U.S., Canadian Warships Participate in Task Group Exercise off Southern California

07 October 2013

From Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Corey T. Jones

The Oct. 7-11 exercise will serve to train independent deployers in a number of warfighting skills and also contribute to the strong working relationship between the maritime and aviation forces of the U.S. and Canada.

SAN DIEGO - U.S. and Canadian ships are participating in a Task Group Exercise (TGEX) off the coast of Southern California Oct. 7-11.

U.S. Navy units participating include guided-missile cruiser USS Mobile Bay (CG 53), guided-missile destroyer USS Dewey (DDG 105), guided-missile frigates USS Ingraham (FFG 61), USS McClusky (FFG 41) and USS Gary (FFG 51); Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 37 and 49, Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 71 and 73, and Patrol Squadron 40.

Her Majesty's Canadian Ships (HMCS) Halifax-class frigates HMCS Ottawa (FFH 341) and HMCS Regina (FFH 334), in addition to the Protecteur-class auxiliary oiler replenishment ship HMCS Protecteur (AOR 509); units from the Royal Canadian Air Force will include three CH-124 Sea King helicopters from the 443 Maritime Helicopter Squadron of Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt.

The exercise will serve to train independent deployers in-air defense, anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare and maritime interdiction operations, while also building a strong working relationship between the maritime and aviation forces of the U.S. and Canada.

The U.S. and Canada regularly participate in exercises together, the most recent being Trident Fury and Dawn Blitz.

Joint, interagency and international relationships strengthen U.S. Third Fleet's ability to respond to crises and protect the collective maritime interests of the U.S. and its allies and partners.