On station!

NATO Admiral welcomes HMCS Winnipeg to counter-piracy team

Published On Tue Apr 07 2009

By Sub-Lieutenant Michael McWhinnie

OS Preston Pajot absorbs the recoil of the line-throwing gun at the outset of a refuelling at sea with FGS Spessart, the German naval tanker supporting SNMG1.

OS Preston Pajot absorbs the recoil of the line-throwing gun at the outset of a refuelling at sea with FGS Spessart, the German naval tanker supporting SNMG1.

RAdm Jose Domingos Pereira da Cunha of Portugal, Commander SNMG1, welcomes Cdr Craig Baines and the men and women of HMCS Winnipeg to Operation ALLIED PROTECTOR, the NATO counter-piracy effort in the waters off the Horn of Africa.

RAdm Jose Domingos Pereira da Cunha of Portugal, Commander SNMG1, welcomes Cdr Craig Baines and the men and women of HMCS Winnipeg to Operation ALLIED PROTECTOR, the NATO counter-piracy effort in the waters off the Horn of Africa.

Cdr Craig Baines, commanding officer of HMCS Winnipeg welcomes RAdm Jose Domingos Pereira da Cunha, Commander SNMG1 for a short visit marking the Canadian frigate’s integration into the task force.

Cdr Craig Baines, commanding officer of HMCS Winnipeg welcomes RAdm Jose Domingos Pereira da Cunha, Commander SNMG1 for a short visit marking the Canadian frigate’s integration into the task force.

Aboard HMCS Winnipeg, Gulf of Aden; 3 April 2009 — As the four pips of “Flying Stations” rang through the ship, signalling an in-bound helicopter, a side party mustered amid the bustle of firefighters and air detachment activity. The tropical heat and humidity mounted in the confines of the metal hangar as the shrilling of boatswain’s calls announced the much-anticipated guest.

On the eve of NATO’s 60th anniversary, Rear Admiral José Domingos Pereira da Cunha, one of the alliance’s senior operational officers and commander of Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 (SNMG1), had come to meet with Commander Craig Baines, the commanding officer of the frigate HMCS Winnipeg, and to visit the ship and her crew.

On 27 March 2009, Defence Minister Peter MacKay confirmed Winnipeg’s current deployment in the piracy deterrence and disruption role, saying, “Canada’s participation in this maritime force is another example of our government’s continuing commitment to international peace and security, which also enhances the security of Canada and Canadians at home and abroad.”

Commander SNMG1 delivered his mission vision to the ship’s company in a flight-deck address. “We know this is not the long-term solution,” the admiral began, “but our presence will make a real difference to security in the region. In addition to deterring criminal groups and ensuring lawful use of international waters, NATO operations will enhance the counter-piracy efforts of other international navies operating in the waters off the Horn of Africa.”

He concluded with a ringing endorsement of Winnipeg’s deployment. “Canada is a traditional member of NATO. The presence of Winnipeg is important as much to demonstrate the continuing solidarity of the alliance as for the capability she adds to the mission,” said the admiral.

FGS Spessart isa German naval tanker supporting international maritime security operations in the Horn of Africa region. A few days ago, pirates approached and fired on Spessart, perhaps because they mistook her for a commercial target. The tanker defended herself and was rapidly reinforced by warships and helicopters from several nations. The attackers were subdued, separated from their automatic assault rifles and rocket-propelled grenades, and placed in German custody.

Winnipeg joined the task group on 2 April, and refuelled from Spessart on arrival. News of the attack on the tanker underlined the gravity of the piracy threat and stiffened resolve aboard Winnipeg.

“The navy prides itself on being a flexible and adaptable force. Our current mission is illustrative of that quality. We modified our training during the transit to correspond with our counter-piracy tasking and are fully prepared to undertake this challenge,” enthused Lieutenant (Navy) Todd Kennedy, one of the Operations Room officers in HMCS Winnipeg. “Our very presence is a deterrent. What the weeks ahead will require of us in terms of disruption and defence remains to be seen. We are all eager to make a positive impact as part of the NATO team and build upon the recent successes in this region of the Canadian ships that preceded us.”