SUMMERSIDE
Recent training exercises off Smmerside, involving Coast Guard and Coast Guard Auxiliary vessels and Department of National Defense aircraft, focused on maritime extraction drills, a Canadian Forces communications spokesman confirmed.
Coast Guard vessels Cap Nord and Dudka were utilized as part of the training. DND and police forces personnel participated in a separate Coast Guard training exercise. There were also four auxiliary coast guard vessels from Pinette, Georgetown, Beach Point and Naufrage used at different intervals during the exercise.
Two CH-149 Cormorant helicopters from CFB Greenwood deployed out of Summerside for the training. DND pilots, flight engineers and Search and Rescue technicians participated. Different hoisting techniques were practiced.
Coast Guard and its auxiliary members benefit from training with DND personnel, observing the challenges that can arise in certain weather and seas conditions and they get to practice operating their vessels in the significant downwash produced by the helicopter, Captain Matt Zalot explained.
For the 413 Squadron, Zalot explained, aircrews get to practice skills ands techniques while being exposed to vessels not normally seen in training but frequently seen during operations such as during the winter lobster season. Some crew members also got the opportunity to experience the exercise from the vessels’ point of view.
