Latest News

[caption id="attachment_15491" align="alignnone" width="400"] HMCS Athabaskan pulls into port at Halifax Dockyard for the last time on March 10. The last of the Iroquois-class destroyers was paid off after more than 44 years of service. Photo by MCpl C.A. Stephen, Formation Imaging Services Halifax[/caption]DND ~HMCS Athabaskan was paid off during a ceremony at HMC Dockyard in Halifax on Friday.Athabaskan, the last of the four Iroquois-class Area Air Defence destroyers, served the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) with distinction for more than 44 years.“Today we celebrate the end of an era,” said Vice-Admiral Ron Lloyd, Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy. “When Canada put this ship into service the technological achievements were so impressive that the Tribals were referred to as the ‘sisters of the space age’. For those of us fortunate to have sailed in these ships we celebrate the important leadership role that Athabaskan, and her sister ships, fulfilled in the defence of Canada and in support of partners and allies. Canadians can proudly reflect on Canada’s response to the occupation of Kuwait, the terrorist attacks of 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, and the devastating earthquake in Haiti. I know that those of us serving today, are proud to continue to follow in the wake of all those who have so brilliantly served in HMCS Athabaskan during the last 44 years. We stand here today as equally committed and dedicated as those who walked aboard her on the day of her commissioning.”The Iroquois Class was a made-in-Canada solution to the defence and security challenges of the Cold War and post-Cold war era of the late 20th Century. They introduced state-of-the- art Canadian sonar technology to undersea surveillance, and perfected the combat operations of two large maritime helicopters from each of their flight decks.Under the auspices of the National Shipbuilding Strategy, the RCN...

[caption id="attachment_15456" align="alignnone" width="400"] Photo by John W.Penner, John’s Photography[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~Motivation was all the fuel Wounded Warrior Run B.C. participants needed to reach the finish line of their gruelling 700-kilometre trek covering the length of Vancouver Island.“I was physically drained and taxed, but all the overwhelming support we received along the way reinvigorated me and made me feel fantastic when I was running,” said PO2 Allan Kobayashi, Wounded Warrior Run B.C. co-founder and team leader.PO2 Kobayashi, who works as an analyst for the Naval Training Development Centre, was the leader of a three-woman and four-man team who set out from Port Hardy Feb. 20 for the seven-day relay-style run to raise funds and awareness for current and former military and Emergency Service workers suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).PO2 Kobayashi, who was the only member of this year’s team to suffer from PTSD, says he’s noticed a paradigm shift in people’s attitudes and understanding of PTSD during stops in 15 communities.“The biggest difference in this year’s run was people’s willingness to step forward and talk about their own experiences, their own traumas, and their own family members and friends who are suffering. That was the biggest motivation in pushing us forward along the route, by seeing how our interaction was making a notable difference.”The best was yet to come as the runners were greeted with a hero’s welcome when they crossed the finish line in Langford at 3 p.m. Feb. 26. Wearing red jerseys emblazoned with the slogan “Not all Wounds are visible”, they headed into the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 91 to the sound of music and cheers from members of the Victoria Grizzlies Junior ‘A’ Hockey Team, the West Shore Rebels junior football team, friends, family, sponsors and local politicians who came out to show...

[caption id="attachment_15453" align="alignnone" width="400"] Canadian Armed Forces women put their candle-making skills to the test at the Nightingales Children’s Project in Cernavoda, Romania, during HMCS St. John’s visit to Constanta Feb. 5.[/caption]Lt(N) Emily Anglin, HMCS St. John’s ~HMCS St. John’s had a unique opportunity to make a difference for a group of disadvantaged youth while alongside in Constanta, Romania, Feb. 5 during its Operation Reassurance deployment.Kevin Hamilton, the Canadian Ambassador to Romania, invited 21 women from St. John’s, three women from their forward logistics support team, and four Romanian officers to Cernavoda, Romania, to volunteer for the Nightingales Children’s Project.Founded and led by two British expatriates and their Romanian spouses, the project focuses on preventing human trafficking. It aims to keep young women and men from being trafficked into the sex trade by offering them education and meaningful employment.Upon arrival, the ambassador and volunteers were greeted by program founder David Savage, manager Ben Wells, and a group of curious, but largely shy children. Their demeanor changed when the ambassador invited the soldiers, sailors and air women of St. John’s to hand out donated toques to each child, who then happily posed for photos.“When interacting with the girls I could sense a level of hardship in their lives, but also determination, strength, and hope,” said Able Seaman Roxanne Hovan, a reserve boatswain sailing in St. John’s.Once the formalities were over, the volunteers buckled down to work; half went to paint the walls of a building, while the others learned about candle making. The candles serve a dual purpose for the girls at Nightingales. They spend their free time in a positive, creative way, and they are able to make money by selling their work.Sergeant Jeanine Fraser, Senior Meteorological Technician onboard St. John’s, was especially moved by the experience.“So often you hear...

