Halifax today was visited by Dutch navy submarine HNLMS Bruinvis (S810). She Tied up at the the dockyard, just after 1pm. She is a diesel boat, as Nuclear subs tie up at Shearwater. The Last member of the Walrus Class, She is 222′ long, and was commissioned in July 1994
Photo above from @hillarywindsor via twitter.
The Danish warship HDMS Niels Juel arrived late yesterday afternoon for a visit. She is the third and final ship of the Iver Huitfeldt class of frigates that entered service with the Royal Danish Navy in 2012 and 2013.
Very similar in design to the Absalon class, these vessels are configured for Area Air Defense – a Role held by the Canadian Iroquois Class. Savings were achieved in design time and construction by re-using the basic design of the Absalon class.
Hopefully better non-phone photo to follow.
The Norwegian frigate HNoMS Fridtjof Nansen arrived yesterday for a port visit. As first of class, several of her sister ships have visited halifax in recent years. Including Thor Heyerdhal http://blog.halifaxshippingnews.ca/2012/06/norwegian-navy-visitor-hnoms-thor.html and Roald Amundsen http://blog.halifaxshippingnews.ca/2009/05/hnoms-roald-amundsen-returns.html
The US Coast Guard Cutter Escanaba Arrived in Halifax this morning and tied up at the Navy dockyard.
typical of the USCG’s Medium Endurance Cutters, she was last here in 2010.
See Previous USCG Visits Here
SNMG-2 is Currently inbound. 5 vessels are due, roughly spaced 1 hour apart.
The First, USS Leyt Gulf took her pilot and should be in town in 40 minutes. (CG-55) is a Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser. Commissioned in 1987, shes homeported in Norfolk.
She is Followed By the Lewis And Clark Class USNS Medgar Evers (T-AKE-13). Classed as a Dry Cargo ship, she is New, having been accepted in april 2012.
The Third Vessel is the Cruiser USS Anzio. Also Ticonderoga Class, She was commissioned in 1992.
Next is the German Bremen Class frigate, F208 FGS Niedersachsen. Commissioned in 1982, this is her last cruise before she is Decommissioned.
The 4th Vessel is the Turkish Frigate TCG Kemalreis (F-247). She was commissioned in 2000, and built to a German design MEKO-200. variants of the design include the Anzac Class, and vessels used by Greece, Portugal and South Africa.
Photos to follow..
SNMG-2 is due in Halifax on the 31st. At last check, It was made up of
FGS Niedersachsen (FFG) (Germany)
HMCS Regina (FFH) (Canada)
TCG Kemalreis (FFG) (Turkey)
USS Leyte Gulf (CG)(American)
USS Leyte Gulf and FGS Niedersachsen are confirmed attendees from various sources.
Halifax may see a west coast frigate.
Stand by for more details.
The French navy patrol vessel based in St Pierre and Miquelon is in Halifax until the 8th. She is tied up at Tall Ships Quay, Between Bishops landing and NSP. We wrote a bit more about her on an earlier Visit.
Another French warship visit – FS LaPlace, a hydrographic survey ship is visiting Halifax. She was most recently taking part in new surveys of French Islands St Pierre and Miquelon. She also made an appearance at the Naval Rendezvous in Quebec City.
The Following Photos were released by DND of Canadian Armor being loaded aboard the Mistral. She sailed yesterday morning for Gaspe.
This morning brought the arrival of 2 French Warships, La Fayette and Misteral.
(Above) FS La Fayette (F-710) is a Frigate, and launched in 1996, Making her a contemporary of the RCN’s Halifax Class. She was First of Class, and this type is also used by the Saudi Navy.
FS Misteral (L-9013) is an Amphibious assault ship, and lead ship of her class. She was commissioned in 2006. She features a landing craft dock, and Helicopter facilities.
DND Issued the Following Statement.
Approximately 200 Canadian Army soldiers from 5 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group in Valcartier, Quebec will take part in Exercise LION MISTRAL alongside members of the French Navy and Royal Canadian Air Force from June 16-23, 2014, in Gaspé, Quebec. Following a visit to Halifax Harbour on June 16-17, 2014, The Mistral, a French warship, escorted by the frigate La Fayette, will proceed to the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the St. Lawrence River to participate in Ex LION MISTRAL.
Canadian Army soldiers, primarily from the 1st Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment (1 R22eR), will board The Mistral, the French amphibious assault ship and helicopter carrier in Halifax on June 18. Canadian Army troops will conduct littoral operations, including running air-land operations and battle procedures, and establishing a helicopter landing site and a beachhead. Ex LION MISTRAL will also feature a humanitarian assistance air evacuation operation that will help train expeditionary forces to respond to humanitarian disasters;
Ex LION MISTRAL will culminate in two disembarkation operations on a Gaspé beach on June 20-21 marking the end of the amphibious exercise. In response to a request by the town of Gaspé, the members of the 1 R22eR will also be offering a static display of their vehicles and equipment on June 21. The Canadian Army’s participation will include ten Light Armoured Vehicles, one combat command post vehicle, and several logistics vehicles, to include an ambulance, a recovery vehicle, and a heavy transport vehicle. These Are currently on the pier outside HMCS Scotian. Also participating are 15 members of the Royal Canadian Air Force, with three CH-146 Griffon helicopters from the 430 Tactical Aviation Helicopter Squadron based at Valcartier Garrison
Ex LION MISTRAL is the first joint amphibious exercise between the Canadian Army and the French Navy.
