An executive officer with the Canadian Navy has come a long way from her summer job at Ganong Chocolatier in St. Stephen.
Commander Meghan Coates serves as the right-hand to the commanding officer of HMCS Calgary and plays a critical role in all ship operations and activities.
“I am also responsible for the morale on board the ship. I want to make sure everyone stays happy and problem-solve anything that comes my way,” Coates said.
HMCS Calgary is heading home after completing Operation Artemis, a counter-terrorism and maritime security mission in the Middle East.
“There is no way we would be able to execute this mission or any other mission without the people. I love talking about the sailors we have onboard and how proud I am of them,” Coates said.
Members of Naval Tactical Operations Group from HMCS CALGARY search a dhow for contraband during a counter-smuggling operation on 24 April, 2021 in the Arabian Sea during OPERATION ARTEMIS and part of Combined Task Force 150. This Image has been edited for operational security. Please credit: Photo by: Captain Jeffery Klassen, Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship CALGARY, Public Affairs Officer Produced by: Corporal Lynette Ai Dang, Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship CALGARY, Imagery Technician ©2021 DND/MDN CANADA
HMCS Calgary completed 17 seizures of illicit cargo in its recent rotation and made the largest single heroin bust in the history of the operation.
“When we get a successful drug interdiction, it makes you feel like we are actually contributing to the overall success in the fight against terror,” said Coates. “As a single ship, we’re just one piece of the larger puzzle but it’s very satisfying to be at the pointy end of the spear and see results first hand.
Now that the COVID-19 situation has improved around the world, Coates is hoping to get back to Charlotte county for Christmas.
She said the first thing she will do after seeing her family is head to Pizza Delight for garlic fingers.
