Article content

The Canadian Forces successfully participated in the multinational Exercise Tradewinds, which took place in the Caribbean from June 1 to 25, according to a news release from the DND.

More from the release:

The CAF contributed both maritime and land assets, in a training and support role, to this year’s exercise. Exercise Tradewinds 2014 involved ships, aircraft and personnel from 16 nations, including: Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, Canada, Dominica, the Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Netherlands (Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard), St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago and the U.S.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Canadian Forces wraps up participation in Exercise Tradewinds Back to video

Quick Facts

· Exercise Tradewinds is a U.S.-led ground security and interagency exercise focussed on countering transnational organized crime and practicing humanitarian and disaster relief in order to promote regional security cooperation.

· Canada’s maritime contribution to Exercise Tradewinds 14 consisted of one Maritime Coastal Defence Vessel (HMCS Summerside), with a crew of 40 who participated in and lead maritime training exercises, as well as a 13-member Diver Training Team from Fleet Diving Unit (Atlantic) who provided training to the defence forces and constabularies of participating nations.

· The Canadian Army provided 17 Combat arms instructors from 5 Canadian Division, as well as one medic and a contingent commander for a total of 19 Canadian Army members based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. In partnership with the U.S. Armed Forces, the Canadian Army helped build and co-lead the training as well as participated in the following events:

o Build and conduct a firing range;

o Security training to combat threats to national security, and protect off-shore installations; and

o Urban training for national emergencies, search and rescue operations, natural and other disaster control and core military police skills.

· Exercise Tradewinds provides an important opportunity for the Canadian Armed Forces to strengthen defence support between partner nations for civilian government-led disaster response efforts. Multinational exercises like Tradewinds develop skills and procedures that enhance interoperability, readiness, crisis response capabilities, and communications between partner nations.