HMCS Ottawa slipped away from its home port of CFB Esquimalt Tuesday morning for a nearly five-months deployment in the oceans of the Asia-Pacific region.
The Royal Canadian Navy frigate, with a crew of about 200 women and men, is expected to make port visits in four Pacific countries: Japan, Thailand, South Korea and the U.S.
HMCS Ottawa is expected back before Christmas.
It deployed without a helicopter as part of Operation Projection. It’s an ongoing assertion of Canada’s Pacific presence and diplomatic commitment to international peace and freedom of the seas.
The ship will join with friendly navies in Operation Neon, on ongoing international effort to enforce United Nations sanctions on North Korea.
HMCS Ottawa’s deployment follows a succession of similar missions by the Royal Canadian Navy’s Pacific fleet.
The most recent was HMCS Regina which left in February and is expected back soon, likely this month.
