One of the roles that the RCN has played in recent years is humanitarian assistance/disaster relief (HADR). The navy has been asked to respond a number of times in past years – for example, assistance to the US Gulf Coast in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, and support to the Bahamas and Florida after hurricanes. A great example of an RCN HADR operation is Operation Hestia, the Canadian response to the earthquake that struck Haiti in January 2010. A naval task group comprising HMCS Athabaskan, with a helicopter air detachment, and HMCS Halifax – with approximately 500 sailors, soldiers and airmen/women in total – was sent very quickly out of Halifax. This operation illustrated the utility of naval ships in HADR operations.
If you want to know more about how the RCN and HADR operations, take a look at the Naval Association of Canada Briefing Note on the topic at https://www.navalassoc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/BN30-HADR.pdf
2 thoughts on “The RCN and HADR Operations”
There is no denying the current Defence Department fiscal constraints, but there is also no denying the fact that many of Canada’s allies agree that a true Strategic Amphibious Sealift Capability brings with it enhanced flexibility to conduct HA/DR, Peace Keeping and military operations. Canada missed the boat by not acquiring the French Minstral class LHD’S several years ago. Canada must step up to the plate and give our Navy the tools to accomplish the government’s Peace Support and Peace Keeping missions required by Canadians.
If Canada were to spend, (as a minimum), at least 5 Billion dollars more annually on National Defence or just 2% of the GDP this Amphibious Sealift Capability would not only be possible, but these “Peace Support” ships could easily be built here in Canada from existing LHD Amphibious ship designs such as the Spanish Juan Carlos class LHD. There would be absolutely no negative effects on Canada’s defence needs in the future, or on Canada’s economy if this were done and could be built here in Canada. The ability to quickly deploy military forces abroad from bases on home soil with great speed over great distances has considerable appeal to a country that wishes to renew its NATO presence. Canadian Strategic Amphibious Sealift thinking must be re-examined IOT best achieve Canada’s future requirements and interests. The time for such a re-examination is now.
I think we are neglecting to mention the six Harry DeWolf Class we are building that brings a significant HADR capability to the RCN, 20 Ft ISO storage, landing craft, 20T crane, deck storage, spare bunks, plenty of ships boats and a helo capability.
While on the surface it would have been nice to have the Minstrals, in reality they would have been a drain on already finite resources for the RCN. Not to mention significant cash to Canadianize the ship including replacing the 50 cycle electrical system, combat systems and a whole host of tiny details, remember these were built for the Russian Navy. Other barriers would have included crew for the ships, and a place to dock them and other infrastructure costs. Do we even have helos to operate off them? If we were able to throw all kinds of money and resources at these ships we simply do not have the overseas possessions to protect or doctrine to use them.
If we are so set on a dedicated HADR ship, then build several civilian standard cheap designs offshore and have the department of transport operate them or throw a bone to Davie as I’m sure they have all kinds of ideas they can pull out of thin air.