Vanguard Magazine

8 AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2020 www.vanguardcanada.com S Sit REP A significant milestone was reached on July 31, 2020, for Canada's Na- tional Shipbuilding Strategy. The Royal Canadian Navy received its first new Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ship (AOPS) – Her Majesty's Canadian Ship (HMCS) Harry DeWolf. This is the first of a class of six AOPS that is named in honour of VAdm Harry DeWolf, a Canadian wartime naval hero. As a native of Bedford, Nova Scotia, VAdm DeWolf was decorated for outstanding service throughout his naval career, which included wartime command of HMCS St. Laurent from 1939-40, and later, his 1943-44 com- mand of HMCS Haida, known as the "Fightingest Ship in the RCN." On July 31, at the CFB Halifax Dockyard, Irving Shipbuilding Inc., the shipbuilder, officially delivered HCMS Harry DeWolf to Canada and the RCN. During the ceremony, VAdm Art MacDonald, Commander of the RCN, signed to officially receive the ship from Irving Shipbuilding. "This is a historic day for our 2,000 shipbuilders and Halifax Shipyard, as we successfully delivered the first-in-class HMCS Harry DeWolf, the lead vessel in Canada's next-generation fleet," said Kevin McCoy, Presi- dent, Irving Shipbuilding Inc. "This brand-new class of Arctic and Offshore Canada receives first new Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ship – HMCS Harry DeWolf Patrol Vessels is the most modern in Canadian history and will provide de- cades of outstanding service for the men and women of the Royal Cana- dian Navy. We are immensely proud to be building these ships in Canada and with Canada's best shipbuilders right here in Nova Scotia." AOPS is designed specifically to patrol Canada's offshore waters and northernmost regions and will form the core of an enhanced Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Arctic presence. These vessels will add to the capa- bilities of current and future warships through critical reconnaissance and surveillance activities. These ships are outfitted with modern ac- commodations and facilities that will significantly improve the comfort and quality of life for its crew. The 6,615-tonne vessel is comprised of 440,000 parts (the engine is one part only) and is the most modern and the largest vessel ever built in Canada in a combat package. It is also the largest naval ship to be built in Canada in more than five decades. According to a news release, this delivery marks an exciting new chap- ter in Canada's long and proud naval history and has resulted in creating hundreds of new jobs for Canadians. "This milestone is important for our homegrown defence industry, for the Royal Canadian Navy, and for the protection of Canada. Every single worker at Irving has done incredible work to deliver these impressive ships to the Royal Canadian Navy," said Harjit Sajjan, Minister of National Defence. "Thank you for everything you do to empower our people in uni- form with the equipment and support they need to protect Canada, at home and abroad." The HMCS Harry DeWolf will remain docked at the CFB Halifax Dockyard while the RCN conducts its post-acceptance trials and training, including operations near Newfoundland and Labrador. Once this post-acceptance work is complete, the ship will undergo a formal commissioning ceremo- ny in summer 2021, which will mark that it has officially entered into ac- tive naval service, followed by an Arctic deployment. Three other AOPS are under construction: the future HMCS Margaret Brooke, the future HMCS Max Bernays, and the future HMCS William Hall. Construction of the fifth and sixth ships is expected to begin in 2021 and 2022, respectively. CAF completes COVID-19 airlift support for the UN On July 31, the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) concluded their airlift sup- port efforts to the United Nations (UN) for COVID-19. For about nine days from July 23 to 31, the CAF delivered more than 82,500 kg of vital COVID-19 related supplies to Honduras, Trinidad and Tobago, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Guatemala, and Barbados. During this time, Air Detachment-Panama (composed of one CC-177 Globemaster III, crew, and logistics support personnel) operated out of Panamá Pacífico International Airport for about 40 hours in the air in completing these important deliveries across the region. "As part of the government's continued efforts to support the interna- tional response to COVID-19, Canada answered the United Nations' call to help to maintain vital supply chains to vulnerable countries," said Harjit S.Sajjan, Minister of National Defence. "Delivering urgently needed medi- cal and humanitarian supplies, at the request of the United Nations, to our partners in Latin America and the Caribbean illustrates our govern- ment's commitment to help to stop the spread of COVID-19. As needs con- tinue to evolve, Canada will remain flexible in its response." The CAF worked closely with regional partners on Operation GLOBE to deliver critical humanitarian supplies on behalf of the World Food Pro- gramme and World Health Organization, as requested by the UN. "All members of Air Detachment-Panama are very proud to have the opportunity to conduct missions like Operation GLOBE," said LCol Adam Pentney, Commander Air Detachment-Panama. "Working alongside the World Food Programme, leveraging their hub in Panama, has allowed us to effectively plan and execute COVID-19 relief efforts in the region. It is very rewarding knowing that we are helping to deliver these much- needed supplies." Thirty-one members from 429 Transport Squadron based at 8 Wing Trenton, Ont., as well as, operational support members from 2 Wing Bagotville, Que., were involved in this mission. The HMCS Harry DeWolf being moved from Halifax Shipyard to the NJ Jetty at CFB Halifax Dockyard. Image: Irving Shipbuilding Inc.

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