Griffons test their mettle in Wainwright

WAINWRIGHT, Alberta -- Imagine 19 CH-146 Griffon helicopters descending en masse and you have one of the events surrounding the Air Force contribution to Exercise RESOLUTE WARRIOR. It was the first major Army training exercise of the 21st Century, from April 7 to May 2 in Wainwright, Alberta.

Between 150 and 300 Air Force personnel – including Griffon aircrew, maintainers and support trades such as supply technicians, drivers, cooks, med aids, and orderly room clerks – participated in the Tactical Helicopter ( TAC Hel ) component of the exercise.

“It was my first real major exercise,” said Corporal Brad Hiscock, Flight Engineer with 408 Squadron, Edmonton. “It was interesting to see it all come together from the air.”

Major Robert Bayes, Deputy Commanding Officer, 408 Sqn, has been flying TAC Hel for 25 years and can’t recall an exercise of this size and scope ever before.

“It’s been a good exercise, a good opportunity to get this many aircraft together all in one location and get everyone involved in flying multi-plane missions which you don’t normally get to do”
The TAC Hel involvement included 408 Squadron and augmentees from other CH-146 Griffon squadrons.

Approximately 4,600 Canadian Forces soldiers participated in Exercise RESOLUTE WARRIOR. Fourteen combat and support units trained together in a multi-element combat environment in preparation for potential and upcoming high readiness tasks here and abroad.

This exercise was designed to confirm the skills and cohesion of the units involved and be similar to an actual deployment.

by Holly Bridges