HMCS Halifax CO temporarily relieved of duties

The commanding officer of HMCS Halifax has been temporarily relieved of duties following "several incidents" aboard the ship during Operation Reassurance,NATO's response toRussia's recent actions in Ukraine.

The military didn't go into detail about what happened and didn't name the commanding officer in a news release sent out Thursday evening.It did say the incidentsdidn't involve "sexual misconduct, harmful or inappropriate sexual behaviour."

Cmdr. Paul Mountfordhas assumed command in the interim. He is anexperienced naval officer and commanding officer of HMCS Charlottetown. He ison the ship, which is currently inReykjavik, Iceland.

National Defence said Mountfordwould continue Halifax's deployment until itreturns toHalifax in mid-July. It saidthe ship's company has been informed of this decision.

"The relieved [commanding officer] of HMCS Halifax will serve in other roles within Maritime Forces Atlantic Headquarters in Canada until the conclusion of the investigation," states the news release.