[caption id="attachment_15450" align="alignnone" width="400"] Edward Carter-Edwards sings “We’ll Meet Again” during a visit to Buchenwald concentration camp in 2014. Photo by Lieutenant-Colonel (Retired) Dean Black, Royal Canadian Air Force Association[/caption]Joanna Calder, Air Forces PA ~Edward Carter-Edwards, who survived the notorious Nazi death camp Buchenwald, died Feb. 22, in Smithville, ON. His funeral was held on Monday, Feb. 27. He was 94.Sergeant Carter-Edwards was a wireless air gunner on a Halifax Mark III bomber when it was shot down over occupied France in 1944. He made his way to Paris, but was picked up by the Germans, imprisoned, and eventually shipped by cattle car to Buchenwald: five long days under brutal conditions.He and other airmen should have been sent to a prisoner of war camp but his captors refused to believe that he was an Allied airman and instead accused him of being a spy and saboteur.“The thing that frightened us the most was this tall chimney with smoke belching out of it. And the only way to get out of Buchenwald was through the chimney,” he said in a video posted on the “Lost Airmen of Buchenwald” Facebook page, as he described his arrival at Buchenwald.Sergeant Carter-Edwards was one of 168 airmen—including 26 Canadians—wrongfully imprisoned in the concentration camp. While there, he fell sick with pneumonia and pleurisy, which ordinarily would have been a death sentence as there was no medical treatment for those who were sick; the prisoners got better or they died. In fact, anyone who was considered too sick was hastened to his end with a fatal injection.According to Nathan M. Greenfield in his book The Forgotten: Canadian POWs, Escapers and Evaders in Europe 1939-1945, one of the reasons Sergeant Carter-Edwards survived was that “at night the orderlies ‘submerged’ the Canadian delirious with fever; that is, they...

[caption id="attachment_15447" align="alignnone" width="400"] From the left: RAdm Art McDonald, Commander of Martime Forces Pacific; CPO1 Gilles Gregoire, Formation Chief; LCdr Chad Naefken, Commanding Officer Fleet Diving Unit (Pacific); and CPO1 Robert DeProy, FDU Coxswain, display the Battle Board presented at the unit’s Theatre Honours ceremony Feb. 28. The unit’s Clearance Divers were recognized for their bomb-defusing efforts in Afghanistan. Photos by Peter Mallett, Lookout Newspaper[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~Last week, in a highly prestigious ceremony, Fleet Diving Unit (Pacific) (FDU(P)) received its first Theatre Honours in recognition for their work in Afghanistan.Rear-Admiral Art McDonald, Commander of Maritime Forces Pacific, presented the honours on behalf of David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, and called the moment a “significant milestone.”After inspecting the 49-member Guard of Honour on parade at the unit’s West Shore explosive ordnance disposal garage on Feb. 28, the Admiral presented the Battle Board for display in their mess.“For all of you currently serving or who have served in the FDU, this honour recognizes the exceptional excellence that is synonymous with the Fleet Diving Unit,” said RAdm McDonald. “The war in Afghanistan was synonymous with IED [Improvised Explosive Device] and the work of defusing these devices by FDU Clearance Divers was done in dangerous situations. That work changed the course of the war and your unit should be extremely proud of what you achieved in Afghanistan.”The 4’ x 4’ wooden Battle Board features rope work carved out of wood with the inscription: Fleet Diving Unit Pacific, Afghanistan 2002-2014, Strength in Depth.“It’s incredibly nice to receive this official recognition,” said LCdr Chad Naefken, FDU’s Commanding Officer. “It is a great source of pride for the entire unit. It will be used as a centre piece for all of our functions.”Theatre Honours are official public recognition of Canadian Armed Forces units...

