Deployed Task Group - Canada
By LT Ben Martin and LT Vaughan Luckman
Bering Sea Transit
After sailing from Shanghai, TE KAHA took part in a tri-lateral exercise with two Japanese ships and the USS JOHN S MCCAIN during 29 May. Then, after leaving Incheon, ENDEAVOUR rejoined and our two Kiwi ships rendezvoused with HMAS NEWCASTLE for the transit across the North Pacific. With three ships in company we had opportunities for various exercises while our ships reached latitude 55º North [Campbell Island is 52ºS, as a comparison]. This was a record for our ships and we became the first RNZN ships to transit the Bering Sea.
We passed Dutch Harbour (made famous by the Discovery Channel ‘Deadliest Catch’ programme) and sailed through the Aleutian Islands chain (part of Alaska). The task group then transited the Unimak Passage, between the Aleutian chain and the Alaskan peninsula. At 2200 on 7 June we had a fantastic sight of the sun slowly setting behind the snowy mountains of Alaska.
On 8 June, nearing Canadian waters, the Anzac task group was joined by the JMSDF destroyer AKEBONO to conduct exercise PACIFIC BRIDGE.
Our Canadian Experience
Over the period 9 – 14 June 2010 the Canadian Pacific fleet celebrated the Canadian Navy’s 100th Anniversary (an earlier, similar, naval occasion had been held by the Atlantic fleet at Halifax, Nova Scotia, for Canada’s NATO allies).
TE KAHA and ENDEAVOUR arrived in Esquimalt, British Columbia, on 9 June, to take part in the International Fleet Review. Both ships berthed outboard of HMCS OTTAWA, a Halifax-class frigate. Esquimalt is very similar to Devonport, hospitable people with friendly faces. Also in port for the IFR were several USN ships, the AKEBONO, a French ship and the US Coast Guard. With all the ships attending, over 8000 sailors were in port.
The Fleet Review week included:
- a uniform day (with all ‘liberty sailors’ proceeding ashore in uniform)
- a number of hosted functions
- a “Navy Rocks” music concert (which had an unexpected payoff in Seattle)
- firework displays
- a sports day (7’s rugby being the highlight for us).
And we enjoyed the Parade of Nations through central Victoria City (the main city 5 km from Esquimalt Naval Base). The number of spectators lining the street to see the parade was staggering. As our combined Task Group platoon paraded we were greeted with cheers and constant calls of “Go Kiwis”—this was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience for those on parade. Our platoon responded at the end with a rousing Navy Haka, which brought the house down! And to cap it off, our platoon featured on the front page of the local papers.
The International Fleet Review
All ships left Esquimalt on 12 June, to anchor in Royal Roads. Reviewed by the Governor General of Canada, the Right Honourable Michaelle Jean, this was a magnificent sight with 22 ships from the Australian, French, United States, Canadian, and New Zealand Navies, the Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force, and the US and Canadian Coast Guards manned and cheered ship.
ENDEAVOUR and TE KAHA were allocated anchorages in the center of the formation, flanked by the USS RONALD REAGAN, USS SAMSON, USS CHOSIN, JDS AKEBONO & FS PRARIAL. Photographer Chris Sattler, onboard one of the reviewing ships, judged the New Zealand ships to be the best presented and loudest—a feat all the more impressive when considering that the aircraft carrier, USS RONALD REAGAN, had some 5000 personnel on deck to cheer ship! The Fleet Review concluded with a spectacular air display.
The Canadians made us Kiwis feel very welcome. Throughout the port visit one of the most common sayings was ‘this reminds me so much of home’. Being in a town with a similar climate, scenery, and friendly people helped the New Zealand crews feel right at home.
For the Canadian Navy the week also reclaimed some of their naval identity. In 1968 the Canadian armed services combined (controversially, at the time) to become the Canadian Forces. The Executive Curl was removed from all naval officer’s uniforms, dropping a link to their Royal Navy origins. In a ceremony attended by our Chief of Navy, and our two COs, the Executive Curl was returned to the Canadian naval uniform.
