His Majesty’s Canadian Ship Yellowknife commences Operation CARIBBE
Press Release + Noah Note
January 29, 2026 – Halifax, N.S. – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces
His Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Yellowknife has commenced a seven-week deployment on Operation CARIBBE in the Caribbean Sea.
Operation CARIBBE, which began in 2006, is Canada’s contribution to United States (U.S.)-led multinational efforts to counter narcotics trafficking in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean, and to enhance the security of the broader region. HMCS Yellowknife will work to lawfully disrupt the movement of illicit trafficking vessels through boarding and maritime interdiction operations working with partner nation surface assets and maritime patrol aircraft.
By continually exercising and emphasizing interoperability between nations in the region, Canada is able to contribute to the seizure of illicit narcotics, which helps prevent them from entering or transiting through North American communities, including those in Canada.
Operation CARIBBE is a separate and distinct operation working with the United States Coast Guard to fulfill its law enforcement mandate to interdict illicit trafficking vessels and is unrelated to other US operations in the region.
Quotes
"Canada’s contribution to Operation CARIBBE underscores our strong commitment to working alongside regional partners to combat the flow of dangerous narcotics throughout the Americas. The deployment of His Majesty’s Canadian Ship Yellowknife demonstrates our nation’s resolve to this mission, reinforcing collaboration with allies to disrupt illicit networks and enhance security across the region."
Rear-Admiral Josée Kurtz, Commander Maritime Forces Atlantic and Commander Joint Task Force Atlantic
"The crew of His Majesty’s Canadian Ship Yellowknife is proud to represent Canada on this mission and contribute to a safer maritime environment. Having recently returned from Operation REASSURANCE, Yellowknife is ready to work in close coordination with partner nations to detect and interdict vessels engaged in illegal trafficking. This deployment is an opportunity to apply our skills again while making a real difference in reducing the harmful impacts of the drug trade."
Lieutenant-Commander Jeffrey Smith, Commanding Officer of HMCS Yellowknife
Quick facts
Since the beginning of Operation CARIBBE in 2006, the operation has contributed to the disruption or seizure of more than 123 metric tons of cocaine. In 2025 alone, HMC Ships Harry DeWolf and William Hall interdicted more than 2,200 kilograms of cocaine as part of Operation CARIBBE.
HMCS Yellowknife is a Kingston-class Maritime Coastal Defence Vessel, designed for both surveillance and patrolling coastal waters.
Noah Note: The RCN having to throw in the mention tbat this is seperate from ongoing operations as part of Southern Spear. Of course my understanding was that there was heavy debate about OP CARIBBE future goven the tense and confusing political dynamic, however that seems to have been staved off for now.
Theres no doubt CARIBBE does good work. I don't think many would deny that. However, there is coming a point where the similarity and inevitable correlation will become a political topic to the general masses.
I thought Canada was supposed to be distancing itself from America? I mean we are told to buy Canadian and to avoid going down there for vacation . Yet we are still doing military exercises and missions with the Americans. I get NORAD AND SAR, but the rest? Enough already!
Some people may not see the very fine distinction between drug interdiction and the other activities undertaken by US forces.