Change of guard for Operation ARTEMIS

DND Press Release: 

April 11, 2016 – Ottawa – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces

A five-member Canadian contingent replaced seven Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) members who were deployed on Operation ARTEMIS since December 2015, today in Bahrain.

Operation ARTEMIS is the Canadian Armed Forces’ participation in counter-terrorism and maritime security operations across the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, the Gulf of Oman and the Indian Ocean.

Operation ARTEMIS clearly demonstrates Canada’s solidarity with partners and allies that are working together for peace and security in the maritime environment of the greater Middle East region.

The incoming five-member CAF contingent will support the British Royal Navy in command of CTF 150 until August 2016. The seven RCN members were supporting Combined Task Force 150 (CTF 150) headed by the Royal Australian Navy contingent.

The returning Canadian Armed Forces’ contribution to CTF 150 included Captain (Navy) William Quinn in the position of Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff of CTF 150 while the other RCN members were integrated into the multinational, land-based command unit.

Headquartered in Manama, Bahrain, Operation ARTEMIS is the Canadian Armed Forces’ (CAF) ongoing contribution to counter-terrorism and maritime security operations across the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman and western Indian Ocean.

Arabian Sea, 18 December 2012 – Members of HMCS Regina’s boarding party board a dhow for inspection during Operation ARTEMIS. (Photo by Cpl Rick Ayer, Formation Imaging Services, Halifax)

“Long-time contributors to Combined Task Force 150, the Canadian Armed Forces continue to demonstrate Canada’s commitment to the fight against terrorism and the promotion of international security and stability. I am confident that the recent successes of the Operation ARTEMIS contingent in Bahrain will be continued by the new team of Royal Canadian Navy personnel taking their place.”
 - Lieutenant-General Stephen Bowes, Commander Canadian Joint Operations Command

“Since we deployed on Operation ARTEMIS in early December 2015, we have worked diligently with the Royal Australian Navy and other partners to maintain maritime security and counter international terrorism in the western half of the Indian Ocean. Our success during this deployment is a fine example of what can be achieved when like-minded nations join forces in common cause.”
- Captain (N) William Quinn, Commander Task Force Arabian Sea/Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff of CTF 150

Canada deploys contingent to Combined Task Force 150

(Published by DND Press Release)

OTTAWA — Seven Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) personnel begin Operation ARTEMIS this week as part of Combined Task Force 150 (CTF-150) in Bahrain.

The Canadian contingent will remain in position until April 2016 under the Australian Defence Force, which assumed command of CTF-150 today.

Quick Facts 

This deployment represents Canada’s most recent contribution to Operation ARTEMIS, the CAF’s ongoing contribution to counter-terrorism and maritime security operations across the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, and Gulf of Oman.

The CAF contribution consists of five officers and two non-commissioned members of the Royal Canadian Navy, including Captain (Navy) William Quinn, who will act as Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff of CTF-150. The other members will work in planning, logistics, and as watch-keepers.
Through maritime security operations and regional engagements, Combined Task Force 150 works to deter and deny terrorist organizations from using merchant shipping lanes for smuggling weapons, illicit cargo and narcotics, while ensuring the safe passage of merchant ships in some of the busiest shipping lanes in the world.

Command of Combined Task Force 150 is rotated between participant nations on a four- to six-month basis. The Australian Defence Force assumed command of CTF-150 today until April 2016, when it will hand command over to the United Kingdom.

Canada commanded Combined Task Force 150 from December 2014 to April 2015.

HMCS Iroquois Retiring after 43 years

The Canadian Armed Forces - Maritime Forces Atlantic is encouraging all serving and retired members who served aboard HMCS Iroquois to RSVP to the "Paying Off" Ceremony on may 1st in Halifax, Nova Scotia



HMCS Iroquois is concluding more than four decades of Service to the Royal Canadian Navy, its achievements symbolize the excellent workmanship and special comradery of her crew over the years. HMCS Iroquois has been a valued service to all Canadians.

Her hull was laid down on January 15, 1969, and launched on November 28, 1970. The official commissioned date into the RCN was July 29, 1972. Her official decommissioned date will be set as May 1, 2015.

Between 1972 and 1992, HMCS Iroquois took ppart in more than 40 major exercises and 6 Standing Naval Force Atlantic Deployments.

In 1984 the Destroyer responded to assist the HO MING 5, a Panamanian freighter. 11 Crew were removed by Sea King helicopter, 9 additional crew were removed by Zodiac. 12 of the Iroquois' crew were awarded the Star of Courage, with another 6 receiving the Medal of Bravery.

