Her Majesty’s Canadian Ships Kingston and Summerside depart for Operation REASSURANCE

News release

June 26, 2022 – Halifax, N.S. – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces

Today, Her Majesty’s Canadian Ships (HMCS) Kingston and Summerside departed for a four month deployment in the Baltic Sea and North Atlantic region on Operation REASSURANCE. Canada is deploying two Kingston-class Maritime Coastal Defence Vessels to contribute to NATO assurance and deterrence measures in Central and Eastern Europe.

Between July and October 2022, HMCS Kingston and Summerside will join Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group One. During Operation REASSURANCE, the ships will participate in NATO’s high readiness continuous at sea presence, which can quickly and effectively respond in support of any NATO operations.

HMCS Halifax and Montreal  are currently on station as part of Operation REASSURANCE, and will return to Canada in July. The commitment to send two further vessels, this time to contribute to the mine countermeasures group efforts, demonstrates Canada’s continued commitment to NATO.

This will be the first deployment on Operation REASSURANCE for both ships. HMCS Summerside will deploy with an embarked Royal Canadian Navy clearance diving team, supported by mine countermeasure search capabilities using autonomous underwater vehicles aboard HMCS Kingston

Quotes

“I am very proud of our team, our shipmates in HMCS Kingston and members of the Fleet Diving Unit, deploying on Operation REASSURANCE. It is an honour to be part of Canada's commitment to working with NATO allies in the region as we operate in the European region. To our families, friends, loved ones and the greater defence community: thank you for your constant support!”

Commander Jeffrey Anderson, Commander, Commanding Officer HMCS Summerside

“After months of preparation and training, I’m very proud of our shipmates in HMCS Summerside and Fleet Diving Unit. We are ready to continue the work on Operation REASSURANCE; Canada’s commitment to working with NATO to strengthen stability and security in central and eastern Europe. We are all leaving someone at home who cares about us, to them we owe the biggest thanks as their strength enables our success.”

Lieutenant-Commander Jason Knowles, Commanding Officer HMCS Kingston

“I would like to wish fair winds and following seas to HMCS Kingston and HMCS Summerside as they depart for Operation REASSURANCE in the European region. These professional sailors will join Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group One; and will contribute unique strengths of a clearance diving team and mine countermeasure search capabilities to NATO’s high readiness continuous at sea presence. Their work will bolster the assurance and deterrence measures under the NATO flag, on behalf of Canada.”

Captain (Navy) Julian Elbourne, Chief of Staff, Maritime Forces Atlantic Command 

Quick facts

  • Sending Royal Canadian Navy ships in support of NATO objectives provides Canada with the flexibility to execute a range of exercises and operations in real training environments with our internationals Allies. This helps support the international effort in the Baltic region, including surveillance, monitoring, and diplomatic engagement

  • NATO is a cornerstone of Canada’s international security policy. Under Operation REASSURANCE, in support of NATO assurance and deterrence measures, the Canadian Armed Forces is maintaining a presence in European waters on a persistent rotational basis since 2014

  •  Canadian Armed Forces members are proud and honored to serve on Operation REASSURANCE. Their contribution further increases the Canadian Armed Forces’ ability to collaborate with other NATO nations by building on the achievements of previous rotations and continuing to develop their own capabilities in working with our Allies to enhance NATO readiness. 

Associated links

Contacts

Media Relations
Department of National Defence
Phone: 613-904-3333
Email: mlo-blm@forces.gc.ca

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