Reenergized by their recent port visit in Yokosuka Japan, the crew of HMCS Regina have been hard at work while deployed on the Canadian Armed Forces’ (CAF) Operation HORIZON. Most recently, the ship has been training alongside the Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF), and maritime forces from other Canadian Allies and partners, to reinforce peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region, a key objective outlined in Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy.
While sailing from Japan to Guam, HMCS Regina worked alongside Japanese Ship (JS) Fuyuzuki to conduct Exercise KAEDEX from August 26-27. Derived from the Japanese work Kaede, which means maple, Exercise KAEDEX is a bilateral maritime initiative between Canada and Japan to strengthen cooperation and combined capability at sea. HMCS Regina and JS Fuyuzuki conducted close range maneuvers, maritime helicopter operations, and exchanged several personnel for one morning so each ship could learn more about its respective maritime defense partner. This year marks the 10th anniversary of this important bilateral exercise, demonstrating Canada’s sustained commitment to continue building its defense relationship with Japan.
Following Exercise KAEDEX, HMCS Regina and JS Fuyuzuki arrived in Apra Harbor, Guam on September 3, to kick off Exercise PACIFIC VANGUARD (Ex PACVAN) 26, a JMSDF-led multilateral maritime exercise designed to strengthen interoperability, enhance coalition readiness, and advance integrated maritime operations in the Indo-Pacific region. Throughout Exercise PACVAN 26, HMCS Regina worked closely with American, Australian, and Japanese maritime forces to conduct advanced naval training. The exercise provided valuable opportunities for all participating nations to refine their knowledge and hone their skills across a range of maritime warfare disciplines, including anti-submarine warfare, integrated air and surface operations, and coalition command and control.
For HMCS Regina, the highlight of Exercise PACVAN 26 was a day of high-caliber, explosive action. The penultimate day of the exercise began with a surface gunnery serial during which His Majesty’s Australian Ship (HMAS) Sydney and JS Fuyuzuki engaged the uncrewed surface vehicle (USV) Hammerhead target with their 5-inch (127 mm) guns. HMCS Regina then engaged the target with its 57 mm gun before the Regina Demolition Team destroyed the disabled USV target with controlled charges, providing an impressive demonstration for partners and Allies. Exercise PACVAN 26 concluded on August 9 following a 24-hour free-play anti-submarine warfare exercise against a Japanese diesel-electric submarine and a U.S. Navy nuclear submarine, providing an opportunity to build multinational anti-submarine warfare proficiency.
Operating side-by-side with key Canadian Allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific, the CAF’s participation in Exercise PACVAN 26 supports Canada’s boarder efforts to promote regional peace, security, and the rule of law.
