I still wonder if an HMC ship will turn up at Shanghai

Further to this post, more from MARPAC:

Canadian Navy Makes History In The Far East During Westploy’08

HMC Ships Regina and Ottawa arrive in Okinawa, Japan, this week to participate in Westploy, a naval deployment in the Western Pacific which will run throughout the month of May. Westploy is part of the Canadian Navy’s strategy to build strong bilateral and multilateral ties between the Canadian Navy and the navies of Asia-Pacific countries, thereby promoting peace and security in this dynamic region.

This year, sailors on Regina and Ottawa will blaze a trail for Westploys to come when they exercise with the Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force and the United States Navy.

“Westploy ‘08 is more ground-breaking than previous deployments of this kind,” said Lt.-Cmdr. Melisa LaFleur, Operations Officer with Canadian Fleet Pacific. “For the first time, Canada will participate in a trilateral naval exercise with Japan and the United States.”

Throughout the exercise, personnel will be exchanged between the three navies to enhance interoperability and to gain insight on combined operations. Shipborne helicopter detachments will meet similar challenges, again to test interoperability at sea. “This exercise provides an opportunity for the Canadian Navy to exercise with our Pacific partners in an effort to build mutual confidence and understanding,” said Lt.-Cmdr. LaFleur. “It is also a tangible representation of Canada’s commitment to global maritime security in an increasingly important part of the world.”

Between the two ships, port visits will be made in six Northeast Asian ports including China, Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam.

HMC Ships Regina and Ottawa are two of the Canadian Navy’s 12 multi-purpose Halifax Class frigates. The workhorses of Canada’s Navy, these ships provide security to Canadians by safeguarding our maritime approaches and exercise sovereignty over national waters. Abroad, the Navy helps to safeguard Canada’s vital national interests all over the world. Naval ships are a valuable instrument of Canada’s foreign policy with the capacity to advance diplomatic, defence, and developmental objectives.