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Royal Canadian Navy

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Royal Canadian Navy
File:Canadian Forces Maritime Command Emblem.svg
Active1910–11 (Naval Service of Canada)
1911–68 (Royal Canadian Navy)
1968–2011 (Maritime Command)
2011–present (Royal Canadian Navy)
CountryCanada
TypeNavy
Size8,500 regular personnel
5,100 reserve personnel
Part ofDepartment of National Defence
Canadian Forces
HeadquartersNational Defence Headquarters
Motto(s)Ready Aye Ready
MarchHeart of Oak
Engagements First World War
Second World War
Korean War
Persian Gulf War
Afghanistan War
Somali War
Operation MOBILE
DecorationsThe Queen's/King's Ceremonial colours: 1939 by King George VI; 1959 by Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip; 1979 by the Queen Mother; 2009 by the Governor General of Canada and Commander-in-Chief Michaëlle Jean
Commanders
Chief of the Defence StaffGeneral Walter Natynczyk CMM, MSC, CD
Chief of the Maritime StaffVice-Admiral Paul Maddison

The Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) (french: Marine Royale Canadienne), is the naval force of Canada. The RCN has been an environmental command within the unified Canadian Forces since 1968. Operating 33 warships and several auxiliary vessels, the Royal Canadian Navy is staffed by 8,500 Regular Force and 5,100 Primary Reserve sailors, supported by 5,300 civilians.[1] Its current commander is Vice-Admiral Paul Maddison, Chief of the Maritime Staff.

Founded in 1910 as the Canadian Naval Service and given royal sanction in 1911, the Navy was placed under the Department of National Defence in 1923, and amalgamated with the Royal Canadian Air Force and the Canadian Army to form the unified Canadian Forces in 1968, where it was known as the Maritime Command until 2011. Over the course of its history, the RCN served in the First and Second World War, the Korean War and numerous United Nations peacekeeping missions and NATO operations.

History

Main article: History of the Royal Canadian Navy

1910–1968

Established following the introduction of the Naval Service Bill by then-Prime Minister Sir Wilfrid Laurier, the Naval Service of Canada was intended as a distinct naval force for the Dominion, that, if necessary, could be placed under British control. The bill received royal assent on 4 May 1910. Initially equipped with two former Royal Navy vessels, HMCS Niobe and HMCS Rainbow, the service was renamed Royal Canadian Navy by King George V on 29 August 2011.

During the first years of the First World War, the RCN's six vessel naval force patrolled both the North American West and East coasts to deter the German naval threat, with a seventh ship, HMCS Shearwater joining the force in 1915. Just before the end of the war in 1918, the Royal Canadian Naval Air Service was established with the purpose of carrying out anti-submarine operations, however it was disbanded after the armistice of 11 November.

After the war, the Royal Canadian Navy overtook certain responsibilities of the Department of Transport's Marine Service, and slowly started to rebuild its fleet, with the first warships specifically designed for the RCN being commissioned in 1932. At the outbreak of the Second World War, the Navy had eleven combat vessels, 145 officers and 1,674 men. During the Second World War, the Royal Canadian Navy expanded significantly, becoming the third largest navy in the world after the United States Navy and the Royal Navy. By the end of the Battle of the Atlantic, the RCN had sunk 27 U-boats and sunk or captured 42 enemy surface vessels, while successfully completing 25,343 merchant crossings. The Navy lost 24 ships and 1,797 sailors in the war.

From 1950 to 1955, during the Korean War, Canadian destroyers maintained a presence off the Korean peninsula, engaging in shore bombardments, while back home, the Navy was improving its anti-submarine capability to counter the growing soviet naval threat. In the 1960s, the Royal Canadian Navy retired most of its Second World War vessels, and further developed its anti-submarine warfare capabilities by acquiring the Sikorsky CH-124 Sea King, pioneering the use of large maritime helicopters on small surface vessels. At that time, Canada was also operating an aircraft carrier, HMCS Bonaventure, operating the McDonnell F2H Banshee fighter jet until 1962, as well as various other anti-submarine aircrafts.

