Operation REASSURANCE
The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) has members serving on Operation REASSURANCE in Central and Eastern Europe. They are there as part of NATO assurance and deterrence measures. These measures aim to reinforce NATO’s collective defence. It also shows the strength of Allied solidarity.
During this operation, the CAF is conducting training, exercises, and some NATO-specific tasks.
The CAF support to NATO helps make Central and Eastern Europe more secure and stable. It also shows that the CAF is a professional force that is ready for any task.
Update
On 22 January 2023, HMCS Fredericton departed Halifax to join Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 in the Mediterranean Sea.
How many people are deployed?
Approximately 1 000 Canadian Armed Forces Members are deployed in support of Operation REASSURANCE, making it Canada’s largest current international military operation.
What are they doing?
Sea
Maritime Task Force
Since 2014, the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) have deployed a warship on a persistent rotational basis to be employed for exercises and operational tasks in the NATO Maritime Command’s areas of responsibility.
HMCS Fredericton's deployment is part of a range of military activities undertaken by the CAF to support NATO assurance and deterrence measures. These activities include the provision of military capabilities for training, exercises, demonstrations and assigned NATO tasks and demonstrate Canada’s commitment to promote security and stability in Central and Eastern Europe.
Land
Enhanced Forward Presence Battle Group Latvia
In June 2017, the CAF deployed about 540 Canadian Army members to Latvia. They lead a NATO Battle Group, which forms the backbone of the Enhanced Forward Presence in Latvia, and provide support capabilities to this Allied force. The Enhanced Forward Presence in Latvia comprises personnel from over one third of all NATO nations, including:
- Albania
- Canada
- Czech Republic
- Iceland
- Italy
- Montenegro
- North Macedonia
- Poland
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
This Battle Group and other specialist enablers work as part of the Latvian Land Forces Infantry Brigade. It is based at Camp Adazi, Latvia.
NATO has deployed eight such Battle Groups to the Baltic States, Poland, Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, and Slovakia. These Battle Groups demonstrate the strength of the NATO alliance, and aim to deter aggression, prevent conflict and protect stability in the region.
Task Force Poland
Since February 2022, the Russian aggression against its Ukrainian neighbor has generated a large number of refugees, a significant number of which fled to Poland. As such, on April 16, 2022, the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) began assisting the Polish Territorial Defence Force (PTDF) with the manning of reception centers to welcome fleeing Ukrainians into Poland. As the flow of refugees has diminished over the summer, the PTDF either closed or handed over some of the reception centers to Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), and CAF support is no longer required at this moment in time. Consequently, as of July 31, 2022, CAF support to the reception centers in Poland has ended and CAF members have returned home to Canada. During their deployed period, CAF members working alongside their allies helped thousands of refugees with administrative support, CAF Health Services provided primary care to more than 2700 patients, CAF Chaplains provided spiritual support to more than 5800 refugees, and CAF translators provided linguistic support to over 30,000 Ukrainians. Additionally, CAF elements present in Poland also took part in interoperability training with their counterparts in the Polish Armed Forces.
Air
Air Task Force - Romania
From February to the end of June 2022, a CP-140 Aurora long range patrol aircraft was tasked under NATO command and control, and carried out operations in the Euro-Atlantic Area. The aircraft returned to Canada on July 2nd.
As part of Operation REASSURANCE, the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) deployed an Air Task Force (ATF) to Constanta, Romania, with approximately 170 CAF personnel and 6 CF-188 Hornet that participated in the Block 60 of NATO enhanced Air Policing mission in Romania for four months from 1 August to 1 December, 2022. During this deployment, the CF-188 Hornet augmented the air policing capabilities of the Romanian Air Force.
This marked the seventh time that the CAF deployed an ATF to Romania on Op REASSURANCE. The first time was in 2014 in Campia Turzii, and then in Constanta, Romania, in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021.
Air Task Force – Prestwick
On September 15, 2022, Air Task Force Prestwick (ATF-P) was created as part of the expansion of the tactical airlift detachment that previously supported operation REASSURANCE.
ATF-P is the main transport hub via which the CAF sustains various operations across the world, including NATO assurance and deterrence measures. In addition to its missions in support of Ukraine, ATF-P will support Canadian Armed Forces deployed missions including Operations REASSURANCE (Central and Eastern Europe), IMPACT (Middle East), PRESENCE (Africa) and OPEN SKIES.
