HMCS Fredericton participates in Exercise BALTOPS 2015

News Release

June 5, 2015

OTTAWA – Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Fredericton joins Exercise BALTOPS 2015 today in the Baltic Sea as part of its deployment under Operation REASSURANCE, Canada’s response to the Putin regime’s military aggression toward Ukraine and threatening posture in Eastern Europe.

Under the command of Standing NATO Maritime Group Two (SNMG2), HMCS Fredericton will participate in this multinational maritime exercise from June 5-20, 2015. The training exercise is designed to enhance operational flexibility and interoperability as well as demonstrate the resolve of NATO and partner forces to defend the Baltic region.

Quick Facts

During Exercise BALTOPS 15, HMCS Fredericton will continue to operate with NATO Allies and partners within an international construct.
HMCS Fredericton will serve as the Anti-Submarine Warfare Commander for one of the Task Groups on the exercise and will train with NATO and non-NATO forces to conduct air defense, maritime interdiction, anti-subsurface warfare, and amphibious operations in a joint multinational environment.
HMCS Fredericton is the first modernized frigate to deploy in support of Government of Canada objectives and the ship’s participation in Exercise BALTOPS 15 will exploit its enhanced surveillance and information sharing capabilities.
Exercise BALTOPS 15 includes 50 maritime units, 61 aircraft, and approximately 700 land force members from 17 NATO and partner nations, making it the largest annual multinational exercise taking place in the Baltic region. Participating nations include Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Georgia, Latvia, Lithuania, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
SNMG2 is currently comprised of HMCS Fredericton (337), U.S. flagship, USS Vicksburg (CG 69) and Turkish ship TCG Göksu (F 497).
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.
Operation REASSURANCE refers to the military activities undertaken by the Canadian Armed Forces to support NATO assurance measures through the provision of military capabilities for training, exercises, demonstrations and assigned NATO tasks. These measures are based on the principles of defence, deterrence and de-escalation.
HMCS Fredericton has participated in NATO-led counter-terrorism patrols and related activities in the Mediterranean Sea, Black Sea, North Atlantic Ocean, and Baltic Sea as part of SNMG2 since relieving HMCS Toronto in January.
HMCS Fredericton completed its modernization/frigate equipment life extension 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

“Having the fully modernized Fredericton participate in Exercise BALTOPS helps the Royal Canadian Navy maintain readiness and work interoperably with our NATO Allies and partners. It also strengthens NATO’s collective ability to respond to threats and emergencies while contributing to international peace and security.”
Jason Kenney, Minister of National Defence

"As the largest multinational exercise taking place in the Baltic region, Exercise BALTOPS 2015 will provide Fredericton with an invaluable training opportunity. Our participation in the task group will allow us to continue testing our new capabilities and enhance our performance, while fostering and sustaining cooperative relationships with the Alliance.”
Commander Jeff Murray, Commanding Officer, HMCS Fredericton

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Contacts

Lauren Armstrong
Office of the Minister of National Defence
Phone: 613-996-3100

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HMCS Fredericton participates in Exercise BALTOPS 2015

News Release

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