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Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~This holiday season the non-profit Together We Stand Foundation is continuing their support for deployed Canadian Armed Forces personnel and their families. Last year, it distributed 2,550 family gift boxes valued at approximately $1.14 million to military families with a loved one deployed overseas. This year that number is increasing to 3,000 gift boxes with the contents including cards and coupons from corporate and private donors with an estimated cash value of $300 per package. Any CAF personnel deployed outside of North America between Dec. 1, 2019, and Jan. 30, 2020, or immediate family members are eligible to apply for a gift box for their family back home.This year’s gift boxes are loaded with morale-boosting gift cards including a $50 Scene Card from Scotiabank, a $25 gift card from jeweler Brass & Unity, and gift cards to restaurants Harvey’s, Swiss Chalet and Milestones from corporate owner Recipe. Other gift box contributors include Adidas, Reebok, and Yogen Fruz.While corporate Canada has answered their call, Together We Stand has also attracted several high-profile supporters to their corner. Its official patrons are former Canadian Prime Ministers Stephen Harper and Paul Martin, and Honorary Council members former astronaut Colonel (Retired) Chris Hadfield, women’s hockey gold medalist Hayley Wickenheiser, Wayne Gretzky, and General (Retired) Alain J. Parent. Together We Stand Vice President Stephanie Shapiro says the ongoing display of generosity by Canadian business leaders, politicians and celebrities is an effort to recognize military families and personnel for the often “underappreciated” and the largely unheralded work they do. “Our organization is intended to honour Canadian military families for the sacrifices they make on behalf of Canadians while their loved ones are deployed overseas and in harm’s way,” said Shapiro. Together We Stand was founded by Toronto philanthropist and entrepreneur Rick Ekstein, President and...

[caption id="attachment_21803" align="alignnone" width="593"] The forecastle cable party and part ship hands stand at attention while coming alongside Busan, South Korea, on Oct. 4. Inset: Cdr Alex Barlow[/caption]Hello friends and families of HMCS Ottawa! I am Cdr Alex Barlow, Ottawa’s Commanding Officer. We’ve reached the halfway point of our deployment on Operations Projection and Neon, and while we are missing home, your continued support keeps us smiling as we conduct operations abroad in the Asia-Pacific region.We have sailed 54 days, 17,000 nautical miles, avoided three typhoons, and visited four countries and seven ports. We have hosted receptions, played sports with sailors from different navies, participated in community outreach activities, celebrated the ship’s birthday, completed a lot of training, and enjoyed sundaes every Sunday at sea. We are doing all of this while staying focused on our mission of enforcing UN sanctions against North Korea and strengthening our relationships with our regional allies.The sail ahead looks smooth as we continue our mission and focus on exercising with other allied nations before we turn the ship east to head home for Christmas. We can’t wait to see you and you remain in our thoughts. Thank you for your support; we’re halfway home!Cdr Alex Barlow Commanding Officer, HMCS Ottawa

[caption id="attachment_21799" align="alignnone" width="480"] Nate Duffus, Shiya Janzen and another DND employee are set to clean up the dry dock and capture any marine critters for relocation in to the Esquimalt Harbour.[/caption]Ashley Evans, FMF CB ~Have you ever wondered what collects, grows and lives in the drydock each time the caisson is open? It essentially becomes part of the ocean floor for extended periods of time between dockings and a potential home for numerous life forms. Prior to docking a Royal Canadian Navy warship or submarine, and in accordance with the DFO Fisheries Act, Fleet Maintenance Facility (FMF) Cape Breton and Formation Safety and Environment (FSE) work together to salvage marine life that has taken up residence in the dry dock, and ensure that any creatures they find are released back into Esquimalt Harbour. When the dry dock is opened for any period of time it gives aquatic species time to enter, and when it is time to move a warship in for maintenance, the dry dock must close by moving the caisson in, the water drained, and the walls and dock bottom cleaned. Salvaging the oceanic ­critters requires many branches and units to work closely over three full days with weeks of advanced planning. “There are a lot of moving parts to complete a salvage and we’re on a tight timeline to get the species out of the drydock and back into the ocean as quickly as possible,” said Patricia Swan, an FSE environment officer who often works with FMF to ensure the navy and DND meet all environmental regulations.  “FMF environment does a great job coordinating all those involved and making it happen behind the scenes.” Because of the potential for thousands of marine animals to be found, the evolution of the salvage is strategically planned to ensure all life forms are placed in fresh sea water immediately, correctly identified and documented, then brought to various drop points around Esquimalt Harbour. “It’s challenging yet rewarding work. The diversity and...

[caption id="attachment_21795" align="alignnone" width="593"] CPO2 Chris Fraser enjoys a moment with his son Andriy and wife Natalia after completing the Goodlife Fitness Marathon in full firefighter gear. Photo credit: MFRC[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~Running the Victoria Goodlife Fitness Marathon in full firefighter gear with the heavy breathing apparatus had a “surreal feel to it” admits Chief Petty Officer Second Class Chris Fraser. The 49-year-old Weapons Engineering Technician who works for Canadian Fleet Pacific, battled muscle fatigue and exhaustion, but was greeted with cheers of support from co-workers and friends after completing the 42.2 kilometre course in 5:55:06 on Oct. 13. He ran the race as a fundraiser for the Esquimalt Military Family Resource Centre (MFRC) and also believes the feat set a Guinness World Record under the category of Fastest Runner Wearing a Firefighter’s Uniform and Breathing Apparatus.He is still waiting for confirmation on the world record.“This was a very hard endeavour both physically and mentally,” said CPO2 Fraser. “Physically I was exhausted earlier than anticipated, which compounded the mental aspect of the run. From the 24 kilometre mark it was just pure determination that made the difference.”The heavy oxygen tank and firefighter’s uniform worn by CPO2 Fraser weighed approximately 25 lbs and included sea boots in place of running shoes. The equipment is protective safety gear commonly worn by Royal Canadian Navy duty technicians, containment managers, and boundary sentries for damage control purposes. While friends, family and co-workers came out to support him and cheer him on, there were others who scoffed and told him flatly “You’re crazy for doing this,” says CPO2 Fraser. He also contemplated quitting his run on multiple occasions during the race. By the half-way point of the marathon he was struggling to run or even move his legs and slowed to a walk to take...

