Canadian Warships to Train with NATO Allies

Five Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) warships and four Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) aircraft will participate alongside NATO allies in a multinational fleet exercise that is taking place off the Atlantic Coast beginning August 5, and continuing throughout the month.

“This is an exciting opportunity for participating members of the RCN to work with our allies in NATO. The high-tempo, joint training strengthens ties and understanding amongst global partners, improving our ability to successfully work together on multinational operations and missions”, said Vice Admiral Mark Norman, Commander Royal Canadian Navy

The Canadian contribution consists of five warships, Her Majesty’s Canadian Ships (HMCS) Athabaskan, Fredericton, Halifax, Glace Bay and Shawinigan, and four aircraft, three CH-124 Sea King helicopters from 12 Wing Shearwater and one CP140 Aurora from 14 Wing Greenwood.

This exercise aims to enhance combat readiness and improve interoperability and tactical excellence of the participating forces in an area of the ocean that provides a challenging learning environment. The participation of Canadian Armed Forces personnel in this exercise enhances Canada’s ability to operate with NATO Allies and enables CAF personnel to contribute to contemporary activities like Operation REASSURANCE that illustrate todays’ evolving and challenging global security environment.

“Exercises such as this are important for maintaining a standing maritime force that is ready to meet the challenges of an ever evolving landscape. The RCN and RCAF members are excited to be working with our allies in order to meet the challenges posed by complex warfare scenarios, finding innovative solutions to the tasks at hand”, said Rear Admiral John Newton, Commander of Maritime Forces Atlantic

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Press Release, August 1, 2014; Image: Navy