By Lookout on Apr 08, 2019 with Comments 0

Lt(N) Adam Ness, HMCS Regina ~

HMCS Regina has transited the Indian Ocean and is now supporting Operation Artemis, Canada’s contribution to Combined Task Force 150, which is responsible for tracking, boarding, and interdicting the trade of narcotics and other illegal cargo being smuggled around the African coast and Middle East.

A few weeks ago, Regina conducted a multi-element training with the embarked CH-148 Cyclone helicopter (call sign Bronco), the embedded Naval Tactical Operations Group (NTOG), and all levels of the ship’s defensive capabilities in one combined “day of awesome warfare gunnery”, otherwise known as Operation Big “DAWG”.

These types of serials are common within the Royal Canadian Navy to ensure proficiency and maintain the ship’s combat readiness. This serial was unique as it was the first time all the deployed assets onboard Regina were used in one large layered defence exercise against a single threat: a remote-controlled target called a Hammerhead simulating a fast inshore attack craft.

The day was broken down into three phases; the first being to train the bridge teams in warning operations and the use of force under the direction of NTOG. They trained in distance appreciation, the use of the bridge warning organization, and the employment of .50 calibre heavy machine gun warning shots against a fast craft threat.

The second phase was the use of the Cyclone and its C-6 machine gun to deter and conduct more warning shots against the threat.

The third and final phase was the biggest event of the day; the use of Regina’s main armament, the 57mm gun, to engage and ultimately stop the inbound threat.

During the final run, the Hammerhead once again began to close the ship. The bridge issued warnings, yet it continued to close; this is when the 57mm gun fired at the Hammerhead.

As the target continued to close the ship, the 57mm gun engaged it again. If this was not a training serial, the Fast Inshore Attack Craft would have been stopped by this point; however, for the exercise it continued to close the ship and Regina’s layered defence continued. Once it reached 500 yards, the NTOG team and the underway force protection component prosecuted the threat from the upper decks with small arms along with the bridge .50 calibre heavy machine gun teams.

Finally disabled and bullet-ridden, the Hammerhead slowly sunk, allowing members of NTOG, the ship’s .50 cal teams and Bronco to use the opportunity for extra target practice. The serial finally ended when the Hammerhead slipped beneath the waves.

Ultimately, the day was a resounding success and validated the skills of all personnel involved onboard the ship. This intricate training serial re-affirmed Regina’s unofficial motto of “Three Three Four, Ready for War”, proving that the ship and crew is ready for their mission.