OTTAWA – The Halifax-class frigate HMCS Ville de Québec is heading for Québec City to join the 400th anniversary celebrations and strengthen ties with her namesake city before beginning a five-month deployment with Standing NATO Maritime Group 1. Ville de Québec is commanded by Commander Christophe Dickinson and has a crew of about 240 all ranks, including a CH-124 Sea King helicopter detachment.
Ville de Québec will arrive in Québec City on June 30 with His Worship Mayor Régis Lebeaume and other dignitaries aboard. Activities scheduled for the frigate's visit include an Open House for the public and a "day sail" for guests. A contingent of 50 sailors from Ville de Québec will march in the Freedom of the City parade on July 3, which will include more than 3,000 Canadian Forces members.
On July 17, 2008, HMCS Ville de Québec will leave Halifax for a five-month deployment that will include NATO operations in the Mediterranean Sea and exercises in the Black Sea. This deployment is part of Operation SEXTANT.
In periodic assignments to Operation ACTIVE ENDEAVOUR, the NATO anti-terrorism operation in the Mediterranean region, Ville de Québec will monitor shipping, escort commercial and private vessels when necessary, and take part in activities designed to detect, deter and defend against terrorist activity. Ville de Québec will also visit ports in both NATO and non-NATO nations to demonstrate Canada's commitment to international security through NATO.
Operation SEXTANT is Canada's contribution to Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 (SNMG 1), one of four fleets that patrol NATO waters and train to ensure readiness for service with the NATO Response Force, a formation of ships, aircraft and ground troops capable of responding to a range of crises at very short notice.
The last ship to deploy on Operation SEXTANT was HMCS Toronto from July 20, 2007 to December 18, 2007.
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Note to news and assignment editors: For more information on Operation SEXTANT, visit http://www.cefcom.forces.gc.ca/pa-ap/ops/index-eng.asp
For information on SNMG1, visit: http://www.manw.nato.int/SNMG1/Completed%20Pages/SNMG1%20HOME%20PAGE.html
For information on the NATO Response Force, visit: http://www.nato.int/issues/nrf/index.html
For information on Québec 400, visit http://www.quebec400.gc.ca/bienvenue-welcome-eng.cfm
