RCN iAOR M/V Asterix Refuels Two US Navy Vessels

By: David Pugliese, Defence Watch

MV Asterix, accompanying Royal Canadian Navy ships, replenished two US Navy vessels at the same time in the North Atlantic this week. The USN ships are USS Bainbridge and USS Mitscher. Davie, the shipyard that converted the Asterix into a resupply vessel, released photos of the event. See photo below:



The refueling operation comes the same week Vice Admiral Mark Norman’s case is back in court. Norman is charged by the RCMP with one count of breach of trust. The police force alleges Norman released information that the Trudeau government wanted to derail the Asterix project. That information eventually found its way into the news media, forcing the Liberal government to back away from its plan.

Norman says he did nothing wrong and he looks forward to proving his innocence.

HMCS Chinoutimi Celebrates Achievements in the Asia-Pacific Region

By Darlene Blakeley, The Maple Leaf 

Her Majesty’s Canadian Submarine (HMCS) Chicoutimi has piled up a lot of firsts on its lengthy deployment to the Asia-Pacific region.

HMCS Chicoutimi sails with ships of the U.S. Navy and the Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force during ANNUALEX.

It’s the first time a Victoria-class submarine has deployed from the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) to the region; been deployed for so long – nearly 200 days; participated in the previously bilateral ANNUALEX with the U.S. Navy (USN) and the Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF); and made port visits to Yokosuka and Sasebo, Japan and Guam.

“Normally we have to take a submarine out of the water to change batteries, but this time we were able to do it safely in the water thanks to the expertise of Fleet Maintenance Facility Cape Breton.” — Captain (Navy) Chris Robinson

It’s also the first time a Victoria-class submarine has undertaken a large-scale deployed maintenance activity conducted by personnel from Maritime Forces Pacific (MARPAC) and Fleet Maintenance Facility Cape Breton (FMFCB) in Japanese ports – all while Super Typhoon Lan raged around them.

“It has been a phenomenally successful deployment,” says Captain (Navy) Chris Robinson, Commander of the Canadian Submarine Force.

HMCS Chicoutimi, under the command of Commander Stephane Ouellet, left its home base in Esquimalt, B.C., in early September last year. Its simply stated mission was to “support Canada’s global engagement strategy through strategic partnerships, port visits and operational interactions.”

But it has been anything but simple. Over the course of several months, Chicoutimi conducted intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; carried out seven interactions with the USN, JMSDF, the French Navy, the Royal Air Force and the Royal Australian Air Force; operated with more than 20 surface ships and 50 aircraft; and conducted more than 180 hours of submarine-on-submarine engagements.

The success of this hectic tempo is a testament to the crew, according to Capt(N) Robinson, who says they worked hard and overcame challenges prior to deploying. In particular he mentions the unexpected swapping out of the submarine’s main battery last May.

“The battery, the lifeblood of a submarine, was functioning below performance specifications,” Capt(N) Robinson explains. “Normally we have to take a submarine out of the water to change batteries, but this time we were able to do it safely in the water thanks to the expertise of Fleet Maintenance Facility Cape Breton. It enabled us to get back to work much more quickly.”

One of the highlights of Chicoutimi’s tour has been the ability to gain a greater understanding of the challenges facing the deployment of a Victoria-class submarine to a distant, strategically important area.

“We had very complex logistic and maintenance arrangements with partner nations that we navigated throughout the deployment,” says Capt(N) Robinson. “We gained a much better understanding within the RCN of the multi-faceted logistical arrangements needed when supporting a deployed submarine.”

Successful routine maintenance was carried out in Japanese ports, with USN support. More than 30 personnel from FMFCB conducted over 1,800 hours of maintenance in eight days. Additionally, there was a month-long maintenance period in Guam, the first deployed submarine short-work period ever conducted by MARPAC and FMFCB. During this time significant repairs were made to fridge and hydraulic plants, diesel engines and motor generators.

Capt(N) Robinson is quick to praise both FMFCB and a deployed joint logistic coordination cell from Esquimalt.

“They provided stellar support in moving both parts and people,” he says. “They also overcame significant challenges in moving military gear in and out of Japan. This has enabled us to learn valuable lessons for future deployed submarine work periods.”

Capt(N) Robinson says one of the most rewarding aspects of the deployment has been building relationships with both the USN and the JMSDF.

“These strategic partnerships are built on trust and experience working together in major ways,” he says.

