22 March, 2023
HMCS Margaret Brooke sits in an ice floe in the Davis Strait on March 3, 2022. Photo: S2 Taylor Congdon, Canadian Armed Forces
Commander Nicole Robichaud, Commanding Officer of HMCS Margaret Brooke discusses her recent experiences on board the Arctic Offshore Patrol Ship, including OPERATION NANOOK. OPERATION NANOOK began in 2007 with the aim of strengthening Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) knowledge of the region, working with fellow Arctic nations and allies, and building relationships with local Indigenous communities.
As the Arctic region, along with its fossil fuel and mineral reserves, becomes more accessible, the increased traffic poses new security risks to Canada. As such, Canada needs to be ready to respond to a variety of potential missions, making the work and training in the Arctic incredibly important. Commander Robichaud will outline her ship's work during OPERATION NANOOK and speak to some of the issues currently facing the Canadian North.
Following a 30-minute presentation, the audience is encouraged to challenge and discuss with relevant questions. These will be non-partisan discussions aimed at generating thought-provoking responses allowing all parties to become better informed on security and defence.
Video
Watch the full video, including Q&A discussion (01:07:39).
About the Presenter
From Red Deer, AB, Cdr Nicole Robichaud attained her Bachelor of Science in Forestry from the University of Alberta in 1998 and joined the Regular Force in 2002 as a Naval Warfare Officer. Upon completion of her initial naval officer training she joined HMCS Vancouver where she obtained her Bridge Watch Keeping certificate.
She completed her Fleet Navigating Officer’s course in 2007 and joined HMCS Winnipeg where she brought the ship out of an extended refit, worked her up to high readiness and deployed with SNMG 1 to conduct counter piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden. On completion of her Navigating Officer’s tour, she spent time teaching and mentoring keen young officers before completing the Operations Room Officer course and being reunited with Vancouver as the Combat Officer. After a busy year of sailing, Vancouver headed into refit and Cdr Robichaud was sent to New Zealand for eight months on OP REGULUS where she sailed with the New Zealand Navy in HMNZS Te Mana and HMNZS Canterbury earning a Chief of the New Zealand Navy Commendation.
Cdr Robichaud left the west coast in 2015 for Ottawa to work at Strategic Joint Staff as the Rules of Engagement (ROE) Officer where she was part of a team responsible for providing ROE guidance to the Chief of Defence for ongoing and future Canadian Armed Froces (CAF) operations.
In 2016 Cdr Robichaud was posted to Halifax and assumed the role of Commanding Officer of HMCS Moncton where in one year, Moncton sailed north to the Canadian Arctic and across the Atlantic Ocean to West Africa, conducting community relations in Senegal, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Cote d’Ivoire. In 2018, Cdr Robichaud attained her Masters in Defence Studies and assumed the role of Executive Officer of HMCS Fredericton. Her time in Fredericton included executing a high readiness program and a deployment to the Mediterranean in 2020.
In 2021, Cdr Robichaud assumed Command of HMCS Margaret Brooke, the second Arctic Offshore Patrol Vessel (AOPV) and the Royal Canadian Navy's (RCN) newest commissioned warship.
Cdr Robichaud resides in Halifax, NS with her 18 year old rescue dog Zach and enjoys spending time outdoors.