CAF collaboration enhances cadet sailing experience 

A/SLt Alexandre Khoury, 
MARPAC PA 

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A Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) CC-130H Hercules (CC-130H) from 442 Squadron in Comox flew near patrol craft training vessels as part of a small search-and-rescue exercise with sea cadets, a last-minute collaboration between the Royal Canadian Navy and RCAF. 

 

The day before the exercise, Lieutenant(N) (Lt(N)) Serge Sabourin, an experienced Naval Warfare Officer, Captain (Capt) Sebastien Lemire, a pilot, Lt(N) Konnor Brett, Officer in Charge (OIC) of one of the Orcas, and Lt(N) Derek Frank, Coordinating Officer at the Patrol Craft Training Unit quickly collaborated on a plan that would require the CC-130H to fly close to the Orcas during their exercise and drop search and rescue equipment for the sea cadets to go recover with the zodiac.

 

During the exercise, Capt Lemire from Comox 442 Squadron piloted the aircraft, as members of his crew practiced dropping emergency equipment to the Orca vessels.

 

“It was good training for the ones who are doing the drop in the back of the plane,” said Capt Lemire. “Overall, it was a very good exercise, and I was happy that we were able to organize it the day before with the crew of the two ships.”

 

Wolf 59 and Moose 62, both Orca-class vessels, were scheduled to sail with HMCS Quadra cadets to show them what life at sea is like aboard a ship. 

 

From driving the zodiac and recovering dropped equipment of the CC-130H to throwing handling lines, the cadets had the chance to experience and learn the basics of seamanship. Involved with a small crew on each vessel, they would act as lookout, helmsman and even had the chance to manoeuvre the ship taking orders from an OIC.   

 

Lt(N) Sabourin was the OIC of one of the patrol craft at sea. 

 

“The goal of that week was to allow the cadets to be involved as much as possible” said Lt(N) Sabourin. “They wanted to be there, and they did not want to leave after two and a half days; they wanted to stay on board and were hoping to sail again.”

 

Lt(N) Sabourin was really impressed by the appreciation of the sea cadets for the experience they had and practical knowledge they got to learn. “It was a nice interaction between the Royal Canadian Air Force and the Royal Canadian Navy to achieve a common goal and common purpose: to save lives and conduct a search-and-rescue exercise” he said. “The cadets were very helpful; they were eager to learn and to participate, and they wanted to be there.”