Families welcome home 241 sailors returning to Halifax on HMCS St. John’s

After five months at sea, the HMCS St. John’s brought its sailors home to Halifax for Christmas.

His Majesty’s Canadian Ship St. John’s returned home to Halifax on Saturday after about five months overseas.

“I could not have asked for a better or more amazing crew to have had this opportunity to sail with. The flexibility, the tenacity, the resilience that all of these sailors showed was outstanding. Our adaptability, the proof that the training all comes together and works together and works properly was just magnified by their positivity to focus on leadership, mentorship and training and I could not be more proud of the crew,” says Commander Jeffrey Anderson, HMCS St. John’s captain.

The ship and crew of 241 departed from the port of Halifax in July 2025. Their first task was joining the Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 in the Mediterranean Sea.

“We spent about 120 days underway with them controlling the Mediterranean, the eastern Mediterranean working with our allies and partners as well as providing deterrence and assurance measures with our NATO partners and allies,” says Anderson.

Then they traveled up to the high north to join the Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 in the North Atlantic.

“We worked with them up the coast of Norway up into the high north for our final patrol there working with the Norwegian navy for the submarine commanders’ course as well as presence operations in that area,” says Anderson.

Operation REASSURANCE is currently the Canadian Armed Forces largest overseas mission.

Throughout this year, over 3,000 Canadian Armed forces members were deployed.

“The combined efforts right now of Canada’s support to NATO and it includes land, air and naval task forces which St. John’s is part of and its part of the largest deployment of generations really working with NATO partners,” adds Anderson.

One family eagerly awaiting their father Eric’s arrival was the Harnden family. They had butter tarts waiting and gifts wrapped already for Christmas, all they wanted was their dad.

“I’m very excited to play games and do stuff with him,” says Eva Harnden, whose father was deployed on the HMCS St. John’s.

They have been counting down the days and with the work up and travel. Danielle Harnden says it’s been 250 days without her husband this year and it’s been tough on them all.

“For the kids at school it’s been really hard for them, and we have had sick family members, so I am just really proud of us all for surviving it,” says Harnden.

Steven Andrews was the first sailor off the ship and was overjoyed to give his wife a kiss and three kids the biggest hug. He said it was hard to hold back the emotions when he saw them.

“The moment that I was able to cross the brow, all the emotions hit and I got all teary inside trying to hold it in and be strong for the family but I feel so happy being able to touch them and actually hug them instead of facetime,” says Sailor 1st Class Steven Andrews.

For the Forrester family they are just excited to have their dad home for the holidays.

“I am hoping to play with him and go to fun places with him,” says Lennox Forrester.

“It’s been a long time. We are just really excited to have him home and maybe have a glass of wine and just relax a little bit,” says Lauren Forrester.

Debbie Desloges, travelled from Timmons to see her grandson arrive home to Halifax. She hasn’t seen him for around two years so to be here in Halifax. This was her grandson’s longest deployment so to be here today brought tears of pride to her eyes.

“I am happy for him,” says Debbie Desloges.

“I can’t say it, well read the sign, it says everything,” adds Desloges as she shows the sign that reads ‘Thank U 4 Your Service.’

The Delorey family also greeted their dad with signs.

“We are feeling pretty excited, it’s been a long trip, and it’s been for the first time since 2020 since he’s done such a big sail and we are really excited to be reunited, especially for Christmas and enjoy each other’s company,” says Melanie Delorey.

Her son adds, “It’s been such a long time since I missed him. The conversations aren’t that good when he’s in the middle of the ocean. It was hard talking sometimes, and sometimes it was ok, but not the best internet,”.

For these families all they wanted for Christmas was their loved one’s safe return home

“He is actually coming home to Kingston and it’s emotional, it’s been a long time so it’s nice,” says Patricia Robson.

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