In the cool waters of Northern Europe, HMCS Glace Bay and HMCS Shawinigan have been playing a pivotal role in maintaining maritime security alongside NATO Allies since departing Halifax in July. These Kingston-class Maritime Coastal Defence Vessels (MCDVs) have deployed under Operation REASSURANCE and are part of Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 1 (SNMCMG1), an Allied effort that ensures the safety and security of European waters. The missions are wide ranging; they encompass historical ordnance disposal operations (HODOPS) as well as vigilance and presence at sea activities, providing critical “eyes and ears” for the Alliance at a time of increased tensions.
Operation REASSURANCE represents Canada’s commitment to NATO’s collective security and is currently the largest Canadian Armed Forces operation. For Canada, participating in SNMCMG1 provides an opportunity to showcase the Royal Canadian Navy’s versatility, dedication, and professionalism, contributing to Allied efforts in a significant way.
SNMCMG1 is a multinational NATO force, and interoperability is key to its success. Canadian sailors regularly engage in joint exercises and activities with other Alliance ships, honing their skills and building the relationships necessary for successful combined operations.
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One of the missions undertaken by HMCS Glace Bay and HMCS Shawinigan as part of SNMCMG1 is HODOPS, and the importance of this mandate cannot be overstated. These waterways are some of the busiest in the world, and the presence of legacy munitions represents a significant risk to safe passage, with some estimates anticipating upwards of 80,000 naval mines and ordinance pieces left over from the First and Second World Wars.
The task of locating and safely disposing of these underwater dangers falls to embarked specialized teams. These teams are equipped with the REMUS 100, an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) that is compact, lightweight, and designed for operations in coastal environments. The REMUS 100 provides large area coverage on a single mission while side scan sonar and precision navigation provides highly accurate data to locate targets, enabling operators to accurately map the ocean floor. After potential targets are identified, clearance divers enter the water to inspect the potential threat and identify what it is. If a legacy munition is identified, a threat assessment is conducted to determine if the munition can be safely disposed of through the judicious use of a C4 explosive charge.
Even if these operations do not end with a bang followed by a towering column of water rising from the sea surface, the goal of HODOPS is to prove an area of the sea is clear of legacy munitions. The reward when conducting HODOPS is knowing that an area is safe for maritime passage.