DND ~The Veteran’s Service Card is now available upon request to all eligible former and releasing Canadian Armed Forces members. Veterans who have completed basic training and have been honourably released can now apply for the new Veteran’s Service Card at the following: https://bit.ly/2IEPpaLThe first stage of the Veteran’s Service Card was announced in September 2018. The Department of National Defence, Veterans Affairs Canada, and Library and Archives Canada are working together to ensure that the necessary resources are in place to verify, produce, and distribute the Veteran’s Service Cards in a timely manner.“The women and men who have served in the Canadian Armed Forces deserve our full support as they transition to post-military life,” said Vice-Admiral Haydn Edmundson, Commander Military Personnel Command. “We introduced the Veteran’s Service Card in September of 2018, rolled out the stage two distribution last December and, as promised, the stage three distribution now begins. We have a sacred obligation to our women and men in uniform, and the Veteran’s Service Card acknowledges and recognizes their devoted service to Canada.”In stage three, cards will be produced and issued upon request to all eligible Veterans who released prior to February 2016. Eligible Veterans in the stage two group—those who released between February 2016 and September 2018—who have not yet requested the card may also apply.Moving forward, all Canadian Armed Forces members who are eligible receive the card automatically upon their release.The Veteran’s Service Card provides a tangible symbol of recognition for former members, and encourages an enduring affiliation with the Canadian Armed Forces. It has no expiry date and it is not intended for use as an ID card, pursuant to Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat and other guidelines on official identification cards.All serving Canadian Armed Forces members and Veterans are encouraged to register for a...

Camille Douglas, Totem Times Newspaper ~After a series of unexpected hardships, the HMCS Alberni Museum and Memorial has re-opened. Wednesday, Oct. 16 marked a ribbon cutting ceremony at to celebrate their re-launch.This year was to be a 20-year anniversary celebration, but Mother Nature and a criminal act set them back. “In the spring, the museum was damaged by an arson fire,” said Lewis Bartholomew, founder and executive director. “Then, during a sudden rainstorm in the middle of the tourist season, we sustained severe water damage.”When the call went out on social media that the museum needed to be evacuated due to the sudden flooding, the community rushed to aid. Within two hours of the announcement, the majority of the display cases and fixtures had been removed to an empty but dry store front next to the museum, and over the next two days, community volunteers came to assist in disassembling the entire museum, including a crew from HMCS Quadra.Only then could the three-week drying process begin and the damages assessed. Restoration efforts began, with tremendous support from the broader community through crowd funding and the donations of goods and services.“Almost all of the initial estimate of damages – approximately $10,000 - was donated. The labour to remove and reinstall flooring was provided as a donation to the museum by a local flooring company and community volunteers,” said Bartholomew. For more information on The Alberni Project and the HMCS Alberni Museum and Memorial visit alberniproject.org, or drop by the museum at 625 Cliffe Avenue in Courtenay.

CFMWS ~Canadian Forces newspapers are looking for youth reporters from military families between the ages of 13 and 18 who want to write a story about an issue that is important to their life or the community around them.The story must be original and about an issue or a personal experience or insight that has not been widely reported, and reflects the life of the contributor or their friends and family. Youth interested in this endeavor should submit an application with their story pitch between Oct. 6 and Dec. 31. The application can be found at CAFconnection.ca/YouthReporter.Then, Canadian Forces newspaper managers will meet in January to choose the five most unique and powerful story pitches – and have the winning entrants write their story.The stories will be published online and in CF newspapers. Up for grabs is a grand prize package and scholarship for the best story, determined by readership votes.

[caption id="attachment_21773" align="alignnone" width="593"] Kelsey Towers-Jones shows off a Hyak-2 rocket used in competition by the UVic Rocketry club. The rocket reached a speed of 2,200 km/h, or Mach 1.8, during a recent competition. Towers-Jones is currently doing a cooperative education placement at Fleet Maintenance Facility Cape Breton. Photo courtesy UVic Rocketry[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff writer ~A university engineering student and rocket enthusiast is launching her dreams through a work-study placement at Fleet Maintenance Facility (FMF CB) Cape Breton. Kelsey Towers-Jones, a third-year mechanical engineering student at the University of Victoria, is on a cooperative education placement with the Industrial Engineering Section at FMF CB. She is tasked with making recommendations on how to best configure equipment and resources to improve workplace efficiencies throughout FMF CB, and developing designs and engineering drawings for a number of continuous improvement projects. The 22-year-old started her job four weeks ago and says she fully enjoys working at the sprawling 35,000 square metre facility in Dockyard. “This is exactly the stuff I want to do for my career – industrial engineering and manufacturing,” said Towers-Jones. “The people at FMF are passionate about their jobs and it is always great to work with those genuinely interested in what you are passionate about.”Reaching for the starsWhen she isn’t cracking the books or working, Towers-Jones builds rockets as a member of the UVic Rocketry club. She and approximately two dozen other students meet on evenings and weekends to design, build, and launch rockets in international competitions. She recently became the rocketry team’s payload engineering lead, and handles the engineering design work to support the payload science team that develops the real “rocket science” on board the rockets. Kelsey’s club is currently preparing for the next Spaceport America Cup amateur rocketry competition, to be held next June in New Mexico....

