Now I Can Tell You.

Its been a couple of days so I think it safe to tell you the real reason we were out here. We were down off the coast of North Virgina just south of Norlfolk with a specific purpose. In earlier posts I indicated that American ships were with us but I left out the name and class of one. The USS Gungston Hall. The Gungston Hall is an amphibious assault vessle.

USS Gungston Hall is seen here with a Canadian Sea King over her deck.

The Canadian government had borrowed this boat and filled it with Vandoos. (Royal 22nd Regiment) from Quebec. They made an assault on LeJune beach on the 18th with the use of 3 Seakings from HMCS Athabaskan, Halifax, and Preserver and 2 LCU's launched from USS Gunston Hall. During the exercise Athabaskan and Halifax provided a screen against small fast moving boats and and aircraft that were launched from the shore.

LCU enroute to LeJune Beach filled with Vandoos

This is the first time Canada has practiced amphibious assaults in about 30 years and represents a change in thinking of the upper echelon. Just the fact that they are practicing this evelution is a very positive thing. Rumours also have it that if things go well DND is considering purchasing 2 ships of the same class as Gungston Hall. But that is just a rumor.

Beyond that I have a couple of extra pictures here to post. They aren't really related to what was going on but I think they are kinda interesting.

One is a picture of an American Ticondaroga class crusier The other is a picture of our Sea King on deck doing a hot fueling.

Thats all for now. Stay tuned more to come.

Pictures

Unfortunately I'm not able to actually see the pictures I'm uploading. So I'll describe what is here. One of the pictures is of HMCS Halifax with its Sea King over the flight deck. Another is of the American Oliver Hazzard Perry class destroyer USS Doyle. Finally is a picture of the boat that was the centre of our rescue while bobbing at sea.

I do have better images of the boat, but I neglected to bring my editing software and I will post some of them once I get back home and edit the footage.

As for what else is going on out here... We did boarding exercises today with the USS Doyle, I would have taken some pictures of that but I was working. Other than that right now not a whole lot is going on. However things will be gettin more interesting. Stay tuned.

Remeberance Day

Today the padre lead a Rememberance Day ceremony on the flight deck. It was well done and I think everyone appretiated it.

Things are pretty quiet today, and the weather is calm if time allows this evening I will be publishing my pictures during the long first. We have a RAS coming up with the tanker some time this evening so that will cut into my time but I will do what I can.

There are still some interesting things scheduled for this trip so stay tuned, I'll keep you updated.

We made the news!

This is an article that ran in the KW Record today.

Canadian warship makes risky, high-seas rescue

HALIFAX (Nov 10, 2006)
A Canadian destroyer made a complicated rescue yesterday after a yacht with three people aboard lost its sail in high seas and heavy winds off the U.S. coast.
Capt. Harry Harsch said he used a Zodiac from HMCS Athabaskan to ferry the passengers from the boat as it bobbed in five-metre swells about 360 kilometres southeast of Yarmouth, N.S.

Back to the task group

A bit of an update; we were racing south to assist another boat but we didn't have to go all the way. Turns out there was a merchantman near by and they were able to get everybody off of the boat safely.

Now we are headed south to meet up with the task group we sailed with originally and should be there some time today. We are going to be doing some neat stuff down here so when its all over with I'll post the pictures and video.

The weather has calmed down a bit so I should be able to finalize the pictures for publishing within the 24 hours. Stay tuned.

One rescue down, one to go.

Okay our first rescue was a complete success. All 3 from the stricken sail boat are now onboard. Unfortunately I was unable to get any pictures of the actual rescue. So I'll describe it to you, we sent a small zodiac over to the sail boat while the Sea King helicopter hovered over head for cover incase anything went wrong. The passengers were put in the zodiac 1 by 1 and brought back to Athabaskan.

Now that that is over with we have 22 knots rung on and are headed 230 knotical miles south to another vessel that is actually taking on water. A Hurcules aircraft from Greenwood Nova Scotia is on site right now and will be until about 18:00 tonight. There is also and American Arly Burke destroyer headed to the same position from 320 knotical miles south of the boat.

As usual I will do my best to get pictures and video of the goings on but until we get some calmer weather I won't be able to finish the pictures for publishing.

Once again stay tuned and check back often.

Wee bit of a blow

Okay so its day three of a trip and last night we ran into some weather, its not a huge storm, 4m swells and strong winds. However at one point during the night we recieved a distress call and were diverted from our task group to assist the people in a small double masted sailboat.

Presently we are circling them in the north atlantic and they are all alive. Tired wet and most likely seasick but they are alive. Once the weather permits we will go and get them off of their boat. I have some nice pictures of the boat bobbing around in the waves. Once I prepare them I will post them here for all to see. When we do go get them I'll try and get some pictures of the rescue as well.

Stay tuned and check back often... this is turning out to be an interesting trip.