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Background Summaries: Recent operations overview
DOMESTIC
Operation Nanook (Exercise)
Where: Canada’s North
When: Annually in August
A major recurring sovereignty operation conducted annually by the CF in Canada’s North. RCN personnel and diverse naval assets augment those of the RCAF, the Canadian Army, the Canadian Coast Guard and other participating countries in this exercise, designed to demonstrate Canada’s ability to operate effectively in the challenging environment of the North.
Where: Québec
When: 2011
The joint response to a request by the Province of Québec for assistance in controlling floods in the Montérégie region of Québec. This domestic humanitarian relief mission incorporated CF navy, air force and army assets to deliver much needed assistance to communities affected by these floods.
Where: Manitoba
When: 2011
The CF delivery of critical humanitarian relief and assistance to people affected by the floods along the Assiniboine River in Manitoba. The CF provided assets that included two domestic response companies of 100 CF Reserve personnel each, including naval reservists.
Operation Connection/Great Lakes Deployment
Where: Great Lakes region
When: Annually in August/September
The Great Lakes Deployment, part of the CF’s Operation Connection, involves one or more RCN ships which travel from Halifax, up the St. Lawrence Seaway and into the Great Lakes region. It provides an opportunity for Canadians in cities along the way to tour a naval vessel, speak with sailors, and learn about the important role the navy plays both in protecting our sovereignty and in providing security and humanitarian assistance around the world.
INTERNATIONAL
Operation Active Endeavour
Where: Mediterranean Sea and the Strait of Gibraltar
When: Periodic (Most recent 2012)
Canada’s current participation inthe NATO counter-terrorism operation in the Mediterranean Sea and the Strait of Gibraltar. HMCS Vancouver provided support until mid-January 2012, when HMCS Charlottetown took over.
Where: Caribbean Basin and East Pacific
When: Periodic (Most recent 2011)
Canada’s contribution to an ongoing U.S.-led, multinational effort to stop drug trafficking in the waters of the Caribbean Basin and East Pacific. The RCN routinely provides surface and sub-surface assets to this counter-drug operation.
Operation Mobile
Where: Libya
When: 2011
CF participation in the international response to the uprising in Libya against the regime of Moammar Gadhafi. HMC Ships Charlottetown and Vancouver participated in the maritime component of the operation.
Where: Arabian Sea, Persian Gulf and Horn of Africa
When: Periodic (Most recent 2010)
Canada’s participation in the international campaign to enhance maritime security in the North Arabian Sea, the Persian Gulf and the waters around the Horn of Africa. To date HMC Ships Ville de Québec, Winnipeg and Fredericton have provided support to the operation.
Where: Haiti
When: 2010
The CF participation in humanitarian operations conducted in response to the catastrophic earthquake that struck Port-au-Prince, Haiti January 12, 2010. HMC Ships Athabaskan and Halifax, along with their Sea King helicopters, provided support to the operation for several weeks.
When: October 2, 2001-December 15, 2003 [HMCS Halifax was the first to deploy October 8, 2001 and Calgary the last, leaving June 15, 03 and returning December 15, 2003]
Where in World: Arabian Sea, Arabian Gulf Region, Northern Indian Ocean, Afghanistan
Who: 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (3 PPCLI) Battle Group, Canadian Naval Task Group [a commander with three or four warships under his command, plus a supply ship and Sea King helicopters], Long-Range Patrol Detachment comprising two CP-140 Aurora maritime patrol and surveillance aircraft, and a Tactical Airlift Detachment comprising three CC-130 Hercules transport aircraft. This resulted in a total of 4,000 sailors deployed for six months on 16 out of the Navy's 18 major warships, some returning twice.
What: An immediate response to the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, Op APOLLO was our contribution to the war on terror. While in concert, Canadians ships hailed and boarded suspicious vessels, becoming one of the world's leading navies in boarding party tactics. The Operations following the end of Op Apollo have been the land-based Operations Archer and the naval operation, Altair.