[caption id="attachment_21770" align="alignnone" width="593"] Members of HMCS Ottawa practice Brazilian Jujutsu for physical training on board HMCS Ottawa while deployed on Operations Projection and Neon. Photo by Leading Seaman Victoria Ioganov, MARPAC Imaging Services[/caption]Capt Jenn Jackson, HMCS Ottawa PAO ~Respect is on the mats and in the flats.What happens on the mats, stays on the mats.I am only here to make you better.Those are the rules that govern the physical training that takes place two to three times a week in HMCS Ottawa’s hangar. The area is transformed and a group of passionate Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu athletes practice their sport, working to collectively make each other better.It is an initiative spear-headed by Marine Technician Master Seaman Matthew Taggart. The group is open to all who want to participate and averages four to10 members of Ottawa’s crew, both male and female.“As we were preparing for this deployment, I knew there were others from Victoria’s Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu community on board,” says MS Taggart. “I reached out to them to see if they wanted to practice while we are at sea and that is how the group began.”MS Taggart is a four-and-a-half year veteran of the sport who has been competing for three. He tried Jiu-Jitsu for the first time at the encouragement of a subordinate during Operation Artemis. Once he tried it, he found himself on a different path.“Looking back, I was not in a good place in my life when I started Jiu-Jitsu,” said MS Taggart. “I was extremely angry for a number of reasons, but once I started training regularly I found that Jiu-Jitsu not only gave me a positive outlet, but it also led to a commitment to better myself. I am still honouring that commitment today.”That philosophy is reflected in the rules established by the group which highlight the sense...

Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~Members of the Royal Canadian Legion will honour military members who lost their lives on Canadian soil with a memorial service next weekend in Cobble Hill.The ceremony is organized by the Malahat District Branch #134 of The Royal Canadian Legion and commences at the Cobble Hill Cenotaph at 11 a.m. on Oct. 19. This is the third annual memorial service. This year’s organizer, Master Corporal (Retired) Harold Davis says the ceremony is an important opportunity to commemorate and celebrate the lives of countless Canadian Armed Forces members who died in the years following their service.“We often commemorate Canadian soldiers who die in foreign theatres of war, but quite seldom nothing is said about those who lost their lives on Canadian soil,” says Davis. “The ceremony is really to say to these men and women and their loved ones that we remember you guys too, and want people to be aware that military personnel put their lives at risk every day while serving our country in Canada.”The ceremony, says Davis, is also meant to honour people who are all too often invisible casualties of war; veterans who have succumbed to both mental and physical injuries following their years of service. The main focus is a moment of silence to remember the dead followed by a wreath laying. The Canadian flag at the cenotaph will be lowered to half-mast ahead of the ceremony.Davis, a former air weapons technician, is the founder and President of the Persian Gulf Veterans of Canada. He recently retired after a 42-year career with Shared Services Canada that included 32 years of military service. During the proceedings, Davis will be thinking about people he knew and worked with. Those include two aviators Bob Henderson and Wally Sweetman who lost their lives during a Sea King...

[caption id="attachment_21763" align="alignnone" width="593"] Tour de Rock riders make their way into CFB Esquimalt Fire and Rescue during a tour stop on at CFB Esquimalt Fire and Rescue hall. Photo by Peter Mallett, Lookout[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~This year’s Tour de Rock riders were given a hero’s welcome when they rode their bikes into the base fire hall on Oct. 4. CFB Esquimalt was one of their final stops in the annual fundraiser that ­benefits pediatric cancer and Camp Goodtimes, a summer camp for children with cancer and their families. Corporal Michael Smith of the Military Police Unit Esquimalt and Alexandria Marshall of CFB Esquimalt Fire and Rescue were part of the 19-member team of first responders in the final stages of their grueling, two-week, 1,100-kilometre journey across Vancouver Island. Marshall was given a warm embrace by her boss, CFB Fire and Rescue Fire Chief Geordie Douglas; Cpl Smith and other riders pumped their fists over their heads to a gathering of approximately 100 well-wishers who celebrated their arrival.By the end of the day, when the team arrived at their final destination at Centennial Square in downtown Victoria, they had raised over $1.1 million. Cpl Smith says the team’s journey across the Island was more emotionally draining than physically taxing. That’s because his team made over 150 stops at schools, community centres and other venues and heard dozens of stories in each community of loved ones lost or of those currently fighting cancer.“It was a humbling experience seeing all of Vancouver Island come together and support Tour de Rock and strengthened my faith in humanity to unite and support people in need,” said Cpl Smith. He and each rider on the tour was paired with a junior rider who has overcome or is battling cancer, which he says creates a two-way...

[caption id="attachment_21757" align="alignnone" width="591"] Junior Canadian Ranger Maison Meer-Crossen of the Telkwa Junior Canadian Ranger Patrol takes a moment to read the gravestone of a First World War soldier. Read the full story on page 2. Photo by Lieutenant Natasha Tersigni, 4th Canadian Ranger Patrol Group Public Affairs Officer[/caption]Lieutenant Natasha Tersigni, 4th Canadian Ranger Patrol Group Public Affairs OfficerFor the fourth year in a row, a No Stone Left Alone Remembrance Ceremony was held in Anyox, B.C., on Oct. 5, to ensure soldiers from the First World War buried in the now-abandoned town are not forgotten. Organized by the Stewart Canadian Ranger Patrol, 11 Junior Canadian Rangers from the Stewart and Telwka Junior Canadian Ranger Patrols, along with local Canadian Rangers, travelled by helicopter to Anyox for the event. “After arriving in Anyox, located 60 kilometers southwest of Stewart, B.C., on the Observatory Inlet, the JCRs and Canadian Rangers hiked into the forest where the cemetery is located,” said Commander Sergeant Eric Drew, Stewart Canadian Ranger Patrol. “The Stewart Canadian Ranger Patrol came into this area five years ago for a patrol exercise. We knew the cemetery was here, so we conducted ground searches as part of our training and we were able to locate it. We have been coming back here ever since with our first NSLA event being held in 2016 with youth from the community and local JCRs. It is important for the youth of today to recognize and remember the sacrifices of the soldiers from the past.” In 1914, Anyox was a booming mining town that had over 3,000 residents thanks to the Granby Consolidated Mining, Smelting and Power Company. Men that joined the Canadian Armed Forces and went overseas to fight in the First World War were guaranteed their job back at the mining company upon...

