Canada’s 30-year-old frigate completes mission under largest overseas military op

December 24, 2025, by Fatima Bahtić

HMCS St. John’s, a Halifax-class frigate that has been in service with the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) since 1996, has returned home to Halifax, Nova Scotia, after a successful deployment.

As disclosed, the vessel came back home on December 20, 2025, after completing a five-month-long deployment in the Mediterranean Sea and the North Atlantic under Operation REASSURANCE in support of NATO’s deterrence and defence measures.

The ship departed Halifax in July, joining Standing NATO Maritime Group 2. During this period, the frigate conducted exercises and patrols alongside NATO allies throughout the region.

While deployed in Europe, members of the crew also had the honour of attending Remembrance Day ceremonies at Passchendaele in Belgium, as well as at Beaumont-Hamel and Vimy Ridge in France.

In November, HMCS St. John’s was re-tasked under Operation REASSURANCE and sailed north to join Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 in the North Atlantic and the Norwegian Sea, where it continued conducting exercises and patrols alongside NATO partners.

“The deployment of His Majesty’s Canadian Ship St. John’s reflects Canada’s steadfast commitment to peace and security in Europe. Serving with professionalism and determination, the ship’s company provided vital reassurance of NATO solidarity and readiness. This mission underscores Maritime Forces Atlantic’s ability to deliver multi-mission capable assets abroad. Canada stands firmly with its allies to protect what we believe in. We welcome and congratulate the crew back after a successful mission and wish them and their loved ones’ well-earned quality time together,” Rear-Admiral Josée Kurtz, Commander, Maritime Forces Atlantic, said.

“Throughout this deployment, His Majesty’s Canadian Ship St. John’s, and its embarked air detachment, have demonstrated Canada’s resolve and commitment to NATO, sailing throughout the Mediterranean with Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 and then into the High North with Standing NATO Maritime Group 1, groups which embody the cohesion and solidarity of the Alliance,” Commander Jeffrey Anderson, Commanding Officer of HMCS St John’s, noted.

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“The ship’s company’s hard work delivered readiness and flexibility, which enabled our mission success abroad. It has been a privilege to lead such an exceptional team. Thank you to the families, friends, and community that supported us, strengthening Canada’s NATO contributions through your resiliency.”

Operation REASSURANCE is Canada’s largest overseas military operation, supporting NATO’s deterrence and defence posture in Central and Eastern Europe since 2014. Canada has deployed RCN ships to NATO’s Standing Naval Forces on a rotational basis for over a decade.