The Royal Canadian Navy frigate HMCS Regina departed the Indian Ocean today and began its return voyage to Canadian Fleet Pacific in Esquimalt, BC, after successfully completing an eight-month deployment in support of Operations ARTEMIS and REASSURANCE. HMCS Regina was replaced by HMCS Toronto, which arrived to join Standing NATO Maritime Forces in the Mediterranean Sea on August 5th.
Quick Facts
• HMCS Regina departed Esquimalt for the Indian Ocean region on January 6, 2014, and began its participation in Operation ARTEMIS on February 15, 2014.
• On 16 April 2014, NATO agreed to and began to implement a series of military measures to reinforce NATO’s collective defence to demonstrate the strength of allied solidarity in response to Russian aggression and provocation against Ukraine. These measures are based on the principles of defence, deterrence and de-escalation.
• HMCS Regina was subsequently re-tasked to the Mediterranean Sea in May to Operation REASSURANCE, where they worked side by side with NATO Allies to promote security and stability in Central and Eastern Europe.
• Operation REASSURANCE refers to the military activities undertaken by the CAF to support NATO Reassurance Measures.
• HMCS Regina’s presence in the region provided Canada with the flexibility to execute a range of missions across a broad spectrum of operations in support of the international effort in the region, including surveillance and monitoring, regional defence and diplomatic engagement, and capacity building.
• Operation ARTEMIS is Canada’s participation in Combined Task Force-150, a multinational task force commanded by Combined Maritime Forces which promotes maritime security in the Gulf of Oman, Gulf of Aden, the Red Sea and Indian Ocean.
• HMCS Regina worked to enhance international security and stability by disrupting the flow of drugs in the region. The disruption of drug trafficking hampered a key source of funding for terrorist organizations, and also helped keep dangerous narcotics off the streets of Canada and other allied countries.
• HMCS Regina steamed approximately 61,300 nautical miles and conducted 10 boardings during its deployment.
• HMCS Regina also conducted 20 port visits which enhanced diplomatic and defence relations with strategic partners, demonstrating that Canada is actively involved in setting the conditions for international security and stability.
• HMCS Toronto, a frigate based out of Canadian Fleet Atlantic in Halifax, Nova Scotia, has since relieved HMCS Regina on Operation REASSURANCE and has joined the Standing NATO Maritime Forces in the Mediterranean Sea.
Reposted from: http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?nid=876139