Posted on 11/03/2007 5:06:52 AM PDT by nuconvert
Cdn frigate leaves Halifax harbour for six-month deployment in Persian Gulf
HALIFAX - A Canadian warship steamed out of Halifax harbour on Thursday to resume patrols in the Persian Gulf and gain intelligence on potential terrorist activity in the volatile region.
Hundreds of weeping family members lined the military dock as HMCS Charlottetown made its way out to sea to begin a six-month mission involving surveillance, boarding suspicious vessels and ensuring the safety of a waterway that's key to the international trade of oil.
Commander Patrick St-Denis said the ongoing naval presence is vital in the area despite criticisms that the Canadian contingent has apprehended few terrorists or acquired valuable intelligence since 2001.
"If we were not there, do we want to see the results and consequences to Canada?" he said on the jetty moments before departing under clear skies and a stiff wind.
"This could have a huge impact on oil prices as well as terrorist activities (affecting) Canada."
The vessel, with 250 crew and a Sea King helicopter on board, will also visit several ports in the region to help build better relations with locals who could provide information on terror threats, St-Denis said.
"The focus has changed a little bit to gain the co-operation of the locals so we can gain more intelligence," he said.
The Halifax-class patrol frigate will be taking part in Operation Altair, part of Canada's contribution to Operation Enduring Freedom, the code-name for the American-led war on terror.
Canada hasn't had a vessel there since last March when HMCS Ottawa returned from the Gulf where the frigate was part of a U.S. carrier strike group during a six-month tour.
St-Denis said it wasn't yet clear whether Canada will be called on next year to lead the multinational naval task force in the region, which it has done in the past.
Over the last few years Ottawa has dispatched warships on an individual basis. It's unclear whether the Conservative government will be required to send more ships to meet the lead responsibility.
Families hugged and waved small Canadian flags as the ship prepared to depart, while small children called out for their fathers when the frigate pulled away from the jetty.
Brenda Capilan watched as her husband held their seven-month-old daughter before stepping aboard the Charlottetown for a mission that will see him miss some important milestones.
"It's going to be hard - her first birthday, her first Christmas," she said, a Canadian flag in her hand. "But this is what he does, this is his job and we're prepared for it."
Since the first Gulf War in 1991, the navy has sent ships to the region more than 30 times. By far the biggest deployment came following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States.
Six warships and more than 1,500 sailors and aircrew joined U.S. and British warships to help hunt down al-Qaida suspects fleeing Afghanistan by sea.
Since then the navy has rotated ships in and out of the volatile waters on a individual basis, but the pace - when combined with training, maintenance and regular coastal defence - has put a strain on resources.
St-Denis said the frigate will continue searching for illegal weapons and cargo.
"The the main thing is we're going to be making sure the safety of vessels transiting in and out of the theatre of operations will be done," he said.
Best wishes to them!
Canada still has “frigates”???
;-)
“Fair winds and following seas!”
http://www.navy.forces.gc.ca/charlottetown/about/ship_about_e.asp?category=103
And having a “semi-balanced” rudder kinda gives this “skimmer” the heebee-geebees! hehehe
I know this is splitting hairs but couldn't these families be depicted another way? For example, "hundreds of proud families".
A-Hoy!
HMCS Charlottetown!
Fair winds and Following Seas to you!
1 November 2007 - Halifax, Nova-Scotia: Lt (N) Mark O'Donohue (Left) and MCpl Jason Pitre (Right) say goodbye to loved ones before the departure of HMCS Charlottetown.
The Halifax-class patrol frigate HMCS Charlottetown left her home port of Halifax, N.S. on November 1, 2007 for a six- month deployment on Operation ALTAIR, Canada's maritime contribution to the continuing U.S.-led campaign against terrorism known as Operation ENDURING FREEDOM . Under the command of Commander Patrick St-Denis, and with a crew of about 250 officers and sailors, including a CH-124 Sea King helicopter detachment, HMCS Charlottetown will conduct surveillance patrols and maritime interdiction operations to control sea-based activity in the Persian Gulf and the Arabian Sea. HMCS Charlottetown will also be assigned to monitor shipping, escort commercial vessels, and help detect, deter and protect against terrorist activity. Throughout the deployment, HMCS Charlottetown will also conduct port visits designed to reinforce established regional relations and demonstrate Canada's ongoing commitment to international security. The last ship to deploy on Operation ALTAIR was HMCS Ottawa, from September 2006 to March 2007.
Photos: Cpl Rodney Doucet (left) and Cpl Jeff Neron (right), Canadian Forces Combat Camera.
Amen!
And to the ships and personnel of the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group that Charlottetown is joining.
The ships are:
USS Harry S Truman (CVN 75) Nimitz class nuclear-powered aircraft carrierUSS San Jacinto (CG 56) Ticonderoga class guided missile cruiser
USS Hue City (CG 66) Ticonderoga class guided missile cruiser
USS Carney (DDG 64) Arleigh Burke class guided missile destroyer
USS Oscar Austin (DDG 79) Arleigh Burke class guided missile destroyer (Oscar Austin sub class)
USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81) Arleigh Burke class guided missile destroyer (Oscar Austin sub class)
HMS Manchester (D95) Manchester class Type 42 Batch 3 destroyer
USS Montpelier (SSN 765) Improved Los Angeles class fast attack submarine
HMCS Charlottetown (FFH 339) Halifax Class multi role patrol frigate
USNS Arctic (T-AOE 8) Supply class fast combat support ship
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