Since her departure in June, His Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Vancouver has hosted the first Air Operations Officer (AOO) to sail aboard a ship since the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) announced the establishment of the occupation in 2019. No stranger to firsts, Captain (Capt) Martin O’Hanley earned his AOO qualification as part of the initial cadre trained in 2021. Now, thanks to a joint effort between 12 Wing and the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN), Capt Martin is the first AOO to embark a HMC Ship while deployed on a named international operation.
Capt O’Hanley’s goal? Explore opportunities and challenges inherent in weaving the AOO occupation into the traditional Helicopter Air Detachment (HELAIRDET). Under the guidance of HMCS Vancouver’s HELAIRDET Commander, Major (Maj) Daniel Schade, Capt O’Hanley has taken responsibility for many tasks which were previously completed by Pilots and Air Combat Systems Officers.
“With three new classes of helicopter-capable surface ships re-entering service in the next decade, 12 Wing is committed to exploring ideas and opportunities to ensure the Maritime Helicopter continues to provide value to the RCN. I think this is a great example of cooperative, tactical-level force development between the RCN and the RCAF,” says Maj Schade.
So far, Capt O’Hanley has been busy supporting the HELAIRDET with routine tasks like operational planning and pre-exercise preparation, but the real work is in the data. With each mission, the CH-148 Cyclone Helicopter can gather vast amounts of valuable mission data. “The AOO could manage that data, be the node between the flight crew, operations, and intelligence and analysis resources ashore to perhaps bring more to the fight in near real-time. At the very same time, this effort could be supporting the development of mission playback libraries back home,” continues Maj Schade.
Lieutenant (N) Mike Van Vlandaeran, HMCS Vancouver’s Operations Officer, says that he can see places where embarked AOOs can increase the capabilities and effectiveness of Canadian ships. “For example, naval AOOs could act as Helicopter Element Commanders (HEC), a position previously occupied by either a Pilot or an Air Combat Systems Officer. AOOs can focus more on that role during exercises because they are not bound by the restrictions of aircrew duties, thus making them available around the clock,” adds Lt(N) Van Vlandaeren. “This creates consistency in communication between the HEC and operations.” Capt O’Hanley was able to test that theory by tackling the demanding job of the HEC during Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2024.
After this successful embarkation, Capt O’Hanley says he is ready to tackle more challenges both on ship and when he returns to 443 Squadron. He believes the lessons learned on deployment and at sea could help 12 Wing mold the AOO occupation. He also hopes that the position will create more opportunities to not only increase the Canadian Armed Forces’ (CAF) interoperability with our partners and allies, but to also showcase the CAF’ professionalism and leadership.