HMCS St. John’s returns from Operation REASSURANCE
News release
December 20, 2025 – Ottawa, ON – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces
His Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) St. John’s returned home to Halifax, Nova Scotia, today after a successful five month-long deployment in the Mediterranean Sea and the North Atlantic under Operation REASSURANCE in support of NATO’s deterrence and defence measures.
HMCS St. John’s departed Halifax in July, sailing to the Mediterranean Sea where the ship joined Standing NATO Maritime Group 2. During this period, the ship’s company conducted exercises and patrols alongside NATO allies throughout the region.
While in Europe, members of the crew also had the honour of attending Remembrance Day ceremonies at Passchendaele in Belgium, as well as Beaumont-Hamel and Vimy Ridge in France.
In November, HMCS St. John’s was re-tasked under Operation REASSURANCE and proceeded north to join Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 in the North Atlantic and Norwegian Sea, continuing to conduct exercises and patrols with NATO partners.
HMCS St. John’s deployment reflects Canada’s commitment to the NATO Alliance and highlights the Royal Canadian Navy’s (RCN) ability to project professional, capable, and high readiness forces around the globe.
Quotes
“The deployment of His Majesty’s Canadian Ship St. John’s reflects Canada’s steadfast commitment to peace and security in Europe. Serving with professionalism and determination, the ship’s company provided vital reassurance of NATO solidarity and readiness. This mission underscores Maritime Forces Atlantic’s ability to deliver multi-mission capable assets abroad. Canada stands firmly with its allies to protect what we believe in. We welcome and congratulate the crew back after a successful mission and wish them and their loved ones’ well-earned quality time together.”
Rear-Admiral Josée Kurtz, Commander, Maritime Forces Atlantic
“Throughout this deployment, His Majesty’s Canadian Ship St. John’s, and its embarked air detachment, have demonstrated Canada’s resolve and commitment to NATO, sailing throughout the Mediterranean with Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 and then into the High North with Standing NATO Maritime Group 1, groups which embody the cohesion and solidarity of the Alliance. The ship’s company’s hard work delivered readiness and flexibility, which enabled our mission success abroad. It has been a privilege to lead such an exceptional team. Thank you to the families, friends, and community that supported us, strengthening Canada’s NATO contributions through your resiliency.”
Commander Jeffrey Anderson, Commanding Officer, His Majesty’s Canadian Ship St. John’s
Quick facts
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HMCS St. John’s is a Halifax-class frigate that has been in service with the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) since 1996. This agile, capable, and integrated platform is equipped to respond to a wide spectrum of aerial, surface, and subsurface threats.
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Standing NATO Maritime Groups are multinational, integrated maritime forces made up of ships from various NATO Alliance countries. These ships, including their air assets, enable NATO to perform different tasks ranging from routine exercises to operational missions.
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Halifax-class frigates are multi-role platforms that excel in anti-submarine warfare and anti-surface warfare in open ocean environments. The combination of these capabilities and advanced sensor systems, coupled with state-of-the-art damage control and machinery control systems, make these frigates highly capable warships.
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Operation REASSURANCE is Canada’s largest overseas military operation, supporting NATO’s deterrence and defence posture in Central and Eastern Europe since 2014.
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Canada has deployed RCN ships to NATO’s Standing Naval Forces on a rotational basis for over a decade, demonstrating Canada’s value as a capable and reliable ally.
Associated links
Contacts
Maritime Forces Atlantic Public Affairs
Phone: 902-427-3766
Email: marlantpublicaffairs@forces.gc.ca
Media Relations
Department of National Defence
Phone: 613-904-3333
Email: mlo-blm@forces.gc.ca