HMCS Toronto returns home after a successful deployment in the Arabian Sea

News Release

NR 14.017 - February 3, 2014

HMCS Regina to resume the Canadian duties on Operation ARTEMIS

Introduction

The past year, the Royal Canadian Navy frigate HMCS Toronto has successfully completed her deployment on Operation ARTEMIS, and she will soon depart the waters of the Arabian Sea to begin her return voyage home. HMCS Regina is en route to the region to relieve HMCS Toronto and resume the Canadian duties on Combined Task Force 150 (CTF-150) in mid-February.

Operation ARTEMIS is Canada’s participation in CTF-150, the multinational task force operated by Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) that promotes maritime security aimed at countering terrorism and related activities in the Gulf of Oman, Gulf of Aden, the Red Sea and Indian Ocean. The continued presence of military assets in the Arabian Sea region also gives Canada and the 29 other contributing nations the flexibility and capability to respond quickly to emerging crises in the region.

Quick Facts

HMCS Toronto departed Halifax on January 14, 2013, arriving in the Arabian Sea region on February 3, to begin her mission on Operation ARTEMIS.
HMCS Toronto successfully intercepted and destroyed nine narcotics shipments, totalling approximately 8.5 metric tonnes.
HMCS Toronto was deployed on Operation ARTEMIS for nearly one year; the entire Ship’s Company was completely replaced in July 2013 with a second crew – a rare feat for the Royal Canadian Navy.
HMCS Toronto steamed more than 80 000 nautical miles and conducted more than 60 boardings. Her CH-124 Sea King helicopter logged more than 700 flying hours, and the unmanned aerial vehicle detachment logged more than 1 200 operational hours.
HMCS Toronto also conducted 16 port visits designed to reinforce relations with strategic partners, and demonstrate that Canada is actively involved in setting the conditions for security and stability in the region.
This is HMCS Regina’s second deployment on Operation ARTEMIS. The warship departed from Esquimalt, British Columbia, on January 6, 2014.
HMC Ships Toronto and Regina are Halifax-class Frigates, each with a crew of approximately 250 personnel, including an embarked boarding party, a CH-124 Sea King helicopter air detachment and a shipboard unmanned aerial vehicle detachment.

Quotes

“HMCS Toronto has excelled in its contribution to Combined Task Force 150, helping to create a stable maritime environment in the Arabian Sea. Canadians can take pride in knowing that HMCS Regina will assume her new mission with professionalism and expertise, and will continue to work with our coalition partners to deny international terrorists the use of shipping lanes and disrupt the drug trade funding their activities.”
The Honourable Rob Nicholson, Minister of National Defence

"The deployment of Canadian Armed Forces assets and personnel provides an opportunity to enhance multilateral cooperation that further develops interoperability with partners and allies in the region. Like HMCS Toronto, I am confident HMCS Regina will continue making valuable contributions to combating terrorism and supporting maritime security with our partner national of Combined Task Force 150."
General Tom Lawson Chief of the Defence Staff

"The personnel deployed on Operation ARTEMIS have done outstanding work to date, including flag-verification boardings and interdiction operations. Canadians can be proud of our role in supporting security in this important region, sustaining good order at sea, and allowing for the safe flow of people and commerce across these waters."
Lieutenant-General Stuart Beare Commander, Canadian Joint Operations Command

"The men and women of HMCS Regina are highly-trained professionals who will carry on the fine tradition of Canadian Armed Forces personnel serving with Combined Task Force 150. I wish them fair winds and following seas, as they take over the watch from HMCS Toronto who has patrolled the Arabian Sea region for nearly a year.”
Vice-Admiral Mark Norman Commander, Royal Canadian Navy

Associated Links

Canada extends maritime security and counter-terrorism mission in the Arabian Sea region

Contacts

Media Relations
Department of National Defence
Phone: (613) 996-2353
Toll-Free: 1 866 377-0811

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2016-12-14

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HMCS Toronto returns home after a successful deployment in the Arabian Sea

News Release

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