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[caption id="attachment_3182" align="alignnone" width="300"] The Grey Selkie is one of two Victoria Harbour Ferry Company vessels that transport base employees between Colwood and Esquimalt. The money and time saved using this service is phenomenal says A/SLt Ron MacDougall.[/caption] Every weekday morning I ride downhill on my mountain bike to D-Jetty in Colwood to catch the Baseline Ferry, a service offered by the Victoria Harbour Ferry Company. I am one of the more than 300 passengers who ride the Grey Selkie or the Linda May II to Dockyard or Naden daily. Instead of sitting in my car driving in the Colwood Crawl, I’m happily avoiding the 40 minute nerve-racking drive by taking the ferry. Upon arrival here last February from Eastern Canada, I was surprised to see the sheer volume of traffic funnelling into Esquimalt, causing stop and go traffic on weekday mornings. The return trip can be even worse often taking at least an hour. On the other hand, the ferry trip across the harbour takes a maximum of 15 minutes, so for me it’s a no brainer. The cost of a one-way ticket is $2.50 and it is even cheaper as a regular commuter to use prepaid punch cards or a monthly pass. “I use the Baseline because of the frustration of being in traffic and it’s better on the environment,” says Anita Didrich from Shop 171 at the Fleet Maintenace Facility and fellow commuter. “Also, while we sit on the boat every day we meet new people - it’s very social.” As a friendly Nova Scotian, I find it’s easy to strike up a conversation in the relaxed atmosphere, which is obvious by the numerous conversations heard during the trip. This open atmosphere is also felt by the ferry staff. “We feel like they belong to a larger...

Major Jan-Peter Hoekstra from the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry currently deployed on Operation Soprano shakes hands with one of the young students from a school in Juba, South Sudan, which received a drilled well later that day.

WO Marc Bouchard, Staff Officer in charge of transport and spare parts, and Abgasajer Kebede, transport assistant for the United Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan, check supplies from a warehouse in Juba, South Sudan during Operation Soprano.

HMCS Regina prepares to fuel from Motor Vessel Almaas off Fujayrah, United Arab Emirates, in the Arabian Sea during Operation Artemis.

Members of HMCS Regina use a fire hose during a damage control exercise while deployed in the Arabian Sea for Operation Artemis.

Members of HMCS Regina’s naval boarding party descend the ship’s ladder to board a rigid hull inflatable boat in the Arabian Sea during Operation Artemis.

Pte Juha Humalamaki prepares lunch on board HMCS Regina while deployed in the Arabian Sea for Operation Artemis.

[caption id="attachment_3138" align="alignnone" width="300"] Canadian Forces Maritime Experimental Test Range has a new range patrol boat dubbed the Egret.[/caption] It’s not going to change the balance of power in the Pacific, but the newest addition to Canada’s Navy has her crew breathing a little easier nonetheless. Egret, a 14-metre, 22-knot patrol craft landed at Nanoose Bay Nov. 9, ushering in a new era of range patrol at the Canadian Forces Maritime Experimental and Test Ranges (CFMETR).And if ever there was a time for a new era this was it. The Egret’s predecessor, the Canadian Forces Auxiliary Vessel Pelican was a used 1970s fresh-water crash boat, ill-suited to the rigours and risks of life on the ocean guarding CFMETR’s torpedo range. Her roll-happy hull, ageing diesels and threadbare insulation made a day at sea an uncomfortable, noisy and noxious experience.“We’d come home cold, tired, and a little dizzy,” admits MS Rich Loy, engineer on the Range Patrol crew known as “Ranger 1”. “The Egret is leaps and bounds above the Pelican. We’re isolated from the environmental hazards, she’s much more stable, and she’s got air-ride seats. It’s an entirely different boat.”Built by Kamma & Blake Industries in Port Alberni, Egret is powered by two 501-horsepower Caterpillar engines driving a pair of Alpha Power water jets. The jet boat design means she’ll not be as vulnerable to stray logs as was Pelican, whose holing by an errant Douglas Fir in 2010 finally condemned her. Egret’s arrival also heralds a return to Ranger 1’s passenger carrying role, which had ended years ago due to stability concerns with Pelican. The new vessel can carry six passengers in addition to three crew, a capability very much in need during ranging operations. Egret’s prime role, however, begins once she’s landed her passengers on Winchelsea Island, home...

