HMCS Winnipeg returns home following eight-and-a-half month deployment
News Release
February 23, 2016 – Department of National Defence/Maritime Forces Pacific
Esquimalt, British Columbia – Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Winnipeg returned to Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Esquimalt today after a successful eight-and-a-half month deployment which included participation in Operations REASSURANCE and CARIBBE.
On Operation REASSURANCE, HMCS Winnipeg served with two Standing NATO Maritime Groups, supported NATO’s mission to build maritime situational awareness in the Mediterranean Sea, and participated in three successive multinational exercises, Exercises NORTHERN COAST, JOINT WARRIOR, and TRIDENT JUNCTURE, the largest NATO-led joint exercise in more than 20 years.
During the ship’s transit back to Canada, HMCS Winnipeg conducted port visits in India, Malaysia, Singapore and Japan, in support of the Royal Canadian Navy’s global engagement strategy. During these port visits, HMCS Winnipeg helped promote Canada’s security and national interests and further deepened relationships with other navies.
Quotes
"On behalf of the Government of Canada, and all Canadians, I proudly welcome home the crew of HMCS Winnipeg. The ship and its crew made a number of valuable contributions around the world during its lengthy time away from home and have helped raise Canada’s profile around the world by participating in a number of operations and multinational exercises.”
The Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Defence Minister
“I am very proud to welcome HMCS Winnipeg and her crew home after a long and highly successful deployment. Winnipeg was the first modernized frigate to deploy from the Pacific Fleet and she executed each mission assigned to her during this extended deployment to a very high standard, directly contributing to international operations. This deployment and its achievements highlight the versatility of our Navy.”
Rear-Admiral Gilles Couturier, Commander, Maritime Forces Pacific
“HMCS Winnipeg is thrilled to return to Victoria after a challenging and rewarding operational deployment. I couldn’t be more proud of the accomplishments of the crew, their professionalism and effectiveness. After they have circumnavigated the globe in support of national objectives, I’m so pleased to be able to bring them home to their families and loved ones. Mission(s) accomplished.”
Commander J. Jeffrey Hutchinson, Commanding Officer, HMCS Winnipeg
Quick Facts
- HMCS Winnipeg departed CFB Esquimalt on June 15, 2015, to participate in Operation REASSURANCE, Canada’s contribution to NATO assurance measures in Central and Eastern Europe.
- En route to Operation REASSURANCE, HMCS Winnipeg conducted surveillance patrols in support of Operation CARIBBE, Canada’s participation in the multinational campaign against illicit trafficking in the Caribbean Sea and the eastern Pacific Ocean.
- During the course of its deployment, HMCS Winnipeg conducted operations with 102 ships from 20 different NATO navies and visited 16 countries, including 10 NATO nations.
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Contacts
Maritime Forces Pacific / Joint Task Force (Pacific) / Victoria Search and Rescue Public Affairs
Phone: 250-363-5789
Email: marpac@shaw.ca
After Hours: 250-888-6775 or esqmarpacdutypao@forces.gc.ca
Media inquiries
Media Relations
Department of National Defence
Phone: 613-996-2353
Toll-Free: 1-866-377-0811
Email: mlo-blm@forces.gc.ca
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Hon. Harjit Singh Sajjan National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces Military
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