By Captain Chelsea Dubeau
Her Majesty's Canadian Ship (HMCS) Winnipeg sharpened its anti-submarine and warfighting capabilities during Exercise KEEN SWORD, held recently from October 26 to November 5.
One of the serials saw an “enemy” submarine attempt to reach a high value target vessel. It was Winnipeg's job to help find the submarine before it could reach its target, and when it comes to anti-submarine warfare, HMCS Winnipeg is a uniquely capable platform.
“In addition to a very capable passive towed array sonar system, we also carry the CH-148 Cyclone helicopter with its own state-of-the-art, low-frequency active dipping sonar,” said Lieutenant (Navy) Iain Richardson, an Operations Room Officer on board Winnipeg.
“No other surface ship involved in the exercise was as capable in anti-submarine warfare as Winnipeg.”
The anti-submarine warfare serials took place over several days and several iterations, putting members of the operations room, like Sonar Operator Master Sailor (MS) James McPeak through their paces.
“It can be very challenging being the ‘eyes under the water' looking for that needle in the haystack,” said MS McPeak, referring to hunting for submarines.
“As a team we had to stay alert at all times and keep a clear picture of everything around us so we could find what was under us. As a part of the ships company I think we've proven our professionalism and as a team we learned how to overcome a lot.”
Winnipeg proved so…
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