Largest anti-submarine warfare exercise in 20-year taking place off Canada’s eastern shores

This week residents of Halifax, NS witnessed a sail past of warships and submarines from six different NATO countries en route to the Canadian-led exercise Cutlass Furry 16. Held from Sept. 12 to Sept. 26, Cutlass Fury is the largest anti-submarine warfare exercise conducted in Canada’s eastern shores in the last 20 years.

“CUTLASS FURY 16 provides the members of Maritime Forces Atlantic with a unique opportunity to work closely with several of our NATO partners in the Atlantic to enhance operational readiness, foster greater mutual understanding, and develop relationships that will strengthen our ability to work together during times of crisis. CUTLASS FURY is a unique training opportunity for all participants that will test our shore-based and at-sea personnel as they direct and respond to a range of complex training scenarios,” said RAdm. John Newton, Commander Joint Task Force Atlantic and Commander Maritime Forces Atlantic.

The exercise is aimed at increasing cooperation between partner nations and allied forces while conducting a wide spectrum of operations.

The fleet is comprised of 11 ships and approximately 25 aircrafts from Canada, France, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States. A total of 3,000 participants from these nations are gathering around the Maritime Operation Areas off the coast of Halifax and St. John’s, NL.

Canadian warships taking part in this exercise include Her Majesty’s Canadian Ships Athabaskan, Fredericton, Montreal, Windsor, Goose Bay and Summerside. Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) aircraft include: CF-18 Hornet fighters, CH-124 Sea King helicopters, CP-140 Auroras and a CC-130T Hercules air-to-air refueller. Contracted air services include six Dornier Alpha jets and a Westwind 1124 aircraft.

“CUTLASS FURY 16 is a chance for the Royal Canadian Navy to collaborate with our allies in a major joint exercise that layers air, maritime, land and communications elements. Exercise CUTLASS FURY will enhance joint NATO forces interoperability and ability to respond to real-world scenarios.” Cdr. Craig Baines, Commander Canadian Fleet Atlantic.