VS-22 travels to Victoria for Exercise Trident Fury

Exercise Trident Fury was hosted and run by the Canadian Forces. Participants included Canadian and U.S. surface ships, CF-18s, F-18s, F-16s, F-15s, EA-6Bs, B-1s, B-52s and S-3Bs. Aircrew planned missions that included the entire air and sea battle space picture. Operation tempo was high with squadron members participating in two or more missions a day. Planning required many crews to go straight from debrief to mission planning, resulting in some long days.

Despite the increased workload, aircrew were able to get valuable training and qualifications towards their Aircrew Training Continuum Level 3 and 4. With fighter aircraft providing close air support overhead, VS-22 took the fight to the surface ships, employing simulated Maverick and SLAMER missiles. The S-3B proved to be extremely lethal to the surface ships participating in the exercise. Aircrew familiarized themselves with equipment and methods which allowed them to visually identify surface targets much farther than previously able.

Checkmate maintenance proved invaluable to the exercise with a 100 percent sortie rate, despite having less than half the planned number of maintainers. Due to the cancellation of the second airlift, the maintenance detachment only had 26 of the planned 64 personnel.

Maintenance worked single shift the entire two weeks with 12 hours on and 12 hours off. The aviation machinist mate's led by AD1(AW/SW) Matthew Schons, even performed an engine change that was accomplished in a blistering five and a half hours from start to finish. The tireless efforts of the squadron's enlisted were instrumental to the success of VS-22.

During their off time, squadron members found diversions of many sorts after working hours. Activities included sightseeing, shopping, fine dining and a weekend trip to Vancouver.