Calgary joins Korea’s Fleet Review

HMCS Calgary members are welcomed to Jeju, South Korea, as part of the country's International Fleet Review. Photos by LS Mike Goluboff, MARPAC Imaging Services

HMCS Calgary members are welcomed to Jeju, South Korea, as part of the country’s International Fleet Review. Photos by LS Mike Goluboff, MARPAC Imaging Services

SLt Alexandra LaPlante, HMCS Calgary ~

Three months into Operation Projection, HMCS Calgary took part in an International Fleet Review in the Asia-Pacific region.

It was hosted by the Republic of Korea Navy and staged out of Jeju Civil-Military Complex Port, located on the south side of Jeju Island, South Korea.

Sailors from participating ships were also welcomed at a variety of activities ashore throughout the International Fleet Review week held Oct. 9 to 15.

On hand for the event was Vice-Admrial Ron Lloyd, Commander Royal Canadian Navy. He presented members of Calgary and NRU Asterix’s ship’s companies with the Special Service Medal, earned after 45 days on operations. VAdm Lloyd also hosted a series of town halls for Calgary’s crew.

Fourteen navies participated in a day-long pass-in-review at sea on Oct. 11. 

Calgary joined the column of ­vessels manoeuvering themselves into position for the Pass-in-Review in front of the South Korean flagship – the helicopter carrier ROKS Dokdo. 

While manning the rails on the approach to Dokdo, Calgary sailors were treated to a fly-past and parachute display, and were able to watch a large portion of the Republic of Korea Navy fleet sail past in an impressive column.

Calgary, positioned between Bruneian offshore patrol vessel KDB Daruttaqwa and Indian destroyer INS Rana, was the third ship to salute the dignitaries and the massive crowd assembled aboard Dokdo. Despite risky wind conditions, Calgary’s crew sported their ever-popular Smithbilt hats, which elicited applause and cheers from the passing spectators.

Calgary was welcomed back alongside the following morning.  Over the next three days, members of the ship’s company participated in a sports day and international friendship night, which included exposure to some very popular “K-pop”. Calgary sailors also put forward their best attempts at the Korean language during a volunteer event and soccer game at a local school.

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