[caption id="attachment_15444" align="alignnone" width="400"] Chris Roy, a sheet metal fabricator who works in the Fleet Maintenance Facility HMCS Cape Breton, displays a project he is working on to a delegation of B.C. mayors. Photo by Peter Mallett, Lookout Newspaper[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~A delegation of 28 mayors wrapped up a three-day conference in Victoria Feb. 24 with a tour of Fleet Maintenance Facility Cape Breton and HMCS Regina.The municipal leaders were taking part in the Mayors’ Caucus, a regular convention that rotates to a different location biannually. It allows municipal leaders to identify common priorities and problems their communities face.The mayors were given guided tours of the Halifax-Class frigate’s machine control room, bridge, operation room, a review of the vessel’s small arms capability, and a demonstration by Fleet Diving Unit (Pacific).Their tour of Fleet Maintenance Facility included stops at the electrical, mechanical, machining, sheet metal, combat, chemical cleaning and electroplating, and plant maintenance departments.Comox Mayor Paul Ives said he was “delighted and fascinated” to visit CFB Esquimalt as part of the convention because of the economic impact it has in Victoria and the province.Ives is a former naval reservist, serving from 1981 to 1987 with HMCS Scotian in Halifax and HMCS Discovery in Vancouver. He says the visit helped many of his colleagues gain better insight into what CFB Esquimalt is all about.“It’s great to build awareness among the mayors of B.C. about the role the navy plays for Canada and the impressive facility in FMF for maintaining the fleet,” said Ives. “I would say CFB Esquimalt is almost like the Capital Regional District’s 14th municipality considering the huge role it plays in contributing to both the local and provincial economy.”Jude Schooner, Mayor of Tahsis, located on the northwest coast of Vancouver Island, said the tour was one of the...

[caption id="attachment_15441" align="alignnone" width="400"] HMCS Winnipeg[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~Two Pacific Fleet warships have set a course for Asia on Poseidon Cutlass 17.HMC Ships Winnipeg and Ottawa and their crews left Esquimalt Harbour Monday for a six-month deployment to the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.“The crew of HMCS Ottawa has been working tirelessly to prepare for this deployment and I have every confidence they will serve as excellent ambassadors for the Royal Canadian Navy,” said Commander Sylvain Belair, HMCS Ottawa’s Commanding Officer.The ships will stop in China, South Korea, Japan, the Philippines, Malaysia, India and Sri Lanka. Poseidon Cutlass 17 includes participation in multinational task group interoperability exercises, and above and below water warfare training, and an ambassadorial role for the ships’ company with international engagements at their ports of call. “This deployment is an example of Canada’s enduring commitment to the maintenance of regional peace and security in the strategically important Indo-Asia-Pacific region,” said Rear-Admiral Art McDonald, Commander of Maritime Forces Pacific. “I’m confident that HMC Ships Winnipeg and Ottawa will be well received as capable expressions of Canadian interest and contribution. All Canadians can be proud of the impressive ambassadors that our sailors will be, as well as the world-class support we’ll afford them and their families during another period of great personal sacrifice.”Winnipeg’s Commanding Officer, Cdr Jeff Hutchinson said the deployment will be an excellent opportunity to strengthen partnerships and support the RCN’s “generate forward” concept.“Operating with international partners will provide valuable training and improve interoperability while continuing to generate increased readiness in embarked soldiers, sailors, airmen and airwomen,” said Cdr Hutchinson.

