HMCS Toronto completes Exercise MAVI BALINA as part of Op REASSURANCE

News Release

November 13, 2014 - Ottawa

Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Toronto completed its participation in the Turkish-led Exercise MAVI BALINA today as part of Operation REASSURANCE deployment in the Mediterranean Sea in response to the Putin regime’s aggressive military actions against Ukraine.

As part of Standing NATO Maritime Group Two (SNMG 2), HMCS Toronto participated in joint training exercises which involved planning and executing anti-submarine and submarine warfare tactics, as well as other maritime warfare capabilities in the Eastern Mediterranean from November 6–13, 2014.

Quick Facts

The maritime component of Exercise MAVI BALINA involved warships and aircraft from five NATO nations: Canada, Germany, Spain, Turkey, and the United States, as well as the Pakistan Navy as a partner nation.
Exercise MAVI BALINA provided a valuable opportunity to further increase NATO’s subsurface warfare skill set, knowledge of anti-submarine warfare and tactical planning in a multi-national, simulated threat environment.
HMCS Toronto remains, as part of Operation REASSURANCE, tasked with patrolling the Mediterranean Sea through monitoring shipping to help detect, deter and protect against terrorist activity with SNMG2.
Operation REASSURANCE refers to the military activities undertaken by the CAF to support NATO assurance measures through the provision of military capabilities for training, exercises, demonstrations and assigned NATO tasks. The CAF’s response in support of NATO’s request promotes security and stability in Central and Eastern Europe, and demonstrates Canada's steadfast commitment to our allies in the region.
The Standing NATO Maritime Groups are multinational, integrated maritime forces made up of vessels from various allied countries. These vessels are permanently available to NATO to perform different tasks ranging from exercises to operational missions. They also help to establish Alliance presence, demonstrate solidarity, conduct routine diplomatic visits to different countries, support partner engagement, and provide a variety of maritime military capabilities to ongoing missions.
HMCS Toronto is a Halifax-class frigate based out of Canadian Fleet Atlantic in Halifax. Nova Scotia, and has a crew of 250 personnel of all ranks, including a CH-124 Sea King helicopter and air detachment.

Quotes

“HMCS Toronto’s participation in joint training exercises like Exercise MAVI BALINA is a testament to Canada’s continuing commitment to NATO’s collective defence and security. These exercises enhance alliance capabilities and interoperability while demonstrating our unwavering unity and resolve to address ever evolving regional security challenges, particularly in response to Russia’s continued aggression towards Ukraine.”
The Honourable Rob Nicholson, PC, QC, MP for Niagara Falls and Minister of National Defence

“HMCS Toronto’s presence in the Mediterranean Sea provides the Canadian Armed Forces with the means to respond quickly and effectively to various operational contingencies and potential crises on behalf of the Government of Canada. By working closely with NATO and other like-minded nations, we improve our collective readiness and capability to address emerging threats to security and stability in the region and around the world.”
Major General Chuck Lamarre, Deputy Commander Expeditionary Operations Canadian Joint Operations Command

“Exercise MAVI BALINA provided an ideal forum for HMCS Toronto’s anti-submarine, submarine and surface warfare specialists to hone their skill sets while working collectively with NATO allies to strengthen alliance interoperability and confidence in each other’s capabilities. The ship’s company performed well throughout the exercise as they met every challenge and simulated threat with tenacity, vigour and professionalism.”
Commander Jason Armstrong, Commanding Officer of HMCS Toronto

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 completes Exercise MAVI BALINA as part of Op REASSURANCE

News Release

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