HMCS Vancouver represents Canada at Exercise Pacific Vanguard 2022

Naval ships from the Royal Canadian Navy, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, and Republic of Korea Navy sail in formation alongside HMA ships Sydney and Perth during Exercise Pacific Vanguard during a Regional Presence Deployment. Photo: LSIS David Cox.

Lt(N) Michelle Scott, 
HMCS Vancouver PAO

—

F or the first time since its inception in 2019, Exercise Pacific Vanguard saw the participation of a Royal Canadian Navy vessel, HMCS Vancouver.

“This exercise, while deployed on Operation Projection, proved to be an excellent chance to integrate with like-minded regional partners and hone our warfare skills before moving deeper into the Op Projection theatre of operations,” said Lieutenant (Navy) Sebastian Harper, HMCS Vancouver’s Operations Officer.

The Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force hosted the annual exercise off the coast of Guam from August 20-29. It was an opportunity for participating nations to strengthen their skills in maritime operations such as air and anti-submarine warfare. Other participating navies included Australia, the U.S., the Republic of Korea, and Japan.

During the week-long event, Vancouver conducted a live-fire exercise with its 57 mm gun and tested the skills of the Operations team in an anti-submarine warfare serial. Officer-of-the-Watch manoeuvres saw the Naval Communicators, Bridge Watchkeepers, and Helms Team working together to receive and decode tactical signals for advanced formations, and executing those close to five other ships.

Vancouver, fresh off its successful participation in Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2022, is operating in the Indo-Pacific region as part of its six-month deployment on Operation Projection, conducting forward naval presence operations and cooperative deployments. The ship will also support Operation Neon, Canada’s contribution to implementing United Nations Security Council sanctions against North Korea.

Pacific Vanguard is just one of many follow-on exercises Vancouver participates in throughout its deployment before an anticipated return to Esquimalt in December.