HMCS Vancouver departs on deployment

His Majesty’s Canadian Ship Vancouver. Photo: Master Corporal Nathan Spence

Captain Pedram Mohyeddin, 
MARPAC 
— 
His Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Vancouver departs this week on a six-month deployment to the Indo-Pacific. Led by Commander (Cdr) Tyson Bergmann, Commanding Officer of HMCS Vancouver, the warship will participate in Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC), before proceeding on to Operation Horizon and Operation Neon.

First on the schedule is HMCS Vancouver’s Intermediate Multi-Ship Readiness Training where the crew will train in a variety of drills from fire and floods to weapons operations and ship manoeuvres.

This training will continue until the ship reaches Hawaii where the U.S. Navy Third Fleet is hosting RIMPAC, the world’s largest international maritime exercise. This year, approximately 29 nations, 40 surface ships, three submarines, 14 national land forces, over 150 aircraft and more than 25,000 personnel will participate in RIMPAC.

“I can think of no better way to begin a six-months long deployment to the Indo-Pacific than participating in RIMPAC,” says Cdr Bergmann. “Not only will this allow us to take part in the world’s largest international maritime exercise, but it will set the tone for the rest of our sail in this vital area of the world.”

After RIMPAC, HMCS Vancouver’s time at sea will still not have reached its mid-way point. With RIMPAC scheduled to end at the beginning of August, HMCS Vancouver will have more than four months left at sea until it returns in December. During this time, HMCS Vancouver will be deployed on Operation Horizon and Operation Neon.

Operation Horizon is Canada’s ongoing mission to promote peace and stability in support of the rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific by maintaining a persistent, meaningful presence. The goal of HMCS Vancouver’s crew through all their training and exercises has been to ultimately deploy on an international operation and they will get that chance when the ship leaves Hawaii for the Indo-Pacific.

HMCS Vancouver will also deploy on Operation Neon, Canada’s contribution to the multinational effort to support the implementation of United Nations Security Council sanctions imposed on North Korea to pressure North Korea to abandon its weapons of mass destruction programs.

“I believe in the sailors, soldiers, and aviators that serve in Vancouver,” says Cdr Bergmann. “I know that with their hard work and professionalism, we will be successful in every aspect of our deployment.”

embers come to attention as Commander Tyson Bergmann, Commanding Officer of HMCS Vancouver, walks on deck to address the crew. Photo: Captain Pedram Mohyeddin