Royal Canadian Navy frigate HMCS Fredericton returned to Nova Scotia on December 9 after completing a two and a half week visit to the Americas.
By visiting Cuba, HMCS Fredericton became the first ship to do so in more than 50 years.
The frigate visited the ports of Veracruz, Mexico; Cartagena, Colombia; and Havana, Cuba.
While alongside Cartagena, Colombia, the Royal Canadian Navy completed the transfer of host duties for the Inter-American Naval Conference (IANC) to the Colombian Navy. The next IANC will take place in 2018.
“HMCS Fredericton ended its sailing year with a tour-de-force in the Caribbean Sea. Ambassadors of Canada, all the dedicated sailors and aviators recently home from the NATO Reassurance mission were instrumental in building stronger relations from Havana to Cartagena to Veracruz,” Canadian Navy Rear-Admiral John Newton .
“Cuba is an emerging relationship to be nurtured. Colombia is strategically located with ocean interests similar to Canada. Its navy is modern, experienced, and eager to partner in regional security initiatives as they accept the General Secretariat of the Inter-American Naval Conference from Canada.”
HMCS Fredericton recently returned from a six-month deployment in the Mediterranean Sea on operation Reassurance and completed two major exercises Cutlass Fury and Spartan Warrior.