Warships’ deployment full throttle
SLt Jim Smith
HMCS Protecteur
May 12, 2008
MCpl Robin Mugridge
Formation Imaging Services Halifax
Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship Iroquois, embarked on a six-month maritime security operation on April 19 and is currently transiting towards the Caribbean, where it will join its two West Coast counterparts, HMC Ships Calgary and Protecteur, to form up the fourth rotation of Operation Altair, Canada’s Maritime Contribution To Operation Enduring Freedom, the US-Lead Campaign Against Terrorism.
HMCS Protecteur is now well into the Atlantic Ocean in company with HMC Ships Calgary and Iroquois, transiting towards the Strait of Gibraltar and continuing on its journey towards the Arabian Sea and Persian Gulf.
As soon as the ship sailed out of the confines of Esquimalt harbour and cleared the Strait of Juan de Fuca, training began and the tempo picked up.
Both Protecteur and Calgary exercised with Sea Training Pacific, embarked to help the ships through their mission enhancement training. This experience gave both ships the opportunity to prepare for real world scenarios and plan for the types of challenges the Task Group may face while in the area of operation of the Persian Gulf and Arabian Sea.
The ship has now travelled more than 4,000 nautical miles and completed multiple replenishments at sea during the journey south along the coast of North America. One highlight was the transit of the Panama Canal. Unfortunately it was completed at night, but that didn’t stop many of the ship’s company from staying up into the early morning to take pictures as it passed through the various sets of locks.
A port visit to the city of San Juan, Puerto Rico, gave the ship’s company time to rest and a needed maintenance period for the ship. A nice treat was the first mail drop off of the trip. Already, a number of people are receiving care packages from home, boosting morale.
Additionally, there was time for over 20 crew take part in a Times Colonist 10K (Caribbean style) run along the coastline of San Juan. The run raised over $600 for the Heart and Stroke Foundation of B.C.
Protecteur set sail from San Juan May 3, leaving the Caribbean Sea behind, perhaps for the last time. The following day marked the 65th anniversary of the turning point of the Battle of the Atlantic - the longest running battle of the Second World War. A ceremony was performed on board by Protecteur’s padre, Capt Stephen Heemskerk. It was an opportunity for all to take a brief moment to remember the thousands of lives lost.
Protecteur’s Commanding Officer, Commander Sean Cantelon said a few words to remind everyone gathered on the flight deck that they follow in those brave souls’ wake, and at any moment could be called upon to make the ultimate sacrifice. Then two minutes of silence were observed and a wreath was dropped into the Atlantic by Cdr Cantelon on behalf of the ship’s company.
There is still a lot to do on the ship before Protecteur enters the area of operations and the training will continue in earnest. Next on the schedule are three days of training focusing on chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear defence (CBRN). The saving grace is the heat and humidity experienced in the south Pacific has abated. The temperatures have moderated to a more comfortable average of 25 degrees Celsius with the humidity in check. This will make CBRN defence suits a little more tolerable.