1968–present

In 1968, under the Liberal government of Lester B. Pearson, the Royal Canadian Navy, Royal Canadian Air Force and Canadian Army were amalgamated to form what is today the Canadian Forces, a single command structure under the Department of National Defence, at the time overseen by Defence Minister Paul Hellyer. The controversial merger saw the Royal Canadian Navy re-designated as Maritime Command (MARCOM), with its air assets transferred to the Air Command (Royal Canadian Air Force). The Unification of the Canadian Forces was the first time a nation with a modern military combined its sea, land and air elements under a single umbrella.

The 1970s and 1980s saw a rationalizing of MARCOM's fleet, with the addition of the Iroquois class destroyer, which were later updated to air-defence destroyers, and the construction of the Halifax class frigate into the mid-1990s. Several fleet rationalization proposals were made during this era, both by the government and the Department of National Defence, as well as by the Centre for Military and Strategic Studies. In 1990, Canada deployed three warships to support the Operation Desert Shield, and later, Operation Desert Storm. Later in the decade, MARCOM deployed vessels to patrol the Adriatic Sea during the Yugoslav Wars and the Kosovo War. More recently, Maritime Command provided vessels to serve under Operation Apollo and to combat piracy off the coast of Somalia. The Conservative government of Stephen Harper announced on August 16, 2011 that Maritime Command was to regain its former name, the Royal Canadian Navy.

Organization

Structure

Main article: Structure of the Royal Canadian Navy

The Royal Canadian Navy is headquartered at National Defence Headquarters (NDHQ) in Ottawa, Ontario. Its assets on the East Coast fall under Maritime Forces Atlantic (MARLANT), based at CFB Halifax in Halifax, Nova Scotia. MARLANT oversees the Atlantic Fleet and has responsibility for Canada's Atlantic Area of Responsibility including the eastern Arctic Ocean. It operates 19 of the Navy's 33 warships. The Navy's Pacific Fleet, with 14 warships, falls under Maritime Forces Pacific (MARPAC), which is reponsible for Canada's Pacific Area of Responsibility including the Western half of the Canadian Arctic. Its headquarters are based at CFB Esquimalt in British Columbia. The Naval Reserve Headquarters (NAVRESHQ), located at the Pointe-a-Carcy Naval Complex, in Quebec City, Quebec, is responsible for 24 Naval Reserve Divisions across the country. The base is also home to Canadian Forces Fleet School Quebec and HMCS Montcalm.

Bases

Personnel

Officer Rank Structure

Pay grade Student Officer OF-1 OF-2 OF-3 OF-4 OF-5 OF-6 OF-7 OF-8 OF-9
Insignia
Title Naval
Cadet 		Acting
Sub
Lieutenant 		Sub
Lieutenant 		Lieutenant Lieutenant
Commander 		Commander Captain Commodore Rear
Admiral 		Vice
Admiral 		Admiral
Abbreviation NCdt ASLt SLt Lt(N) LCdr Cdr Capt(N) Cmdre RAdm VAdm Adm

Traditional naval rank insignia announced 2 May 2010 by the Minister of Defence, was re-instated for service dress wear effective 11 June 2010. The insignia incorporates the executive curl that was discontinued with the integration of the CF in 1968 and worn only on mess dress.[2]

Non-Commissioned Member Rank Structure

Pay grade OR-2 OR-3 OR-4 OR-5 OR-6 OR-7 OR-8 OR-9
Insignia no image?
Title Ordinary
Seaman 		Able
Seaman 		Leading
Seaman 		Master Seaman Petty Officer 2nd Class Petty Officer 1st Class Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class Chief Petty Officer 1st Class
Abbreviation OS AB LS MS PO2 PO1 CPO2 CPO1

Heritage

Fleet

Main article: Fleet of the Royal Canadian Navy

Surface Vessels

The Canadian Navy operates 29 surface warships from 4 class. The surface ships carry the designation Her Majesty's Canadian Ship (HMCS) : three Iroquois class guided-missile destroyers, twelve Halifax class multi-role patrol frigates, twelve Kingston class coastal defence vessels, and two Protecteur class auxiliary vessels.

