Operation CHARITABLE

International Information

International Operation Name: CHARITABLE

International Mission Name: CHARITABLE

Mandating Organization: Government of Canada

Region Name: Central America

Location: Caribbean

Mission Date: 22 September 1999 - 14 October 1999

Canadian Forces (CF) Information (CHARITABLE)

Canadian Task Force Name Mission Statement: To be prepared to generate a humanitarian assistance capability, available for deployment to the Caribbean region if required.

CF Mission/Operation Notes: Since 1996, the Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) had been prepared to deploy to the Caribbean in the event of a major hurricane striking the region and one of the island nations requesting assistance. From 18 August to 25 September 1999, the DART was deployed to Turkey (Op TORRENT) after the Serdivan earthquake. With DART being absent and then requiring time to reconstitute itself for another operation after its return to Canada, the Canadian Forces would be without a response capability should a major hurricane hit the Caribbean until the DART was ready to deploy again, a date that was estimated at 15 October. In order to have an interim deployable capability during the prime period of the hurricane season, the Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff issued an operation order on 22 September for specific units to prepare for a contingency.

This operation was named Operation CHARITABLE. Op CHARITABLE was to consist of a high readiness element formed around an engineer capability, and a follow-on capability based on HMCS PRESERVER.

In the event of a deployment, a team of about 42 personnel, built around engineers from 4 Engineer Support Regiment would be airlifted by CF Hercules to the appropriate area. They would be self-supporting for up to a 30-days deployment. The team capability of the team would be a reverse osmosis water purification unit. HMCS Preserver would be at a lower state of readiness, prepared to move on 10 days notice. The ship would include a 20-person engineer capability to aid in reconstruction and two CH-124 Sea King helicopters.

On 12 October, the DART was declared operationally ready. As a result Op CHARITABLE was cancelled on 14 October.