HMCS Ville de Québec Deploys on Operation Caribbe

HMCS Ville de Québec Deploys on Operation Caribbe

Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Ville de Québec departed Halifax on July 22 on Operation Caribbe, Canada’s continuing commitment to the multinational effort to suppress illicit narcotics trafficking in the Caribbean Sea.

“HMCS Ville de Québec continues our tradition of working in close cooperation with other nations and agencies to confront various threats and challenges to our continental security,” said General Tom Lawson, Chief of the Defence Staff. “This deployment demonstrates to both Canadians and our allies the important on-going contribution that our military makes toward curtailing smuggling activities in our continental waters.”

During the deployment, the Halifax-class frigate and her crew of approximately 220 personnel will work with the U.S. Navy, the U.S. Coast Guard and other regional partners to locate and track vessels of interest.

 “HMCS Ville de Québec and her crew are ready to participate in Operation Caribbe and continue Canada’s commitment to fighting transnational criminal organizations in the region,” said Vice-Admiral Mark Norman, Commander Royal Canadian Navy. “I’m proud of the part that the men and women of the Royal Canadian Navy play in improving security and combating threats in the area. The operation also creates opportunities to form strategic partnerships with other nations in order to better suppress criminal activity at sea and keep illegal drugs off Canadian streets.”

The trafficking of illicit narcotics is a significant source of revenue for organized crime and a growing threat to global security. Operation Caribbe is one of the many activities that the Government of Canada and the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) undertake as part of Canada’s broad focus and ongoing engagement in the Americas and the Caribbean.

This annual operation directly supports the CAF’s mission to defend against threats and security challenges to Canada and North America. The CAF has deployed a periodic rotation of warships as well as CP-140 Aurora aircraft from both East and West Coasts since 2006 to ensure continuous support to this valuable operation.

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Press Release, July 23, 2013; Image: Canadian DoD