October 9, 2026 – Esquimalt – His Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Ottawa arrived at its home port of Esquimalt, British Columbia, on Friday October 9, 2026, following the completion of a more than four-month deployment to the Indo-Pacific and North American West Arctic regions under Operations HORIZON and LATITUDE.
Approximately 245 sailors, soldiers and aviators deployed aboard HMCS Ottawa.
“Operating alongside our allies and partners during RIMPAC and Operations HORIZON and LATITUDE demonstrated the interoperability, capability, and professionalism of His Majesty’s Canadian Ship Ottawa’s sailors” said Commander Justin Simmons, Commanding Officer, HMCS Ottawa, “I am incredibly proud of what the crew accomplished throughout this deployment, specifically their commitment to regenerating sailors, and am grateful for the steadfast support of our families and friends back home.”
Throughout the deployment, HMCS Ottawa sailed approximately 25,000 nautical miles and visited ports in Canada, Japan, the Republic of Korea, and the United States, demonstrating the Royal Canadian Navy’s ability to operate across multiple geographic areas.
HMCS Ottawa departed Esquimalt on June 1, 2026. The ship began its deployment by participating in Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2026, one of the world’s largest multinational military exercises. HMCS Ottawa operated alongside allies and partners and successfully fired two Mark 46 torpedoes in support of anti-submarine warfare training. Also embarked in HMCS Ottawa was an additional Royal Canadian Navy-led team commanding Task Group 170.1 and acting as the Sea Combat Commander for 14 ships, fulfilling a key leadership role in coordinating multi-national assets to screen an American aircraft carrier, United States Ship Theodore Roosevelt, against surface and sub-surface threats.
Following RIMPAC, HMCS Ottawa supported Operation HORIZON, sailing alongside HMCS Regina and Motor Vessel (MV) Asterix as an all-Canadian task group. The ship conducted engagements with allies and partners throughout the Indo-Pacific, strengthening military cooperation and interoperability.
HMCS Ottawa then transitioned to Operation LATITUDE in northern continental waters, where the ship conducted simulated maritime strikes in the Bering Sea in coordination with the United States Air Force, strengthening interoperability with the United States in support of continental threat detection, deterrence and defence activities.
HMCS Ottawa’s participation in Operations HORIZON and LATITUDE highlight Canada’s commitment to supporting our allies and partners abroad, supporting a free and open Indo-Pacific, while also showcasing our ability to detect, deter and defend against threats to Canadian sovereignty.
“HMCS Ottawa’s deployment demonstrated the Canadian Armed Forces’ ability to operate seamlessly from the Indo-Pacific to the North American arctic regions, advancing Canada’s strategic interests alongside allies and partners. Whether operating in the Indo-Pacific, or contributing to continental defence in northern waters, HMCS Ottawa’s deployment demonstrates Canadian Armed Forces’ operational agility and readiness in achieving our operational objectives at home and abroad. I am proud of the sailors and embarked personnel whose professionalism and dedication made this deployment such a success.” — Lieutenant-General Steve Boivin, Commander Canadian Joint Operations Command
“From strengthening partnerships and interoperability in the Indo-Pacific to supporting continental defence in northern waters, His Majesty’s Canadian Ship Ottawa demonstrated the professionalism, readiness and versatility of the Royal Canadian Navy. We proudly welcome the ship’s company home to Esquimalt.” — Rear-Admiral David Patchell, Commander Maritime Forces Pacific / Joint Task Force Pacific
Through Operation HORIZON, Canada maintains a regular military presence in the Indo-Pacific, working with allies and partners to strengthen cooperation and support security and stability in the region.
Operation LATITUDE is a recurring Canadian Armed Forces maritime operation conducted in northern waters, including the Bering Sea. The operation enhances awareness in the Western Arctic and its approaches while strengthening interoperability with the United States in support of continental defence.