[caption id="attachment_15438" align="alignnone" width="400"] With HMCS Ottawa and its crew in the background, Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, and Harjit Sajjan, Minister of National Defence, take part in a press conference at CFB Esquimalt on March 2. Photo by MCpl Chris Ward, MARPAC Imaging Services[/caption]Peter Mallett, Lookout Staff ~Dressed in a navy emblazoned t-shirt, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau joined more than 700 military and civilian personnel for a five-kilometre run around CFB Esquimalt last Thursday morning, March 2.Also serving as a fitness role model was Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan who kept in step with the 45-year-old Prime Minister.Before the run, the Prime Minister and Defence Minister made their way to A-jetty for a visit to submarine HMCS Chicoutimi. Wearing a Naval Combat Dress jacket inscribed with his last name, Royal Canadian Navy ensign patch, and ship badges of both Chicoutimi and HMCS Ottawa, the Prime Minister climbed down the hatch into Chicoutimi.After the run the two guests toured Ottawa, which was finalizing preparations for its Asia-Pacific deployment on Poseidon Cutlass 17, and spoke to many sailors on board.Following lunch at the Wardroom, Prime Minister Trudeau and Minister Sajjan concluded their visit with a media scrum on A-Jetty. Flanked by a group of Ottawa sailors, Trudeau thanked CFB Esquimalt for their hospitality and chance to visit the submarine and warship before highlighting the recent announcements by his government and taking questions from the assembled media.The Prime Minister then departed in his motorcade for his next engagement, a meeting with Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps. He wrapped up his two-day visit to British Columbia on March 3 in Vancouver, meeting with Premier Christy Clark.

SLt Rudee Gaudet, Contributor ~At Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island in the San Juan Islands, a group of Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) personnel, embedded with the United States Navy (USN), diligently analyze a continuous flow of acoustic data, as they hunt for the telltale signs of submarines.Operating out of a secure building dubbed by locals as the “prison” for its secure gates and barbed wire fences, they, along with their USN counterparts, are the eyes and ears of the Pacific Ocean.The prison is the Naval Ocean Processing Facility Whidbey Island (NOPFWI), one of two highly secure USN Integrated Undersea Surveillance Systems (IUSS) facilities in the United States.A detachment of 37 Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) personnel, consisting of operators, maintenance technicians, and a support cell, work alongside the USN to accomplish the mission of continuous maritime domain awareness.To achieve their mission, acoustic data is supplied real-time to the NOPFWI watch floor by permanent acoustic sensors on the ocean floor, allied ships, submarines and long-range anti-submarine aircraft around the world.“Finding a submarine is a big deal here. The entire team on the watch floor is focused on it. From the ships, planes and acoustic sensors to the watch floor, we are using real-time assets to find and track threat submarines 24-hours a day, 365 days a year,” said MS Angelo Aires, a Sonar Operator nearing the end of his posting at NOPFWI.The CAF has been directly involved in IUSS with allied nations since the 1950s, with joint USN and CAF acoustic processing facilities in Argentia, Nfld., and Shelburne N.S. These were two of over a dozen such facilities in the early days of IUSS, tracking Soviet submarines in the North Atlantic. The facilities would eventually be shut down following the end of the Cold War with service re-directed to other facilities...

Darlene Blakeley, Editor Crowsnest Magazine ~A regatta of tall ships. An international tattoo. Naval boarding party demonstrations. A navy bike ride.These are just some of the events that will take place as the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) celebrates the 150th anniversary of Confederation this year. Focusing on events from coast to coast, community involvement will be a special part of the festivities.“The RCN is proud to commemorate Canada’s strong naval heritage with Canadians from all backgrounds as part of this year’s celebrations,” says Vice-Admiral Ron Lloyd, Commander RCN. “As we mark this special year, we remember and honour the bravery of generations of sailors who fought to defend Canadian values at home and abroad.”          Rendezvous 2017A signature event marking celebrations will be Rendez-vous 2017 (RDV 2017), when more than 40 tall ships will sail Canadian waters from June 30 to Aug. 20.Québec City, home of Canada’s Naval Reserve Headquarters, will be the main rallying point on the tour. The tall ship fleet, along with over 3,000 crew members and youth trainees, will be in the Port of Québec for a grand celebration from July 18 to 23. A host of free activities is planned for families and visitors, showcasing local and national culture as well as Canada’s proud maritime heritage.“RDV 2017 will bring Canadians to cities, towns and villages along the St. Lawrence River and help to promote a greater understanding of these communities and the vital role this iconic Canadian waterway played in the creation and development of our country,” says Lieutenant-Commander Kevin Jutras, Naval Reserve Coordinator for RDV 2017.The Québec City rallying point is one stop along a transatlantic race of 7,000 nautical miles taking place over the course of five months in 2017. The race starts at the port of Royal Greenwich in Great Britain on April 13...

