Features Military Operations
Sea Kings Continue to Patrol Gulf Region

Since the return this summer of Canadian troops who were deployed to
Afghanistan as part of Operation Apollo, the US-led campaign against
terrorism, little attention has been paid to Canada’s commitment to
remain in the region with naval, ground and air detachments for the
foreseeable future.

Canada continues to contribute a Naval Task Group that includes the
fleet replenishment ship HMCS Protecteur, the destroyer HMCS Algonquin
and the frigate HMCS St. John’s with two Helicopter Air Detachments
(HELAIRDETs) from 423 MH Sqn, Shearwater, Nova Scotia and 443 MH Sqn,
Patricia Bay, BC, embarked with three CH-124 Sea Kings. The Air Force
is also contributing a long-range patrol detachment with two CP-140
Auroras and a tactical airlift detachment, co-located with the Auroras
at an undisclosed region in the Persian Gulf, with three CC-130
Hercules aircraft. Close to 200 people are supporting the two
detachments.An additional 150 special operations and support personnel
remain in Afghanistan.

The Task Group is maintaining vigilant watch over the Strait of
Hormuz region and the northern Gulf, inspecting cargo ships and looking
for fleeing al- Qaeda fighters. The three Sea Kings currently deployed
are providing the Task Group with a surface compilation of the vessel
traffic in the area. They are also conducting surface surveillance
missions and utility operations, and are providing armed cover for
boarding parties that physically inspect the ships.