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Operation TATOU: Canadian Forces support to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting
29 November 2009
Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago is among the smallest countries to host an international summit of the size of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. Canada is one of the participating countries from which the Government of Trinidad and Tobago requested assistance with logistics and security challenges. The Canadian Forces has therefore mounted Operation TATOU, to assist the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force with maritime surveillance and airlift capacity, for the duration of the meeting.Assigned to maritime surveillance are the Halifax-class frigate HMCS Ville de Québec from Halifax, Nova Scotia, and one CP-140 Aurora aircraft from 14 Wing Greenwood, based at Greenwood, Nova Scotia.
A Canadian Forces Maritime Liaison Team has also been deployed to Trinidad and Tobago.
The airlift component of Operation TATOU consists of one CC-150 Polaris long-range transport aircraft to bring more than 200 military and police personnel from Caribbean countries to Port of Spain.
Participation by the Canadian Forces in the security arrangements for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting is consistent with the CF mandate to defend North America and contribute to international peace and security.
Operation TATOU was previously conducted to support the Summit of the Americas when it was held in Trinidad and Tobago from April 17 to 19, 2009.
