“The entire team did Canada proud” – two ships welcomed home from Op Reassurance

Family and friends were in high spirits as they flooded Her Majesty’s Canadian Dockyard on the morning of July 15, eager to welcome their loved ones home from deployment, as Her Majesty’s Canadian Ships (HMCS) Halifax and Montréal sailed back into Halifax harbour.

The two ships had been taking part in Operation Reassurance, Canada’s contribution to NATO assurance and deterrence measures in Central and Eastern Europe.

It was the first Operation Reassurance mission for HMCS Montréal, which left in January to join Standing NATO Maritime Group Two, and the third for Halifax, which left in March and formed part of Standing NATO Maritime Group One.

Both ships were supported by embarked CH-148 Cyclone helicopter air detachments.

Since 2014, the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) has supported NATO’s Maritime Command by deploying a warship, on a rotational basis, for exercises and operational tasks. When Russia’s attack on Ukraine began on February 24, however, “the pressure was much higher,” said Rear-Admiral Brian Santarpia, Commander of Maritime Forces Atlantic (MARLANT) and Joint Task Force Atlantic, who came down to the jetty to greet the ships as they arrived. 

“After the invasion of Ukraine in February, the Government of Canada decided that we needed to send a stronger message to our NATO allies so we had two ships away at the same time,” he said.

“They’re coming home after a very successful mission where Canada proved its value as an ally. Where Canadian sailors and aviators and soldiers onboard did an outstanding job… The entire team did Canada proud.”

Cheers rang out as the two ships pulled up alongside — first Montréal and then Halifax just over five minutes later. 

Senior leadership from MARLANT and Canadian Fleet Atlantic, as well as local dignitaries, mingled in the crowd — chatting with families and crew members as they disembarked.

After hugging his family, Captain Alex Manderson, who was deployed with HMCS Montréal, bent down to pin My Little Hero medals on each of his three children, while his wife, Theresa, looked on.

“It’s been hard having him gone for so long,” Theresa said. “I’m so glad he’s back home with us.”

On the other side of the jetty, Tim Clayton awaited his son, S1 Elliott Clayton, as he came down the gangway off HMCS Halifax. Just in case his son had any illusions of hanging out and resting after being away so long, his dad was carrying a big sign to indicate he has other plans.

“Welcome Home Elliott,” the sign reads. “Dad needs help cutting the grass.”

Continuing Canada’s commitment to NATO’s assurance and deterrence measures in European waters, HMC Ships Kingston and Summerside left Halifax on June 26, marking the first deployment on Operation Reassurance for the Kingston-class Maritime Coastal Defence Vessels. In rare situations the RCN has also deployed its mine countermeasures system, which includes a clearance dive team, a towed array to scan the sea floor and a bottom object inspection vehicle.

This deployment continues to demonstrate Canada’s commitment to NATO and provides assurance to our NATO allies and regional players that we are united in purpose, and can provide a unique capability to the NATO fleet.  As the situation in European waters has demonstrated, mine-countermeasures is an essential task used to ensure free-transit of vessels, and Canada, as a Maritime nation, is there if needed.

They arrived in Kiel, Germany on July 16 to join Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group One and begin operations in the Baltic Sea. Both ships are scheduled to return to Canada in October.