People in the Navy

Canadian Commodore Assumes Senior NATO Command

OTTAWA – Earlier today, Commodore Denis Rouleau took command of the Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 (SNMG 1) during a change of command ceremony held in Kiel, Germany. Over the next year, Commodore Rouleau and an international maritime staff of 21 will command a NATO squadron consisting of destroyers and frigates from the alliance nations. During this period, Canadian destroyers HMCS Athabaskan and Iroquois will be splitting time as Commodore Rouleau 's flagship for the Standing Element of the Maritime Component of NATO Response Force Rotation 7 (NRF 7).

This NRF commitment lasts 12 months and consists of a six-month preparation phase followed by another six-month standby phase. The first phase, involving HMCS Athabaskan includes complex exercises to bring unit capabilities to a high standard before the NRF standby phase begins. HMCS  Athabaskan sailed from Halifax on January 11, and arrived in Kiel on January 23. In July 2006, HMCS Iroquois will replace Athabaskan for the standby phase .

“SNMG 1 and NRF 7 are a highly effective force that demonstrates NATO's solidarity and vigilance,” said General Rick Hillier, Chief of the Defence Staff. “Commodore Rouleau and the crews of HMCS Athabaskan and Iroquois are well prepared and experienced to handle the dynamic array of multinational skills and tactics that are required in today's operations at sea. This mission once again illustrates Canada's commitment to NATO and is yet another example of the Canadian Forces contribution to the global campaign against terrorism.”

SNMG 1 is a permanent naval squadron made up of destroyers, frigates and occasionally Auxiliary Oiler Replenishment ships from several navies. It trains and operates as a group in the North Atlantic Ocean, the North and the Mediterranean seas, testing the effectiveness of current NATO maritime procedures and tactics.

NRF is a high-readiness force made up of land, air, sea and s pecial forces components that NATO can deploy on short notice wherever it is needed. As a stand-alone force, it can be used to prevent conflicts from escalating into wider disputes. When deployed as an initial entry force, it can facilitate the arrival of follow-on units, be part of a larger force and contribute to the full range of NATO military operations.

HMCS Athabaskan and Iroquois each carry crews of about 300 all ranks, including one CH-124 Sea King helicopter with its flight crew and maintenance technicians.

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