Maritime Forces Pacific is hosting a two-week international training event starting Monday in multiple locations around Vancouver Island, marking the first time Mexico has taken part in a Canadian-led naval exercise.
Exercise Trident Fury will continue through June 29, and areas of focus will include Esquimalt Harbour and Constance Bank. The public can expect to see increased military activity involving ships, aircraft and uniformed personnel.
The Royal Canadian Navy, Royal Canadian Air Force and both the United States and Mexico will take part. The foreign ships participating are Mexico’s Reformador-class frigate ARM (Armada de Mexico) Benito Juarez, and American ships Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS John Paul Jones and U.S. Coast Guard cutter Terrapin.
All of the scenarios during the operation have been planned to ensure realism while maintaining the safety of those involved and the public, Maritime Forces Pacific said.
“Safety and security are of paramount importance, with every precaution taken to ensure as minimal an impact and footprint to local communities, First Nations and residents as possible,” Maritime Forces Pacific said. “Exercises are also guided by strict marine-mammal mitigation measures, which exist to limit acoustic impacts to marine mammals.”
Activities will be stopped if whales are seen nearby, it said.
There will be an increase in vessels entering and exiting Esquimalt Harbour, and sailing in the vicinity of Constance Bank. Among them will be Halifax-class, Harry DeWolf-class and Kingston-class ships.
Small-boats doing manoeuvres, diving operations and aircraft activity will be carried out.
Operations will also be carried out in the Strait of Juan de Fuca and along the Island’s west coast, and will include the use of airplanes, helicopters and uncrewed aircraft.
Around Ucluelet and western Barkley Sound, small boats with mounted weapons and armed personnel will both be firing blank ammunition.
There will be diving activity, ground patrols and use of uncrewed underwater vehicles.
There will be a “full spectrum” of air, land and sea tactical-warfare training, Maritime Forces Pacific said, including use of submarine HMCS Corner Brook.
