Summer 2009

·         HALIFAX spent the month of July in her summer leave period.  This is a set period where members of the ship’s company are encouraged to take leave to relax and spend time with their families.

·         HALIFAX spent the first two weeks of August at sea to progress sea trails and prepare for her upcoming Work-Ups (WUPS).  For the second week of the sail HALIFAX embarked Edmonton – St. Albert Progressive Conservative MP, Mr. Brent Rathgerber and Toronto - Danforth New Democrat MP, The Honourable Jack Layton, Leader or the New Democrat Party.  Both guests were treated to meals in all three messes on board as well as being promoted to different ranks and trades.  Their time on board included standing watches with the various trades on board, weapons handling and firing, as well as a demonstrations on the maneuverability of the ship.

·         HALIFAX assumed Ready Duty Ship (RDS) on July 27^th and held this duty until August 30^th.  RDS is held by ships on a rotational basis.  RDS must be ready to sail for any emergency on short notice and personnel must stay within the geographical area to respond as needed.

·         HALIFAX conducted a family day-sail on August 14^th.  This sail gave families of the sailors on board the chance to come to sea for a day and experience what it is that their loved ones do on a day-to-day basis while sailing.  Events included a ship-handling demonstration, boarding party demonstration and a BBQ on the flight deck. 

·         HALIFAX began her Work-Ups on September 14th with a week of lectures and practical serials. HALIFAX sailed on September 21^st for 4 weeks of at sea Work-Ups training.  The at sea phase of Work-Ups included training in damage control, emergency procedures and enemy engagements.  The Work-Ups training was also coupled with a task group exercise (TGEX) as well as Exercise JOINT WARRIOR.  A TGEX is a sail in which a number of warships sail in company with one another to maintain proficiency in multi-ship operations. Exercise JOINT WARRIOR was a multinational exercise with other countries including Great Britain, Brazil, Norway, Denmark, Germany, France, Turkey and the United States.  JOINT WARRIOR included surface ships, submarines, helicopters and fixed – wing aircraft from their respective countries. This was the first major exercise that HALIFAX had taken part in since coming out of refit in the summer of 2008.  The exercise included port visits in Glasgow and Edinburgh.

·         HALIFAX returned home on October 28^th and entered a short work period during which both Marine and Combat Systems will continue to address equipment readiness.