DND - RCAF ~Do you miss working with some of the greatest people and technology in the Canadian Armed Forces? Would you like to put your skills back to work for Canada and Canadians?If so, there may be a place for you in the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF).The RCAF has established the Air Force Intake and Liaison Team (AFI&LT) to work with the Canadian Forces Recruiting Group to actively attract and enroll former trained members of the Canadian Armed Forces.Working together, the two teams are focused on supporting RCAF occupations that face particular personnel shortages, and can benefit immediately from the return of individuals who have the skills and experience that the Air Force needs. The AFI&LT, which is based in Ottawa, works to identify and put into action initiatives that improve the re-enrollment of skilled former members into the RCAF. The team works closely with the Recruiting Group and the career managers to streamline and expedite the re-enrollment process. In addition, they can provide individual support and guidance to each re-enrollee’s file, which helps ensure the process moves forward as smoothly as possible.There are many advantages to re-enrolling fully qualified personnel.The RCAF recognizes the qualities of leadership, maturity and experience that former personnel bring with them. Evidence has shown that these personnel can have an immediate and positive effect on Canada’s aerospace capabilities – as well as on the health of stressed occupations. Returning members also contribute the fresh ideas and perspectives that they gain during the time they have spent outside of the military environment.And as an added bonus, those returning also help to demonstrate to both the public and to serving personnel that the Canadian military remains an employer of choice.-----If you are interested in receiving more information about this initiative, you can contact the AFI&LT through...

[caption id="attachment_15247" align="alignnone" width="450"] CPO2 Ken Simoneau of Naval Fleet School (Pacific) receives the CAF Old Timer’s National Hockey Championship Sportsmanship Award from Jessica Taillefer. Photos by CFB Borden Base Imaging[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~Despite just one game win at this year’s CAF Old Timers National Hockey Championships, the Pacific Region’s Comox Totems team still scooped a big award – the Sportsmanship Award for goaltender CPO2 Ken Simoneau of Naval Fleet School (Pacific).“It was certainly a surprise to receive this award,” said CPO2 Simoneau, who works as a Primary Leadership Qualification Instructor. “Nobody said anything to me about being named for this honour prior to the awards ceremony at the conclusion of the tournament; so I was really taken aback when my name was called.”He normally tends goal for the CFB Esquimalt’s Tritons, who won the regional battle against Comox but did not have enough players to send to Nationals. Four Esquimalt players suited up for Comox Totems to represent the Pacific Region, including MWO Paul MacQueen, 443 Helicopter Squadron; MS Brett Poulin; Base Information Services; and MCpl Derek Scott, Canadian Fleet Pacific.National tournament play took place Feb. 18 to 22 at CFB Borden.CPO2 Simoneau also won his team’s Most Valuable Player Award after capturing single-game MVP honours in two of his team’s four games.The Pacific Region managed to defeat the Atlantic Region’s representative 2-1 in a shootout, but dropped their other three games to Quebec (CFB Valcartier) 8-1, Ontario (CFB Trenton) 5-1 and the Prairie Region (CFB Edmonton) 1-0. “The end result was not exactly what we wanted, especially after coming so close to moving on to the semi-final round,” said CPO2 Simoneau. “It’s just so tough and competitive playing at the national level, and overall I think the team did well if you take into account we were...

PO2 Katrina Bligh, Naden Band ~For years the Naden Band of the Royal Canadian Navy has pursued partnerships and collaborations with many cultural institutions in Victoria, including the Victoria Symphony, Victoria Philharmonic Choir, Royal BC Museum, University of Victoria Faculty of Music, and the Royal and McPherson Society.The latest collaboration is with the Canadian College of Performing Arts for “All That Jazz”, a matinee and evening concert at 2 and 7:30 p.m. respectively at the Royal Theatre March 18.These concerts will feature Canadian College of Performing Arts students, who are some of the country’s top emerging artists. They will be acting, dancing and singing to music played live by the Naden Band.The Canadian College of Performing Arts has been owned and operated by The Canadian Heritage Arts Society, a non-profit society, for over 20 years. Their commitment to excellence has propelled many alumni to careers in the performing arts. Graduates have starred on Broadway, Canada’s Shaw, Stratford and Charlottetown Festivals, and major productions worldwide.“It is an honor and thrilling educational experience for our students to perform with the Naden Band,” says Darold Roles, Artistic and Education Director for the college. “We have some of the top raw talent in the country and they are ready to be fused with one of the finest concert bands in Canada. Not many students can boast about this electric experience on their resumes.”Tickets for both shows are $35 for the main floor and lower balcony, and $28 for the upper balcony.Vouchers, exclusively available for military members and their families, which give a savings of $7.50 per ticket, are available for purchase at the Canadian College of Performing Arts office from Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. These vouchers can then be brought to the Royal or McPherson Box Office and exchanged for a...

