France hands over command of SNMG2 to the Royal Canadian Navy

French Navy Rear Admiral Yannick Bossu handed over command of Standing NATO Maritime Group Two (SNMG2) to the Royal Canadian Navy Commodore Matthew Coates on 1 July, during a ceremony on board the flagship FS Somme.

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NATO Allied Maritime Command (MARCOM) Deputy Commander, French Navy Vice Admiral Didier Maleterre, presided over the change of command ceremony.

This was the first time France has commanded SNMG2, although French ships have often served in NATO Standing Naval Forces, demonstrating France’s commitment to the Defense of Alliance vital interests.

The handover marked the end of a three-month deployment for SNMG2 during volatile times, with the war in Ukraine, rising tensions in the Middle East and the Houthi crisis in the Red Sea. From 5 April to 1 July, the Task Group carried out its mission in the Eastern and Central Mediterranean Sea.

SNMG2 is one of four Standing Naval Forces that operate under NATO Allied Maritime Command, headquartered in Northwood, United Kingdom. SNMG2 is a multinational integrated task group that projects a constant and visible reminder of the Alliance's solidarity and cohesion afloat. This continuous maritime capability performs a wide range of tasks, including exercises and real-world operations in periods of crisis and conflict.

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[griffinblades]

Any of you commenting about how the ship needs to be built in Canada or something has not watched the video. Canada is not being given a ship. We are being given command of a task group of naval ships. Canada is bringing it's own ship to lead the task group

[ravenclaw]

GO Canada! I spent a decade working with the Canadian Armed Forces: the most honourable officers and enlisted personnel I have ever met! Bravo Zulu Canada!

[John_Mack]

If you want to know what Canadians actually understand about our Navy and NATO, just read the comments. It's shameful.

[stephenwise]

Gratitude and Appreciation from Canada!

[Tjd]

Just think, at one point in time, Canada had the 3rd largest navy.

[doonhamer]

did most commenting actually listen to what was said, they are using it as a command ship, not reflagging as HMCS

[Don_ECHOguy]

And it's first stop for supplies is the "Beer Store".

[Cubcariboo]

Not sure I would want to "Flag" a frigate. Should be an AOR, with more room for staff, and some added communication facilities. The frigate needs to be a flexible and deployable asset of the task force. The Halifax class are cramped enough without a flag officer and staff on board. Le Sigh

[jamesthompson]

Cool. Our Naval commander gets to spend time on Naval Ships that actually work.
Canada's specialize in hanging around the repair shop.
The recruiting motto of our navy for decades was "Join the Navy. Take turns sailing our ship."
Now we're - finally - building a few ships. The subs (bought from UK) are still mostly MIA.
We have the longest shoreline IN THE WORLD, and a few ships to patrol them. No way could we defend them.
We have a warming climate that'll encourage use of the NW Passage. Russia, China & USA especially want to send ships through our Arctic: a ridiculously dangerous shipping route (if it becomes that) as there'll be no way to rescue shipwrecks & deal with cleanups if there's an oil spill in what is an incredibly environmentally sensitive area. We can't stop them with Inuit in kayaks carrying rifles!

Flagship for the NATO fleet will be HMCS Charlottetown. Pathetic, but it's what we have. With luck it'll be able to keep up with the fleet it's supposedly leading. THEY'LL all have to cut speed to "keep up" with it. Fortunately there'll be lots of bigger ships being "led" with repair crews & parts so it'll be safe on Atlantic crossings.

[TonyA]

Having commanded ships on World of Warships, I understand what’s happening here completely.

[sonofculloden]

I spent time on a Navy ship - Canada will do this ship and the Allies proud.

[GoodEvenings]

Bro we got like 3 working Frigates what do you mean it’s our turn?

[Bimboysize]

Lots of armchair admirals on here it seems.

[phoboskittym]

What class ship is it? Whats its specific role?

[alasdairblack]

Why do some ignorant Canadians want to trash talk our country and armed forces so much? Right wing rhetoric about everything being broken is not contributing to improving our country. We are building new ships in Canada and supporting our military with our tax dollars. Taxes the Conservatives selfishly want to cut. You can’t have it both ways. The Canadian armed forces are greatly respected around the world, deservedly so.

[teklarmeeps]

Hi uh, we uh might uh be Canadian uh. But thats ok, eh, uh. Bon voyage and fair winds SNMG2.

[andrewyoonhobai]

i fixed the antigrav on your steel boats, wait you guys never had antigrav dafuk?

[mboerefyn]

Canada needs to have our allies build ships for us. Irving shipyards cost us 400%+ to build frigates. Over 1 billion for a ship Denmark, Sweden and Norway all built for under 250 million at the time. Our army, Navy and Air Force all need a lot more equipment/upgrades.

We are embarrassing as a member of NATO.

[cripplingdepression]

Chandlers voice "Wow we get this rusty crap for free?"

[colinjohnston]

To everyone saying the ships need to be built in Canada can’t understand a simple YT video let alone the failures of Canadian ship building. We should just save taxpayers the money and buy foreign ships it will be 50 years before we replace 20 frigates and other ships.