The IFR week concluded with a sports day, then the ships from the other navies headed off, many to Hawaii for the major RIMPAC exercise. Our New Zealand Task Group began our trade and diplomatic support role and headed for North Vancouver.
North Vancouver, 14-19 June
Following the International Fleet Review, Rear Admiral Parr and our Defence Adviser in Canada, GPCAPT J A V Shaw RNZAF, embarked in TE KAHA for the passage from Esquimalt to North Vancouver, along our CF liaison officer, LT (N) S. Shearer, who was attached to the ships for this visit. We berthed at Burrard Pier, across the harbour from the Vancouver CBD. Once ENDEAVOUR was alongside, CN went aboard to hold a clear lower deck, where he was welcomed by an impressive whole-ship haka.
Our Vancouver port visit marked the start of the ‘NZ Inc’ stage of the deployment—the focus shifted from naval exercises to providing support to New Zealand business and diplomatic interests abroad. Staff from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, our High Commission and the Consul General’s office all played a large part in developing our programme. As well our Defence Adviser had also worked hard to ensure that our military interests were looked after.
The first Official Call was on his Worship the Mayor of Nth Vancouver, Mr Darrell Mussatto. That call and others were returned by our two COs co-hosting a luncheon in ENDEAVOUR for CN, the Mayor, and the Commander of the local Royal Canadian Mounted Police. The business lunches included:
- One hosted by the two ships’ Supply Officers and Ms Claire Eeles (NZTE) for guests representing food and liquor companies from the British Columbia region
- Another, a Head of Department luncheon, for a dozen guests representing manufacturing firms and trade companies.
Hosting these lunches in ENDEAVOUR and TE KAHA gave a New Zealand platform for our diplomatic and trade staff to sell the ‘Kiwi brand’.
The reception, hosted on TE KAHA, had 134 guests ranging from the local representative for Hamilton Jets, to politicians and senior Canadian naval officers. New Zealand food and wine was on show thanks to our hard-working chefs and stewards. The combined ships’ Kapa Haka group earned an emotional reception from our guests. Speeches were made CDR Williams, the Mayor of North Vancouver and our High Commissioner His Excellency Mr Andrew Needs. A modified Ceremonial Sunset was conducted to close a highly successful evening. Our Consulate staff appreciated the sophistication of the event.
On Friday 18 June, ENDEAVOUR sailed early (to allow time for some main engine maintenance) but four of their sailors remained in TE KAHA to play in the RNZN vs British Columbia Bears international rugby match. At 1600 our rugby teams, a social team, a female team and the ‘First XV’, played against three invitational sides. There was a high level of rugby played; however, we did not win any of the matches. A tired but happy group of spectators and players returned later that night.
Ship Open to Visitors. About 1200 came aboard and TE KAHA impressed with her general upkeep. Our visitors appreciated the knowledge of the tour guides.
A large number of ship’s company had visited the nearby Grouse and Cyprus mountains, as well as the Whistler mountain resort. The mountains were not open for skiing, but a few intrepid souls braved the extreme downhill mountain biking tracks! In Vancouver there was Stanley Park, and the University of British Colombia. The city is still thriving on the after math of the winter Olympics held in early 2010.
LCO Charlie Gallagher said that Canada stood out as one of the friendliest countries she had ever visited, and that she really loved the laid-back attitude of the locals. SLT Scott Ward was impressed with the hospitality, especially from HMCS OTTAWA, which hosted several functions despite being in a refit.
Early on 19 June TE KAHA sailed for the 12 hour passage to Seattle, after a successful and very enjoyable port visit. The beauty of Vancouver, with scenery similar to New Zealand but more ‘compressed’ and it would be a fair assessment that North Vancouver can be considered the outdoor activity capital of the world.
Overall, the visit to Canada was very productive as many positive military and civilian contacts were made and the ‘Kiwi brand’ furthered. We were well received and we are all volunteers to attend the Canadian Navy’s 125th!
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