Additionally, the RCN maintains and operates HMCS Oriole, a historic sail ship commissioned in 1921 that now serves as a sail training vessel. Although it carries the royal designation, it is not counted as an active warship of the Royal Canadian Navy.

Submarines

The Royal Canadian Navy operates 4 Victoria class submarines acquired from the Royal Navy in 1998. These warships carry the designation Her Majesty's Canadian Submarine.

Auxiliary Vessels

The RCN operates auxiliary vessels to support the Canadian Forces, these vessels are not warships and do not carry the HMCS designation. Among the auxiliary ships operated by the Navy are five Ville class harbour tugs, five Glen class harbour tugs and two fireboats of the Fire class.

Aircraft

Since 1975, the maritime support aircrafts are operated by the Royal Canadian Air Force through the 1 Canadian Division and 12 Wing Shearwater on behalf of the Royal Canadian Navy. The RCAF operates twenty four Sikorsky CH-124 Sea King helicopters in the anti-submarine warfare and search and rescue role, eighteen Lockheed CP-140 Aurora in anti-submarine warfare and area surveillance role, and three CP-140A Arcturus in strategic surveillance role.

The twenty four Sea King helicopters, purchased in the 1960s, are set to be replaced by twenty eight Sikorsky CH-148 Cyclones.

Weapons

Shipborne

Aircraft

Air operations

Upon unification in 1968, former RCN aircraft were transferred to the "Maritime Air Group" of MARCOM. Air Command was formed in 1975 and all air assets, including the Maritime Air Group, were transferred into this formation, including ship-borne helicopters. RCN and later Maritime Air Group squadrons were renumbered after 1975 into the former RCAF 400-series, with the exceptions of VU-32, VU-33, and 880 Squadron. Shipboard helicopter operations continue in this fashion, with Helicopter Air Detachments (HELAIRDETs) being staffed by Air Command personnel.

HMCS Victoria
HMCS Algonquin
File:HMCS Protecteur.jpg
HMCS Protecteur

Future

Maritime-helicopter replacement

Although aviation assets are the responsibility of Canadian Forces Air Command (AIRCOM) since unification, the political fiasco surrounding the maritime-helicopter replacement has had a major impact on the ability of the Canadian patrol frigates to deliver their expected capabilities. In 1993, the Maritime Helicopter Program, which had selected the AgustaWestland EH101 as a replacement for the aging CH-124 Sea King, was cancelled by incoming Prime Minister Jean Chrétien in an infamous decision that dogged his government for over a decade. Chrétien's government did end up ordering fifteen CH-149 Cormorants, a slightly cheaper version of the EH101, for search-and-rescue services, however it took until July 2004 for a replacement of the now-ancient Sea Kings to be announced. The Sea Kings will be replaced with the CH-148 Cyclone, with delivery of interim models expected in 2010. This date is expected to be pushed to 2011.

Current and future programs

Joint support ships

Main article: Joint Support Ship Project
Proposal Joint Support Ship

In the late 1990s, one of the fleet's three underway-replenishment vessels, HMCS Provider, was paid off. The remaining two supply ships, HMCS Preserver and HMCS Protecteur, were showing their age, and MARCOM began studies into designing a new class of underway-replenishment and naval sealift-capable vessels.

