First 6 of 28 CH-148 Cyclones Delivered...sort of

Defence Minister Kenney announced the RCAF's acceptance of the first 6 CH-148 Cyclones in Halifax.
(Photo: Canadian Press)

The RCAF has officially accepted delivery of 6 of the ordered 28 CH-148 Cyclone helicopters, however they are not 100% operational. That will come with further upgrades as more aircraft are delivered. 

The next batch of helicopters will be delivered in 2018, but they too will not be 100% operational, that will not come until the final deliveries are expected in 2021. A full 10 years after the project was supposed to be complete. 

Reports released yesterday are now saying the RCAF is already worried about the amount of engine power the Cyclone is capable of producing. Stating that it produces less than the Operational Requirements called for in a replacement for the Seaking helicopters. Sikoski says the aircraft will be able to do more as upgrades become available. 

So, despite the fact that the RCAF now has 6 new helicopters in its inventory - many are left wondering, was the delivery of helicopters political? How could it not be - why accept helicopters that are not 100% operational to the requirements established in the contract? Oh right...there is an election in October. 

Fingers crossed the RCAF doesn't begin retiring the Seakings before the Cyclones are 100% operational, or SAR may take a hit in Canada. 

RCAF to start to receive CH-148 Cyclone

The government of Canada will announce Friday, June 19, 2015 at CFB Shearwater that the RCAF will begin to accept delivery of the CH-148 Cyclone helicopters built by Sikorsky.

Not all 28 helicopters will be delivered at once, and the delivery schedule has not been completely released. It is also important to note that those that are delivered will not be 100% functional - that will happen with upgrades to systems as other aircraft are delivered.

The CH-148 is set to replace the CH-124 Seaking Helicopter's that are retiring.

The entire project has been plagued by politics; started in 2004 by the Liberal government the project fell apart - and the Conservatives renegotiated with Sikosky, who paid penalties, has also agreed to a $115 Million for future upgrades. The Liberals remain attimant that the program fell apart under the watch of the Conservatives when they took power in 2006. The RCAF was supposed to take full delivery of the 28 CH-148 Cyclones by 2011. It is now 2015, and the first deliveries are taking place.

HMCS Goose Bay departs on mission to St. Laurence Sea Way

On June 15, 2015 - HMCS Goose Bay departed Halifax for a 5-week mission in the St. Laurence Sea Way.

The mission will focus on helping maintain a high level of crew readiness and proficiency in a large number of tasks. It will also provide a highly visible military presence in Canadian waters.

HMCS Goose Bay will also visit Sageunay, Quebec, the Port of Chicoutimi, support the Bagotville International Air Show, and stop in Montreal to represent the Royal Canadian Navy at Con Forza.

HMCS Goose Bay is crewed by both Regular and Reserve CAF members for this operation.

File photo: HMCS Goose Bay (707) 

HMCS Whitehorse Assists Pleasure craft off of B.C

Late last week, HMCS Whitehorse responded to a distress call from the Amora Mia, a 75-foot pleasure craft on June 10, 2015.

The Amora Mia was adrift without propulsion after a reported engine room fire. The four crew of the Amora Mia were brought aboard HMCS Whitehorse for safety reasons.

HMCS Whitehorse was conducting coastal operations, including surveillance off the coast of BC when it responded. The Joint Rescue Coordination Center (JRCC) Victoria was also included in the operation. HMCS Whitehorse towed Amora Mia to Port McNeill, where it was handed over to an inshore rescue boat.

CAF active in Belize

As of yesterday, the CAF is active in Belize, as part of Exercise TRADEWINDS-15 phase II. TRADEWINDS is a US led multinational exercise which takes place each year in the Caribbean. This years exercise started in St. Kitts & Nevis in May, and has moved to Belize for phase II, which began June 15, 2015 and runs to June 24, 2015.

The CAF's contribution includes both the Royal Canadian Navy and the Canadian Army; both of which are leading and participating in land, and sea-based training.

During phase II, HMCS Glace Bay will participate in a multinational task group, whose focus will be on practising tactics in tracking, intercepting and boarding suspect vessels.

A 14 member CAF dive team from Fleet Diving Unit (Atlantic) will be working with the Belize Coast Guard and the Mexican Navy in diving tactics. Teams will conduct hull search, bottom search and recovery, and practice evidence site contamination.

The Canadian Army has 37 members participating, mainly from 2nd Battalion 2 RCR, Gagetown. 17 members will be leading a live-fire range and a simulated Urban Operations training for members of the 17 participating nations involved in TRADEWINDS.

20 Infantry and 1 Medical Officer are participating in Jungle Training, which is being led by the Belize Defence Force. They will be learning navigation (while in a canopied terrain), and how to survive in a challenging environment. While 2 members are working in Command and Control mentorship in the Joint Operations Headquarters.
 
Information in this article is taken directly from a DND press release, put together by Captain Carrie Pluck, a Public Affairs Officer with the CAF.