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
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
WHO likely to issue wider alert on contaminated cough syrup
The World Health Organization is likely to issue a wider warning about contaminated Johnson and Johnson-made children's cough syrup found in Nigeria last week, it said in an email.
WATCH Video shows dramatic police takedown of carjacking suspects chased through parking lot north of Toronto
Police have released video footage of a dramatic takedown of a group of teens wanted in connection with an attempted carjacking in Markham earlier this month.
Canada, G7 urge 'all parties' to de-escalate in growing Mideast conflict
Canada called for 'all parties' to de-escalate rising tensions in the Mideast following an apparent Israeli drone attack against Iran overnight.
'It was all my savings': Ontario woman loses $15K to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
Families to receive Canada Child Benefit payment on Friday
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.
After COVID, WHO defines disease spread 'through air'
The World Health Organization and around 500 experts have agreed for the first time on what it means for a disease to spread through the air, in a bid to avoid the confusion early in the COVID-19 pandemic that some scientists have said cost lives.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.