HMCS Halifax (FFH 330)

HMCS Halifax (FFH 330) is a Halifax-class frigate that has served in the Royal Canadian Navy since 1992.

Halifax, built at Saint John Shipbuilding in Saint John, New Brunswick, is the lead ship in her class which is the name for the Canadian Patrol Frigate Project. She is the second vessel to carry the designation HMCS Halifax. She carries the hull classification symbol 330.

She is assigned to Maritime Forces Atlantic (MARLANT) and is homeported at CFB Halifax in her namesake city, Halifax, a name that was also borne by HMCS Halifax (K237), a Flower Class Corvette in World War II as well as the very first warship built in Halifax, HMS Halifax (1768).

Service
Halifax serves on RCN missions protecting Canada's sovereignty in the Atlantic Ocean and enforcing Canadian laws in its territorial sea and Exclusive Economic Zone.

Halifax has also been deployed on missions throughout the Atlantic and to the Indian Ocean; specifically the Persian Gulf and Arabian Sea on anti-terrorism operations.

Halifax has also participated in several NATO missions, patrolling the Atlantic Ocean as part of Standing Naval Force Atlantic (STANAVFORLANT) and its successor Standing NATO Response Force Maritime Group 1 (SNMG1).

On 13 January 2010, as part of Operation Hestia, it was announced that Halifax would be deployed to the waters around Haiti to assist in relief efforts after the January 2010 earthquake, along with HMCS Athabaskan (DDH 282). Specifically Halifax was to be deployed outside the area of Jacmel, which was slow to receive aid due to the fact the roads were cut off and the airport was too small to handle large aircraft. Halifax provided air traffic control for Jacmel Airport on the ship. On 4 September 2010, Halifax was turned over to Irving Shipbuilding's Halifax Ship Yards, to start a 18 month mid-life upgrading and modernization.

Timeline

 * 19 March 1987: laid down at Saint John Shipbuilding Ltd., Saint John
 * 3 April 1988: launched
 * 29 June 1992: commissioned
 * 1998: Halifax assisted in the recovery operation following the crash of Swissair Flight 111.
 * 8 October 2001: diverted for combat operations
 * 13 January 2010: Ship prepares to deploy to Haiti for earthquake disaster relief
 * 14 January 2010: Ship Sails from CFB Halifax en route to Haiti along with HMCS Athabaskan (DDH 282) for humanitarian Operation Hestia
 * 18 January 2010: Ship arrives off Jacmel
 * 19 February 2010: Ship leaves Jacmel, headed for home.
 * September 2010: first Mid-Life Refit scheduled, approximately 12 months in duration
 * 4 September 2010: Halifax was turned over to Fleet Maintenance Facility Cape Scott, to start an 18 month mid-life upgrading and modernization

Lineage - Halifax
First of Name HMCS Halifax (K237) Corvette, Revised Flower Class Commissioned 26 November 1941 Paid off 12 July 1945

Second of Name This is the current ship with the name Halifax