HMCS Kingston and Summerside set off for Operation Reassurance
As HMCS Kingston and Summerside pulled away from Halifax Harbour and deployed for Operation Reassurance, there was no shortage of emotion from family members who came to see them off.
"It is a tough morning, especially with the kids," said Karla Broad who came to say goodbye to her husband who serves on the Summerside. "They don’t fully understand what’s going on but they understand that daddy is going to be gone for a long time.”
Lindsay Devost's husband also serves on the Summerside.
“It was fine until he went to give us our hugs," said Devost who added being away for a long time goes with the job, but saying goodbye is ever easy. "It is the first day that is the hardest. Just seeing his emotions and being away from us for the first time as a family of four.”
With her husband soon serving in the Baltic Sea and waters of North Atlantic, a mix of pride and concern swelled as the Summerside departed.
“All at the same time, very proud," said Devost.
Captain Julian Elbourne said the Kingston and Summerside will be working in support of Operation Reassurance.
"Probably one of the most important missions we have right now," said Elbourne who the Maritime Deployment Commander's Chief of Staff. "These ships will contribute to the mine countermeasure groups. Right now HMCS Halifax and Montreal are both deployed with NATO.”
“Both of these ships will join the northern group," said Elbourne. "And they will participate in exercises and mine counter measure removal and destruction.”
According to Captain Elbourne, mine removal has become a top priority for NATO in recent years. HMCS Kingston and Summerside will return to Halifax Harbour in mid-October.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Anything to win': Trudeau says as Poilievre defends meeting protesters
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is accusing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre of welcoming 'the support of conspiracy theorists and extremists,' after the Conservative leader was photographed meeting with protesters, which his office has defended.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Pilot reported fire onboard plane carrying fuel, attempted to return to Fairbanks just before crash
One of the two pilots aboard an airplane carrying fuel reported there was a fire on the airplane shortly before it crashed and burned outside Fairbanks, killing both people on board, a federal aviation official said Wednesday.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
7 surveillance videos linked to extortions of South Asian home builders in Edmonton released
The Edmonton Police Service has released a number of surveillance videos related to a series of extortion cases in the city now dubbed 'Project Gaslight.'
Ukraine uses long-range missiles secretly provided by U.S. to hit Russian-held areas, officials say
Ukraine for the first time has begun using long-range ballistic missiles provided secretly by the United States, bombing a Russian military airfield in Crimea last week and Russian forces in another occupied area overnight, American officials said Wednesday.