HMCS Fredericton Deploys to the Black Sea in Support of NATO-led Maritime Assurance Activities

News Release

March 5, 2015

OTTAWA — Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Fredericton has arrived in the Black Sea to participate in joint NATO training exercises and maritime situational awareness operations with warships from several allied and partner nations.

During the month of March, HMCS Fredericton and the five other allied warships currently assigned to Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 (SNMG2) are in the Black Sea to enhance maritime security and stability in Central and Eastern Europe. Their presence demonstrates Canada's and NATO’s steadfast commitment to allies and security partners in the region, especially in the context of Russia’s continued aggression towards Ukraine.

Quick Facts

HMCS Fredericton and other allied warships will participate in joint NATO training exercises involving simulated anti-air and anti-submarine warfare exercises as well as a simulated small-boat attack and basic ship-handling manoeuvers. These joint NATO training exercises provide excellent opportunities to enhance the Alliance’s maritime interoperability, allowing for rapid response in peacetime and in crisis.
Canada’s participation in joint NATO training exercises strengthens military-to-military and diplomatic relationships as well as promotes shared security principles and capacity building among the Alliance nations. During this Black Sea deployment, HMCS Fredericton and other SNMG2 warships will also conduct port visits to enhance diplomatic and defence relations with strategic partners in the region.
Standing NATO Maritime Groups (SNMG) 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.
SNMG2 is comprised of HMCS Fredericton, the U.S. flagship, USS Vicksburg (CG 69), Turkish ship TCG Turgutreis (F 241), German oiler FGS Spessart (A 1442), Italian ship ITS Aliseo (F 574) and Romanian ship ROS Regina Maria (F 222). SNMG2 warships will also exercise with ships from the Bulgarian, Romanian and Turkish navies during this Black Sea deployment.
Operation REASSURANCE refers to the military activities under taken by the Canadian Armed Forces to support NATO assurance measures through the provision of military capabilities for training, exercises, demonstrations and assigned NATO tasks.
HMCS Fredericton has participated in NATO-led counter-terrorism patrols and related activities in the Mediterranean Sea as part of SNMG2 since relieving HMCS Toronto in January.
HMCS Fredericton recently completed her modernization/frigate equipment life extension (HCM/FELEX) refit in November 2014. The ship has upgraded and enhanced capabilities including a new Combat Management System, new radar capability, a new electronic warfare system, upgraded communications and missiles, as well as a new Integrated Platform Management System.
HMCS Fredericton is a Halifax-class frigate with a crew of approximately 250 personnel of all ranks, including a CH-124 Sea King helicopter and air detachment.

Quotes

“HMCS Fredericton’s presence in the Black Sea demonstrates Canada’s unwavering resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with our NATO allies and security partners in support of international security and stability. This deployment reinforces NATO’s collective defence and shows allied solidarity in response to continued Russian aggression and provocation against Ukraine.”
The Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of National Defence and Minister for Multiculturalism

"The Canadian Armed Forces’ participation in these joint training exercises and maritime situational awareness operations in the Black Sea strengthens our operational readiness and interoperability with our NATO allies and security partners in the region. It also enhances NATO’s capabilities to respond quickly and effectively across the full spectrum of operations and demonstrates Canada’s resolve within the NATO Alliance.”
Lieutenant-General Jonathan Vance, Commander Canadian Joint Operations Command

Associated Links

CJOC Op REASSURANCE

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HMCS Fredericton Deploys to the Black Sea in Support of NATO-led Maritime Assurance Activities

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