[caption id="attachment_21730" align="alignnone" width="592"] Lieutenant-Commander Isabel Macneill, right, poses with two Wrens during the Second World War.[/caption]DND ~LCdr Isabel Macneill was the first woman to command a ship in the British Commonwealth. She was captain of His Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Conestoga in Galt, Ont., during the Second World War.She was also the only woman outside the British Royal Family to rate being piped aboard a warship, an honour usually reserved for flag officers or special guests.But although Macneill commanded a ship, she was a long way from the sea.Conestoga was a “stone frigate”, which in naval terms refers to a commissioned shore establishment of the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) with the HMCS designation.It was established in the fall of 1942 to train members of the Women’s Royal Canadian Naval Service (WRCNS), commonly known as Wrens. Intended to provide an introduction to military life, courses included physical training and drills, as well as instruction in naval customs and traditions.Born in Halifax in 1908, Macneill was educated at the Halifax Ladies’ College, Mount Saint Vincent Academy, the Nova Scotia College of Art and the Heatherley School of Art, London, England. From the beginning of the Second World War, she was associated with volunteer work, and when the naval service in Canada was opened to women in August 1942, she immediately joined up.One of the first class of Wrens, she trained initially in Ottawa, was commissioned as an officer, graduated from the first course at Conestoga, and was appointed commanding officer the following year.By all accounts Macneill was a popular commanding officer, well respected for her vision and leadership.This is from an article written in the Wren’s newspaper, The Tiddley Times, in the summer of 1944:“When she is speaking to a group of probationary Wrens of the tradition behind the navy in which they are serving, or when she deals with captain’s defaulters on the quarterdeck, she can be as stern and majestic as any ‘old man’ on board a flagship of...

DND ~The National Veterans’ Week Speakers Program needs Canadian Armed Forces members to volunteer as speakers during Veterans’ Week (Nov 5-11). Since September, requests have been pouring in from schools and community organizations across the country for a Regular or Reserve Force member to take part in their Remembrance Day ceremonies as a speaker.If you are interested in participating or have already agreed to give a presentation, please let us know by registering via the electronic registration form located on the Defence Team’s Veterans’ Week web page.Your participation is key to the program’s success — help us put a face to service and remembrance.The aim of the program is to bring awareness of Veterans’ (past and present) service and for remembrance to Canadians. Last year, the program received an unprecedented number of requests — a little over 2,600 — and filled 2,322 of those requests, reaching 667,000 Canadians, and we are well on our way to surpassing that number this year.We are currently experiencing shortfalls in Northern Ontario and in the National Capital Region and anticipate shortfalls in Alberta, Toronto and its surrounding areas.If you have any questions, contact the National Veterans’ Week Speakers Program coordinator at 1-833-223-8322 or DNDRemembrance.SouvenirMDN@forces.gc.ca.

[caption id="attachment_21724" align="alignnone" width="592"] A group of Canadian Armed Forces personnel hold up a Canadian flag after participating in an Army Run at Union III military installation in Baghdad. Photo credit DND[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~A group of Canadian soldiers stationed at Union III military base in Baghdad have raised over $1,000 from a five-kilometre charity run for the non-profit Soldier On.The 12 Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) personnel were part of a larger group of 110 runners from 15 coalition nations who work at the U.S. Army’s Combined Joint Operations Centre and took part in the Army Run. The fundraiser was organized by CAF members. Operated by the Canadian Forces Transition Group, Soldier On provides year-round regional sports camps and activities for its participants and manages Canada’s Warrior Games and Invictus Games teams.Petty Officer Second Class Kanwar Nijjer, a finance supervisor at CFB Esquimalt’s Naval Fleet School (Pacific), is currently deployed to Iraq and took part in the run. “The run was also a great way to get to know other [military] members from around the world, and I made many friends that day,” said PO2 Nijjer. “Having a good physical training routine is a great way to relieve stress, take care of your body, and is ultimately tied to the success of the deployment.” With average daytime high temperatures in the region reaching 40 Celsius, the run was held at 6:30 a.m. to avoid the scorching desert heat. Despite the early morning start time, PO2 Nijjer says the mercury climbed to 25 Celsius when the runners set off. Run organizers raised a total $800 (U.S.) through sales of Army Run registration, and participants received a hat, race patch and dog tag as keepsakes. PO2 Nijjer is part of Operation Impact, which was established in 2016 and is Canada’s contribution to the...

[caption id="attachment_21721" align="alignnone" width="593"] Meteorologist MCpl Dan Jacklin monitors special equipment to help him prepare a weather forecast on board HMCS Ottawa. Photo by Leading Seaman Victoria Ioganov, MARPAC Imaging Services[/caption]Captain Jenn Jackson, HMCS Ottawa PAO ~Most meteorologists have the luxury of forecasting the weather in the vicinity of an airport or city where they live. The weather patterns come to the location, do their business, and move on to the next location.Such is not the case for Master Corporal Dan Jacklin, one of two meteorologist technicians deployed in HMCS Ottawa. Unlike Met Techs ashore, MCpl Jacklin must keep an eye on the weather currently around the ship and must look ahead to where the ship will be when doing his forecasting.“Sailing is a unique challenge for a Met Tech,” says MCpl Jacklin. “I am responsible for putting together a weather brief for the Commanding Officer (CO) daily. My report can have a direct impact on operations – for example if a major weather system will occur along our voyage, the CO may decide to delay to avoid the storm, or direct the Navigating Officer to adjust our route to avoid it.”To assist the Met Techs on board Ottawa are several weather forecasting devices. There are two anemometers located on the mast to measure wind speed and direction, wet and dry bulb thermometers, portable barometers, and a barograph to monitor pressure trends.“A trend on the barograph that is heading down is an indication that inclement weather is on the way. If the ship can’t avoid it completely, the Commanding Officer may order preparations to safely weather the storm,” explains MCpl Jacklin.Unlike shore postings, serving on a ship does have some advantages for Met Techs, especially those at the Master Corporal rank.“What I enjoy about serving on a ship is that I...

