Libyan rockets fired at HMCS Charlottetown
CBC News
Posted: Jun 2, 2011 4:39 PM AT
Last Updated: Jun 2, 2011 7:06 PM AT
A dozen rockets were fired at HMCS Charlottetown off the coast of Libya on Monday.
Lt. Michael McWhinnie, who is on the vessel, told CBC News on Thursday that 12 BM-21 rockets were fired in the direction of the Halifax-based ship.
None of the rockets hit the ship and there were no injuries.
"It is important to understand that NATO maritime forces are aware of the military weapon systems possessed by the Gadhafi regime and operate with consideration of their capabilities," McWhinnie said.
"We continue to achieve our mission of protecting civilians by reducing the Gadhafi regime's military capacity to attack its own people. The ineffective attempt on May 30 to strike a NATO ship simply highlights the pro-Gadhafi regime's desperation to have some effect on the systematic reduction of its forces."
Capt. Jennifer Stadnyk, public affairs for Canadian Expeditionary Force Command, said the rockets were fired from shore.
She said HMCS Charlottetown was not hit because the crew considers the enemy's weapons capabilities and sails outside the maximum range. Citing security concerns, Stadnyk did not specify exactly how far the vessel was from shore.
Deployed in March
The ship deployed to the waters off Libya in March with 235 crew members on board. The ship's overall mission in Operation Mobile is to help the NATO-led effort to enforce a no-fly zone over the country.
Last month, sailors aboard the warship helped thwart an attack by Libyan forces in the port of Misrata.
HMCS Charlottetown, along with the British destroyer HMS Liverpool and a French warship, chased several small boats that had been approaching Misrata harbour. The Charlottetown came under artillery and machine gunfire in the process.
The warship was not damaged in that incident and there were no injuries.
