HMCS Charlottetown deploys for employment overseas

NEWS RELEASE

HMCS Charlottetown deploys for employment overseas

June 27, 2016 – Halifax, Nova Scotia – National Defence / Royal Canadian Navy

Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Charlottetown departed from Halifax today as the designated forward deployed ship of the Royal Canadian Navy, replacing HMCS Fredericton in that role. HMCS Fredericton has been employed on Operation REASSURANCE since January 2016.

QUOTES

“Our modernized Halifax-class frigates are equipped with state-of-the-art capabilities and a team of highly trained, professional sailors that will integrate seamlessly with their NATO counterparts to ensure mission success with every challenge they face.”

Vice-Admiral Ron Lloyd, Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy

“It is an honour to be here and bid farewell to the dedicated sailors on board HMCS Charlottetown that are departing today. Our defence community commends this team and their loved ones for the sacrifices that they are making to support this mission and we are here to support those that remain here at home. Fair winds and following seas to the Command Team and crew of HMCS Charlottetown.”

Commodore Craig Baines, Commander of Canadian Fleet Atlantic

QUICK FACTS

· HMCS Charlottetown is the fifth Royal Canadian Navy ship and the third modernized Halifax-class frigate. The ship will provide Canada the flexibility to execute a range of missions across a broad spectrum of operations in support of allied efforts in the region, including surveillance and monitoring, regional defence, diplomatic engagement, and capacity building.

· HMCS Charlottetown completed the Halifax-class Modernization/Frigate Life Extension (HCM/FELEX) program in June 2014, and is ready to deploy in support of Government of Canada objectives. The program provided the ship with a new Combat Management System, new radar capability, a new electronic warfare system upgrade, upgraded communications and missiles, as well as a new Integrated Platform Management System.

· The ship’s mission will be the third to employ one of the Royal Canadian Navy’s Enhanced Naval Boarding Parties, a specialized team that is capable of executing a full range of maritime interdiction operations.

· HMCS Charlottetown is a Halifax-class frigate with a crew of approximately 250 personnel of all ranks, including a CH-124 Sea King helicopter air detachment.

· HMCS Charlottetown’s last international deployment was in 2012, when the ship served on Operation METRIC, Canada’s support to enhanced security in the eastern Mediterranean region, and Operation ARTEMIS, Canada’s support to counterterrorism and maritime security in the Red  Sea, the Gulf of Aden, the Gulf of Oman, and the Indian Ocean.