Vanguard Magazine

www.vanguardcanada.com FEBRUARY/MARCH 2021 35 aRCTiC cluding weather patterns, currents, tides, wildlife as well as where hunters and gath- erers would generally go to. Should a fish- erman or hunter be reported as missing, the CCGA unit would be able to conduct a more efficient initial search while other SAR assets are being deployed. They pro- vide a very valuable addition to the local marine SAR capability. In terms of technology, one of the more recent developments has been the ability to receive and track Automatic Identifi- cation System signals (AIS) from space. This technology allows a marine unit in distress to transmit a signal that will in- clude the position of the vessel using an Automatic Identification System SAR transmitter. Knowing the exact position of a vessel in distress greatly simplifies the deployment of assets to the scene. In SAR incidents, accurate information is extremely important. Knowing exactly where a vessel is, as well as the number and severity of personal injuries, etc. al- lows for a more effective execution of the search and the rescue. The AIS signals will also help identify other vessels nearby that could provide assistance. It will allow for a better coordination of the SAR efforts. Beginning in 2021 the Royal Canadian Navy will start deploying its new Arctic Offshore Patrol Ships of the Harry De- wolf class to the Canadian Arctic. Those ships are equipped with a helicopter as well as a rigid inflatable boat. They will be a major addition to the Coast Guard's existing search and rescue capability. In the realm of enhanced Canadian SAR capability, Canada has recently purchased a new fleet of search and rescue aircraft to replace the aging CC-115 Buffalo aircraft which were first delivered in 1964. The new Airbus C295W, called Kingfisher, is equipped with the latest fully integrated search technology. It includes the L3 Wescam with an electro-optic and infra- red cameras, the Elta search radar, two satellite communications suites, and night vision goggle compatible with a heads-up display with an integrated Enhanced Vi- sion System. The combination of these systems will make the aircraft extremely efficient at locating personnel and vehi- cles in almost any weather conditions, es- pecially against the colder background of the Arctic. The aircraft is capable of low speed in the search mode and good transit speed to the search area. Its agility, long- range and modern search equipment will substantially enhance Canada's northern SAR capabilities. Lastly, Transport Canada is in the pro- cess of acquiring a long-range drone for its National Aerial Surveillance Program. The drone will be equipped with ad- vanced sensors that will provide the JRCC an additional option to support a search if the drone happens to be in reach of the search area. The sum of increased assets and the new sophisticated systems being deployed now and in the coming years will significantly increase the effectiveness of search and rescue operations in the Arctic. At 17, Pierre joined the Canadian Forces and attended the Collège militaire royal de Saint-Jean in 1967. Aer graduating, he joined the Royal 22e Régiment (In- fantry) and saw service in a number of countries including England, Germany (NATO), Cyprus (peace keeping), India and Nepal (Defence Adviser). He com- manded 1 Commando and the Infantry School, and held senior staff appoint- ments in the National Defence Headquar- ters (NDHQ). In 1995, he took command of Canadian Forces Northern Area (Yukon, Nunavut and Northwest Territories), where he served until his retirement in 2000. Pierre provides independent advice on Arc- tic security and sovereignty matters. He was the Commander of the now Joint Task Force North for five years. He spent more than nine years in the Arctic where he travelled extensively including Alaska and Greenland. He has been an advocate for improved secu- rity in the Arctic since 1998. Pierre has also provided several defence related companies with support in their pursuit of Arctic op- portunities. He has published several articles on Arctic security and sovereignty. For more, visit www.arcticsecurity.ca.

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