RCN Flag Officers assume key leadership roles during major NATO exercise

Navy News / May 21, 2021

Two Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) Flag Officers are assuming key leadership roles for NATO Exercise STEADFAST DEFENDER 21, the first in a new series of long-planned NATO exercises to enhance Alliance security.

With participation from 20 Allies from North America and Europe, the exercise will help improve the interoperability of Allied forces and practice military mobility throughout Europe.

The RCN’s Rear-Admiral Steven Waddell, currently on exchange as Vice-Commander of the United States Second Fleet, is the Maritime Component Commander for the exercise and will work alongside Canada’s NATO partners aboard the Blue Ridge-class command and control ship United States Ship Mount Whitney.

Standing NATO Maritime Group One (SNMG1), currently under the command of the RCN’s Commodore Bradley Peats from flagship Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Halifax, will participate in the maritime operational and tactical-level live exercise (LIVEX), running from May 20 to 30, 2021.

The LIVEX, which is taking place off the coast of Portugal in the Eastern Atlantic, will demonstrate the ability of Allied maritime forces to execute Joint Force Command Norfolk’s mission of protecting strategic lines of communication in the Atlantic.

STEADFAST DEFENDER is also the first large test of NATO’s adapted command structure and involves two new commands: one focused on logistics, Joint Support and Enabling Command, based in Germany, and the other focused on the Atlantic, Joint Force Command Norfolk, based in Virginia. It offers the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) an opportunity to gain understanding of these commands, as well as the new Standing Joint Logistics Support Group.

As a founding NATO member, Canada remains committed to the Alliance and continues to strengthen defence relationships in NATO as well as with European states. The multinational character of the exercise reflects Canada’s commitment to NATO as well as ally and partner nations on both sides of the Atlantic.

The CAF exercises with NATO to protect Canada and its allies when threatened, and to promote global security both as a capacity building partner and as a leader.