The Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C. M.P for Niagara Falls, Minister of National Defence, today announced members of the Canadian Armed Forces will participate in Operation OPEN SPIRIT 2014 in Latvia alongside personnel from the Latvian Naval Flotilla (LNF) and military members from Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Norway, Sweden, Finland, France, Poland, Germany, Lithuania, Turkey, the United States and the Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 1 (SNMCMG1). Operation OPEN SPIRIT is an annual multinational disposal of maritime explosive remnants of war that will be based out of the Latvian Naval Base in Liepaja, located in west Latvia on the Baltic Sea between May 9 and 22, 2014. The Canadian Armed Forces will be contributing the Royal Canadian Navy clearance diving team.
“The contribution of this Royal Canadian Navy clearance diving team to Operation OPEN SPIRIT shows Canada’s support to Partnership for Peace initiatives while increasing our ability to conduct operations with our NATO partners, including our key allies in Eastern Europe.”
The Honourable Rob Nicholson, PC, QC, MP for Niagara Falls and Minister of National Defence
“The Canadian Armed Forces have some of the most capable, highly trained, and experienced Explosive Ordnance Disposal teams in the world. We can be proud to see them working alongside our NATO partners to advance safe navigation in Baltic waters.”
Lieutenant General S.A. Beare, Commander, Canadian Joint Operations Command
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Backgrounder on Operation OPEN SPIRIT
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