International Stories

HMCS Ottawa set sail for six months on anti-terror campaign

By Sarah Gilmour

Credit:  MCpl Pierre Vaudry, CFB Esquimalt Imaging Services HMCS Ottawa is sailing to the Arabian Gulf on Operation ALTAIR.

Crew onboard HMCS Ottawa had to make the hugs and kisses to family members last, as it will be another six months until they return to Esquimalt Harbour. The frigate set sail to the Arabian Gulf on Sept 10 on Operation ALTAIR, Canada’s contribution to the campaign against terrorism.

This deployment marks the third time a frigate has deployed on Op ALTAIR, and presents crew with the opportunity to improve the relationships with local maritime forces while in theatre, said Ottawa’s Commanding Officer, Commander Darren Hawco.

“In practical terms, this means surveillance, intelligence collecting and, when necessary, boarding party operations, to help stabilize the region,” he said.

The transit will take two months, and will include port visits to Hawaii, Singapore and India, to name a few. Once the frigate is “in the box” or in her area of responsibility, new challenges will surface that many Canadians at home may not realize.

Credit:  Sarah Gilmour Executive Officer Lieutenant-Commander Canuel (left) and the Commanding Officer, Commander Hawco, ensured all was ready for their frigates Sept 10 deployment to the Arabian Gulf.

“Heat and sand,” said Cdr Hawco. “The average temperatures are extraordinary … we will balance work with rest and plenty of water.” And sand at sea? “It’s very fine and it gets blown off shore and gets into the rotating pieces of equipment, which presents a challenge for the technicians.”

The deployment will not see its sailors return home until March 2007, which means they will be on the other side of the world from their families during the holidays. Cdr Hawco and Executive Officer Lieutenant-Commander Hugues Canuel both say the planned morale-boosting activities and correspondence will help ease the homesickness.

“The CF Personal Support Agency has provided us with lots of sports equipment that we will certainly take advantage of, in addition to aerobic fitness and other activities to keep us in the best of spirits,” said Cdr Hawco.

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