[caption id="attachment_3135" align="alignnone" width="300"] Lt(N) Bob Cookson is receiving the Order of Military Merit for his distinguished service. This elite award is presented to about one in a thousand military members.[/caption] Lt(N) Bob Cookson was both shocked and humbled when he received a call from Hawaii in mid-December from RAdm Bill Truelove advising him that he will be appointed a Member of the Order of Military Merit (MMM).About one in a thousand Canadian Forces members receive this honour.“I was shocked,” said Lt(N) Cookson, Base Accommodation Officer. “Being on the committee as the Formation Chief for three years I understand the process, and quite frankly, I thought it was too far along in my career to receive such an honour.”Appointment to the level of member is made for exceptional service or performance of duty.“This is the Stanley Cup of merit awards as far as Canadian Forces members go,” said Cdr Tim Allan, Base Administration Officer. “Our Base Administration branch nominated him this time last year, but it takes a year to run its course.”The Order of Military Merit is not based on a single instance, but instead looks at the span of a military career. Appointments are made once each year and all appointees are published in the Canada Gazette. As of June 1, 2012, there have been 2,527 appointments at the member level of the Order since its institution in 1972. The MMM cannot be appointed posthumously. “Lt(N) Cookson’s career showcases exceptional service, visionary leadership and selfless devotion both as an NCM and an officer,” said Cdr Allan. “Lt (N) Cookson rapidly progressed through the ranks and achieved the rank of CPO1 in only 17 years. He was sighted for achievements at every level through his career.” When he was the Steward career manager, he shepherded the occupation from Logistics...

[caption id="attachment_3132" align="alignnone" width="300"] The Healthy Recipe Challenge was held Dec. 14 when 10 members of CFB Esquimalt tasted six healthy recipes submitted by personnel on base.[/caption] There’s a growing movement to eat healthy food at CFB Esquimalt.To encourage this change in diet, the base held its first Healthy Recipe Challenge. On Dec. 14, 10 judges from CFB Esquimalt sat down at Pacific Galley in Nelles Block to taste and determine the best tasting dishes from the challenge. “Earlier last month a call went out to the Formation to submit healthy recipes for judging,” said CPO1 Derek Ferguson, Base Foods. “We wanted to do this to raise awareness about food, diet and healthy choices.” Six recipes came in from across the Formation: •    Carrot Muffin - Karen Roberts, Clothing Stores •    Spaghetti Squash Remix - MS Mark Tipper, BIS•    Low fat Spaghetti Carbonara - OS Matthew Cormier, Fleet School•    Roasted Vegetable, OS Dana Kimoto, Fleet School•    Layered Rice Salad - LCdr Rob Waller, Halifax Class Modernization•    Fruit slaw - CWO Cate Gaudet, BAdm “Once you get healthy food in front of you and you like it, the next thing is the portion control,” said CPO1 Ferguson in front of taste testers CPO1 Shawn Taylor, CPO2 Lyn Edmondson, Lt(N) Duane Drew, CPO2 Valerie Saunders, MWO Joe Merritt, Lt(N) Lynda Hinch, Elese Francis, CPO2 Tim Gallinger and Lt(N) Logan Ashley. “These recipes have healthy cooking methods. They are not deep fried and our cooks have not used butter, but olive oil instead,” said CPO1 Ferguson. The testers voted subjectively on look and taste of each dish. After all the votes were in the Spaghetti Squash Remix and Low Fat Spaghetti Carbonara were the winners. “Now we are looking at suitability to prepare those dishes in the CF kitchen for a large quantity...

