HALIFAX (CP) -- Six months after she left to take part in the U.S.-led war on terrorism, the Canadian warship HMCS Fredericton returned home to Halifax early Thursday.
The frigate's 245-member crew were to be reunited with family members in a welcoming ceremony at the navy dockyard later in the morning. They last saw each other when the ship departed in March.
HMCS Fredericton had been patrolling the Gulf of Oman, the Strait of Hormuz and the southern Arabian Gulf as part of Operation Apollo, Canada's contribution to the war effort.
The vessel is the last East Coast ship to be deployed in the region. The Fredericton was relieved by HMCS Calgary, the only Canadian navy ship currently involved in the mission.
Earlier this week, about 200 people greeted the sailors and Sea King aircrew when they stopped in St. John's, Nfld., on the way back from the Arabian Gulf.
The frigate, as part of the coalition forces, was responsible for escorting ships, intercepting and boarding suspect vessels and guarding against attacks on ships.
In May, members of the Fredericton crew helped rescue two men from a burning ship in the Persian Gulf and helped them get to hospital.
Links to DND.CA
http://www.forces.gc.ca/site/operations/apollo/index_e.htm
http://www.navy.forces.gc.ca/mspa_fleet/fleet_home_e.asp
http://www.navy.forces.gc.ca/mspa_fleet/hfx_overview_e.asp
http://www.navy.forces.gc.ca/mspa_fleet/hfx_moreinfo_e.asp
http://www.navy.forces.gc.ca/mspa_fleet/hfx_specs_tac_e.asp
http://www.navy.forces.gc.ca/mspa_fleet/hfx_tour_ac_e.asp