HMCS Regina and Japanese Navy conduct KAEDEX 19-1 in South China Sea

HMCS Regina conducts manoeuvres with NRU Asterix and the Japenese military during Operation PROJECTION on June 13th. Photo by Japanese Image Technician. Edited by Corporal Stuart Evans, BORDEN Imaging Services

Lt(N) Vince Charlebois, HMCS Regina, UPAR ~

While sailing in support of OP Projection, HMCS Regina and NRU Asterix conducted a bilateral international cooperative exercise named KAEDEX 19-1 with the Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force Escort Flotilla 1 off the coast of Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam from June 13-15. This key international engagement included Japanese helicopter carrier JS Izumo, frigate JS Akebono and J.D. Samidaire destroyer JS Mursame.

The exercise was conducted in the South China Sea following a port visit to Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam, and kicked off with a photo exercise including all of the ships and two of their maritime helicopters.

Following this exercise, HMCS Regina’s Commanding Officer and Unit Public Affairs Representative conducted a helicopter transfer to JS Akebono. The ensuing discussion between Commanding Officers of both naval warships provided a chance to have a discussion regarding KAEDEX 19-1, and the operations of Japan and Canada in the region.

Training serials in KAEDEX 19-1 included an anti-submarine warfare exercise, tactical manoeuvres, replenishments at sea, and overnight screen exercises. A key training serial was tactical manoeuvres, which had a focus on interoperability and compared and contrasted the training conducted by both navies.

This enabled the teams to work together, deliver key reports to the other ships in a timely fashion, and execute effective training. The ease of cross-training demonstrated our military processes are aligned, leaving room for more interoperability in the future. Cross training with the Japanese Navy will allow us to foster cultural and institutional understanding by immersing sailors in the life of their shipmates onboard another navy’s ship.

Amidst the numerous exercises, HMCS Regina and JS Akebono conducted an exchange of personnel; two officers from each ship were given the opportunity to spend 24 hours on their partner ships.

During this time, sailors from both navies were given extensive guided tours of the ships, including their respective bridges, operations rooms and machinery control rooms. All exchange officers were immersed in the culture of their host ships and able to experience life in the shoes of their fellow sailors, increasing military and cultural ties between Canada and Japan.

This assisted the ships in increasing their comprehension, mutual insight and experiences which will assist the RCN in future bilateral engagements.

Due to the growing geopolitical importance of the Asia-Pacific Canada is enhancing its presence and defence engagements in the region.  In addition to challenging and developing our sailors by working with a foreign nation, KAEDEX 19-1 directly supports Canada’s national defence policy, Strong Secure and Engaged, by furthering our defence relations with a key regional partner like Japan. These exercises are also tangible demonstrations of Canada’s efforts to increase operational presence and capabilities in the Asia-Pacific region, and demonstrate Canada’s commitment to working with partner navies to contribute to the region’s security.