Chief of the Defence Staff, General Thomas J. Lawson (background), with assistance from LS Jamie McCurry, steers HMCS Regina during Operation Artemis in the Arabian Sea.

Lt(N) Christian Parise receives turkey dinners from the cooks to serve to students and instructors at the Annual Fleet School Junior Ranks Christmas Dinner at the Pacific Galley.

HMCS Protecteur returns to the navy side of Esquimalt Harbour after more than eight months at Victoria Shipyards in refit. Empty of fuel and furniture, the tanker sat high in the water as two tugboats eased it across the harbour.

Families wait eagerly on the jetty as HMCS Ottawa returns from Operation Caribbe. The ship departed late October and assisted a US Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment team with disrupting illicit trafficking of cocaine.

Lt(N) Darren Follick reuintes with children Tristen and Finnegan and wife Padre Angela James. HMCS Ottawa returned last week from Operation Caribbe off the coast of Costa Rica.

[caption id="attachment_3091" align="alignnone" width="300"] Victoria Hyundai will be handing the keys to this car over to one lucky military member on Dec. 18.[/caption] On Dec. 18 one lucky DND member will drive away in a brand new car.The giveaway, which takes place at Victoria Hyundai’s location at 525 Gorge Road East, is the final point in a year-long contest.“It’s exciting. It might sound a little melodramatic but this draw could change a DND member’s life,” says Steve Munro, owner of Victoria Hyundai.In the spirit of efficiency, the four finalists in the car giveaway have been drawn already. That doesn’t mean the drama is over. At the event, each of the four finalists will take a set of car keys from a bowl. Whoever has the key that starts the car will drive away in the 2012 Alantra Touring.“We wanted to make sure that whoever won the car would be there, but that doesn’t mean there won’t still be some excitement to the event,” says Munro.The event begins at 4 p.m. and any member from the DND community is invited to enjoy eggnog, live music and the draw.Those who show up will be entered into a draw for door prizes, which will be drawn by special guest Base Commander Capt(N) Bob Auchterlonie.The idea for the giveaway came when Munro, a retired artilleryman, decided he wanted to do something just for DND members.“The base accounts for about 90 per cent of our business,” says Munro. “We decided it was time to give something back to the military community.”The camouflage-wrapped car has been a constant presence on the base for most of a year, and around 3,500 entry ballots have been collected. Munro says it feels good to have the campaign finally draw to a close.“It let’s us reflect back on the year...

[caption id="attachment_3088" align="alignnone" width="300"] Lynda Lee clips Lt Malory McDonald’s long locks before shaving her head during the Base Logistics Hockey Challenge at Wurtele Arena. Lt McDonald is donating her hair to CanDonate, a Quebec company that makes wigs free of charge for children who lose their hair during cancer treatment.[/caption] At the start of the Government of Canada Workplace Charitable Campaign (GCWCC), Lt Mallory McDonald put forth a challenge to her colleagues at Base Logistics: raise more than $22,000 and she would cut off her long locks. As the fundraising surmounted the goal by $1,500, she knew it was time to hear the snip of the scissors. But with a long mane of hair to lose, she thought of how to make good use of it once it left her scalp. “I figured if I was going to shave it off, it had to be for a good cause,” says Lt McDonald. “I heard of people donating their hair to various organizations and I Googled hair donations in Canada and emailed a handful of them.”She found CanDonate, a non-profit in Quebec that makes wigs free of charge for local children under the age of 16 battling cancer. It takes 12 to 14 pony tails, which must be at least eight inches long, to make a wig, and the donors are encouraged to write letters to the children who will receive them. “I think it’s great that CanDonate is making wigs for these children and I am happy to be a part of it,” she said. Last week she proudly made good on her unit challenge, and a beautiful pony tail is now en route to Quebec.   Shelley Lipke, Staff Writer