On 16 April 2004, Prime Minister Paul Martin announced plans to purchase three new joint support ships (JSS) to replace the Protecteur-class underway-replenishment vessels. In addition to supporting naval operations, the new ships will be able to transport a battlegroup — a capability Canada's navy has lacked since the departure of the light carrier HMCS Bonaventure in 1970. The new ships will also have reinforced hulls enabling them to sail in the Arctic. The requirement for three JSSes was re-affirmed in June 2006 by the newly elected Conservative government, which issued the request for proposal. In November 2006, two industry teams were selected to provide a proposal. One of these teams was to be awarded the implementation contract in 2008. The first of the 28,000-tonne vessels was scheduled to be delivered in 2012. As of August 22, 2008, the JSS Program has been suspended due to cost. The Protecteur Class will have their service lives extended beyond 2012 while a suitable replacement is found.[3]

In July, 2010, the plan to replace the ships was renewed, with the federal government announcing that it planned to authorize construction of two JSSs, including an option to purchase a third. A yard will be selected for the construction of the initial two ships, as part of the National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy.[4]

On October 11, 2010 the federal government announced that five shipbuilding companies are "being invited to participate in a request for proposals" for constructing ships as part of the National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy. One is to be selected for military vessels and one for non-military vessels. [5]

Amphibious assault vessels

Main article: Future Canadian Amphibious Assault Ship

In the first months of 2005, senior members of the Canadian Forces and the government examined the possibility of purchasing two new or used amphibious assault ships in keeping with the government's commitment to developing greater joint capability in the Canadian Forces. This was apparently not connected to the Joint Support Ship project. According to the Délégation générale pour l’armement (DGA), the Canadian Forces Maritime Command and DND might show an interest in the French built Mistral class amphibious assault ship [6] The ship might carry a significantly large military force with equipment and vehicles in 'fighting order,' enabling the CF to face armed opposition ashore. The Future Canadian Amphibious Assault Ship [7] could be able to rapidly disembark personnel and equipment in 'waves' using 'connector systems' such as landing craft and/or helicopters. The ship would be able to offload equipment and personnel in the face of armed opposition. They could also be used as large hospital ships and support humanitarian operations.

However, while the military may have shown interest in this vessel, it is not an approved Government procurement project as outlined in the Canada First Defence Strategy.[8] According to French daily La Tribune, the Canadian Forces Maritime Command shows "strong interest" in buying two Mistral ships.[9]

Orca-class training vessels

Main article: Orca class patrol vessel

The program to replace the navy's wooden YAG vessels with twelve modern steel training / patrol vessels (the Orca program) is complete and was contracted by Victoria Shipyards Limited. The first ship, PCT (Patrol Craft, Training) Orca 55 was accepted by the navy at CFB Esquimalt on November 17, 2006.[10]

Polar Class 5 Arctic offshore patrol ships

Main article: Arctic Patrol Ship

On July 9, 2007, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced the construction of up to eight Polar Class PC-5 Arctic Offshore Patrol Ships and the establishment of a deep water port in the far North.

These new Polar Class 5 Arctic Patrol Ships will be built in Canada.[11][12][13]: The CBC reported that the vessels "...are expected to be based on the Royal Norwegian Navy's Svalbard class design". With steel-reinforced hulls, they will be capable of operating in ice up to one metre thick, and each vessel will also be equipped with a helicopter landing pad. They will be able to patrol the length of the Northwest Passage during the summer navigable season and its approaches year-round, and will also be capable of full operations on the east and west coasts throughout the year. Critics have noted that the vessels are less capable than the three larger icebreakers Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced in 2006 most notably the Navy League of Canada which described the 25-millimetre gun as a "peashooter".[14]

While recent press reports have suggested that the navy offshore/arctic patrol vessel program has been postponed,[14] when they do proceed, Nanisivik Naval Facility, a deep-water port to be constructed at Nanisivik, Nunavut will allow the patrol ships to resupply and refuel.[15][16]

Other

The Halifax-class Frigate Life Extension (FELEX) program has been established and a contract was awarded to Lockheed Martin. It is believed that introduction of the active phased array radar (APAR) that the Canadian Forces developed with the Dutch navy will not be undertaken during FELEX due to the weight of the system and stability considerations. Canada is considering a 4-to-10 vessel replacement program for the Iroquois-class destroyers, likely involving the use of APAR. To save money, the replacement classes for the Iroquois- and Halifax-class ships will have identical hulls and propulsion systems. Canada plans to upgrade her Frigates with a missile guidance system for sea to sea and sea to air missiles. There is also the possibility of arming the Sea King replacements with anti ship missiles.

