HMC Ships Glace Bay and Shawinigan return home from Baltic Sea deployment
News release
October 29, 2024 – Halifax, Nova Scotia – Department of National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces
His Majesty’s Canadian Ships (HMCS) Glace Bay and Shawinigan returned home today from a four-month deployment with Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 1 (SNMCMG1) in the Baltic Sea under Operation REASSURANCE, Canada’s support to NATO deterrence and defence measures.
This deployment facilitated NATO objectives, highlighting Canada’s commitment to international security and stability, while providing the Royal Canadian Navy with the flexibility to conduct various exercises and operations with allies and partners. Participation in joint-NATO missions like Operation REASSURANCE strengthens diplomatic relationships and promotes shared security principles, defence professionalization, and capacity building among nations.
During their deployment, both ships took part in training exercises with the SNMCMG1 Naval Taskforce, which included sailors and ships from the German Navy, Latvian Naval Forces, Lithuanian Naval Forces, Portuguese Navy, Royal Netherlands Navy, and Belgian Navy. While deployed, and in support of enhanced vigilance activities, beginning on August 29 HMCS Shawinigan monitored a Russian submarine and surface vessel through the Baltic and North Seas before handing over responsibility to His Majesty’s Ship Iron Duke, of the Royal Navy on September 1.
Quotes
“It is a proud and heartwarming occasion to welcome His Majesty’s Canadian Ships Glace Bay and Shawinigan as they return from a four-month commitment on Operation REASSURANCE as part of Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 1. The imperative work our sailors have accomplished while working alongside NATO allies at sea has maintained maritime security in the Baltic and North Seas, from vigilance activities to explosive ordnance disposal. The professionalism demonstrated by these crews has not only represented Canada with distinction but has also strengthened our nation's role within the NATO alliance. Their accomplishments during this deployment have been truly commendable and I look forward to seeing our sailors reunited with their families at home.”
Rear-Admiral Josée Kurtz, Commander Maritime Forces Atlantic and Joint Task Force Atlantic
"I am extremely proud of our sailors in His Majesty’s Canadian Ships Glace Bay and Shawinigan. These crews operated in an area of strategic importance which demonstrated Canada’s commitment to our NATO Allies, contributed to maritime security and directly supported a variety of Canadian interests across the region. Along the way we visited some of the most beautiful areas in the world and developed lasting relationships with our shipmates and Allies, bringing Canadian value everywhere we sailed.”
Lieutenant-Commander Paul Morrison, Task Force Commander
Quick facts
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Under Operation REASSURANCE, the Canadian Armed Forces has deployed a Maritime Task Force, which contributes ships to the Standing NATO Maritime Groups (SNMG); an Air Task Force, providing logistical support out of Prestwick; and a Land Task Force, including the NATO Multinational Brigade Latvia, for which Canada is the Framework Nation.
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SNMGs are multinational, integrated maritime forces made up of vessels from various Allied countries. These vessels, including their air assets, are permanently available to NATO to perform different tasks ranging from participating in exercises to conducting operational missions.
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HMC Ships Glace Bay and Shawinigan departed their home port of Halifax on July 13, 2024.
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HMCS Charlottetown remains deployed on Operation REASSURANCE as the flagship for SNMG2, working alongside allied NATO ships to support regional maritime security in the Mediterranean.
Associated links
Contacts
Media Relations
Department of National Defence
Phone: 613-904-3333
Email: mlo-blm@forces.gc.ca