[caption id="attachment_3085" align="alignnone" width="300"] Members of Fleet Diving Unit (Pacific) ran through the cities of Langford and Colwood to generate donations for the West Shore Christmas Hamper Turkey Run.[/caption] Navy divers have ensured more than 650 families in the West Shore have a turkey, or protein of their choice, on their table this Christmas. It’s the result of 60 military members  and 20 spouses and friends taking to the streets Dec. 1 for a six-hour Christmas Hamper Turkey Run.They raised $22,100 for the Goldstream Food Bank; that’s $5,000 more than last year. To add to this feat, some divers wore re-breathers and even the full bomb suit. They used dive boots to collect cash from onlookers and motorists. “People were so generous,” said event organizer Lt(N) Walter Dubeau. “The average donation was about $5 per car and lots of people handed out $20 and we even had $100.” Two interactive displays were set up along the route in front of Mill Stream Village and West Shore Town Centre to spread awareness of what the military divers do, and two hot dog stands helped to raise additional money.“We received outstanding support from West Shore RCMP and Military Police in ensuring the traffic was cleared for our passage the entire day,” said Lt(N) Dubeau.“This event really brings the community together and we are very thankful for the support from local businesses,” he added.The prize for the biggest corporate donor, a deep sea dive helmet to display for a year, went to Original Joes Restaurant and Bar for $4,800. Everything Wine was also a major sponsor of the event. Six Mile Pub hosted a party after the run that included a silent auction. “The highlight was the esprit de corps and camaraderie we had throughout the day. Everybody was smiling and had a...

During the MARPAC Hockey Challenge last Thursday members of the Victoria Royals teamed up with MARPAC hockey players and local media in support of the GCWCC-United Way campaign.

Roger D’Amour, Wurtele Arena attendant, holds up his winning entry for the chuck a puck competition during the MARPAC Hockey Challenge to raise money for GCWCC-United Way.

A referee gets in on the action during the MARPAC Hockey Challenge last Thursday during which members of the Victoria Royals teamed up with MARPAC hockey players and local media to raise money for the GCWCC-United Way campaign.

HMCS Regina’s naval boarding party, along with two Yemeni officers, deploy in their rigid hull inflatable boat to approach a fishing vessel in the Red Sea during Operation Artemis.

HMCS Regina (right) along with HMAS Anzac (left) conduct a replenishment at sea with USNS Patuxent (centre) in the Gulf of Aden during Operation Artemis.

HMCS Regina (far left) and HMAS Anzac (far right) break away from supply ship USNS Patuxent (centre) upon the completion of a replenishment at sea in the Gulf of Aden during Operation Artemis.

[caption id="attachment_3025" align="alignnone" width="300"] HMCS Ottawa’s Sea King helicopter and members of a U.S. Coast Guard boarding party approach a suspect vessel in international waters near Costa Rica.[/caption] Two weeks ago, while patrolling in international waters southeast of Isla de Coco, Costa Rica, HMCS Ottawa assisted a United States Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment team in boarding a suspicious fishing vessel. This boarding resulted in the seizure of 36 bales of cocaine weighing 1,086 kilograms, with an estimated wholesale value of more than $29 million USD. Between Nov. 18 and 29, CP-140 Aurora crews from 19 Wing, Comox, and 14 Wing, Greenwood, assisted in seizing, through surveillance and detection, 144 bales of cocaine weighing 4,300 kilograms, with a wholesale value of more than $116 million USD. In total, more than US $145 million worth of drugs were seized.In 2012, in addition to Ottawa, the Canadian Forces contributed five HMC ships to counter-narcotic operations in the Caribbean region. Frigate HMCS St John’s, the destroyer HMCS Iroquois, the replenishment ship HMCS Preserver and two maritime coastal defence vessels, HMCS Kingston and HMCS Goose Bay all deployed to the region this year to assist in the disruption of illicit drug trafficking and other criminal activities. While operating in international waters, their tasks are to locate, track, approach and potentially intercept suspicious vessels in order to allow the U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment personnel to board and conduct law enforcement operations. “The Royal Canadian Navy continues to work alongside our allies and whole-of-government partners to help suppress criminal activity at sea and interrupt the flow of illicit drugs destined for our shores,” said Vice-Admiral Paul Maddison, Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy. “We are taking the fight to the narco-trafficker in their backyard, denying them freedom of movement at sea, enforcing the rule...