[caption id="attachment_21718" align="alignnone" width="593"] Photo by Leading Seaman Victoria Ioganov, MARPAC Imaging Services[/caption]Captain Jenn Jackson, HMCS Ottawa PAO ~When Tianna Smith applied for a job as a Personnel Support Programs (PSP) Fitness Instructor at CFB Esquimalt two years ago, she had no idea where that would take her.“I had just finished my kinesiology degree at the University of Victoria and saw the job listing. I thought it would be a great opportunity to work with a different segment of the population and a diverse group of people,” says Smith. “It’s definitely been that, but so much more.”Fast-forward two years, and “so much more” translates to her second deployment with the Royal Canadian Navy providing fitness programs to the crew. Her first deployment was in MV Asterix in support of HMCS Calgary during Operation Projection. Her second is with HMCS Ottawa’s current deployment for Operations Projection and Neon. To deploy, she had to complete an intense one-week course in Halifax that included an introduction to life on ship, sea survival training, recreation ideas and activities, a tour of a Halifax-class frigate and chemical biological radiological and nuclear training. All of that was aimed at fitting the right instructor with the right deployment.“Even though the course was only one week, it was one of the most intense weeks of my career,” she says. “Most days were 12-plus hours and there was a lot of information covered to make sure all of us were prepared for any Canadian Armed Forces deployment – whether in support of the navy, air force or army. Since I am employed in Esquimalt, deploying on ship made the most sense for me.”Wanting to experience the Royal Canadian Navy firsthand and see for herself what sailors do played a big role in her decision to volunteer for deployments.“When working ashore in...

[caption id="attachment_21714" align="alignnone" width="593"] Heidi Maier, Canadian Forces Sailing Association (CFSA) Junior Sailor, competes during the Canadian Optimist Championship in Ottawa. Photo by Christian Bonin/TSGphoto.com[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~Heidi Maier, 13, says she has been swept away by the power of sailing.The Grade 8 student has found competitive success harnessing the wind, and a healthy activity, during her eight years with the Canadian Forces Sailing Association (CFSA) Junior Program. “When I first tried the sport I was in Kindergarten; I thought it was really cool,” said Maier.  “It was so appealing to me simply because you harness the wind and the waves and make a large object move in the water without a motor or expending your own energy.”She began competing three years ago in single-handed sailing dinghies called Optimist Class. Strong finishes at weekend regattas have become the new normal for her. She has first place finishes at the Royal Victoria Yacht Club’s Frozen Assets Regatta in February, and more recently the Maple Bay Regatta on Sept. 1. She also had a noteworthy 10th place performance at the Kitten Cup in Vancouver, in a much larger field that included provincial and national team members. In August, she had an 11th place finish in a field of 65 sailors at the Canadian Optimist Championship in Ottawa. “The fun part isn’t just the competition, its meeting people from across the country and around the world, making new friends, and getting to go to post-regatta dinners.”Getting her feet wetMaier learned to sail with CFSA’s Opti Wet Feet at age five, around the same time her father, Lieutenant-Commander Christopher Maier began his first sailing experiences. He is the current CFSA Commodore, and says his daughter has advanced so far she gives him pointers and advice about sailing techniques.“I always saw the potential in her...

[caption id="attachment_21711" align="alignnone" width="593"] Victoria’s Edward Vaughan receives his French Legion of Honour Medal from France's Consul General for western Canada Phillipe Sutter at Veterans Memorial Lodge at Broadmead on Sept. 29. Photo courtesy Shannon Donnelly, Broadmead Care[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~A Second World War veteran who piloted a Lancaster bomber on multiple missions in western Europe has been awarded France’s highest military decoration. Victoria’s Edward Vaughan, 96, was inducted into the French Legion of Honour by Phillipe Sutter, France’s Consul General for western Canada in a ceremony at Veterans Memorial Lodge at Broadmead on Sept. 29. The award recognizes allied soldiers for their contributions to the liberation of France during the Second World War and to date has approximately 92,000 recipients.Vaughan, a Broadmead resident and long-time Victoria resident, was grinning ear to ear upon receiving France’s highest military medal. He then gave Sutter a firm handshake and was presented the customary red ribbon and medal, a Maltese asterisk hung on an oak and laurel wreath, and a commemorative certificate.“It was just me, an ordinary pilot doing this,” said Vaughan in accepting the award. “I am very pleased, thank you so much.”The former Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) flying officer successfully completed 36 missions in his Lancaster bomber nicknamed ‘Old Faithful’ in support of the liberation of France between June and August of 1944. Born in Swansea but raised in Cumberland, B.C., Vaughan did his pilot training in Alberta, Scotland, and England. During the war, he was stationed in north Yorkshire with the RCAF’s Goose Squadron whose main task was to weaken German defences in preparation for the Allied invasion of southern France in August 1944.During one bombing mission to Germany, Vaughan recalled how a bomb fell through the wing of his Lancaster and started a fire on board. He then...

