| Canadian Reservists Train in Australia
Esquimalt April 22, 2004 - Naval Reservists from across Canada will join teams from Australia, Chile, the Republic of Korea, the United Kingdom and the United States for a Naval Cooperation and Guidance for Shipping (NCAGS) exercise next week in Australia. Known as BELL BUOY 2004, the exercise is designed to test and evaluate interoperability of national Naval Cooperation and Guidance for Shipping Organizations. Representatives from Singapore and South Africa will participate as observers during the two-week exercise April 26 to May 7. Canada was host for this annual exercise last year and it will be Chile’s turn to host in 2005.
Located at the Australian Navy’s Maritime Headquarters in Sydney, New South Wales, a team of Canadian NCAGS officers will build the merchant-shipping portion of the Recognized Maritime Picture, interact with civilian shipping authorities and provide advice to the international Joint Task Force Commander. Working with Pacific Rim allies, the Canadians will contribute to an international response to a developing crisis scenario that poses a threat to international maritime trade.
NCAGS is a designated mission of Canada’s Naval Reserve. Trained NCAGS personnel from Naval Reserve Divisions across the country could be called upon to respond in the event of a crisis, both in Canada and abroad. This exercise will allow the Canadian teams to test their policies and procedures in the context of a dynamic contingency operation in cooperation with traditional Pacific Rim allies.
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