Chicoutimi developed increased interoperability with the USN’s Seventh Fleet and forged strong bonds with the JMSDF. For the first time a Canadian submarine participated in ANNUALEX, normally a bilateral exercise between the USN and JMSDF. It is carried out every year in the Southern Sea of Japan to practise and evaluate the coordination, procedures and interoperability elements required to effectively respond to the defence of Japan or to a regional contingency in the Indo-Asia-Pacific.

“This was a major achievement and a real manifestation of Canada’s defence policy ‘Strong, Secure, Engaged’,” Capt(N) Robinson explains. “It represents a clear indication of the RCN’s commitment to peace and security in the region, and shows that our navy is fully engaged and able to project sea power far from Canada’s shores.”

Chicoutimi’s prowess did not go unnoticed by the USN. “Chicoutimi has provided exceptional support for the 7F (Seventh Fleet) team during the past few months and I sincerely appreciate all of the work to make its deployment happen. Hopefully 2018 will bring even more,” says Vice-Admiral Phillip Sawyer, Commander of the Seventh Fleet.

Over the course of this historic deployment, the 59 crew members have been exceptionally busy. They have been able to qualify 50 per cent of new submarine crew and progress several higher level qualifications, all while conducting operations.

“Through it all the crew has been enthusiastic and morale has been very good,” says Capt(N) Robinson. “The families back home have also been incredibly supportive of this long deployment.”

Unlike surface ships, submarines have no way to communicate with family and friends while submerged, except through coded “familygrams” once a week.

“This is always a challenge,” says Capt(N) Robinson. “There is no phone and no internet while the boat is under water.”

During port visits communications can take place as usual, and families can also get information through the Military Family Resource Centre in Esquimalt.

As Chicoutimi arrives home, crew members are looking ahead to some time off before the submarine continues operations later this year.

“They can take great pride in knowing that they have contributed to maritime peace and good order abroad by patrolling, building strategic relationships and interacting with our partner nations,” says Capt(N) Robinson. “It has been an exceptional deployment on so many levels.”

New U.S. Warship trapped in Montreal by heavy ice

The Canadian Press

MONTREAL -- A newly commissioned Navy warship will be wintering in Montreal after its journey to Florida was interrupted by cold and ice.

The USS Little Rock moored in Montreal Harbor, December 2017. 

A Navy spokeswoman says the USS Little Rock was commissioned in Buffalo on Dec. 16 and was expected to make its way to its home port in Mayport, Fla.

Instead, the 118-metre Freedom-variant vessel has been moored in Montreal since Christmas Eve due to unusually heavy ice conditions.

Lt. Cmdr. Courtney Hillson says the Navy has now decided to leave the ship in place until the winter weather improves.

While there's no departure date scheduled, she says the St. Lawrence Seaway is generally navigable by mid-March.

Hillson says the crew are doing well and will focus on training and readiness while they wait to travel to warmer waters. The USS Little Rock is a Freedom-class littoral combat ship (LCS) of the United States Navy. The LCS designed for service in warmer climates. The USS Little Rock was to serve in Florida and the Gulf of Mexico for the duration of its career. 

Canada to Join US and Korea in Naval Exercise

The Korean Herald

South Korea said Monday it will hold a combined live-fire naval exercise with the United States and Canada this week in its southern waters.

Hosted by South Korea's Maritime Task Flotilla Seven, the three-day training exercise will be staged in waters near Jeju Island from Friday, according to the Navy.

It will involve five South Korean warships, including the Aegis cruiser DDG-992 Yulgok Yii, P-3C Orion maritime surveillance aircraft and Lynx multi-role planes as well as the USS Dewey (DDG-105), an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer from the US Navy, and MH-60R helicopters.

Two major Canadian frigates -- Winnipeg and Ottawa -- and SH-3 choppers will also take part in the practice.

The three sides plan to hold various drills on interdiction, air defense, anti-submarine operations and ballistic missile detection, along with live-fire training, said the Navy.

Even through Canada participated in the 1950-53 Korean War to help the South fight against the invading North, it's unusual for Canadian warships to join South Korea-US naval drills here.

"The joint exercise is expected to serve as an opportunity to improve our navy's combined operational capability and promote friendly relations with the US and Canada," said Rear Adm. Kim Jeong-su, the commander of the MTF 7.

The Canadian naval ships are in Asia on the occasion of the nation's 150th anniversary of the Confederation for numerous opportunities to exercise with regional partner navies at sea and make port calls. (Yonhap)

US Navy Grounds all F/A-18 Super Hornets

By: David Pugliese, The Ottawa Citizen 

The U.S. Navy temporarily grounded all its Super Hornet fighter jets — the same type of plane Canada intends to purchase — after aircrew were injured in an incident last week.