[caption id="attachment_21708" align="alignnone" width="593"] Thirty military police took part in the parade for the Sept. 29 event that honoured fallen officers. Photo by LS Mike Goluboff, MARPAC Imaging Services[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~A contingent of 30 Military Police from across British Columbia, led by Major Roland Russell, paid tribute to fallen colleagues in the annual B.C. Law Enforcement Memorial on Sept. 29 in Victoria. The annual ceremony honours the lives and contributions of every law enforcement member in the province who died in the line of duty. This year’s memorial ceremony was held simultaneously with ceremonies in Canada’s provincial capitals and with the Canadian Police and Peace Officer Annual Memorial Service held in Ottawa. The memorial was attended by officers representing 24 municipal, provincial and federal law enforcement agencies.For Sub-Lieutenant Garret Cross, Operations Officer with Esquimalt’s Military Police Unit, this was his first B.C. Law Enforcement Memorial. He assisted in the organization for this year’s event and described the experience as “bitter sweet” as the ceremony honours the lives of members who pursued a common goal of making B.C. communities a safer place and ultimately died in that pursuit. “I believe the experience is a therapeutic one for everyone involved,” said SLt Cross. “You could see by the expressions of everyone who attended that these deaths have deeply impacted all of us. This ceremony highlighted the unbreakable bond that exists between Military Police personnel and all first responders.” The ceremony commenced with the parade marching from Government Street to the B.C. Legislature. There was a crowd gathered to hear the names of 125 fallen police officers. A moment of silence was followed by the playing of The Last Post, three volleys fired from a rifle, and the laying of wreaths for the fallen. The ceremony concluded with a march past and...

[caption id="attachment_21705" align="alignnone" width="593"] HMCS Moncton returns to its homeport of Halifax after a refit that includes a Second World War Admiralty commemorative paint scheme to honour the 75th Anniversary of the end of the Battle of the Atlantic. The pattern is a form of ship camouflage from the Second World War era.  Photo by Mona Ghiz, MARLANT PA[/caption]SLt M.X. Déry, MARPAC PA Office ~For the next year it will be easy to distinguish HMCS Regina from the other West Coast frigates as it has a new paint job. The Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) decided to paint Regina in a Second World War Admiralty commemorative paint scheme to honour the 75th anniversary of the end of the Battle of the Atlantic, which occurs in 2020.In the Second World War, the paint scheme was a form of ship camouflage with one or more colours to obscure or confuse the enemy’s visual observation during the Atlantic battles, particularly enemy submarines.Historically, River-class frigates were painted in the Disruptive Admiralty scheme. Tribal-class destroyers and C-class destroyers were painted in the Dazzle scheme. Flower-class corvettes were painted in both schemes during their service.Regina is painted in white and blue shades in a geometric pattern. The new look will be showcased at Rim of the Pacific Exercise 2020.The task of painting the ship fell to the deck department, augmented by other members of the ship’s company, as well as Fleet Maintenance Facility Cape Breton. For Chief Petty Officer Second Class Joe Dagenais, the Chief Boatswain, this is a chance to show off the ship and the teamwork required to make it look grand.“This is a key piece to show how FMF and DND can collaborate to achieve an important and common goal,” he said. On the East Coast, HMCS Moncton has a similar paint job. Commemorating the Battle of...

[caption id="attachment_21677" align="alignnone" width="593"] Capt(N) Darren Garnier speaks to members of Royal United Services Institute of Nova Scotia about his time in command of Combined Task Force 150. Photo by Mona Ghiz, MARLANT PA[/caption]Ryan Melanson, Trident Newspaper ~Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) is a 33-nation naval partnership that has worked to promote security and stability in the Middle East since 2002. While the coalition has had success combating terrorism, piracy, and other wrongdoing, the working relationship between countries isn’t always simple.The coalition is non-binding, meaning no nation can be forced to carry out operations under the CMF banner, and the variety of nations included means different ways of conducting military business and different sets of national values.When Combined Task Force 150, one of CMF’s three task groups, came under Canadian command from December 2018 - April 2019 under the leadership of Capt(N) (now Retired) Darren Garnier, the team adopted a Canadian way of doing things. Capt(N) Garnier established a Command Chief Petty Officer position to work alongside him in Bahrain at CTF 150 HQ, emphasizing the important role of senior non-commissioned members in the Canadian Armed Forces, and he also made sure his unit’s six female officers were front and centre for tasks and meetings.“It was something I wanted to establish; in some of the countries we visit in that part of the world, non-commissioned members and women members are sometimes not well valued by their militaries. We had a great team and part of our mandate was to empower them,” he said.The Canadian contribution to CMF is known as Operation Artemis. Capt(N) Garnier, who recently retired from the CAF following the deployment, spoke to members of the Royal United Services Institute of Nova Scotia on Aug. 21, delivering a presentation that included results from this 12th rotation of Op Artemis, as...

[caption id="attachment_21680" align="alignnone" width="594"] Sailors practice refueling at sea during the opening days of the exercise. Photo: MARLANT PA[/caption]Ryan Melanson, Trident Newspaper ~Communities across Nova Scotia were impacted when the destructive post-tropical storm Dorian made landfall Sept. 7, and the Canadian Armed Forces community was no exception.The storm came at a particularly inopportune time for Maritime Forces Atlantic, with NATO partners from seven nations arriving just days ahead of Exercise Cutlass Fury, a joint multinational maritime engagement taking place off Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. Public events planned for the weekend, including ship tours and a soccer match, were called off as 15 ships headed to sea to ride out the storm in sheltered waters. Damage to the Halifax boardwalk and the scale of power restoration efforts meant the planned sail past and fly past on Sept. 9 was also called off.“There was disappointment on all sides. The staff I worked with had been preparing for this exercise for more than a year now, and everyone was very much looking forward to this part of it, welcoming the public to the dockyard to see these ships,” said Capt(N) Matthew Bowen, Exercise Director for Cutlass Fury 19. He added the changes to the schedule and cancellation of some activities were necessary to protect naval equipment, the sailors themselves, and members of the public.The bulk of Cutlass Fury, however, continued as planned. The exercise task group sailed out on the afternoon of Sept. 9 to begin exercising off the coast of Nova Scotia. HMC Ships Fredericton, Ville de Quebec, St. John’s, Shawinigan, and Glace Bay participated, along with MV Asterix, and RCAF aircraft including CP-140 Auroras, CC130T Hercules, CC-150T Polaris air-to-air refuellers, CH-148 Cyclone maritime helicopters, and CF-18 Hornet fighter jets. Visiting ships included members of Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 from the Dutch,...

