay and a dive training team from Fleet Diving Unit (Atlantic) participated from May 31 to June 24, 2015, in the maritime portion of TRADEWINDS 15. Thirty-four members of the Canadian Army were also an integral part of the CAF contingent, leading and participating in land-based training serials for partner nations.CAF members assisted training regional partners in areas such as first aid, weapon usage, suspect vessel tracking and boarding procedures, group diving tactics, and live-fire ranges during the exercise.

Lieutenant-Commander Stephan Julien, former commanding officer of the Fleet Diving Unit (Atlantic), noted that much of the exercise’s success can be attributed to the enthusiasm of partner nations.

“Our partner nations were very professional and welcoming. They were very eager to learn new skills to enhance the knowledge that they already had. On the tactical side, the relationship is always great,” he said.

“When you analyze the area, you realize that the issue is not capability but capacity. Our goal is combatting transnational organized crime; we help build their regional security capacity so they can operate internally to deal with security issues. This is our long-term strategy,” said Clayton Purvis, the lead exercise planner on Ex TRADEWINDS.

This year, Exercise TRADEWINDS 2016 will continue to further the goal of helping partner nations in the Caribbean increase their capacity to operate independently and promote regional security. The upcoming exercise will run from June 5 to 28 in Grenada and Jamaica.