[gallery ids="eyJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3Lmxvb2tvdXRuZXdzcGFwZXIuY29tXC93cC1jb250ZW50XC91cGxvYWRzXC8yMDE3XC8wMlwvRXhwbzA0LTEuanBnIiwidGl0bGUiOiJFeHBvMDQiLCJjYXB0aW9uIjoiIiwiYWx0IjoiIiwiZGVzY3JpcHRpb24iOiIifQ==,eyJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3Lmxvb2tvdXRuZXdzcGFwZXIuY29tXC93cC1jb250ZW50XC91cGxvYWRzXC8yMDE3XC8wMlwvRXhwbzAzLTEuanBnIiwidGl0bGUiOiJFeHBvMDMiLCJjYXB0aW9uIjoiIiwiYWx0IjoiIiwiZGVzY3JpcHRpb24iOiIifQ==,eyJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3Lmxvb2tvdXRuZXdzcGFwZXIuY29tXC93cC1jb250ZW50XC91cGxvYWRzXC8yMDE3XC8wMlwvRXhwbzAyLTEuanBnIiwidGl0bGUiOiJFeHBvMDIiLCJjYXB0aW9uIjoiIiwiYWx0IjoiIiwiZGVzY3JpcHRpb24iOiIifQ==,eyJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3Lmxvb2tvdXRuZXdzcGFwZXIuY29tXC93cC1jb250ZW50XC91cGxvYWRzXC8yMDE3XC8wMlwvRXhwbzAxLTEuanBnIiwidGl0bGUiOiJFeHBvMDEiLCJjYXB0aW9uIjoiIiwiYWx0IjoiIiwiZGVzY3JpcHRpb24iOiIifQ==,eyJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3Lmxvb2tvdXRuZXdzcGFwZXIuY29tXC93cC1jb250ZW50XC91cGxvYWRzXC8yMDE3XC8wMlwvRXhwbzI2LmpwZyIsInRpdGxlIjoiRXhwbzI2IiwiY2FwdGlvbiI6IiIsImFsdCI6IiIsImRlc2NyaXB0aW9uIjoiIn0=,eyJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3Lmxvb2tvdXRuZXdzcGFwZXIuY29tXC93cC1jb250ZW50XC91cGxvYWRzXC8yMDE3XC8wMlwvRXhwbzI1LmpwZyIsInRpdGxlIjoiRXhwbzI1IiwiY2FwdGlvbiI6IiIsImFsdCI6IiIsImRlc2NyaXB0aW9uIjoiIn0=,eyJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3Lmxvb2tvdXRuZXdzcGFwZXIuY29tXC93cC1jb250ZW50XC91cGxvYWRzXC8yMDE3XC8wMlwvRXhwbzI0LmpwZyIsInRpdGxlIjoiRXhwbzI0IiwiY2FwdGlvbiI6IiIsImFsdCI6IiIsImRlc2NyaXB0aW9uIjoiIn0=,eyJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3Lmxvb2tvdXRuZXdzcGFwZXIuY29tXC93cC1jb250ZW50XC91cGxvYWRzXC8yMDE3XC8wMlwvRXhwbzIzLmpwZyIsInRpdGxlIjoiRXhwbzIzIiwiY2FwdGlvbiI6IiIsImFsdCI6IiIsImRlc2NyaXB0aW9uIjoiIn0=,eyJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3Lmxvb2tvdXRuZXdzcGFwZXIuY29tXC93cC1jb250ZW50XC91cGxvYWRzXC8yMDE3XC8wMlwvRXhwbzIwLmpwZyIsInRpdGxlIjoiRXhwbzIwIiwiY2FwdGlvbiI6IiIsImFsdCI6IiIsImRlc2NyaXB0aW9uIjoiIn0=,eyJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3Lmxvb2tvdXRuZXdzcGFwZXIuY29tXC93cC1jb250ZW50XC91cGxvYWRzXC8yMDE3XC8wMlwvRXhwbzE5LmpwZyIsInRpdGxlIjoiRXhwbzE5IiwiY2FwdGlvbiI6IiIsImFsdCI6IiIsImRlc2NyaXB0aW9uIjoiIn0=,eyJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3Lmxvb2tvdXRuZXdzcGFwZXIuY29tXC93cC1jb250ZW50XC91cGxvYWRzXC8yMDE3XC8wMlwvRXhwbzE4LmpwZyIsInRpdGxlIjoiRXhwbzE4IiwiY2FwdGlvbiI6IiIsImFsdCI6IiIsImRlc2NyaXB0aW9uIjoiIn0=,eyJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3Lmxvb2tvdXRuZXdzcGFwZXIuY29tXC93cC1jb250ZW50XC91cGxvYWRzXC8yMDE3XC8wMlwvRXhwbzE3LmpwZyIsInRpdGxlIjoiRXhwbzE3IiwiY2FwdGlvbiI6IiIsImFsdCI6IiIsImRlc2NyaXB0aW9uIjoiIn0=,eyJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3Lmxvb2tvdXRuZXdzcGFwZXIuY29tXC93cC1jb250ZW50XC91cGxvYWRzXC8yMDE3XC8wMlwvRXhwbzE2LmpwZyIsInRpdGxlIjoiRXhwbzE2IiwiY2FwdGlvbiI6IiIsImFsdCI6IiIsImRlc2NyaXB0aW9uIjoiIn0=,eyJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3Lmxvb2tvdXRuZXdzcGFwZXIuY29tXC93cC1jb250ZW50XC91cGxvYWRzXC8yMDE3XC8wMlwvRXhwbzE1LmpwZyIsInRpdGxlIjoiRXhwbzE1IiwiY2FwdGlvbiI6IiIsImFsdCI6IiIsImRlc2NyaXB0aW9uIjoiIn0=,eyJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3Lmxvb2tvdXRuZXdzcGFwZXIuY29tXC93cC1jb250ZW50XC91cGxvYWRzXC8yMDE3XC8wMlwvRXhwbzE0LmpwZyIsInRpdGxlIjoiRXhwbzE0IiwiY2FwdGlvbiI6IiIsImFsdCI6IiIsImRlc2NyaXB0aW9uIjoiIn0=,eyJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3Lmxvb2tvdXRuZXdzcGFwZXIuY29tXC93cC1jb250ZW50XC91cGxvYWRzXC8yMDE3XC8wMlwvRXhwbzEzLmpwZyIsInRpdGxlIjoiRXhwbzEzIiwiY2FwdGlvbiI6IiIsImFsdCI6IiIsImRlc2NyaXB0aW9uIjoiIn0=,eyJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3Lmxvb2tvdXRuZXdzcGFwZXIuY29tXC93cC1jb250ZW50XC91cGxvYWRzXC8yMDE3XC8wMlwvRXhwbzEyLmpwZyIsInRpdGxlIjoiRXhwbzEyIiwiY2FwdGlvbiI6IiIsImFsdCI6IiIsImRlc2NyaXB0aW9uIjoiIn0=,eyJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3Lmxvb2tvdXRuZXdzcGFwZXIuY29tXC93cC1jb250ZW50XC91cGxvYWRzXC8yMDE3XC8wMlwvRXhwbzA1LTEuanBnIiwidGl0bGUiOiJFeHBvMDUiLCJjYXB0aW9uIjoiIiwiYWx0IjoiIiwiZGVzY3JpcHRpb24iOiIifQ==,eyJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3Lmxvb2tvdXRuZXdzcGFwZXIuY29tXC93cC1jb250ZW50XC91cGxvYWRzXC8yMDE3XC8wMlwvRXhwbzExLmpwZyIsInRpdGxlIjoiRXhwbzExIiwiY2FwdGlvbiI6IiIsImFsdCI6IiIsImRlc2NyaXB0aW9uIjoiIn0=,eyJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3Lmxvb2tvdXRuZXdzcGFwZXIuY29tXC93cC1jb250ZW50XC91cGxvYWRzXC8yMDE3XC8wMlwvRXhwbzEwLmpwZyIsInRpdGxlIjoiRXhwbzEwIiwiY2FwdGlvbiI6IiIsImFsdCI6IiIsImRlc2NyaXB0aW9uIjoiIn0=,eyJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3Lmxvb2tvdXRuZXdzcGFwZXIuY29tXC93cC1jb250ZW50XC91cGxvYWRzXC8yMDE3XC8wMlwvRXhwbzA5LmpwZyIsInRpdGxlIjoiRXhwbzA5IiwiY2FwdGlvbiI6IiIsImFsdCI6IiIsImRlc2NyaXB0aW9uIjoiIn0=,eyJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3Lmxvb2tvdXRuZXdzcGFwZXIuY29