[caption id="attachment_21674" align="alignnone" width="593"] A Base Logistics employee and LS Darryl Forry of HMCS Regina deploy a containment boom from F Jetty during a spill response training exercise on Sept. 18 in Esquimalt Harbour.[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~A coordinated effort by civilian and military personnel at the base resulted in the successful execution of the first annual exercise of the Colwood Fuel Facility (CFF) Environmental Emergency (E2) Plan required under federal legislation.Port Operations and Emergency Services Branch (POESB) led the day-long training and exercise held on Sept.18.The exercise simulated DND’s response to a 32,000L marine spill at the Colwood Fueling Jetty, one of several environmental emergencies identified in the E2 Plan for the CFF.  The training and exercise tested DND preparedness and response to such an emergency and involved approximately 20 ­individuals from POESB, Base Logistics (BLOG), Formation Safety and Environment (FSE), and sailors from HMCS Regina and HMCS Vancouver. The E2 Plan and annual exercises are a requirement under the recently amended Environmental Emergency Regulations that came into force on Aug. 24 under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act. E2 Regulations establish minimum threshold concentrations and quantities for 249 hazardous substances. Under the regulations, organizations that own or manage a specified substance at or above the thresholds are required to officially notify Environment and Climate Change Canada, inform the public if they may be adversely effected, and develop, exercise, and maintain an E2 plan. Participants spent the first portion of their day in the classroom learning about the regulations and the CFF E2 Plan, marine spill response, and familiarization of emergency response equipment. The spill simulation took place in the afternoon and involved the deployment of approximately 2,000 feet of booming to contain the mock spill, and the deployment of skimming devices that would be used to collect the fuel if a spill...

Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~A new podcast titled The Military Lifestyle focusing on the challenges facing today’s military members and their families is coming to your smartphone, tablet or computer.The first episode of a 14 episode first season will debut on Oct. 9 and is being produced by the Esquimalt Military Family Resource Centre (MFRC) with the help of local company Organized Sound Productions. The podcast will build on the Esquimalt MFRC’s digital presence following the launch of its Deployment App in 2017. “We are excited to offer a new way for people to experience and interact with the MFRC,” said Jon Chabun, MFRC Esquimalt Communications and Marketing Coordinator.Chabun will host the program and says creating the podcast was about meeting people where they live. The organization has seen how community members often live, stay connected and keep organized through their smart phones. “People are busy and military families are increasingly living everywhere,” said Chabun. “You don’t have to worry about registering and getting to a workshop. You can download it, listen to it offline, on your schedule. We really hope to reach people that might not traditionally come through our doors or who don’t have the time to get to a workshop at the MFRC.”Areas of discussion on The Military Lifestyle include deployments, postings, and transitions through interview with experts from their respective fields here at the base and across Greater Victoria. The first episode looks at preparing couples for deployment with MFRC Deployment Coordinator Sandra Pinard. Other episodes include an interview with military anthropologist Dr. Anne Irwin, who will discuss the challenges facing military personnel transitioning from the military to the civilian world, while another will focus on looking for work in a new community. Chabun says the MFRC is open to suggestions for future topics of the podcast.Funding...

[caption id="attachment_21667" align="alignnone" width="594"] CPO2 Chris Fraser displays the flash gear he will run in during the upcoming Goodlife Fitness Victoria Marathon. His run is a fundraiser for the Esquimalt Military Family Resource Centre. The gear weighs approximately 25 lbs and CPO2 Fraser hopes to set a Guiness Book of World Records marker with the feat. Photo by Peter Mallett, Lookout[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~Guinness Book of World Records here he comes.Chief Petty Officer Second Class Christopher Fraser is getting ready to set a world record when he crosses the finish line at next month’s Goodlife Fitness Victoria Marathon. It won’t be the fastest time though. Instead, he hopes to become a new Guinness Book of World Records record holder in the category of Fastest Runner Wearing a Fire Fighter’s Uniform and Breathing Apparatus. CPO2 Fraser will run the race as a fundraiser for Esquimalt’s Military Family Resource Centre (MFRC).His firefighting gear weighs approximately 25 lbs and is protective safety gear commonly worn by Royal Canadian Navy duty technicians, containment managers and boundary sentries for damage control purposes. Running the full distance of 42.2 kilometres will be a monumental challenge, says CPO2 Fraser. “It’s all about going slow,” he said during a break from his training at the Dockyard Gym. “It’s going to take time and patience and is certainly going to be a difficult challenge for me, but it’s absolutely achievable and if I do this the Guinness Book record will be mine.”However, he has yet to learn if his application has received approval from Guinness, but says he will run the race either way. The gear consists of a support harness and an air tank and respirator. He will also run the race in his Naval Combat Dress, minus the baseball hat, and his military boots. He knows his...

[caption id="attachment_21664" align="alignnone" width="594"] MCpl (Retired) Ray Weeks stands next to a Queen’s Own Rifles commemorative marker located near the Kingsmill Building at Work Point. In his hand is a commemorative card to honour his friend, Rifleman Harold George, who died during a training accident on the Sooke River on Sept. 24, 1969. Weeks, who lives in Gold Coast, Australia, was in town to attend a memorial ceremony in Sooke in honour of his friend and platoon mate.[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~Three former members of the Queen’s Own Rifles 1st Battalion gathered at Sooke Potholes last week to remember a fallen comrade who died in a training accident 50 years ago. The memorial was organized by Master Corporal (Retired) Ray Weeks for his friend and platoon mate, Rifleman Harold George, who drowned in the fast-moving Sooke River during a training exercise. Weeks, 72, travelled from his home in Gold Coast, Australia, to attend the ceremony. He was joined by two former platoon mates from ‘A Company’. “The memorial didn’t have a sequence or a blessing or a padre. It just included members of the battalion who wanted to say goodbye to our friend,” said Weeks. “I never got a chance to say goodbye to Harold back then because I was injured in the training exercise and in the hospital for weeks. The whole incident still weighs heavily in my mind, so I decided to do something about it.”On Sept. 24, 1969, George was 19 when the 12-foot rubber assault boat he was riding in capsized in the rapids, leading to his drowning death. The soldiers had travelled from their unit’s headquarters at the Work Point Barracks for a three-day Watermanship Training Exercise on the Sooke River above the potholes, located 40 kilometres west of Victoria. George was among 40 men riding in four rubber boats when the accident occurred. Weeks was one of two soldiers who were injured in the accident. He suffered extensive bruising, a fractured skull and concussion and...

