After nearly two months beneath the surface, HMCS Corner Brook slipped back into it home port of Esquimalt on Oct. 5, capping off its first deployment in seven years.
The Victoria-class submarine spent the past several weeks patrolling the Northern Pacific and Arctic approaches as part of Operation Latitude, a mission focused on boosting Canada’s presence in the North and strengthening cooperation with U.S. forces.
The deployment was part of a wider effort to detect, deter and defend against potential threats in the region.
During its time at sea, Corner Brook worked in coordination with Royal Canadian Navy ships, Royal Canadian Air Force aircraft and units from the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard, carrying out surveillance and patrol missions across the northern gateway to North America.
“HMCS Corner Brook’s deployment under Operation Latitude represents a critical component of our ability to project capability, maintain presence and operate alongside our allies in defence of Canada and North America,” said Rear-Admiral David Patchell, commander Maritime Forces Pacific. “Unified action is essential to securing the region, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to keeping the Arctic safe and secure.”
The mission marked a milestone for the Royal Canadian Navy.
It was Corner Brook’s first deployment since 2018 and the submarine’s first major outing since undergoing years of repairs and upgrades, including a modern sonar suite, new torpedo system and improved communications gear.
“During Operation Latitude, HMCS Corner Brook integrated with Canadian and American units in continental operations, enabled by recent upgrades and by the crew, our consorts and the supporting organizations who helped maintain us on station,” said Lieutenant-Commander Clark Hubbard, the vessel’s commanding officer.
Originally purchased from the United Kingdom in 1998 and entering service in 2003, Corner Brook is one of four Victoria-class submarines in the fleet.
Canada plans to replace the class with up to 12 new patrol submarines by the mid-2030s through the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project.
