RCN Public Affairs, 04 January 2021.
HMCS Halifax departed its namesake city New Year’s Day to participate in a six-month rotation on Operation REASSURANCE in a quieter-than-normal departure ceremony due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Halifax will serve as the flagship of SNMG1 for the entire duration of its deployment, as Canada will be in command of the task group throughout the course of 2021.
This commitment demonstrates Canada and the RCN’s continued leadership as an agile fighting force and steadfast partner within the NATO alliance. HMCS Halifax is the 15th Canadian warship to deploy on the operation since 2014 and demonstrates Canada’s commitment to peace and security in the region.
Status update from CNR: Halifax is currently (6 February 2021) at Haakonsvern Naval Base in Bergen, Norway, as flagship of Standing NATO Maritime Group 1. SNMG1 will carry out ASW and other training serials during the Norwegian-hosted TG-21-1 exercise.