It is a part of Operation Projection in the Asia-Pacific, conducting forward naval presence operations in the region and supporting international naval exercises with partner nations.
The visit is also an important event celebrating the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Canada and Vietnam and strengthens Canada’s engagement with Vietnam, according to Mr. Robert Bissett, Chargé d’affaires a.i. at the Embassy of Canada in Vietnam.
The deployment is aimed at strengthening existing defense partnerships and establishing new multinational relations in order to achieve greater interoperability and enhanced the delivery of defense capabilities for future operations.
A delegation will meet business partners to introduce Canadian technology and also meet children who are disabled or victims of Agent Orange at the Da Nang Center for Agent Orange Victims and Poor Children and disabled students at the Tuong Lai (Future) Specialized School.
They will also have a language exchange with students at Phan Chu Trinh High School and a friendly football match with the Vietnam People’s Navy.
The events aim to support the mission of building and re-enforcing international relations between the two countries. “The crew of the HMCS Calgary looks forward to our visit to Vietnam,” said Commander Blair Saltel, Commanding Officer of the HMCS Calgary. “Widely known for its hospitality and a valued Canadian partner in Southeast Asia, Vietnam represents an opportunity for the Calgary to work with the local community and demonstrate our commitment to being a valued partner. The highlight will come at the completion of the port visit when we put to sea to exercise with the Vietnam People’s Navy to extend and improve our network of defense partnerships in the region.”
The HMCS Calgary is a Halifax-class frigate that recently completed an extensive Halifax Class Modernization/Mid-Life Refit. It has some 230 sailors who are well prepared to meet the challenges of their deployment on Operation Projection. It recently participated in the world’s largest international maritime warfare exercise, held biennially off the coast of Hawaii.
It will conduct visits to eight ports during Operation Projection: Darwin (Australia), Yokosuka and Yokohama (Japan), Jeju and Busan (South Korea), Guam and Pearl Harbor (US), and Da Nang.
