Canadian destroyer arrives in Gulf

Canadian Press via Sun Media ^ | April 1, 2003 | Alison Auld

[Clive]

HALIFAX (CP) - HMCS Iroquois has arrived in the Persian Gulf, allowing the Canadian commodore overseeing a multinational task force to finally take control of his command-and- control vessel.

The ship, which left Halifax on March 5, was to take over from HMCS Montreal as the main centre of operations for Commodore Roger Girouard, who is leading the force involved in the fight against terrorism.

"The commodore should be transferring from Montreal to Iroquois any time now. That should take one day or two," Maj. Richard Saint-Louis said from Operation Apollo's central command in Tampa, Fla. He would not reveal when the ship arrived in the region.

Girouard has been operating from Montreal for the last several months, but the ship does not have some of the command-and-control systems or specialists, such as fighter aircraft controllers, anti-air controllers and naval control experts to deal with marine traffic.

Iroquois, a destroyer that is much larger than the frigate Montreal, was delayed in getting to the area when the Sea King helicopter it was transporting smashed on to its flight deck on a routine training mission last month.

It forced the Halifax-based destroyer back into port for repairs and sent the air force scrambling to come up with another aircraft, leaving Girouard without the necessary equipment he needed to carry out his responsibilities.

The Defence Department spent about $180,000 to ship a Sea King to the Persian Gulf from Halifax on a commercial vessel, which is due to arrive in several weeks.

The department was also considering making the Iroquois share a Sea King with the frigate HMCS Fredericton, which arrived with Iroquois in the Gulf. But the aircraft is considered such a critical part of destroyer's responsibilities that it was decided it should have its own.

None of the country's 29 Sea Kings were ready to fly at the time, since many had to undergo maintenance or are already overseas.

Girouard, who is heading up the team of about 12 American, British, French, Italian and other nation's ships, said the initial decision not to send a helicopter with the destroyer when it left Halifax meant he would likely have to call on coalition forces for air support.

At the time, Girouard said the lack of a helicopter would mean he would "have a little less flexibility, a little bit less assets in any given area and that's important because we're dispersed fairly widely."

The commodore admitted it created challenges in performing medical evacuations, supplying spare parts and responding to emergencies requiring aircraft.

The coalition is responsible for escorting ships, intercepting and boarding suspect vessels and guarding against attacks on ships. The Sea Kings are considered the eyes and ears of the vessel and are important in scouting the area for threats.

HMCS Regina is also on its way to the gulf, but the ship does not have a Sea King due to a lack of resources.

Saint-Louis said Montreal will be able to return home after the transfer is complete.

[Clive]

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[AxelPaulsenJr]

I'm confused, I thought that the Canadians are in no way involved in the Iraqi war?

[MichaelP]

The ship, which left Halifax on March 5

Gee, 28 days to cover 5000 miles... 7.4 mph...That's really booking:)

Mike

[goodnesswins]

SSHHHHHHH......don't tell any Canadians.

[albertabound]

You're confused, how do you think we feel. One needs a global positioning device to determine the position of our government on Iraq.

[areafiftyone]

I would say they are farting in our general direction ;-)

[G.Mason]

What's a Canadian ??

[TopQuark]

Just wait until they switch to French-made vessels: their speed will increase to 4 pastries per hour.

[albertabound]

The assholes that run this country are farting in all directions at the same time.

[bedolido]

"RUNAWAY! RUNAWAY!"

[zingzang]

The coalition is responsible for escorting ships, intercepting and boarding suspect vessels and guarding against attacks on ships.

Sounds like they're involved now, whether they want to admit it or not. To me, "guarding against attacks on ships" means they have to be prepared to use their weapons if the situation warrants. I hope they blast some Iraqis in a zodiac out of the water shortly.

[bedolido]

Where's the Beer, eh?

[Lucas1]

Actually Canada HAS TROOPS in Iraq. This was reported yesterday on the Canadian news. Several people in leadership stood up yesterday and said that Canada should stop acting like it is not involved in this war. There are men on the ground in Iraq fighting with the US and British forces.

[Hodar]

The Defence Department spent about $180,000 to ship a Sea King to the Persian Gulf from Halifax on a commercial vessel, which is due to arrive in several weeks.

oooooooh, a Sea King...... 1 whole Helicopter. I think they would have been money ahead in saving the freight costs, and buying a used helicopter for $180K

[AngryJawa]

"Gee, 28 days to cover 5000 miles... 7.4 mph...That's really booking"

You think they rowed over or used the trolling motor?

[Fresh Wind]

Could it be that the Canadians have realized that the USA is going to win, and they figure they better get a foot in the door so they can rake in some goodies once the war is over? Could it be that they want the benefits but at the same time avoid any of the expense and risk? Naaaah. Couldn't be.

[AxelPaulsenJr]

Glad to hear it. Wonder what the majority of Canadians really feel about the war?

[Kenton]

I'm confused, I thought that the Canadians are in no way involved in the Iraqi war?

We're winning. They realize they were wrong and they are embarrassed.

[green team 1999]

"He would not reveal when the ship arrived in the region."

uuuhh,top secret,maybe you should not post it!
who cares if the canadian ship arrived or not,what is the difference? with so many warships in the persian gulf.