A pilot and an electronic warfare officer were taken to hospital Friday after something went wrong with the canopy of their jet just before it was to take off from the naval station at Whidbey Island, Wash., some 220 kilometres south of Vancouver.

The two-seater aircraft involved was an E/A-18G, an electronic warfare plane that is a variant of the Super Hornet.

The U.S. Navy is not releasing details about the incident, but as a safety precaution it suspended flight operations for its Boeing Super Hornets and for its Boeing EA-18/G Growler jets, which are a variant of the Super Hornet.

The Liberal government intends to buy 18 of the Super Hornets as what they describe as a stop-gap measure to augment Canada’s aging fleet of CF-18 fighter jets, a measure defence minister Harjit Sajjan says is needed so Canada can fulfill its various military obligations. A competition to replace the entire CF-18 fleet will be held years later.

A search-and-resuce helicopter airlifted the pilot and the electronic warfare officer to Seattle on Friday, where they were admitted to hospital.

“We are working closely with the Navy to assist in the investigation, and our thoughts are with the aircrew and their families,” Boeing said in a statement Monday.

On Monday the U.S. Navy issued a directive that the planes have now been approved for future flight operations once individual squadrons put in place new safety and emergency measures. Some media reports, citing the navy’s safety centre, noted the closed canopy of the aircraft “exploded on flight line during normal operations.”

An investigation into the incident identified a number of different issues that likely contributed to the accident, the navy stated, but it did not provide details.



Conservative defence critic James Bezan has questioned the Super Hornet deal and the Liberal government’s claim the CF-18s need urgently to be replaced, pointing out they can operate effectively until 2025. The “Liberal suggestions that our fighters are literally on their last legs is patently false,” he added.

In June, Postmedia reported that the U.S. Navy was also trying to deal with an increase in the number of pilots reporting oxygen problems while flying Super Hornets. The problem has become so severe that a U.S. navy spokesman said it is the force’s top safety priority.

The problems with oxygen loss and depressurization, which first came to light in February, when a U.S. congressional subcommittee raised the issue. The U.S. military has since revealed that there have been dozens of “physiological episodes” since 2010 — with the rate increasing in recent years.

The issue has afflicted the U.S. Navy’s Super Hornets and its older F-18 Hornets, which are similar to Canada’s CF-18s, at an almost equal rate. While it’s believed the problem on the older planes relates to their advanced age, the issue with the newer Super Hornets is believed to be with their onboard oxygen system.

Testifying before the congressional subcommittee in February, Rear-Admiral Michael Manazir said trying to pinpoint the exact the source of the problem in the oxygen system was like “chasing a ghost.”

“We can’t figure out … whether there was a smaller oxygen content than we needed or a carbon monoxide event or poison in the gas (or) something that came off of a bearing so you’re breathing toxic air.”

Symptoms associated with hypoxia, or loss of oxygen to the body’s tissues, come on gradually. Rather than passing out right away, pilots will often feel dizzy or confused at first, as if they are drunk, before losing consciousness. That has raised fears that pilots might not recognize signs of hypoxia until it’s too late.

Canadian Army Buying UAVs from US Navy

The Government of Canada has announced that it is buying an existing unmanned aerial surveillance system, through a government-to-government contractual arrangement (U.S. Foreign Military Sales program) with the U.S. Government. The contract, which is valued at US$14.2 million, includes initial training.

“The Blackjack aerial surveillance system will provide the Canadian Armed Forces with modern, sophisticated technology that will give commanders the situational awareness they need to conduct missions effectively," said Dedfence Minister Sajjan. "We are pleased to work cooperatively with the U.S. government and the U.S. Navy to bring this leading-edge technology to Canada.”

The RQ-21A Blackjack is a small unmanned aircraft that will provide the Canadian Army with persistent, real-time intelligence through aerial surveillance and reconnaissance. It is a critical component of the Land Force Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance program. The system will be used for surveillance purposes only and will offer imagery and communication capabilities to help give soldiers an operational advantage in all environments. It will allow Army commanders to immediately identify threats, to take time sensitive decisions, and to respond quickly.

Canada is the first foreign military to acquire the system from the U.S. Navy. The system includes five unmanned aircraft, two ground control stations and one launch and recovery system. Each aircraft is capable of providing surveillance coverage of over 100 km for over 12 hours.

The Blackjack is produced by Boeing Insitu, based in Bingen, Washington. Once delivered to the Canadian Army in 2017, the system will be based out of Canadian Forces Base Gagetown and operated by the 4th Artillery Regiment (General Support).

