CBC News
December 30, 2014
HMCS Fredericton on way to Mediterranean for NATO mission
HMCS Fredericton left Halifax on Tuesday as part of Operation Reassurance, Canada’s response to Russia’s military aggression in Ukraine.
Family members and well-wishers gathered at the CFB Halifax dockyard to say goodbye. The frigate and its crew is not expected back until the summer.
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There are 250 military personnel of all ranks aboard HMCS Fredericton. The frigate also carries a Sea King helicopter and an air crew.
Operation Reassurance is part of a larger NATO response to what’s happening in Ukraine. Fredericton’s role is to provide support to its allies, from surveillance to “regional defence and diplomatic engagement,” according to a government news release.
Replaces HMCS Toronto
HMCS Fredericton will replace HMCS Toronto, which left Halifax in July and began its NATO mission in August.
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In September, HMCS Toronto was circled by one Russian surveillance plane and two fighter jets in the Black Sea, according to the defence minister’s office.
Defence Minister Rob Nicholson said Russia’s military acted in an “unnecessarily provocative” manner.
On Christmas Day, a fire broke out aboard HMCS Toronto but the Department of National Defence said it was put out quickly and no one was hurt.
HMCS Toronto is due back in Halifax next month.
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