Safe harbour

Royal Canadian Navy vessel returns to Halifax after six-month deployment in Europe

A Halifax-based navy frigate has returned to its home port after a six-month deployment with NATO forces in Europe.

HMCS St. John’s and its 240-member crew participated in Operation Reassurance, which is aimed at promoting security and stability in central and eastern Europe.

The ship served with the Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 in the Mediterranean Sea.

During its time at sea, St. John’s took part in four largescale exercises, while visiting 16 ports in 10 countries.

The vessel travelled more than 37,000 nautical miles during the deployment.

HMCS Charlottetown is to replace St. John’s as part of the NATO operations in early August.

CP PHOTO/ANDREW VAUGHAN Master Seaman Scott Hickman holds his three-year-old daughter, Lila, as HMCS St. John’s returns to Halifax on Monday. The ship and crew were on deployment on Op REASSURANCE, Canada’s contribution to NATO assurance measures for eastern Europe.