Warships heading home for the holidays
By Lookout on Dec 12, 2018 with Comments 0
Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~
HMCS Calgary returns to its home port of Esquimalt on Dec. 18 after five months in the Asia-Pacific region strengthening Canada’s relationships with nations in the area.
The Royal Canadian Navy frigate and its crew of 236 left Esquimalt Harbour July 30 for Operation Projection, which formally began Aug. 20.
Calgary will be one of three warships returning to the base that day; HMCS Edmonton and HMCS Nanaimo will return from Operation Caribbe, the Canadian Armed Forces contribution to the elimination of illegal trafficking in the eastern Pacific Ocean by organized crime.
Lastly, making its way to Victoria for the first time will be the navy’s interim supply ship Motor Vessel (MV) Asterix, which will come alongside at Ogden Point terminal.
As Calgary plots a course for home, the ship’s commanding officer, Cdr Blair Saltel says he and the ship’s company have a great sense of pride with the completion of another successful mission.
“I believe we strengthened relationships for follow-on ships to continue, bolstered trust in Canadian capabilities and interest in the region, and represented our namesake city in an exciting area of the world. I am proud of what we have accomplished and thankful to the families that supported us from home and the ‘Military Family’ who will welcome us home.”
By the time Calgary sailors cross the brow and into the arms of friends and family, they will have transited over 23,000 nautical miles, visited five countries, operated with 15 navies and participated in three multi-national exercises.
Also high on its list of operational accomplishments is becoming the first Canadian warship to conduct operations in support of United Nations Security Council Resolutions 2375 and 2397 – sanctions against North Korea.
There was also plenty of time for outreach and naval diplomacy during the mission as Calgary conducted two onboard press conferences, hosted dignitaries from five countries, and became the first Canadian warship to visit Da Nang, Vietnam.
The ship’s company also found time for charity work, raising over $18,492 for the National Defence Workplace Charitable Campaign, $1,310 for prostate cancer research, and is targeting a total of $2,000 for Calgary’s Foothill’s Burn Unit before it returns.
Cdr Saltel said he and the ship’s company are more than satisfied by the results of the mission and are now excited to return home in time for the holidays.
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