“Our steadfast commitment to maintaining a maritime presence in an important region,” said Rear-Admiral Christopher Robinson, Commander Maritime Forces Pacific and Commander Joint Task Force Pacific.
HMCS Vancouver sailed into the port of Esquimalt, B.C., on Dec. 5, 2024, having completed a successful six-month deployment to the Indo-Pacific region, taking part in Operation Horizon.
As part of the deployment, HMCS Vancouver became the first Royal Canadian Navy vessel to complete a forward rearmament of its vertical launch system missiles outside of Canadian or American territory. The rearmament took place in September in the port of Broome, Australia.
“The excellent work shown by the crew over the last six months has directly impacted international peace and security,” said Rear-Admiral Christopher Robinson.
Since 2018, Operation Horizon has been the primary military mission for promoting peace, stability, and Canadian interests in the Indo-Pacific region. The HMCS Vancouver is a Halifax-class Canadian patrol frigate tasked with contributing to and implementing military defence support in the area.
“Operations HORIZON and NEON remain critical to the mandate of the Royal Canadian Navy,” said Robinson.
Partnering with allied forces, the HMCS Vancouver participated in six exercises during the latest deployment. The vessel has a complement of approximately 240 sailors and Royal Canadian Air Force aviators.
In October 2019, HMCS Vancouver and crew participated in an exercise called KAEDEX, which focused on strengthening interoperability between the RCN and the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force.
Robinson said, “His Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Vancouver’s successful deployment not only demonstrates Canada’s operational capabilities alongside allied and partner navies but also our steadfast commitment to maintaining a maritime presence in an important region.”
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