Monday November 30, 2020 Volume 54, Issue 24 www.tridentnewspaper.com Around the Rock Members of HMCS Harry DeWolf operate Multi Role Rescue Boats in Conception Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador, on November 18, 2020. Harry DeWolf recently departed Halifax for a proficiency sail, and the ship has since circumnavigated Newfoundland, worked alongside the 5th Canadian Ranger Patrol Group, and continued tests and trials of new capabilities. CPL DAVID VELDMAN, CAF PHOTO 2 TRIDENT NEWS NOVEMBER 30, 2020 Op CARIBBE during COVID-19 By Lt Sheila Tham, Op CARIBBE PAO I am a Public Affairs Officer and measures prior to sailing along with package was passed with an instruc- ment and Miami was my first port have spent my five-year career split undergoing a COVID-19 test prior tion: “sanitize the box,” “leave on the visit. Despite the disappointment of between the Air Force and the Army. to departure. The same conditions fo’c’sle,” “wipe down each package,” not being able to visit Miami, I didn’t I was asked to deploy with the Royal were given to the United States Coast “discard the box,” repeated as each hear a single complaint as we sailed Canadian Navy on Op CARIBBE and Guard (USCG) Law Enforcement De- person passed to the next. Once the away. In fact, one member of the crew decided it would round out my experi- tachment (LEDET) participants who ship was resupplied it was considered told me that this port visit was better ence. I had heard the slogan “join the were picked up in Miami, Florida. secure and most of the crew was able because we were all able to spend Navy, see the world” and, given the Due to these precautions, members to relax – change out of uniforms and time together, get to know each other global pandemic, have spent most of were not required to wear masks open the bar. better, and build some team cohesion. 2020 at home with the urge to travel. It while at sea or adhere to physical Keeping spirits up I’ll report back on what they’re think- sounded like the perfect opportunity to distancing. Normally, sailors would Since we weren’t allowed off the ing after a few more weeks at sea. learn about the Navy and head to the be able to take some time off in port ship in Miami for our first port visit Op CARIBBE is Canada’s contribu- tropics. This is my first impression of cities to explore. Staying onboard of the deployment, and for any future tion to U.S. Enhanced Counternarcot- sailing and the reality of operational the ship fostered a sense of camara- port visits, the Captain hosted a sun- ics Operations under U.S. Joint Inter- travel during COVID-19. derie amongst the crew as we were downer on the back of the ship, the agency Task Force South (JIATFS). required to socialize with each other sweep deck, where the crew watched The intent is to conduct international HMCS Summerside departed instead of going our separate ways in Miami locals on jet skis and yachts. detection, monitoring, and interdic- Halifax on October 26, 2020 headed a port city. However, it was evident A few party boats passed with loud tion of illicit trafficking in the Carib- for the Caribbean Sea as part of Op that many of the crew felt that they music but it wasn’t long before the bean Sea and off the Pacific coast of CARIBBE. Canada often conducts were missing out by being so close to volume in Summerside drowned out Central America. To make this hap- multiple iterations of Op CARIBBE in civilization and yet so far. any noise of passing boats. Coinciden- pen, Canadian ships embark a Law a year - the last deployment was with The closest we got to mingling with tally, it was Halloween night and we Enforcement Detachment from the HMC Ships Nanaimo and Whitehorse the locals was during resupply. Only were hosting our own costume party, United States Coast Guard (USCG). earlier this year. On March 18, 2020, the Physician Assistant, Executive cheering on those brave and creative The synchronization of capabilities Maritime Component Command or- Officer, and Chief Cook were allowed enough to don a costume. There was between the Royal Canadian Navy dered that HMC Ships Nanaimo and on the jetty to screen the supplies ar- even modified trick-or-treating as and USCG enables greater success Whitehorse cease activities under Op riving, dressed in non-medical masks some of the crew came onboard with in reducing drug trafficking while CARIBBE and return to Canada earli- and gloves and required to wash their bags of candy and chocolate to pass strengthening international interop- er than planned due to the worldwide boots and utilize hand sanitizer be- out. erability. spread of COVID-19. The deployment fore returning to the ship. The rest