DT News interview: Cmdre Bradley Peats, Commander of Standing NATO Maritime Group One
Video / February 3, 2021
Transcript
(Shelley) Last month, Commodore Bradley Peats officially assumed command of Standing NATO Maritime Group One during a change of command ceremony held in Lisbon, Portugal.
Commodore Peats joins us today to discuss his recent appointment and what it means to be leading this group in a still uncertain global environment.
Thanks for joining us today, sir.
Can you start by describing what Standing NATO Maritime Group One is?
(BP) Absolutely. Standing NATO Maritime Group One is one of four multinational, high-readiness maritime task groups. Those task groups are at immediate availability to NATO to respond across a continuum of operations from search and rescue all the way to crisis and conflict.
(S) Now under your leadership, will there be anything different about the CAF contribution to assurance and deterrence measures in Western and Northern European waters?
(BP) Yes, I think there will be something different, that being the Canadian perspective that Canada being in a leadership role brings. Like my predecessor before me, from Portugal, and his before him from Norway, we all bring our unique country perspectives with us. So my intention will be to bring that Canadian perspective to an international staff.
(S) Why is Canada’s membership in this Alliance so important, especially in the current context of the pandemic?
(BP) NATO is a cornerstone of Canada’s international security policy, and because of that anytime we contribute forces to NATO it’s important. In the context of COVID-19 and the pandemic that the world is facing, it’s even more important that we have forces that are able to operate in this COVD environment. So Canada’s contribution of a flagship, a leadership staff, all who are COVID-free, is indispensable to NATO.
(S) Anything else you’d like to add?
(BP) I would, yes. I’d like to thank everybody back home. Missions like this don’t occur without the support that you get from home. First and foremost it’s from family, friends and loved ones, but it’s also from the entire Defence Team, Fleet Maintenance Facilities and Naval Dockyards that assure that (HMCS) Halifax maintains its fighting readiness. I want to thank everybody back home in Canada. Stay safe and stay healthy.
Thank you for joining us today, sir.