Canada concludes participation in Exercise KAKADU 2024

As the sun set over the waters of northern Australia on September 20, the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) concluded its participation in Exercise KAKADU 2024. 

The international maritime exercise, held from September 9-20, 2024, in and around Darwin, Australia, marked its 16th iteration and brought together over 3,000 personnel from more than 30 nations, featuring more than 10 warships—including a submarine—and aircraft from five countries. 

Representing the RCN was HMCS Vancouver with its 240-person crew, along with a team from Canadian Fleet Pacific, led by Commodore (Cmdre) David Mazur, Commander Canadian Fleet Pacific. Cmdre Mazur played a key role during the sea phase of KAKADU – serving as Commander of Task Group 628.2, which included American destroyer USS Dewey, Australian frigate HMAS Stuart, and Malaysian ship KD Lekir. Canada also provided staff to support various shore-based roles, from exercise control to public affairs.  

With RCN sailors demonstrating their skills alongside allies and partners from around the globe, Exercise KAKADU not only showcased the versatility and strength of the Canadian navy, but also highlighted its pivotal role in fostering international defence cooperation. 

“Participating in exercises such as KAKADU – like Vancouver has done throughout its deployment – fosters relationship building amongst ship crews and transforms our massive Indo-Pacific theatre into a close-knit community,” said Cmdre Mazur. “This connectivity improves our collective effectiveness and strengthens our commitment to regional stability.” 

The Exercise was conducted in two parts: a harbour phase and a sea phase. While alongside, members participated in various activities such as a sports day and cultural event, allowing sailors to get to know each other prior to heading to sea.  

The Fleet Commanders Conference was held alongside the shore phase of the exercise,, which brought together senior naval leaders to share knowledge and discuss lessons learned with a focus on this year’s theme of Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response.  

During the sea phase, as one of the major warships participating in the exercise, Vancouver conducted a series of drills focusing on anti-submarine warfare, air defence, and surface warfare, culminating in a 24-hour free play phase. With this, the task group attempted to defend the maritime approaches to the north and west of Darwin from the opposing RED Force. 

For Lt(N) Andrew Pink, Vancouver’s Above Water Warfare Officer, the highlight of the exercise was working with the Royal Malaysian Navy and seeing the progression of their interoperability improve over the course of their week at sea together, particularly during their air defence exercises. 

“During these exercises we get an opportunity to work together, learn new things from each other, and share in experiences. Participating in Kakadu, working on our interoperability and demonstrating our capability and professional conduct in operations directly contributes to building positive relationships with international partners,” he said. “I joined the military to make a difference, and working with these partners contributes to making a difference.” 

HMCS Vancouver is currently deployed on Operation HORIZON, Canada’s forward-presence mission to the Indo-Pacific region promoting peace, stability, and the rules-based international order. Vancouver is expected to return to its homeport of Esquimalt, B.C. in early December.