Posted on 09/22/2005 5:43:42 AM PDT by Clive
ESQUIMALT, B.C. -- Her Majesty's Canadian Ship Winnipeg is in on her way back to Canada from her six-month deployment to the Persian (Arabian) Gulf region as part of Operation ALTAIR, Canada's continuing campaign against terrorism. The Canadian Patrol Frigate has been away since April 10, working with a coalition of naval forces including the United States, Great Britain, Australia, France, Germany, Italy, Pakistan and Japan.
"The professionalism and hard work of the crew has never failed to impress me," said Cmdr. Kevin Greenwood, Commanding Officer of HMCS Winnipeg . "I wish people could see how well this group works together; the sense of pride and teamwork that we benefit from. They make my job easy, every day."
While on station in the Persian (Arabian) Gulf region, Winnipeg worked with the 5th Fleet of the United States Navy conducting surveillance patrols and Maritime Interdiction Operations. The information they collected helped to produce a clear view of traffic in the region, critical to deterring smuggling and terrorist traffic.
While in theatre they twice came to the aid of fishing dhows in need of assistance. The first, Al Bella, had been adrift for five days and was in need of food and water when Winnipeg took her in tow. The second, Maula Madad, was unable to hold her course due to mechanical problems when Winnipeg towed her to safety.
During their return transit to Esquimalt their focus will shift from operations to diplomacy. On Sunday Winnipeg arrived in Brisbane, Australia, as part of a good will tour. She is scheduled to pay visits to Auckland, New Zealand, Suva, Fiji, and Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, before returning to Esquimalt in October. As a legal extension of the Canadian state, warships such as Winnipeg have great symbolic value, and often work in support of initiatives of the Department of Foreign Affairs furthering diplomatic relations with nations around the Pacific Rim.
-
Thank you for the support, Canada!
I know, I trash Canuckistan a lot here, but they are the best neighbors we have.
Thanks for the ping, FA.
Right after Katrina, a lot of people were mad at the government for not expressing support right away.
So a lot of people took matters into their own hands; for example, there are at least two businessmen in Ottawa who filled up their own 18-wheelers with water, supplies, food, etc., called the border to pre-clear, and drove down on their own.
There are a lot of leftists here, in the media and government, who can't seem to get past the anti-American garbage, but I think most Canadians really care and feel close to Americans.
Canada ping. :)
Maybe that's because over 80% of Canadians live within 100 miles (160.934 km) of the USA. :)
I do, all my grandkids are Yankee Doodles.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.