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Joint Task Force Pacific Hosts International Meeting

Joint Task Force Pacific and CFB Esquimalt’s Warfare Training Division is hosting the Pacific North West Tactical Data Link Working Group in Esquimalt on December 7-8.  The group of military and other government officials will meet to discuss the way ahead for Tactical Data Link, a system that provides a real-time warfare picture that can be shared among fighting units.  

Canada has acquired new capabilities from a system known as Link 16, which creates a data link between fighter jets, ships, deployed army air defence units and command and control facilities. The command picture generated by Link 16 benefits commanders by providing a real-time awareness of the battle space and allows them to concentrate forces or surveillance when and where it is required.  

“This new wireless network is complex and requires significant planning, coordination and de-confliction to optimize its capabilities.  That is why we are meeting,” said Petty Officer, 1st Class Sid Tobias, a Joint Interface Control Officer with the Warfare Training Division of the Canadian Forces Fleet School in Esquimalt. “Our Tribal Class destroyers have participated in this network for several years and within the next few years Canadian CF-18s, Tactical Radar Squadrons, Army Air Defence Units, and Canadian Patrol Frigates will join the growing network of U.S., NATO, and international partners.”

“Given the geographic proximity of many tactical data link capable players, we must seek innovative solutions to continuously increase our capacity to work together in support of each country’s defence mission and combined operations such as NORAD” says Chief Petty Officer, 2nd Class Guy Audet of Joint Task Force Pacific. “We must train the way we intend to fight.”

The two-day meeting will foster an environment for discussions and sharing of information. Any challenges or issues will be referred to appropriate national, joint and combined decision making organizations that will facilitate a model of continuous improvement.

“We are making the best of a fortunate set of circumstances.  We share significant equipment capability and a desire to improve performance,” stated Senior Chief Steve Faltysek, U.S. Third Fleet Naval Liaison Officer at Western Air Defence.  “Emerging technologies always present challenges best solved when we work together.  It is good to see that this meeting is well attended by representatives from both Canada and the United States.”