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Canadian Ships Set Sail to Participate in Campaign Against Illicit Trafficking

Earlier this month, Her Majesty’s Canadian Ships (HMCS) Brandon, Edmonton, and Kingston departed from Canadian shores to participate in Operation CARIBBE, Canada’s ongoing contribution to the multinational campaign against illicit trafficking by international organized criminals in the Eastern Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean.

This annual operation has aimed to support the CAF’s mission to defend against threats and security challenges to Canada and North American since 2006.

“One of the Royal Canadian Navy’s most fundamental responsibilities is protecting and maintaining maritime security at home and abroad. We are committed to working with our partners who share our common values and goals in promoting regional stability while suppressing criminal activity at sea. Operation CARIBBE builds upon and strengthens existing relationships, and this is what enables our sailors to continue their success during this operation now and well into the future,” said RAdm. Art McDonald, Commander, Maritime Forces Pacific.

HMCS Edmonton and Brandon departed from Esquimalt, BC on Oct. 6 to travel to the East Pacific Ocean while HMCS Kingston departed from Halifax on Oct. 7 for the Caribbean. After readiness training at sea, the ships will officially join Operation CARIBBE.

This deployment will attempt to build on previous successes of HMC Ships Moncton, Summerside, Edmonton, Saskatoon and Vancouver. So far, in 2016, these ships have seized and disrupted a total of 2,930 kg of cocaine and 1,520 kg of marijuana. The Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) works alongside the U.S. Coast Guard and Law Enforcement detachments to accomplish their missions.

“On behalf of all the personnel in Maritime Forces Atlantic, I wish the ship’s company of HMCS Kingston a safe deployment to the Caribbean Sea. This cooperation with fourteen like-minded nations to stem flows of illicit drugs on the international sea lanes is a valuable contribution to regional stability. Moreover, the professionalism at sea and ashore will reinforce Canada’s contributions to confidence and capacity building measures in the region. To all aboard Kingston, I know you will make us proud,” stated RAdm. John Newton, Commander Joint Task Force Atlantic, and Commander Maritime Forces Atlantic.

Featured image: Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship EDMONTON sails to their assigned patrol area during Operation CARIBBE on March 12, 2016. Photo: OP Caribbe, DND ET2016-4034-01
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Le Navire canadien de Sa Majesté EDMONTON se dirige vers la zone de patrouille qui lui a été assignée, dans le cadre de l’opération CARIBBE, le 12 mars 2016.Photo : OP Caribbe, MDN ET2016-4034-01

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Mishall Rehman

Originally from Atlanta, GA, Mishall is a freelance journalist pursuing her passion for writing in her new homeland Canada. She currently lives in Trenton, ON with her husband.

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