HMCS STJOHNS

About the Ship

Welcome Aboard

The birth of HMCS ST. JOHN'S

   HMCS ST. JOHN’S, FFH 340, was built in Saint John, NB and commissioned on June 26, 1996 in St. John’s, NL. She is the eleventh of twelve HALIFAX Class Frigates and one of the most combat capable warships in the world.

Namesake City and History

   Named after St. John’s, NL, a port city intrinsically associated with naval history and heritage, HMCS ST. JOHN’S is the first ship in the Canadian Navy to bear this proud name.

   From the first visit by John Cabot in 1497, to the first permanent settlement in 1528, through to the present day, St. John’s has been home to the world’s seafarers. Over the centuries, the city has changed hands several times, between France and England, until becoming permanently British in 1762 where it served as a naval base, especially important during the American Revolutionary War and in the War of 1812. Equally important was her role during World War II. St. John’s harbour was a major port used by ships of the Royal Navy and the Royal Canadian Navy involved in convoy protection. It’s value was reflected in the enormous efforts of German U-Boats to mine and torpedo the harbour.

Missions and Operations

   Since her commissioning, HMCS ST. JOHN’S has played and important role in Canada’s Navy. She has represented the fleet from Nova Scotia and the Grand Banks of Newfoundland to the Persian Gulf and Arabian Sea, in military exercises and operations and in conjunction with other government departments. Most recently, HMCS ST. JOHN’S was involved in TGEX 04-09, a mission which included HMCS ATHABASKAN, HMCS MONTREAL, HMCS PRESERVER and HMCS FREDERICTON, who will be the next Canadian ship deployed overseas. In addition to TGEX 04-09, HMCS ST. JOHN'S assisted American submarines in training their future commanders during an exercise called SCC, or Submarine Commanders Course. This operation offered an opportunity to hunt real submarines with real torpedos (although their warhead was removed for safety of course). These type of operations involving both Canadian and American forces are essential to maintaining mission capable units prepared to deploy with our allies at a moments notice.

   Past successes include: TGEX 02-09, an operation which involved HMCS ST JOHN'S, HMCS TORONTO, HMCS ATHABASKAN and HMCS PRESERVER. With HMCS PRESERVER ensuring that all ships were fuelled and provided necessary supplies, the destroyer and the two frigates were able to practise their anti air missile firing skills against real air targets. It was a successful MISSILEX with all ships shooting down their respective targets.

OP PANAMAX, a multi-national Maritime Interdiction Operation (MIO) leading up to OP CARIBEE, where HMCS ST. JOHN’S was tasked with patrolling the Caribbean for international drug smugglers. While in the midst of OP CARIBEE however, HMCS ST. JOHN’S was diverted to support OP HORATIO. Coordinated through the World Food Program, OP HORATIO involved food aid delivery after hurricanes swept the Caribbean. HMCS ST. JOHN’S would embark food goods such as rice, cooking oil and flour from Port au Prince then sailed to the Southern communities of Haiti and delivered the food using the Sea King on board;

OP COLOMBIE, a counter-drug operation, resulting in over five hundred kilograms of cocaine being seized;

OP DOLPHIN RECOVERY, which involved the fire aboard HMCS CHICOUTIMI, and the first Vertical Launch of the Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile in NATO, receiving the “Clean Sweep” Award for completing all objectives in the ESSM firing, the first time a non US combatant has been presented this award.

Community Involvement

   HMCS ST. JOHN’S also has a proud heritage in supporting local charities and charities in Newfoundland & Labrador. Originating the “Run the Rock” in 1996, members of the ship’s company have raised over one hundred and twenty two thousand dollars for the Children’s Wish Foundation of Newfoundland in their relay across Newfoundland.

Date modified:
2/4/2009