[caption id="attachment_3021" align="alignnone" width="300"] Air Force Cpl Rob Stoodley attempts to free entangled sea turtles.[/caption] Last Tuesday, while deployed on Operation Caribbe, Canada’s contribution to the international war on drugs, HMCS Ottawa and its Air Detachment worked seamlessly together in an animal rescue. Ottawa’s Sea King helicopter and crew were conducting patrol ahead of the ship when the aircraft captain, Capt Derek Kauth noticed an unmanned bamboo raft in the water with three sea turtles in tow. At a closer look, the crew found that two of the sea turtles were hopelessly tangled in a net attached to the raft. The crew put their search and rescue training into practice by lowering their Airborne Electronic Sensor Operator, Cpl Rob Stoodley down the rescue hoist into the water to attempt to free the turtle. The aircrew, based out of 443 MH Squadron, provided continuous radio updates to the ship and launched a smoke-marker into the water to indicate the trapped animals’ position. Ottawa quickly closed the helicopter’s position. The ship arrived and deployed its Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat and Zodiac, carrying sailors from the ship’s diving team. PO2 Jason Bode was able to grab a hold of the net with a hook, while MS Allan Kobayashi unhooked the netting from one of the turtles. PO2 Bode and LS Sean Dubeau snipped the netting away from the second turtle allowing the two turtles and a hiding turtle baby to swim away unharmed. The dive team disassembled the bamboo raft altogether and removed the netting from the sea to prevent further wildlife endangerment. The rescue was an impromptu and well-executed effort between all departments of Ottawa and its Air Detachment, speaking volumes to the hard work and continuous training they have conducted during the past several months. The success was a great morale...

[caption id="attachment_3016" align="alignnone" width="300"] HMCS Victoria performs hoisting drills with a Sea King helicopter from 443 Maritime Helicopter Squadron during sea trials.[/caption] The on-going transformation activities within the Royal Canadian Navy have spawned the creation of the Canadian Submarine Force (CSF).The newly formed organization addresses the need for centralized management of submarine forces within the navy. Because the submarine community is relatively small (about the size of a frigate crew), the establishment of the submarine capability on both coasts resulted in significant pressure on a small number of experts.    “We ended up spreading ourselves a little thin; perhaps too thin,” says Capt(N) Luc Cassivi, the inaugural Director Canadian Submarine Force. “The Commander RCN agreed that we needed to bring experience and expertise together to ensure we’re supporting submarine operations in a safe and sustainable manner.”As the Director Canadian Submarine Force, Capt(N) Cassivi is the navy’s submarine expert and the main advisor to Commander Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) on all submarine matters. He leads a team of specialists focused on: •    coordinating submarine-specific force generation and submarine force employment•    planning and execution of east and west coast submarine operations•    exercising operational control of all submarines on behalf of the Formation Commanders and the Maritime Component Commander•    ensuring the long term health, safety, and sustainability of the submarine force •    representing the RCN in all national, NATO, allied, and Asia-Pacific submarine operations related forums It’s expected three of Canada’s four submarines will be available for operations by late 2013. A high-readiness submarine will be available in both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, and a third submarine will be available for other tasks. As part of the ongoing submarine operational cycle, the fourth submarine will rotate into a scheduled deep-maintenance period. Top on his agenda is to ensure efforts are coordinated to safely...

Corporal Kendall Hartjes operates an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) from HMCS Regina while deployed on Operation Artemis.

Leading Seaman Adam Flegel (left) and Master Seaman Craig Shillington wash HMCS Regina, while alongside in Kuwait City, Kuwait.

Ordinary Seaman Frank Grant observes USS John C Stennis from the starboard bridge wing of HMCS Regina during Operation Artemis.