Last week, Commodore (Cmdre) Matthew Coates of the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) assumed command of Standing NATO Maritime Group Two (SNMG2) during a Change of Command ceremony held in Toulon onboard FS Somme. Cmdre Coates assumed command from Rear Admiral Yannick Bossu of the French Navy.
His Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Charlottetown is deployed with SNMG2 as part of Operation REASSURANCE and is now the group’s flagship. In coordination with its NATO partners, Canada continually looks for opportunities to contribute to peace and stability in Central and Eastern Europe.