of After two days alongside, the crew Canada has been conducting Op of Summerside is the first Op CA- available personnel mustered on the was rested, ready to sail to the Carib- CARIBBE since 2006 and the CAF RIBBE deployment since, and came fo’c’sle) at a sanitizing station wear- bean Sea for operations, and inte- has contributed to the disruption or with myriad new considerations and ing gloves. Personnel who formed a grate with the LEDET that was now seizure of approximately 105 metric precautions to ensure the safety of chain on the brow wore non-medical onboard. The time alongside was dif- tonnes of cocaine and more than 6.7 personnel. masks and gloves to pass packages up ferent than usual - so I hear, anyway. tonnes of marijuana The members of Summerside were to the members on the fo’c’sle. Each Op CARIBBE is my first Navy deploy- required to adhere to self-isolation Royal Canadian Navy members pass supplies onboard HMCS Summerside in Mi- A Royal Canadian Navy member prepares for departure from Miami, Florida on ami, Florida during Op CARIBBE on November 2, 2020. HMCS Summerside during Op CARIBBE on November 2, 2020. Image has been digitally altered for operations security purposes. Image has been digitally altered for operations security purposes. LT SHEILA THAM, PAO LT SHEILA THAM, PAO TRIDENT NEWS NOVEMBER 30, 2020 3 A CH-149 Cormorant helicopter lowers a Search and Rescue Technician aboard HMCS Harry DeWolf on November 18. CPL DAVID VELDMAN, CAF PHOTO HMCS Harry DeWolf trials new capabilities at sea By Ryan Melanson, Trident Staff HMCS Harry DeWolf sailed under contributing to Canada’s maritime Work will continue through the al security and stability, and are also Royal Canadian Navy Command for domain awareness while also gaining spring, building toward a commis- equipped to respond to humanitarian, the first time in early October 2020, and proficiency with the new platform. sioning ceremony for HMCS Harry emergency response and disaster relief has since been at sea regularly, with “We’re providing sovereignty DeWolf in the summer of 2021, and a situations, both at home and abroad. the crew conducting training, testing through presence in Canada’s domestic subsequent deployment on Operation In addition to the impressive modern and trials on the new vessel. waterways. As we encountered aircraft NANOOK, Canada’s premier annual operational capabilities, HMCS Harry The work is part of a normal process and surface vessels, we identified them, northern operation. DeWolf and the rest of the class are to incrementally test Harry DeWolf tied their broadcasted information Increasing the RCN’s capabilities designed to meet the needs of a mod- and its systems, and as sailors gain with their registry and compared our in the north is one of the key features ern Navy and benefit the well-being of experience with this first-of-class ship, own recognized maritime domain of the Harry-DeWolf class, and HMCS sailors, with individual crew accommo- they’re also making an immediate picture with our maritime command Harry DeWolf and its sister ships will dations, gender-inclusive washrooms, impact on RCN business, explains the component ashore,” he said, noting the be at the core of an enhanced Canadian and flexible common spaces that allow ship’s commanding officer. ship is also ready to respond as a back- Arctic presence over the coming years. for quiet and privacy to observe vari- “Tests and trials can be a limit- up search and rescue asset locally. The thick-hulled ships can sail in up ous religious or cultural practices. ing description. The ship is in naval Through the remainder of the fall to 120 centimetres of first-year sea ice, Cdr Gleason said he and his team service, and it has been since July 31, and winter, Harry DeWolf will conduct and come with ample space for helicop- were proud to take the ship to sea for 2020,” said Commander Corey Gleason, both cold-weather and warm-weather ters, small vehicles and cargo contain- the first time, and that pride only con- referencing the official date Harry trials as it continues building opera- ers, which are particularly useful when tinues to build as they put the platform DeWolf was delivered to the Depart- tional capability – the ship will work operating in remote regions. The ships to work. ment of National Defence this past with Cyclone helicopters and PUMA will also be available to support other “My crew and I have worked tireless- summer. That delivery was followed by unmanned aerial vehicles, trial its government agencies like the Canadian ly to become subject matter experts in an initial alongside work period before main 25 millimetre gun, and continue Coast Guard.