"HMCS Winnipeg visits Korea"

Official news release:

CMS NR09.001 - March 13, 2009

BUSAN, KOREA – En route to join Standing NATO Maritime Group 1(SNMG1), Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Winnipeg, in company with the USS John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group, is making a port visit to Pusan, Korea from 10 to 14 March. During the four-day port visit, HMCS Winnipeg’s ship’s company took the opportunity to strengthen ties with the Republic of Korea. “The Government of Canada is proud of HMCS Winnipeg’s contribution to strengthening relations with other Pacific-Rim nations,” said The Honourable Peter Gordon MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway. “Participation in Exercise Foal Eagle will continue to demonstrate the contributions the Canadian Forces are making around the world.”

“This visit and upcoming exercise participation are important aspects of Canada’s presence in the Asia-Pacific region,” added Vice-Admiral Drew Robertson, Chief of Maritime Staff.

The ship was greeted by a contingent from the Republic of Korea Navy escorting a young Korean girl in traditional dress who presented a garland of Hibiscus, Korea’s National flower, to the Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Craig Baines.

At the invitation of the Korean Navy, a 50-man Guard of Honour from HMCS Winnipeg including the Commanding Officer, participated in a wreath-laying ceremony at the United Nation’s Military Cemetery where 378 Canadian fatalities of the Korean War are buried. The Korean people continue to honour and pay respect to Canada’s contribution during what they refer to as their “Time of Trouble” more than half a century ago.

The carrier group, with HMCS Winnipeg, is scheduled to participate in Exercise Foal Eagle, a multinational exercise demonstrating allied resolve to deter aggression in the waters surrounding the Korean peninsula and improve their ability to work with Korean Naval Forces [North Korea is not happy about the exercise--as every year] .

HMCS Winnipeg is currently on a six-month deployment that will take the ship to the Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean and Australia. The ship will exercise with navies of the United States, Australia and other nations across Southwest Asia and the Indian Ocean.

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NOTE TO EDITORS: For more information, please contact the Maritime Forces Pacific Public Affairs at (250) 363-2015.

A link to HMCS Winnipeg’s website, which includes a photo of the ship’s visit, can be found at: http://www.navy.forces.gc.ca/winnipeg/7/7-s_eng.asp?keyword=%5b04-338