MARP 027/11 - July 7, 2011
ESQUIMALT, B.C – Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Vancouver departs Esquimalt on Sunday at 3 p.m. to take up station in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Libya. The Halifax Class frigate is assigned to replace HMCS Charlottetown on Operation MOBILE to continue Canada’s support of the NATO-led arms embargo against Libya in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions.
"As with HMCS Charlottetown before it, the deployment of HMCS Vancouver to the Mediterranean Sea demonstrates the steadfast commitment of Canada to protect the Libyan people from all threats of violence," said the Minister of National Defence, the Honourable Peter MacKay. "The men and women of the Canadian Forces have performed admirably, and I have complete faith in the crew of the Vancouver to perform equally well while serving on this NATO-led mission."
Vice Admiral Dean McFadden, the Chief of the Maritime Staff, will join Commodore Peter Ellis, Commander Canadian Fleet Pacific for the departure salute at Duntze Head in HMC Dockyard. Vancouverwill sail across the Victoria waterfront to Beacon Hill Park and Clover Point before heading out of Juan de Fuca Strait.
Under the command of Commander Bradley Peats, HMCS Vancouver with 225 sailors and a CH-124 Sea King Helicopter detachment from 443 Maritime Helicopter Squadron at Patricia Bay will join Standing NATO Maritime Group one (SNMG1) upon reaching Gibraltar next month.
The United Nations Security Council has authorized SNMG1 to take appropriate measures to board and inspect vessels reasonably believed to be carrying prohibited cargo and passengers and use all measures necessary to protect civilians under threat of attacks in Libya. HMCS Vancouver will also be available for humanitarian assistance, search and rescue and other response options as required by the Government of Canada.
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NOTE TO EDITORS/NEWS DIRECTORS: Media organizations are requested to gather at the gate to HMC Dockyard no later than 1:30 p.m. Please bring photo identification and proof of media affiliation.
