Exercising ties with Canada

CMDR Peter Quinn, left, with RADM Forcier and CDRE Perry beneath the bow of HMAS Sydney, which is now undergoing a $200 million upgrade at Garden Island in Sydney.

Photo: ABPH Nina Nikolin

RIMPAC was a cornerstone in the development of interoperability between navies, the Commander Maritime Forces for Canada, RADM Jean-Yves Forcier, said in Sydney last week.

His nation regarded the multi-national exercise as having great importance, he said.

His remarks came during a visit to Australia and New Zealand in late May and early June and were made just weeks before thousands of Defence members from many nations gather off Hawaii for RIMPAC 04.

“We will send a destroyer, frigate and coastal defence vessel to RIMPAC,” RADM Forcier told Navy News. “About 500 personnel will be involved.

“Sea Kings will be embarked and the Canadian Air Force will send some P-3s,” he said.

The Canadian Navy is in a period of exciting change with all its Oberon class submarines pensioned off and three of four former RN Upholder class diesel electric submarines delivered.

“One has been transferred to the Western Fleet and is in ‘first of class’ trials,” RADM Forcier said.

The name of the class of vessel has been changed from Upholder to Victoria class, he said. RADM Forcier flew to Australia from New Zealand and on Monday, May 31, met senior staff at Maritime Headquarters in Sydney.

He then was escorted by the Deputy Maritime Commander, CDRE Nigel Perry, and Commanding Officer, CMDR Martin Brooker, for a dockside viewing of HMAS Manoora, now in drydock.

The Rear Admiral and Commodore then went to HMAS Sydney where her Commanding Officer, CMDR Peter Quinn, told of the $200 million upgrade to the FFG.

The previous weekend the silos for her Evolved Sea Sparrow missiles had been lowered into place.

RADM Forcier was accompanied by Dr James Boutilier (special adviser to CMFC), CAPT Rick Town (Canadian Defence Advisor) and LEUT Richard Trembinski (Flag Officer).

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