A/SLt Michelle Scott, MARPAC Public Affairs ~The formation welcomed three new Petty Officer Second Class sailors to the fleet in a PO2 Promotion Ceremony last week — the first of its kind on the West Coast.The ceremony was created to highlight the significance of the promotion to PO2 and the increase in roles and responsibilities that come with the rank. It was an initiative of Formation Chief CPO1 Tim Blonde, who also helped implement the same ceremony on the East Coast early last year. “You’re now becoming owners of the institution,” said RAdm Bob Auchterlonie, who presided over the ceremony. “This is a key step in your transition within the Royal Canadian Navy.”For PO2 Matt Douglass, a Naval Communicator on board HMCS Calgary, and one of the three newly promoted sailors, the significance wasn’t lost on him. “I definitely feel the added responsibility with a ceremony like this,” he said. “It gives the promotion itself a little more meaning to have the support of all the senior leadership here. It really means a lot.” This is what CPO1 Blonde was hoping would be conveyed to the newly promoted PO2s when he pitched the idea.“The development of the senior NCO (non-commissioned officer) is near and dear to my heart. Petty Officer Second Class serves a vital role in ships and the RCN,” explained CPO1 Blonde. “It is this position that I truly believe to be the real deck plate leaders on board our ships.”For many, it is a new type of leadership role, CPO1 Blonde explains. “Leadership is hard work, and as a PO2 you don’t lead from your desk, you must be visible.”In order to ease the transition to senior NCO, the promotion ceremony, which has the members presented their new ranks by the Admiral and their Commanding Officer, will be held in conjunction with professional development seminars. Going forward it is expected there will be four to five such ceremonies and ­seminars each year for all newly promoted PO2s and...

[caption id="attachment_21652" align="alignnone" width="593"] Master Seaman Veronica Leslie interacts with a preschool class during a trip to the Father Ray Foundation. Photo by Leading Seaman Victoria Ioganov, MARPAC Imaging Services[/caption]Leading Seaman Alix Bovair, HMCS Ottawa ~While alongside Pattaya, Thailand, on Sept. 14, during Operation Projection, a group of sailors from HMCS Ottawa made a few new friends at a local charity.They spent the day at the Father Ray Foundation, a local non-profit organization that works to help over 850 children and adolescents in Thailand. They provide food, clothing, education, and most importantly a sense of family to those who may not have otherwise received it. With the foundation’s motto being “We never turn a needy child away”, Ottawa’s crew wanted to do anything they could to help the Father Ray Foundation. They began by providing a cheque from Boomer’s Legacy for $10,000, which will ultimately go towards the purchase of new uniforms for the children. For children originating from all sorts of impoverished areas and unfortunate circumstances, and for those who do not have a safe place to call home, The Father Ray Children’s Home is a sanctuary. Ottawa’s crew was moved by the joy of the children at the Day Care Centre. They enjoyed lots of running, singing, dancing, and laughs with the energetic three and four year olds. Crew and youngsters took a whirlwind trip to a local fish pond, with music and dancing afterward; the energy of the toddlers was inescapable and contagious. Crew members couldn’t help but leave with smiles. The crew then moved to the vocational school for people with disabilities. The foundation works directly with young adults with disabilities to assist them in obtaining skills and education in computer and business programs.The Father Ray Foundation has aided in the convalescence of many who’ve gone on...

[caption id="attachment_21639" align="alignnone" width="593"] A team from HMCS Fredericton’s crew (green shirts), as part of the ‘Sailors For Wishes’ fundraising campaign from Aug. 6-14, participated in the International Fire Truck Pull in St. Stephen, NB. Inset: Children’s Wish Foundation child Noah, 9, with his mother Julie Bennett.[/caption]DND ~In eight days, they biked 1,000 kilometres, marched in parades and even pulled a fire engine with their bare hands. Then, the sailors of HMCS Fredericton granted a little boy his wish — playtime outside.Noah Bennett, 9, has both autism and severe neurodevelopmental issues. He was born underdeveloped and as an infant, just as he was learning to babble and say ‘da-da’, he had a seizure that left him permanently non-verbal, said his mother Julie Bennett.At two-years-old, a stroke paralyzed the left side of his body.More than anything in the world, Noah loves playing outside on his family’s backyard deck. However, the deck height is a danger and there isn’t much protection from the sun. The family lives in a mosquito-dense area and because of his condition Noah won’t swat them away. He will often return inside with terribly swollen red arms.But now things are getting better. Thanks to the over $40,000 raised so-far through HMCS Fredericton’s 11th annual ‘Sailors for Wishes’ Children’s Wish Foundation fundraising drive, Noah is having a personal ‘outdoor play oasis’ built for him.The new play area is going to replace a single shade-giving umbrella with a full roof, have mosquito netting, safety barriers, a sensory play table with water and sand, and an easy access magnetic door from the house so Noah can come and go as he pleases.Much of Noah’s day is spent going between home, school and multiple doctor appointments. It’s tiring. Sometimes it feels like his play area outside is his only relief from it...