14 Wing has major role in EX Dynamic Manta 24
14 Wing Greenwood, the East Coast arm of the Royal Canadian Air Forces’ long range patrol fleet, once again demonstrated its capability and effectiveness to NATO allies during the annual anti-submarine warfare (ASW) Exercise Dynamic Manta, held at Sigonella, Sicily, February 26 through March 8.
Anti-submarine warfare is a “team sport,” with each platform bringing its unique capability to exercises which enable Allies to sharpen their skills as well, work on new tactics and enhance interoperability and teamwork. This year, the Canadian detachment consisted of a CP140 Aurora aircraft, and over 60 personnel from five different units: 405 (Long Range Patrol) Squadron, 14 Air Maintenance Squadron, 14 Operations Support Squadron and 14 Mission Support Squadron.
The exercise also included aircraft from NATO nations (maritime patrol aircraft from Germany, Greece, Türkiye, the United Kingdom, and the United States; and maritime patrol helicopters from Italy), submarines from five nations and surface ships from seven NATO nations in a rapidly changing, highly dynamic and complex TASWEX (Theatre Anti-Submarine Warfare Exercise) environment.
The detachment battled through unforeseen equipment degradation as well as avian intervention to fly a total of 11 out of a planned 16 missions: one mission was lost to a bird strike on takeoff, and the remainder were lost due to a requirement to fly in daytime visual conditions due to the loss of radar. The detachment executive was instrumental in coordinating the exchange of flying times with other nations to allow maximum employment of the Canadian asset, given the conditions.
The air crews performed with a high level of proficiency in the scope of the evolving, increasingly complex exercise, resulting in over 70 hours flown, almost 40 hours on-station and over 24 hours of submarine contact; against a wide variety of highly challenging modern diesel-electric submarines.
Aircraft maintainers had the hardest job, battling the aircraft to keep it ready to go for an almost-daily flying schedule. They were able to fight through numerous issues and keep the aircraft airworthy and mission-capable to accomplish those 11 missions; with their finest moment coming after the bird strike, when the maintenance crew was able to conduct a thorough inspection on the aircraft and have it serviceable for another mission later that same day.
14 Wing Greenwood’s contingent of over 60 personnel from 405 (Long Range Patrol) Squadron, 14 Air Maintenance Squadron, 14 Operations Support Squadron and 14 Mission Support Squadron; represented the Royal Canadian Air Force with the CP140 Aurora aircraft at Dynamic Manta 24, out of Italy February 26 through March 8.
