HMCS Fredericton on way to Mediterranean for NATO mission

HMCS Fredericton left Halifax on Tuesday as part of Operation Reassurance, Canada's response to Russia's military aggression in Ukraine.

Family members and well-wishers gathered at the CFB Halifax dockyard to say goodbye. The frigate and its crew is not expected back until the summer.

For Melissa McQuaid, it's her fourth time seeing off her husband for a deployment. She was at the dockyard with daughter Dakota and son Damian.

"It's always on the back of your mind what's going to happen. So, as long as they're safe, that's all we care about," she said.

Angela Rose's husband is also aboard HMCSFredericton. She tries to help hertwo-year-old son Charlie keep track of his dad.

"We've got a big map of the world at home and a little picture of a ship with his dad's face on it, and we'll move it around and I'll talk to him about it," Rose said.

There are 250 military personnel of all ranks aboard HMCS Fredericton. The frigate also carries a Sea King helicopter and an air crew.

Operation Reassurance is part of a larger NATO response to what's happening in Ukraine. Fredericton's role is to provide support to its allies, from surveillance to "regional defence and diplomatic engagement," according to a government news release.

Replaces HMCS Toronto

HMCS Fredericton will replaceHMCSToronto, which left Halifax in Julyand began its NATO mission in August.

"Toronto needs you. They've been there a long time and they want to come home and have their Christmas. To them, thebest gift will be to see you arriving in Spain and doing a turnover with them," said Rear Admiral John Newton during Tuesday's news conference.

In September, HMCS Toronto wascircled by one Russian surveillance plane and two fighter jets in the Black Sea, according to the defence minister's office.

Defence Minister Rob Nicholson said Russia's military acted in an "unnecessarily provocative"manner.

OnChristmas Day, a fire broke out aboard HMCS Toronto but the Department of National Defence said it was put out quickly and no one was hurt.

HMCS Toronto is due back in Halifax next month.