Canadian Armed Forces units to train with NATO partners during a fleet exercise off Atlantic Coast

Five Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) warships and four Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) aircraft will participate alongside NATO allies in a multinational fleet exercise that is taking place off the Atlantic Coast beginning Aug. 5, and continuing throughout the month.   

This exercise aims to enhance combat readiness and improve interoperability and tactical excellence of the participating forces in an area of the ocean that provides a challenging learning environment. The participation of Canadian Armed Forces personnel in this exercise enhances Canada’s ability to operate with NATO Allies and enables CAF personnel to contribute to contemporary activities like Operation REASSURANCE  that illustrate todays’ evolving and challenging global security environment.

• Maritime exercises are designed and routinely conducted to build and strengthen interoperability and combined effectiveness between the RCN, RCAF and allied forces.
• Maritime exercises aim to provide naval and air force personnel with the most realistic training possible under difficult environmental conditions that stress the entire of ships’ team. This type of training develops the skills that will be utilized when called upon to provide support to the Government of Canada in a wide range of continental and international missions. 
• The exercise is comprised of a total of 10 ships, 15 aircraft and over 2,300 personnel from four nations (Canada, United States, Germany and Turkey).
• The Canadian contribution consists of five warships, Her Majesty’s Canadian Ships (HMCS) Athabaskan, Fredericton, Halifax, Glace Bay and Shawinigan, and four aircraft, three CH-124 Sea King helicopters from 12 Wing Shearwater and one CP140 Aurora from 14 Wing Greenwood.
• Commander Canadian Fleet Atlantic, Commodore Craig Baines, will be commanding the Canadian Task Group aboard HMCS Athabaskan during this multinational exercise.
• This is the fourth multinational exercise the RCN has participated in this year.

“Canada is a strong supporter of NATO and remains committed to doing our part as a member of the Alliance. Training in multinational exercises helps ensure the Canadian Armed Forces are able to work effectively alongside our like-minded allies,” said The Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls and Minister of National Defence.

“This is an exciting opportunity for participating members of the RCN to work with our allies in NATO. The high-tempo, joint training strengthens ties and understanding amongst global partners, improving our ability to successfully work together on multinational operations and missions,” said Vice Admiral Mark Norman, Commander Royal Canadian Navy.

“Exercises such as this are important for maintaining a standing maritime force that is ready to meet the challenges of an ever evolving landscape. The RCN and RCAF members are excited to be working with our allies in order to meet the challenges posed by complex warfare scenarios, finding innovative solutions to the tasks at hand,” said Rear Admiral John Newton, Commander of Maritime Forces Atlantic.