HMCS Halifax leaves for deployment as part of NATO support for Ukraine

HMCS Halifax has set off for a six-month deployment supporting NATO in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Families and friends of the 253 members of the ship's company hugged their loved ones and waved goodbye under a grey sky Saturday afternoon on a Halifax jetty.

The Canadian navy frigate will be active in the North Atlantic and join allied ships in the Baltic region as part of Operation Reassurance. The ship is also deploying with an embedded air detachment operating a Cyclone helicopter out of 12 Wing Shearwater.

Defence Minister Anita Anand attended the departure. She thanked Halifax's crew for their service in her remarks.

"At this time it is so important for us all to be united, to stand together, to stand against unwarranted and illegal Russian aggression, and to stand up for peace, deterrence and the defensive posture on which NATO is built," Anand said.

HMCS Halifax was originally slated to sail to the Middle East in the next few weeks for a counterterrorism operation. But the frigate and crew will instead head to northern Europe, retasked by the federal government as part of Canada's larger military support package.

It will join another Canadian ship already overseas supporting NATO in the operation. Last month, HMCS Montreal arrived in the Mediterranean region as part of a previously scheduled deployment.

"You are making a difference. Your presence in Europe will help Canada meet its NATO commitments and show our friends that we are there for them in good times, and in bad. In tough times we are with them," Anand said.

Megan Ellis and her sons, Lincoln and Clifton, were on the jetty Saturday to wave goodbye to their father, Matthew Ellis.

The boys said they had spent lots of time bowling, going out to dinner and watching movies with their dad last week before he had to sail.

Both Lincoln and Clifton said they were "a little worried" while watching him leave.

"I'm more sad today," Megan said. "The worry will come."

Ron Nash was also there to send off his brother. He said their family has been talking with him to make sure he's "mentally prepared" for the deployment.

"Hopefully ... he'll be safe and able to come back safely," Nash said.