To ensure capacity and operational flexibility, ATF-P operates three CC-130J Hercules aircrafts, and employs support personnel responsible for maintenance, cargo movements and administration. ATF-P is made up of approximately 60 Canadian Armed Forces members with further augmentation based on operational tempo. ATF-P uses a ‘Hub and Spoke’ concept of operations, which the RCAF has been operating in recent years both overseas and domestically.
History and context of the operation
NATO agreed upon and began to enact a series of military measures on April 16, 2014. They are based on the principles of defence, deterrence and de-escalation meant to:
- reinforce NATO’s collective defence
- demonstrate the strength of allied solidarity
The CAF offered assets and members to NATO on April 17, 2014.
Canadian Armed Forces’ relationship with NATO
Canada is a strong supporter of NATO. It is committed to doing its part to help NATO allies and partner nations.
The CAF is a major contributor to NATO operations and exercises. It has been fully engaged since NATO was founded in 1949. The CAF is committed to unity, security, and stability on both sides of the Atlantic. In recent years, Canada has been an active participant in NATO-led missions in:
- The Balkans (Operation KOBOLD)
- Libya (Operation MOBILE)
Mission timeline
- April 29, 2014 – the CAF sent its first CF-188 Hornet Air Task Force to Europe. Since then, the CAF had periodically sent air task forces to Central and Eastern Europe.
- May 3, 2014 – the CAF sent a Land Task Force to Central and Eastern Europe, based in Poland.
- May 13, 2014 – the CAF sent a Maritime Task Force of one frigate to Central and Eastern Europe.
- June 19, 2017 – Canadian-led NATO enhanced Forward Presence battlegroup Latvia was stood up during a ceremony at Camp Adazi, Latvia.
- August 17, 2017 – The Land Task Force in Poland completed its final deployment.
- July 10, 2018 – The Prime Minister of Canada announced the renewal of Canada’s contribution to NATO’s enhanced Forward Presence until March 2023. The CAF will also increase the number of members deployed to Latvia from 455 to 540.
- June 28, 2021 – The Canadian Armed Forces opened the new multi-national headquarters building, adjacent to the Latvian National Armed Forces Joint Headquarters. This building currently houses Task Force Latvia Headquarters and will be poised in the future to house the leadership of the other allied nations that will contribute personnel to the NATO eFP Battle Group.
- February 22, 2022 - Canada announced that a battery of M777 artillery guns with forward observers, and an electronic warfare troop, consisting of approximately 155 soldiers, would also be attached to the Battle Group.
Past Deployments
CAF members have continuously supported NATO assurance and deterrence measures since 2014.
- To date, 11 different ships have contributed to this operation over 18 deployments.
- From May 2014 to August 2017, over 1000 soldiers deployed in eight rotations to Europe. Based at Drawsko Pomosrkie Training Area, Poland, they regularly took part in exercises with allies and partners.
- The CAF has sent an air task force to three different countries: Romania (seven times), Iceland, and Lithuania.
News
Royal Canadian Navy ships return from Operation REASSURANCE
Link to External site / November 1, 2022
Canada’s Air Task Force – Romania begins NATO Air Policing mission
Link to External site / August 4 ,2022
Two Royal Canadian Navy ships return from European NATO missions
Link to External site / July 15, 2022
Her Majesty’s Canadian Ships Kingston and Summerside depart for Operation REASSURANCE
Link to External site / June 26, 2022
Link to External site / June 19, 2022
Minister Anand Announces Further Military Aid for Ukraine
Link to External site / June 15, 2022
Defence Minister Anita Anand announces additional military aid for Ukraine
Link to External site / May 24, 2022
Canada sending additional $25M military aid to support Ukraine
Link to External site / February 28, 2022
Canada announces support to address the situation in Ukraine
Link to External site / February 22, 2022
Link to External site / May 1, 2020
Accident involving a Royal Canadian Air Force CH-148 Cyclone helicopter
Link to External site / April 30, 2020
Defence Minister Sajjan attends NATO Defence Ministers’ Meeting
Link to External site / June 29, 2019
Canadian Armed Forces Break Ground for New Headquarters Building in Latvia
Link to External site / June 19, 2019
Canada assumes command of Standing NATO Maritime Group Two
Link to External site / June 17, 2019
Link to External site / January 21, 2019
Canada’s Air Task Force completes 2018 deployment with NATO enhanced Air Policing in Romania
Link to External site / January 3, 2019
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