Canadians tracking Russian ships and submarines overseas

Sailors aboardHMCS Charlottetown experienced tense interactions between Canadian and Russian forces while overseas in the Mediterraneanwith one describing the experience as "busy" and "extremely stressful."

For years, the Canadian military's official position was that it interactedwith "non-NATO forces,"but rarely named Russia in particular.

Now, the military isbeing more specific.

HMCSCharlottetown "operated with her NATO partners to monitor the Russian warships' transit as directed by NATO," said Canada's Joint Operations Command Headquarters in a statement to CBCNews, after officials consultedwith theirNATO counterparts.

Leading Seaman Cory Johnson had described the experience in a recent interview with the SooToday.com.

"We had to get everything electrically safe and unlock missiles so they could be fired if needed. We had several Russian ships and submarines around us,"he said.

"To be honest, we were in a couple of situations, and it was extremely stressful."

Johnson,originally from Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.,was posted to Halifax aboard HMCSCharlottetown as a fire control technician.

CBC News reached out to Johnson several times, however he did not reply.

Canadian Forces have been operating alongside NATO allies in the eastern Mediterranean region as part of Operation Reassurance since early 2014.

The operation is designed to showsolidarity with Ukraine, after Russiaannexed part of its territory known asthe Crimean Peninsula.

As for preparing missiles to fire, military officials said: "Information regarding rules of engagement, force protection measures, as well as specific details about tactics, techniques, and procedures will not be released for operational security reasons."

"Monitoring Russian naval activity is a routine function forNATO's Maritime Forces."

'A veryaggressive game of chicken'

While these interactions may sound intense, officials currently in the military and those who have retired say it's fairly unremarkable.

"It's not unusual at all," said Ken Hansen, a former naval commander and independent defence analyst.

"The Russians play a very aggressive game of chicken whenever you come against them in their backyard," he said.

"Overflights and 'probing,' as we used to call it, it's all designed to gather information and to test your readiness."

The Canadian government has continued its commitment to Operation Reassurance, with another ship deployed from Halifaxlast month. HMCSSt. John's will be in the Mediterranean region until summer.

April will mark the four-year anniversary of the operation.