Today, the ships’ companies of Her Majesty’s Canadian Ships (HMCS) Halifax and Montréal return to their homeport of Halifax, Nova Scotia after the successful completion of their deployments on Operation REASSURANCE, in support of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) assurance and deterrence measures in European waters.

“At this crucial time for Euro-Atlantic security, the crews of HMCS Halifax and HMCS Montréal have worked tirelessly to demonstrate Canada’s commitment to the rules-based international order and to the security of our Allies. I join all Canadians in welcoming our personnel home, and in thanking them for their professionalism and contributions to our NATO Alliance.”

The Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of National Defence

“I am proud of the contributions of HMC Ships Halifax and Montréal on Operation REASSURANCE. The ships and their crews successfully worked in solidarity alongside our NATO Allies to bolster capabilities in the area, helping to promote international peace and stability during a time of great unease in the region. Our Royal Canadian Navy’s ability to contribute to this specialized mission demonstrates the flexibility and versatility of our vessels, and the exceptional training and performance of our sailors. Bravo Zulu, and welcome home.”

Rear-Admiral Brian Santarpia, Commander, Maritime Forces Atlantic

• Canadian Armed Forces members are proud and honoured to serve on Op REASSURANCE. Their professionalism enables the Canadian Armed Forces to better work alongside other NATO nations by building on the achievements of previous rotations and continuing to develop interoperability with our Allies to enhance NATO readiness.

• Standing NATO Maritime Group One is a multinational deterrent force that carries out a robust programme of operational deployments as well as complex training exercises and events with national navies to build and maintain the highest levels of readiness, interoperability and war fighting capabilities.

• Standing NATO Maritime Group Two is one of four high-readiness standing maritime forces that provide NATO with a constant presence, monitoring the sea lanes and approaches, and providing a capability to respond to contingencies. These groups routinely conduct operational missions, train with Allies and Partners to enhance interoperability, and conduct diplomatic visits. They serve as a consistently ready maritime force to support the NATO Very High Readiness Joint Task Force.

• Canada has deployed Royal Canadian Navy ships on Operation REASSURANCE on a persistent rotational basis since 2014.

• HMCS Montréal, with its ship’s company of 239, departed Halifax on January 19, 2022, while HMCS Halifax, with its ship’s company of 253 departed Halifax two months later, on March 19, 2022.

• HMCS Kingston and HMCS Summerside are continuing Canada’s commitment to Operation REASSURANCE and will soon join NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 1, part of NATO’s high readiness continuous at sea presence.

Associated links

• Operation REASSURANCE
• Royal Canadian Navy
• CAF Combat Camera
• Royal Canadian Navy Twitter Account
• Royal Canadian Navy Facebook Account
• MARLANT Twitter Account
• MARLANT Facebook Account

Royal Canadian Navy Public Affairs
Email: navypublicaffairs.affairespubliquesdelamarine@forces.gc.ca