HRH Prince Charles Visits RCN Ships

Navy News / October 8, 2015

By Lieutenant (Navy) Kelly Boyden

His Royal Highness Prince Charles (2nd from left), along with Commodore Craig Baines (left), Commander Canadian Fleet Atlantic, and Rear Admiral John Weale (back), Flag Officer Scotland Northern Ireland, are shown the Operations Room by Commander Kristjan Monaghan (center) Commanding Officer of HMCS Montreal on October 3, 2015.

His Royal Highness Prince Charles, The Prince of Wales, and recently appointed Commodore-in-Chief Canadian Fleet Atlantic, visited Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Montréal and Her Majesty’s Canadian Submarine Windsor on October 3, 2015, while in Faslane, Scotland. The Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) vessels were alongside Faslane in preparation for the start of military exercises JOINT WARRIOR and JOINTEX 15.

His Royal Highness, accompanied by Commodore Craig Baines, Commander Canadian Fleet Atlantic, expressed his pride in being the ships’ Commodore-in-Chief, conveyed his appreciation for the hard work of the ships’ companies, and wished them success in Exercise JOINT WARRIOR. He also took the time to promote a young sailor in HMCS Montréal from ordinary to able seaman, and presented a deserving officer with his bridge watch-keeping certificate.

“It was a profound honour for the whole of the Royal Canadian Navy to host His Royal Highness during his visit,” said Vice-Admiral Mark Norman, Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy, from National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa. “The Royal Family and Canada’s Navy have maintained a strong relationship since the foundation of the RCN in 1910. It is fitting that His Royal Highness was able to visit HMCS Montréal, one of his fleet’s newly modernized frigates, as well as HMCS Windsor, on the eve of the submarine’s date of commissioning into the Royal Canadian Navy 12 years ago.”

The visit aboard Montréal and Windsor was the first opportunity His Royal Highness has had to visit Canadian Fleet Atlantic ships since being appointed their Commodore-in-Chief on May 5, 2015. As Commodore-in Chief, His Royal Highness is kept informed of all important Canadian Fleet Atlantic activities and engages with the fleet in a ceremonial capacity as opportunity allows.

“Together with the Commanding Officers of Montréal and Windsor, Commander Kristjan Monaghan and Lieutenant-Commander Peter Chu respectively, as well as the entire ships’ companies, it was a source of great pride to host our Commodore-in-Chief,” said Cmdre Baines. “The ships’ companies were particularly thankful for the opportunity to provide His Royal Highness with a first-hand look at the ships and personnel of his fleet.”

The ship and submarine, along with HMC Ships Halifax, Athabaskan, and Winnipeg, are participating in Exercise JOINT WARRIOR from October 4 to 15. The Canadian Armed Forces will also be represented by two CH-124 Sea King helicopters embarked on HMCS Athabaskan and one Sea King embarked on HMCS Winnipeg, as well as a CP-140M Aurora aircraft, during the semi-annual military exercise hosted by the Royal Navy.

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