A mid-life upgrade program for the Kingston-class patrol vessels appeared on a list of the Chief of the Maritime Staff's project priorities, but was cancelled. The Government has plans (outlined in the Canada First Defence Strategy), to replace the Iroquois class destroyer with the Canadian Single Class Surface Combatant. The Department of National Defence has not identified a procurement timeframe for the Iroquois replacements, although it has been reported that design work is underway and a project office and personnel have been assigned.

Senior leadership

Commanders of Maritime Command

  1. Vice Admiral J.C. O'Brien 1968–1970
  2. Vice Admiral Henry A. Porter 1970–1971
  3. Rear Admiral Robert W. Timbrell 1971–1973
  4. Vice Admiral D.S. Boyle 1973–1977
  5. Vice Admiral A.L Collier 1977–1979
  6. Vice Admiral J. Allan 1979–1980
  7. Vice Admiral J.A. Fulton 1980–1983
  8. Vice Admiral James C. Wood 1983–1987
  9. Vice Admiral Charles M. Thomas 1987–1989
  10. Vice Admiral Robert E. George 1989–1991
  11. Vice Admiral (later Admiral) John Rogers Anderson 1991–1992
  12. Vice Admiral Peter W. Cairns 1992–1994
  13. Vice Admiral Larry Murray 1994–1995
  14. Vice Admiral Lynn Mason 1995–1997

Chiefs of the Maritime Staff

  1. Vice Admiral Gary Garnett 1997–1997
  2. Vice Admiral Greg R. Maddison 1997–2001
  3. Vice Admiral Ron D. Buck 2001–2004
  4. Vice Admiral M. Bruce McLean 2004–2006
  5. Vice Admiral Drew W. Robertson 2006–2009
  6. Vice Admiral P. Dean McFadden 2009-2011
  7. Vice Admiral Paul A. Maddison 2011-present

Ensigns and jacks

On March 3, 1911, the RCN was authorized the use of the White Ensign, which remained the main identifying flag of the navy for the next 54 years. At the same time, the Canadian Blue Ensign was designated the jack of the RCN. However, because naval tradition dictates that the jack is worn at the ship's bow only when moored or on "dress ship" occasions, HMC ships normally had no distinctly Canadian flags when under way, the White Ensign being identical to the Royal Navy's ensign. Because of this, a tradition developed of painting a green maple leaf on ships' funnels to mark the ship as Canadian.

When British and Canadian foreign policies began to diverge in the 1950s (highlighted by the two countries' different roles in the Suez Crisis), having an ensign identical to the Royal Navy's became less satisfactory. In 1961, a policy of wearing the Canadian Red Ensign from the masthead (in addition to the Canadian Blue Ensign at the jack staff when appropriate, and the White Ensign at the ensign staff) was established. On February 15, 1965, the White, Blue, and Red ensigns were all replaced by the new National Flag of Canada, the Maple Leaf flag.

The White Ensign, worn as an ensign by the Royal Canadian Navy 1911–65.
The Blue Ensign, worn as a jack by the Royal Canadian Navy 1921–57.
Final version of the Blue Ensign, worn as a jack by the Royal Canadian Navy 1957–65.

Ceremonies

File:Jean-CinC.jpg
Former Governor General Michaëlle Jean acting in the Queen's name as Commander-in-Chief of the Canadian Forces and wears the naval variation of the vice-regal uniform while presenting the newly consecrated Queen's Colour to the Canadian Forces Maritime Command, 27 June 2009.