When: September 2005
Where in the World: United States Gulf Coast region
Who: About 900 Canadian Forces sailors, soldiers and aircrew were sent to help in the colossal relief efforts following Hurricane Katrina. A composite team of 35 navy and army divers were based in the New Orleans, La., area. HMC Ships Ville de Québec, Athabaskan, and Toronto deployed to the region.
What: The Canadian Forces (CF) contribution to the Government of Canada response to the southern U.S. relief effort in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Military members brought down supplies, navy divers helped clear debris, and others helped in reconstruction efforts.
When: January 2004 to present. HMCS Toronto was the first to deploy, from January to July 2004
Where in the World: Persian (Arabian) Gulf
Who: 247 personnel serving in HMC Ships Toronto and Winnipeg.
What: Operation ALTAIR is the Canadian Forces maritime contribution to the U.S.-led coalition campaign against terrorism known as Operation ENDURING FREEDOM (OEF). Operation ALTAIR comprises single ship deployments. It picks up where Operation APOLLO left off, though in a smaller format.
Operation Megaphone
When: July 30, 2000- August 6, 2000
Where in the World: Off the coast of Newfoundland
Who: Navy personnel sailing in HMC Ships Athabaskan and Montréal.
What: American cargo ship GTS Katie was hired to carry three CF members and $223 million worth of military equipment being shipped back to Canada from Kosovo. However, when she sailed off the agreed-upon course, Canadian sailors were forced to board the vessel off the coast of Newfoundland, and secure Canadian interests.
When: October 1999-April 2001
Where in the World: East Timor
Who: HMCS Protecteur and two C-130 Hercules transport aircraft from 8 Wing in Trenton, Ontario
What: This humanitarian assistance mission helped restore the country to peace after violence destroyed much of its infrastructure following a vote to become independent from Indonesia.
Operations Augmentation (1998-2002), Determination (1998) and Prevention (1997)
What: Enforcement of UN-imposed sanctions against Iraq.
Where in the World: Persian (Arabian) Gulf region
Who: HMC Ships Toronto and Ottawa in 1998, HMCS Regina in 1999, and HMCS Charlottetown in 2001. This operation follows Operation Tranquility, which saw HMCS Calgary in the Arabian Gulf region performing maritime interdiction.
When: 1995-1997 - Turbot fisheries dispute with Spain
Where in the World: Off the Grand Banks of Newfoundland
Who: Maritime Forces Atlantic vessels
What: Also known as the turbot dispute, this operation responded to the over fishing of Grand Banks waters. Navy vessels were sent to observe Spanish fishing activity suspected of contravening fishing regulations. As a result, the Navy retrieved an illegal fishing net from seabed for the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, in a continued effort to protect Canada's shorelines.
Operation Tranquility
When: 1995-1998
Where in the World: Arabian Gulf
Who: HMCS
CalgaryWhat: Maritime Interdiction Force support working with the US Navy covering waterways with high traffic, sometimes volatile.
When: 1993-1994
Where in the World: Haiti
Who: Naval contingent of approximately 250 personnel including paid off HMC Ships Terra Nova, Annapolis and Fraser
What: Following the 1991 military coup that ousted Haitian president Jean-Bertrand Arisitide, the United Nations had an embargo against Haiti. Canadian Naval ships deployed to support the enforcement of UN Council resolutions. During the operation, HMCS Terra Nova heroically rescued 57 passengers from a boat off the coast of Haiti.
When: June 1993-June 1996
Where in the World: Bosnia, former Yugoslavia
Who: Eight Navy ships deployed between this time, including HMCS
MontréalWhat: Canadian ships deployed to assist the UN in peacekeeping efforts by imposing a naval blockade around the coastline
Operation: Deliverance and Relief
When: December 1992- March 1993
Where in the World: Somalia
Who: HMCS Preserver
What: Canadian ships escorted relief convoys, helping contribute to the United Nations' efforts to control and limit conflicts in Somalia.
HMCS Toronto makes history with massive narcotics haul
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