This past weekend, His Majesty’s Canadian Submarine (HMCS) Corner Brook returned to Esquimalt from a two-month deployment in the northern Pacific and Arctic oceans.
HMCS Corner Brook was traversing the ocean waters as a part of the Royal Canadian Navy’s (RCN) Operation Latitude.
This operation focused on increasing domain awareness, the concept of having comprehensive, operational knowledge of a particular environment.
Additionally, Operation Latitude sought to enhance interoperability with the United States military in the context of continental defence.
The RCN says this operation will help further the Canadian Armed Forces’ core mission to defend Canada against any potential threat, while securing the North American continent in partnership with the United States.
“HMCS Corner Brook’s deployment under Operation Latitude represents a critical component of our ability to project capability, maintain presence, and operate alongside our allies in defence of Canada and North America,” said Rear-Admiral David Patchell, Commander Maritime Forces Pacific and Commander Joint Task Force Pacific.
“Unified action is essential to securing the region, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to keeping the Arctic safe and secure.”
While deployed, the HMCS Corner Brook submarine worked to monitor and secure the northern gateway to North America, a key component of Canada’s national defence.
During the operation, HMCS Corner Brook worked alongside other vessels from the RCN, United States Navy, United States Coast Guard and aircraft from the Royal Canadian Air Force.
HMCS Corner Brook recently underwent a retrofit which equipped the vessel with a modern sonar suite, upgraded heavyweight torpedo system and a new communications package.
This vessel is one of four Victoria-class submarines in the RCN, which are meant to be part of the country’s unseen force in the sea.
HMCS Corner Brook started its life as the HMS Ursula, a part of the United Kingdom’s naval fleet. It was launched in 1991, then decommissioned by the UK and acquired by Canada in 1994.
Once acquired by Canada, the vessel was renamed after the town of Corner Brook Newfoundland.
The RCN says these enhancements ensure it is fully capable of supporting Canada’s defence objectives.
This marked the first Canadian submarine deployment since 2018.
