OTTAWA -

Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Fredericton joins Exercise JOINT WARRIOR today as part of its deployment under Operation REASSURANCE in support of NATO assurance measures in the North Atlantic Ocean. Two CP-140 Auroras from the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) will also take part to the exercise.

Fredericton and other Standing NATO Maritime Group Two (SNMG2) warships, as well as the two RCAF CP-140 Auroras, will participate in the semi-annual training exercise conducted in the coastal waters off the United Kingdom from April 12 to 23, 2015. The training is designed to provide NATO and non-NATO forces a multi-warfare environment in which to prepare for global operations. Participating countries aim to improve interoperability and prepare forces for future combined exercises.

Quick Facts

• Under the command of SNMG2, HMCS Fredericton will exercise with more than 50 warships in support of 15 countries making it the biggest in the history of the multinational exercise.

• During Exercise JOINT WARRIOR, HMCS Fredericton and the  two CP-140 Auroras will integrate with NATO and non-NATO forces to demonstrate their ability to operate in a large international construct.

• Participating ships will conduct a large spectrum of naval exercises including Maritime Interdiction Operations, Air Defence Exercises and Casualty Exercises while operating in an simulated unstable political environment.

• The exercise will include air, sea and ground assets from Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States.

• HMCS Frederictonis the first modernized frigate to deploy in support of Government of Canada objectives. The ship’s participation in Exercise JOINT WARRIOR will demonstrate its developments in surveillance and information sharing capability.

• SNMG2 is comprised of HMCS Fredericton, U.S. flagship, USS Vicksburg (CG 69), Turkish ship TCG Goksu and German oiler FGS Spessart (A 1442).

• Operation REASSURANCE refers to the military activities undertaken by the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) to support NATO assurance measures through the provision of military capabilities for training, exercises, demonstrations and assigned NATO tasks. These measures are based on the principles of defence, deterrence and de-escalation.

• Standing NATO Maritime Groups are multinational, integrated maritime forces made up of vessels from various allied countries. These vessels are permanently available to NATO to perform different tasks ranging from exercises to operational missions. They also help to establish Alliance presence, demonstrate solidarity, conduct routine diplomatic visits to different countries, support partner engagement and provide a variety of maritime military capabilities to ongoing missions.

• HMCS Frederictonhas participated in NATO-led counter-terrorism patrols and related activities in the Mediterranean, Aegean and Black Seas as part of SNMG2 since relieving HMCS Toronto in January.

• HMCS Frederictonrecently completed her modernization/frigate equipment life extension (HCM/FELEX) refit in November 2014. The ship has upgraded and enhanced capabilities including a new Combat Management System, new radar capability, a new electronic warfare system, upgraded communications and missiles, as well as a new Integrated Platform Management System.

• HMCS Fredericton is a Halifax-class frigate with a crew of approximately 250 personnel of all ranks, including a CH-124 Sea King helicopter and air detachment.

• The CP-140 Auroras are from 19 Wing Comox, British Columbia, and from 14 Wing Greenwood, Nova-Scotia.

• The CP-140 Auroras are in the midst of an extensive modernization project, which includes upgrading mission systems and sensors. One of the two CP-140s is a modernized block 3 model, providing leading-edge capabilities to the exercise.

Quotes

“HMCS Fredericton’s participation in Exercise JOINT WARRIOR makes a significant contribution to Standing NATO Maritime Groups Two’s overall capability. The ship is a valuable resource to the team and the crew is dedicated to working in cooperation with our NATO and non-NATO forces in support of this international exercise that promotes global security and stability.”

Rear Admiral Brad Williamson, Commander Standing NATO Maritime Group Two

“The Royal Canadian Air Force is pleased to participate in the British-led NATO Exercise JOINT WARRIOR 2015. This multi-national exercise will integrate our Aurora platforms into the challenges of real-world activity from maritime security, counter-piracy and combat operations.  Our aviators are the best trained in the world and they will reconfirm this with our alliance partners during JOINT WARRIOR 2015.”

Lieutenant-General Yvan Blondin, Commander Royal Canadian Air Force

“Exercise JOINT WARRIOR is a great opportunity for HMCS Frederictonto demonstrate its upgraded capabilities in a variety of exercise scenarios while operating in cooperation with allies from all over the world. It is a great forum for our crew to demonstrate their exceptional dedication and professionalism to the international community.”

Commander Jeff Murray, Commanding Officer, HMCS Fredericton