In 1989, the Destroyer began its TRUMP refit in Sorel, Quebec. The refit would be complete by 1992.

In 1993, HMCS Iroquois deployed on Operation SHARP GUARD off the coast of the former Yugoslavia. Its duties were to blockade the coast. It would be relieved by HMCS Halifax in April 1994.

In 2000 it was deployed on exchange to Norfolk, US Navy Yard.

In  November 2001 Iroquois was deployed with HMCS Preserver and HMCS Charlottetown as part of Operation APOLLO in the Arabian Sea. Would remain deployed until April 2002.

In 2002, deployed to Bahrain and the Suez Canal.

In 2003, deployed to Combined Task Force 151 in the Persian Gulf.

February 2003, a Sea King Helicopter crashes on the deck, and is forced to return to Halifax for repairs. By March HMCS Iroquois and HMCS Fredericton deploy to the Persian Gulf.

Deployed to Gibraltar and Augusta in March 2003. Valletta and Gibraltar in July 2003.

Deployed on Operation ALTAIR STARTS in 2004.

Throughout 2006, HMCS Iroquois was deployed to various international naval squadrons, in Brest, Aarhus, Solent, Plymouth Sound, Tota, Souda Ba, Palma de Majorca.

In November 2006 responded to the USS Boone when it lost its rudder in the Mediterranean.

In 2008, was deployed to the Carribean on Operation CARIBBE. Returned to the Mediterranean Sea in May of 2008, took part in Multinational ASW Scenario. Later deployed on Combined Task Force-150 as the CTF-150 Flagship. for the remainder of 2008.

In 2009 HMCS Iroquois visits Bermuda.

In 2012 HMCS Iroquois visits Brooklyn (Fleet Week), Baltimore (Star Spangled Sailibration), and Boston (Fleet Week and Op SAIL 2012)

In 2013, she visits Canary Wharf, Le Havre, Hamburg, and Liverpool.

Her journey came to an end while visiting Boston in May of 2014, where fatigue cracks were found in the hull, and returned to Halifax, and has been out of service since.

For a Detailed paper witten by Colin Darlington, a retired Canadian Naval Officer, please see the Ottawa Citizen's Defence Watch  

CAF hands over CTF-150 Command

DND announced yesterday that the CAF handed over command of Combined Task Force 150 (CTF-150) to France in a ceremony Manama, Bahrain. This was Canada's second command of one of the Combined Maritime Forces  (CMF); multinational forces that operate in the greater Middle East region.

CTF-150 was part of the deployment under the name OP ARTEMIS, which is the CAF's ongoing contribution to counter-terrorism and maritime security operations. OP ARTEMIS operates across the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, and the Western Indian Ocean. CTF-150 is 1 of 3 CMF multinational naval forces.

Canada commanded CTF-150 from December 4, 2014 to April 6, 2015. The deployment consisted of 24 CAF and DND personnel, stationed mainly in Bahrain. Canada's command was joined by several members of the Australian Defence Forces.

Canada is a long time contributor to CTF-150 - regularly deploying warships and or staff/personnel to the mission since 2001.

To learn more about the mission please click: OP ARTEMIS

A member of the CAF boarding party specialist, deployed to OP ARTEMIS observes Tanzania Maritime Forces practice boarding techniques during Exercise CUTLASS EXPRESS, in January 2015.
 Photo: CF Combat Camera 

HMCS Toronto to receive US Navy Meritorious Unit Award

HMCS Toronto after returning from OP REASSURANCE in Jan 2015. Photo: CF Combat Camera, L/S Dan Bard. 

The top US Navy Admiral will present a US Navy Meritorious Unit Award to HMCS Toronto on February 20 2015.

Admiral Johnathan Greenert, will present the award to HMCS Toronto in Halifax, Nova Scotia on the 20th.

A Non-US naval force receiving this US Navy decoration is a rarity, and this marks only the 5th time such an instance has occurred in the past 45 years.

HMCS Toronto was part of Combined Task Force (CTF) 150, and provided continued support to the US lead operation in disrupting the flow of drugs, criminal activity, and terrorist activities in the US Central Command Area of responsibility.

Among the long list of accomplishments during HMCS Toronto's deployment which began back in February 2013, was seizing 6 caches of illegals drugs, including 1300 kilograms of heroin and 6 tons of hasish.

Original News Release:
http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=85661