An emotional day on the waterfront as families and friends said their farewells to the crew of HMCS St. John’s as it departed Halifax.

The ship sailed Sunday to begin its deployment on Operation REASSURANCE.

It will join Standing NATO Maritime Group Two in European waters until December.

Three Royal Canadian Navy ships are currently deployed on Operation REASSURANCE.

It is Canada’s largest overseas military operation, supporting NATO’s deterrence and defence measures in Central and Eastern Europe since 2014.