A spirit of goodwill and international cooperation filled the air as two Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) training vessels made a port visit of significance to CFB Esquimalt last week. Port visits like this demonstrate the strength of our partnership in pursuit of a stable and secure maritime system around the world, said Commodore Patrick Montgomery, Commander of Canada’s Naval Reserve.
The JMSDF spent four days visiting, with its two ships – Japanese Ships (JS) Kashima and JS Hatakaze – bringing some 550 sailors to His Majesty’s Dockyard on June 15. The port visit, a scheduled stop in an overseas training mission, began with a Welcome Ceremony hosted by Maritime Forces Pacific (MARPAC). Rear-Admiral Yasushige Konno, Commander of the Japanese Training Squadron, discussed how the mission aims to foster the education and awareness of newly commissioned officers on surface operation, seamanship, and the rule-based freedom and openness of the Indo-Pacific Region.
His Excellency Kanji Yamanouchi, Japan’s Ambassador, underlined the importance of such naval visits, saying, that this port visit symbolizes the strong and continuous friendship between Japan and Canada. Cultural exchange was alive throughout the visit, marking a stop on the Training Squadron’s eight-nation International Sail that started in Dutch Harbor, Alaska, and will end in October 2023.
Meanwhile, HMCS Chicoutimi made its historic first-ever deployment to the Asia-Pacific. Under the command of Commander Stephane Ouellet, Chicoutimi deployed for nearly 200 days, marking the first-ever Victoria-class submarine to do so in this region. The mission was designed to support Canada’s Global Engagement Strategy through strategic partnerships, port visits, and operational interactions.
Captain (Navy) Chris Robinson, Commander of the Canadian Submarine Force, praised the deployment as phenomenally successful. In theatre for many months, Chicoutimi performed intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance tasks engaging with U.S., Japanese, French, British, and Australian naval forces. The submarine also participated in the annual exercise Annualex – a milestone event as this was the first time a Canadian submarine was included in what has traditionally been a bilateral exercise between the USN and JMSDF.
That deployment was not without its challenges. Complex logistical and maintenance arrangements faced the crew, including a major battery replacement conducted safely in the water thanks to the expertise of Fleet Maintenance Facility Cape Breton. Routine maintenance was successfully carried out in Japanese ports with USN support, and a month-long maintenance period in Guam marked the first deployed submarine short-work period ever conducted by MARPAC and FMF CB.
Captain Robinson underlined hard work and resilience as the crew overcame several setbacks and continued to show high morale during the deployment. The mission also deepened strategic relationships with the USN’s Seventh Fleet and the JMSDF, building better interoperability and trust.
As Chicoutimi returns home, the crew can be proud of their contributions toward peace and good order at sea, where they have built strategic relationships and demonstrated Canada’s commitment to regional security.