The Queen's or King's Ceremonial colours (also referred to as the Sovereign's Colour) for the navy has been presented/consecrated 4 times:

The colours consists of a ceremonial standard with the Maple Leaf flag in the top left canton, the monarch's Royal Cypher for Canada (a capital E on a blue background, surrounded by a circlet of gold Tudor roses and laurels, surmounted by a crown) and an anchor (from Maritime Command's naval jack) on the lower right fly. These elements are found on the 1979 and 2009 colours. The colours from 1959 and 1939 consisted of a Royal Navy white ensign with the Queen's or King's cipher in the middle.

The use of the service colours of the Royal Navy were granted to the RCN in 1925. Two service colours were sent to Halifax and Esquimalt. In 1937 they were retired, and new colours sent. The official presentation of the King's Colour was not completed until 1939.

The Canadian Forces Maritime Command's retired colours are laid up at Beechwood Cemetery in Ottawa, Ontario.

Source:[17]

Heritage

Maritime Command peacetime losses monument

This history of Maritime Command is preserved and presented at the Maritime Command Museum in Halifax, the Canadian War Museum, the Naval Museum of Alberta and naval museums on several bases. Several Maritime Command vessels have been preserved including the hydrofoil HMCS Bras d'Or and the submarines Ojibwa and Onondaga. The corvette HMCS Sackville serves as Canada's Naval Memorial. A monument at Point Pleasant Park in Halifax commemorates members of Maritime Command who have died in peacetime.

See also

Template:Wikipedia-Books

References

  1. ^ "Canada's Navy at a Glance".
  2. ^ Announcement from Maritime Command Accessed April 14, 2011
  3. ^ "Welcome to PMO JSS". Canadian Department of National Defence. May 16, 2007. Retrieved July 10, 2007.
  4. ^ "Navy supply ships to be replaced". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. July 14, 2010. Retrieved July 14, 2010.
  5. ^ The Canadian Press, 2010-10-11
  6. ^ Canadian Forces Maritime Command and DND might show an interest in the French made the Mistral Class
  7. ^ Future Canadian Amphibious Assault Ship and Joint Support Ship
  8. ^ Department of National Defence "Canada First Defence Strategy"
  9. ^ Reuters (7 January 2011). "Le Canada s'intéresse aux Mistral de DCNS". Reuters. Retrieved 7 January 2011. {{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  10. ^ The final vessel in the class, Moose 62, was delivered 27 Nov 2008. Pam Lloyd (November 27, 2006). "Navy welcomes Orca to Pacific Fleet". Lookout. Archived from the original on 2007-08-27. Retrieved 2007-07-10.
  11. ^ "Arctic patrol vessels approved by committee". CBC. May 13, 2007. Retrieved 2007-07-10.
  12. ^ "Background — Armed Icebreaker / OPV — Norway's K/V Svalbard". Canadian American Strategic Review. July 9, 2007. Archived from the original on September 17, 2007. Retrieved July 10, 2007.
  13. ^ Doug Thomas. "Canadian Naval Arctic Patrol Vessels". Canadian Naval Review. Retrieved July 10, 2007.
  14. ^ a b . CBC. June 17, 2009 http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2009/06/17/arctic-patrol-boats-northern-strategy-postponed452.html#socialcomments. Retrieved 2009-06-17. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help); Text "Construction of promised Arctic patrol boats postponed" ignored (help)
  15. ^ "Ottawa buying up to 8 Arctic patrol ships". CBC. July 9, 2007. Retrieved 2007-07-10.
  16. ^ "B.C. firm wins design contract for Arctic naval port". CBC News. November 26, 2009. Retrieved 11 December 2009.
  17. ^ "Queen's Colours (Canada)". Flagspot.net. Retrieved 2011-03-04.

Further reading

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Royal Canadian Navy.

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