Halifax sailors returning to Libya
Posted Jan 4, 2012 06:38:38 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Halifax sailors aboard HMCS Charlottetown will sail for the Mediterranean this weekend to once again assist the ongoing NATO mission in Libya.
The patrol frigate spent six months off the Libyan coast last year, enforcing a no-fly zone over the country. Charlottetown was fired on twice when it chased several small ships away from the harbour of Misrata, but no one was hurt.
HMCS Vancouver relieved the Charlottetown in September and will return home for a break.
It’s not clear how much longer Canadian ships will be required to assist the NATO mission, but Scott Taylor, publisher of Esprit de Corps magazine, tells News 95.7 it would be a mistake to leave anytime soon.
“It’s a very volatile situation,” said Taylor. “So, I think it’s very important that we do maintain a presence there. We did open that Pandora’s Box and we’ve got a responsibility to make sure the Libyan people are protected.”
HMCS Charlottetown will leave Halifax on Sunday with a crew of 240.
