// Exercise Joint Warrior
By SGT Kalama Cotter and CPL Hayden Love
Crew 1 and associated maintenance crew from No. 5 Squadron set off for Royal Air Force Base Kinloss, in Scotland, recently.
Exercise Joint Warrior
After a few stops along the way (Hickham Air Force Base Hawaii, North Island Naval Air Station in San Diego and Brunswick Naval Station in Maine), we arrived. It was a long transit up there but it was worth it for both the training value (not to mention the day off we got in San Diego), and the experiences gained. Once there, we dropped straight into the exercise scenario. This was a prime opportunity for us to practise and hone maritime skills including anti-surface warfare tactics, as well as some overland support operations in a multi-national, Joint Forces environment. The majority of the maritime work was conducted inside the Minches, a channel between the mainland and Hebrides Islands, only 10nm wide. This tight area, combined with instrument meteorological conditions, operations below the normal civilian minimum safe altitude, numerous naval ‘enemy’ ships, a submarine threat and the odd lighthouse (or two), meant that initially it was quite trying for most of the crew, who were relatively junior in experience levels. With our new CO5 onboard, the crew was eager to impress, and after a couple of sorties (return mission of a single aircraft) the crew was chasing naval targets and providing a product that was something to be proud of.
An A-7 Corsair II
Working with a wide range of nations had its obvious interoperability challenges. However, it also had its advantages. At the ENDEX function the Italians and French displayed their infamous hospitality with ‘al-dente’ pasta, aged cheese and fine wine to compliment both. The Italians’ red wine proved too tempting for our fearless ordnance man, SGT Sean ‘samosas and spring rolls’ Donaldson, to resist. He led the charge and paved the way for some inter-crew bonding. After seven sorties and 35 hours of flying, the aircraft headed off to Canada where we delivered the frame to Comox for another crew. First stop was Greenwood, where a number of us joined VP International (an international group for aircrew flying maritime patrol) and were presented with our pins and other souvenirs. We then boarded the Boeing early the next morning and headed for home via Hawaii—it made for a refreshing change not having to fuss about with our pre-flight checks! Instead, we just climbed the stairs, took our seats and sipped on our juice boxes as the B757 trundled its way into the air.
Overall, it was a long but rewarding trip. As a relatively new Air Warfare Specialist at No. 5 Squadron, I learned a lot with respect to our tactical role in a maritime situation as well as an introduction to over-land role. With the upcoming introduction of the P3-K2, it was good to gain over-land operating experience.