Operation Altair

Operation ALTAIR was Canada’s contribution of warships to operations supporting Operation ENDURING FREEDOM in the Persian Gulf and the Arabian Sea. On each of the first four rotations of Op ALTAIR, a single Halifax-class frigate was integrated into a U.S. Navy carrier strike group on reaching the area of responsibility. On the last rotation, a three-ship Canadian task group operated with Combined Task Force 150.

Deployments on Op ALTAIR helped keep Canada’s navy relevant, responsive, and effective. The naval presence demonstrated Canada’s commitment to international security and the campaign against terrorism, and significantly enhanced the interoperability of the Canadian and U.S. navies.

The tasks performed under Op ALTAIR are now carried out under Operation SAIPH.

Deployments

• January to July 2004 (Roto 0): HMCS Toronto deployed from Halifax and operated with the USS George Washington Carrier Strike Group.
• April to October 2005 (Roto 1): HMCS Winnipeg deployed from Esquimalt and operated with the U.S. Fifth Fleet.
• September 2006 to March 2007 (Roto 2): HMCS Ottawa deployed from Halifax and operated with the USS Boxer Expeditionary Strike Group.
• November 2007 to April 2008 (Roto 3): HMCS Charlottetown deployed from Halifax and operated with the USS Harry S Truman Carrier Strike Group.
• April 2008 to October 2008 (Roto 4): HMCS Iroquois from Halifax deployed with HMC Ships Protecteur and Calgary from Esquimalt. From 3 June to 15 September 2008, Commodore Bob Davidson commanded CTF 150 with his flag in HMCS Iroquois.