Canadian Navy ships HMCS Nanaimo and Whitehorse returned yesterday (April 7) from a 5-week successful deployment on Operation CARIBBE. They were part of the Canadian Armed Forces’ (CAF) participation in the multinational campaign against illicit trafficking by transnational organized crime in the Caribbean basin and the eastern Pacific Ocean.
HMC Ships Nanaimo and Whitehorse are Kingston-class vessels, designed for surveillance and patrolling of coastal waters.
“I would like to welcome home the crews of the HMSC Nanaimo and Whitehorse, and congratulate them on their accomplishments as part of Operation CARIBBE. Their work with our international partners in disrupting organized crime has helped keep illegal drugs off of our streets,” said The Honourable Rob Nicholson, Minister of National Defence of Canada.
The CAF contribution to Operation CARIBBE 2013 resulted in the seizure or disruption of more than 5 000 kilograms of cocaine. As part of Operation CARIBBE 2014, the Royal Canadian Navy deploys warships from both the East and West Coasts, while the Royal Canadian Air Force provides CP-140 Aurora aircraft from various long-range patrol squadrons. One CP-140 Aurora aircraft has already contributed to Operation CARIBBE 2014, completing a deployment this past January.
[mappress] Press Release, April 8, 2014, Image: Wikimedia