HMCS Vancouver returns from Operations HORIZON and NEON

News release

December 5, 2024 – Esquimalt, B.C. – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces

Today, His Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Vancouver returned to its home port of Esquimalt, British Columbia, having completed its six-month deployment to the Indo-Pacific region under Operations HORIZON and NEON.

During this deployment, HMCS Vancouver and its crew participated in six exercises with partner and allied forces along their voyage, including Exercise KAEDEX which focuses on strengthening interoperability between the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) and the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force, and Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) which is the largest joint combined maritime exercise in the world.

In September 2024, HMCS Vancouver made a historical forward rearmament of its Vertical Launch System missiles in the port of Broome, Australia. This was the first rearmament by an RCN vessel outside of Canadian or American territory. In collaboration with allies and partners, the ship actively contributed to upholding international law concerning navigation rights in vulnerable regions such as the Taiwan Strait and the East and South China Seas.

Canada’s routine presence in the Indo-Pacific region demonstrates our commitment to supporting peace, security, and stability in the region. The most recent actions and international engagements executed by the crew of HMCS Vancouver have shown Canada to be a reliable and capable international security partner, especially in regions experiencing increasing uncertainty and instability.

Quotes

“His Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Vancouver’s successful deployment not only demonstrates Canada’s operational capabilities alongside allied and partner navies, but also our steadfast commitment to maintaining a maritime presence in an important region. The excellent work shown by the crew over the last six months has directly impacted international peace and security by promoting stability in the Indo-Pacific region. For this reason, deployments like Operations HORIZON and NEON remain critical to the mandate of the Royal Canadian Navy in the pursuit of Canadian strategic interests. Welcome home HMCS Vancouver and Bravo Zulu!”

- Rear-Admiral Christopher Robinson, Commander Maritime Forces Pacific and Commander Joint Task Force Pacific

“I am extremely proud of the crew of His Majesty’s Canadian Ship Vancouver and want to thank our friends and families who have shown us such unwavering support throughout the last six months. From workups and Exercise Rim of the Pacific to Operation HORIZON and Operation NEON, the crew worked tirelessly to accomplish our mission of promoting peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. Their dedication, professionalism, and hard work were the foundation on which this deployment was built and carried out.”

- Commander Tyson Bergmann, Commanding Officer His Majesty’s Canadian Ship Vancouver

Quick facts

Operation HORIZON is Canada’s ongoing forward presence mission to promote peace and stability in support of the rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific region.
Operation NEON is Canada’s contribution to a coordinated multinational effort to support the implementation of United Nations Security Council (UNSC) sanctions imposed against North Korea. This operation demonstrates the importance that Canada places on security in the Indo-Pacific region and upholding the UNSC sanctions regime, and Canada’s resolve in standing with allies and partners in accordance with our values.
HMCS Vancouver, a Halifax-class Canadian Patrol Frigate, has a crew of approximately 240 RCN sailors and Royal Canadian Air Force aviators who fly and support the ship’s embarked CH-148 Cyclone maritime helicopter.

Associated links

Contacts

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

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Date modified:: 2024-12-05