2006 News

By Capt Rhonda Klassen (with files from The Trident Newspaper)

October was an intense month for 11 CH-124 Sea King helicopter pilots who received tactical flight training from 403 Helicopter Operations Training Squadron pilots at CFB Gagetown in preparation for deployment with the Standing Contingency Force (SCF) Integrated Tactical Effects Experiment (ITEE).  ITEE took place between November 7 and 20 and involved a naval task group, an air expeditionary unit, a landing force, mentors from the US Navy and Marine Corps, and advisors on amphibious manoeuvres.

Changing international security environments mean Canada must be prepared to deploy rapid reaction forces. As such, exercises such as the ITEE, which took place along the Eastern Seaboard, are vital for defining what the roles, missions and force structure of such a rapid reaction force might be as well as to define the capabilities needed to support the concept.

The ITEE provided an excellent opportunity for the Canadian Forces to better understand what it would take to build an integrated, high-readiness, seaborne and sea-based joint expeditionary force that can defend the nation's interest.

Four Sea Kings, normally ship-borne helicopters with a primary mandate to search for and destroy submarines, were modified for carrying troops and cargo.  During the experiment they were employed in tactical roles that included troop transport, low-level overland flight and formation flights. As the Centre of Excellence for tactical aircrew operational training, 403 (Hel) OTS rose to the challenge of providing timely, quality instruction to ensure that Sea King pilots were prepared for their new tasking.

After completing a distance learning package and the ground school portion of 403 (Hel) OTS' Tactical First Officer (TFO) Course, Sea King pilots were instructed on low-level flying, tactical formation flying and overland navigation techniques.

Although the skills required for operating at sea vary significantly from those required to operate tactically over land, Sea King personnel were enthusiastic and pleased with their new training.

"We received applicable, relevant training that was a good introduction to the overland environment, which we haven't operated in," said Captain Kirk Baltussen, 12 Wing A3 Standards Pilot, who attended the course to validate the training received by Shearwater. "403 Squadron provided excellent instructors and alot of positive training for our crews which are deploying in support of the the exercise."

After spending many hours creating lesson plans and training profiles, 403 (Hel) OTS' Instructor Pilot Captain Syd Turner found the course to be interesting and enlightening.

"It was a good eye-opener," said Captain Turner.  "It enabled us to understand the role of other fleets and bridge the gap between our different operations. There was a steep learning curve.  It must have been very challenging to absorb so much material in such a short period of time. The students did very well and overall I really enjoyed the experience."

Cmdre Paul Maddison, Commander of the SCF described the SCF as "one of the truly exciting pieces that has emerged with CF transformation." As he and his team have progressed toward this point, culminating in the ITEE, Cmdre Maddison stated  "the joint staff-the Army, Air and Naval officers and senior NCOs that are working together as one team-have learned a great deal about one another and have learned to appreciate what each service brings to the table, in a much better way than we had before."

Stalk and Strike!

Capt Rhonda Klassen is a 403 (Hel) OTS Unit Information Officer

(Photo by Master Corporal Bob Earl, 403 (Hel) OTS)