NAVY TO JOIN OTHER FORCES IN DRUG-BUSTING EXERCISE

The navy will join with police, Canadian and U.S. border security
personnel and the U.S. and Canadian Coast Guards for a three-day
exercise next week to practise drug interdiction skills.

"The focus this year is drug-interdiction scenarios," navy spokesman
Lt.-Cmdr. Hubert Genest said of Operation Sea Barrier running from
Feb. 28 to Mar. 2 in and around the approaches to Esquimalt Harbour
and in Juan de Fuca Strait.

"Our scenarios are less scripted this year, so they are more
realistic," Genest said.

More than 400 personnel will participate on vessels including HMC
ships Calgary, Brandon and Saskatoon; Canadian Coast Guard ships Sir
Wilfrid Laurier and Tanu, and the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Sea Lion.

Training will include briefings, surveillance patrols, maritime
interdiction and boardings at sea.