Black Sea deployment wraps up

Romanian Naval Ship Ferdinand sails in-between HMCS St. John’s and the Spanish frigate Juan de Borbon in preparation for replenishment at sea approaches during their transit on the Black Sea Feb. 8, during Operation Reassurance. Photo by LS Ogle Henry, Formation Imaging Services

Lt(N) Emily Anglin, HMCS St. John’s ~

The Port of Istanbul is always busy. Dozens of ferries sail across the harbour in all directions, moving locals and tourists alike between terminals along the ancient Bosporus, which connects the Sea of Marmara to the Black Sea.

This trip gives the passengers a breathtaking view of the historic city.

On Jan. 31, they also had the opportunity to see HMCS St. John’s transiting with Spanish frigate Almirante Juan de Borbon into the Black Sea, where the Canadian warship would conduct a three-week deployment.

While there, St. John’s conducted Exercise Sea Shield during its deployment on Operation Reassurance. The frigate, which was recently upgraded, integrated seamlessly into a task group of Turkish, Bulgarian, Romanian, American and Spanish ships, aircraft and submarines. The exercise had serials that worked every department on board St. John’s: manoeuvres, replenishment at sea approaches, combined anti-submarine and air defence exercises, maritime interdiction and vessel boarding, search and rescue of a stricken submarine, and communications via radio, flashing lights and flags.

The work of the embarked sailors, soldiers and aircrew did not go unnoticed.

“I am exceptionally proud of the officers and crew of this ship,” said Commander Sheldon Gillis, Commanding Officer of HMCS St. John’s. “After steaming 4,500 nautical miles to the Black Sea and seamlessly integrating with units of Standing NATO Maritime Group 2, we proved to ourselves and to our allies that we are a first class navy, ready to demonstrate Canada’s commitment to our collective defence obligations.”

While in the region, St. John’s visited Istanbul, Turkey; Constanta, Romania; Varna, Bulgaria; and Samsun, Turkey. These visits allowed crew members to meet sailors from other ships and learn about their cultures, and also to give back to local communities. While alongside Constanta, 21 of St. John’s sailors volunteered at a local children’s shelter, demonstrating their commitment to community, even when 4,500 nautical miles away from their own homes.

On Feb. 20, St. John’s left the Black Sea to carry on its seven-month deployment in the Mediterranean, continuing to enrich the bond between Canada and all members of NATO.