•The Canadian Armed Forces requires rapid access to relevant information about the environment in civil or military situations, and only a family of unmanned aircraft vehicles can meet the diverse intelligence demands of a modern battlefield.
•The RQ-21A Blackjack is a runway independent system that can carry multiple payloads, which makes it a flexible, multi-mission platform that could be used on foreign operations, and that could be called upon by the government to support domestic operations such as a G8 Summit or even a natural disaster.
•The system was procured through the U.S. Foreign Military Sales program with the U.S. Government.

Window Slowly Closing on Availability of Super-Hornet

By: David Pugliese, Defence Watch

The Liberals promised that if elected they would begin an immediate competition to purchase a replacement aircraft for the CF-18 fighter jet.

Public Services and Procurement Canada has created a new office to oversee that purchase. But there hasn’t been a lot of movement on the file. Instead, work is proceeding on the modernization program to keep the CF-18s flying until 2025.

Boeing’s Super Hornet is seen as a top contender if and when the Canadian government actually begins the process to replace the CF-18.

But with the Canadian procurement system notoriously slow, can Boeing hold out the years (potentially) it will take before Canada is ready to award a contract? The issue, according to defence analysts, is the lack of new orders for Super Hornets and whether Boeing can keep its production line going until Canada is ready to purchase a new fighter.

As it searches for more customers, the company has slowed Super Hornet production to just two aircraft per month in hopes additional orders will extend production into the 2020s, reports my former Defense News colleague Marcus Weisgerber (Marcus is now global business editor at Defense One).

Boeing Super-Hornet Assembly plant, 2008. Boeing is currently just producing 2 aircraft per month. Without new orders, Boeing plans to end production in 2018. Something Canada needs to consider when choosing a new fighter; the availability of spare parts. (Photo: Boeing) 

The U.S. has already purchased more Super Hornets and EA-18G Growlers (the electronic attack versions of the Super Hornet) for the U.S Navy.

But without new orders, Super Hornet and Growler production would end in 2018, Dan Gillian, the Boeing vice president who oversees both aircraft, told Weisgerber.

There are potential orders in the wings. Kuwait wants to buy 28 aircraft but the Obama administration has yet to approve the deal. The U.S. Navy wants at least 30 more Super Hornets but so far money has been made available for only two.

Boeing sees the Kuwait deal as a key bridge to keeping the Super Hornet line open and potentially receiving an order from Canada, noted Weisgerber.

HMCS Chicoutimi, HMCS Vancouver and HMCS Calgary Part of TGEX

In the waters of Southern California, the Royal Canadian Navy has three active vessels partaking in the US Navy's Task Group Exercise.

Victoria-Class Submarine HMCS Chicoutimi; and Halifax-Class HMCS Vancouver, and HMCS Calgary  are all taking part.  The exercise started on October 20, 2015.

The CAF is limited in what it can say about this exercise because it still considers itself in the “election/writ period” until a new government is sworn in on Nov. 4, according to military and DND officials. (This policy is designed so that statements from federal departments or organizations don’t influence the outcome of the Oct. 19 federal election. Canadian military and DND officials were at a loss to explain how this exercise would affect an election that has already happened).

Therefore, US Navy released this statement from RCN Cmdr. Julian Elbourne, commanding officer of Calgary:

“The Royal Canadian Navy frequently participates in training exercises such as this with the U.S. in order to provide mutually beneficial realistic and relevant training which is necessary for the proper integration of units from various nations to work as a cohesive task group.” \

U.S. Navy participation includes Commander, Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 3, Commander, Amphibious Squadron (CPR) 1, amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4), amphibious transport dock ship USS New Orleans (LPD 18), and dock landing ship USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49).

“We are excited to have the opportunity to work with the Royal Canadian Navy,” Capt. Keith Moore, CPR 1, currently embarked on Boxer, said in a statement. “Operating with our [Canadian] counterparts during this exercise will facilitate a quicker and smoother integration into the coalition environment during our upcoming deployment.”

HMCS Chicoutimi docked, during part of TGEX-2015. Photo: NavalToday.com 

The U.S. 3rd Fleet exercise serves to train units in amphibious warfare, air defense, anti-submarine warfare, surface warfare, and maritime interdiction operations, while also building a strong working relationship between the maritime forces of the U.S. and Canada.

The U.S. and Canada regularly participate in exercises together, the most recent being Pacific Partnership and Trident Fury.

Major Drug Bust for HMCS Goose Bay and HMCS Shawinigan

DND released today that HMCS Goose Bay and HMCS Shawinigan, had a major drug bust on March 1 2015 while patrolling the Caribbean Sea as part of Op CARIBEE 2015. They are supporting US Navy and US Coast Guard in the operation.

