Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
July 24, 2014
HMCS Toronto crew set to join NATO in Mediterranean
Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Toronto will depart this morning to join NATO reassurance measures in the Mediterranean.
HMCS Toronto is heading to a very tense area, replacing HMCS Regina, which has been part of Standing NATO Maritime Forces since May 2014.
HMCS Regina was on another mission in the Arabian Sea when the conflict in the Ukraine started to escalate three months ago. The ship was then sent to the eastern Mediterranean.
The Toronto will be headed to the same area in the eastern Mediterranean, where it can be quickly deployed to the Black Sea, if needed.
On Wednesday, a pair of Ukraine fighter jets were shot down in the same area where a Malaysian airliner was brought down last week.
The last mission for HMCS Toronto was also in the Arabian sea and it was 12 months long.
…
It’s not known how long this mission will be. Families will be at the dockyard in Halifax Thursday morning as the vessel departs.
HMCS Toronto will be leaving for the Mediterranean Sea from the CFB Halifax Dockyard with a ceremony Thursday at 10 a.m.
Defence Minister Rob Nicholson will also be at the navy jetty to send off the Toronto’s crew of 250.
Source