"HMC Ships Protecteur and Calgary return from Op Altair"

The Maritime Forces Pacific news release; good to have the "China Clipper" meeting them:

Her Majesty’s Canadian ships Calgary and Protecteur return to Esquimalt on Friday [Oct. 24] at 10 a.m. after sailing around the world and spending six months at sea on OPERATION ALTAIR in the Middle East. General Walter Natynczyk, Chief of the Defence Staff and the Chief of the Maritime Staff, Vice Admiral Drew Robertson will be on hand to welcome home the nearly 500 sailors and air crew. Other guests include His Honour Norman Kwong, Lt.-Gov. of Alberta and His Worship Dave Bronconnier, Mayor of the City of Calgary.

The two ships departed Esquimalt on April 13 to join with HMCS Iroquois [more on Iroquois here] from Canadian Fleet Atlantic to form a Canadian Task Group. After passing through the Panama Canal, the ships worked in the Caribbean Sea with the Joint Inter Agency Force South engaged in countering narco-terrorism and narcotics transportation. On reaching the Mediterranean Sea they participated in an Italian led NATO maritime exercise. On reaching the Middle East the ships led the multi-national Combined Task Force 150 [under U.S. Naval Forces Central Command] that patrols an operations area including the Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Oman, the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean. The Task Force, represented by warships from France, Germany, Pakistan, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and the United States is engaged in maritime security operations to deter the transport of contraband cargo, piracy and disrupt the movements of extremists in the region [Canada had command during this deployment--more here].

HMCS Calgary and her Sea King helicopter crew took part in several counter piracy missions [ [HMCS Iroquois in action here] . Boarding parties from both ships were dispatched to inspect and confirm the cargo of vessels of interest as well as respond to calls for assistance and provide humanitarian aid.

The 40-year-old HMCS Protecteur transferred over 150,000 barrels of fuel to allied ships, and delivered 300 pallets of stores in more than 60 Replenishment at Sea operations and was the centre of medical care for the Task Force. The 443 Maritime Helicopter Squadron Detachment flew 370 hours in 150 missions from the deck of HMCS Calgary.

HMCS Protecteur is expected to come alongside at 10:30 a.m. The first crew member to cross the brow will exchange the first homecoming kiss with their loved one having won the honour in a draw with the funds going to the ship’s charity. Calgary will dock a “C” jetty shortly afterward.