On March 1 2015, HMCS Goose Bay and HMCS Shawinigan helped USS Kauffman conduct an initial search of a suspected vessel. Goose Bay then conducted an additional inspection. With reason to believe there were narcotics on-board, a third search was completed by USCG Law Enforcement with the support of both Goose Bay  and Shawinigan. 

The result of the search was a seizire of 1017kg of cocaine. The crew of the vessel were taken into custody on-board the USS Kauffman. The entire operation lasted more than 36 hours.

This marks the first narcotics interception by the Royal Canadian Navy during the Op CARIBEE 2015.

HMCS Goose Bay off the coast of Norfolk, Virginia in June 2010. Photo: CF Combat Camera Cpl. Rick Ayer

HMCS Toronto to receive US Navy Meritorious Unit Award

HMCS Toronto after returning from OP REASSURANCE in Jan 2015. Photo: CF Combat Camera, L/S Dan Bard. 

The top US Navy Admiral will present a US Navy Meritorious Unit Award to HMCS Toronto on February 20 2015.

Admiral Johnathan Greenert, will present the award to HMCS Toronto in Halifax, Nova Scotia on the 20th.

A Non-US naval force receiving this US Navy decoration is a rarity, and this marks only the 5th time such an instance has occurred in the past 45 years.

HMCS Toronto was part of Combined Task Force (CTF) 150, and provided continued support to the US lead operation in disrupting the flow of drugs, criminal activity, and terrorist activities in the US Central Command Area of responsibility.

Among the long list of accomplishments during HMCS Toronto's deployment which began back in February 2013, was seizing 6 caches of illegals drugs, including 1300 kilograms of heroin and 6 tons of hasish.

Original News Release:
http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=85661

Updated: RCN Seeks Supply Vessel Lease

Originally Published Feb 15, 2015
Updated: May 24, 2015

So with Canada's plan for a new fleet of Navy Vessels still on the drawing board, while more and more of its ships are forced into retirement, including the last of its supply vessels earlier this year, Canada will not have to lease the missing pieces it requires to operate the Royal Canadian Navy efficiently. The replacement fleet will not be ready until 2021 at the earliest.

The Government of Canada will look at domestic or international companies to lease commercial vessels that can act as resupply ships so the RCN can resupply warships at sea.

Originally the government intended to purchase surplus US Navy ships but that is likely no longer an option based on the cost and the low availability of the surplus ships.

There are specific requirements the commercial supply ships must meet - but the most important according to DND is that they must be able to refuel vessels at sea and moving.

The US Navy has kindly offered assistance, and the RCN is working to better coordinate the movement of its ships to be within US Supply range when needed - but that convenience also has a cost. Just think of the increased cost of goods when you visit a convenience store.

This solution is limited, because the RCN is not always operating within range of the US ships, and then must put the burden on other Allies in the region.

The Navy will not operate these leased vessels, they would be run by commercial crews, but with Navy personnel managing the communications equipment and the refuelling/restocking systems.

Canada has selected the German Navy's Berlin-class design for its new supply ships, which as more than 20,000 tons and 600 feet long. They will carry two helicopters and medical facilities, but they will not be complete until 2020 and not operational until 2021.

UPDATE:
On Friday May 22, 2015, DND released hints that the Government of Canada will most likely announce this coming week that they are seeking commercial ships to fill the void left by HMCS Preserver  and HMCS Protecteur. The commercial tanker ships will require modification to fit the needs of the Royal Canadian Navy - a process that will be expedited by removing equipment that is still usable (and parts are still available) from the two retired supply ships.

The lease or purchase of two commercial ships would allow for the Navy to at least be refuelled at sea - something that it currently is relying on its Allies in deployment regions for. Naval supply ships allows a Navy to operate for upwards of six months without heading into a port for supplies and fuel. It also helps ships when working out of a battle group, or in a region of the world where allied ports are unavailable.

The Conservative government is taking heat over its "Made in Canada" rebuild of the Navy. While the process will create jobs, it will also likely run over budget and be delayed. This is because there is no large ship building firms in Canada. No corporate memory for such projects. Critics point to the United Kingdom who are acquiring four commercial supply ships for the Royal Navy from South Korea - at a much cheaper cost than the Queenston-Class ships Canada is planning on building. (And they are getting four vessels not three as planned in Canada)

Norway is planning a similar purchase. The release states that several companies have already come forward with options for the Navy's supply vessel problem.



Original Source: Defence News