tXC93cC1jb250ZW50XC91cGxvYWRzXC8yMDE3XC8wMlwvRXhwbzA4LmpwZyIsInRpdGxlIjoiRXhwbzA4IiwiY2FwdGlvbiI6IiIsImFsdCI6IiIsImRlc2NyaXB0aW9uIjoiIn0=,eyJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3Lmxvb2tvdXRuZXdzcGFwZXIuY29tXC93cC1jb250ZW50XC91cGxvYWRzXC8yMDE3XC8wMlwvRXhwbzA3LTEuanBnIiwidGl0bGUiOiJFeHBvMDciLCJjYXB0aW9uIjoiIiwiYWx0IjoiIiwiZGVzY3JpcHRpb24iOiIifQ==,eyJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3Lmxvb2tvdXRuZXdzcGFwZXIuY29tXC93cC1jb250ZW50XC91cGxvYWRzXC8yMDE3XC8wMlwvRXhwbzI4LmpwZyIsInRpdGxlIjoiRXhwbzI4IiwiY2FwdGlvbiI6IiIsImFsdCI6IiIsImRlc2NyaXB0aW9uIjoiIn0=,eyJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3Lmxvb2tvdXRuZXdzcGFwZXIuY29tXC93cC1jb250ZW50XC91cGxvYWRzXC8yMDE3XC8wMlwvRXhwbzIyLmpwZyIsInRpdGxlIjoiRXhwbzIyIiwiY2FwdGlvbiI6IiIsImFsdCI6IiIsImRlc2NyaXB0aW9uIjoiIn0=,eyJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3Lmxvb2tvdXRuZXdzcGFwZXIuY29tXC93cC1jb250ZW50XC91cGxvYWRzXC8yMDE3XC8wMlwvRXhwbzI3LmpwZyIsInRpdGxlIjoiRXhwbzI3IiwiY2FwdGlvbiI6IiIsImFsdCI6IiIsImRlc2NyaXB0aW9uIjoiIn0=,eyJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3Lmxvb2tvdXRuZXdzcGFwZXIuY29tXC93cC1jb250ZW50XC91cGxvYWRzXC8yMDE3XC8wMlwvRXhwbzA2LTEuanBnIiwidGl0bGUiOiJFeHBvMDYiLCJjYXB0aW9uIjoiIiwiYWx0IjoiIiwiZGVzY3JpcHRpb24iOiIifQ=="]

[caption id="attachment_15241" align="alignnone" width="450"] Romanian Naval Ship Ferdinand sails in-between HMCS St. John’s and the Spanish frigate Juan de Borbon in preparation for replenishment at sea approaches during their transit on the Black Sea Feb. 8, during Operation Reassurance. Photo by LS Ogle Henry, Formation Imaging Services[/caption] Lt(N) Emily Anglin, HMCS St. John’s ~The Port of Istanbul is always busy. Dozens of ferries sail across the harbour in all directions, moving locals and tourists alike between terminals along the ancient Bosporus, which connects the Sea of Marmara to the Black Sea.This trip gives the passengers a breathtaking view of the historic city.On Jan. 31, they also had the opportunity to see HMCS St. John’s transiting with Spanish frigate Almirante Juan de Borbon into the Black Sea, where the Canadian warship would conduct a three-week deployment.While there, St. John’s conducted Exercise Sea Shield during its deployment on Operation Reassurance. The frigate, which was recently upgraded, integrated seamlessly into a task group of Turkish, Bulgarian, Romanian, American and Spanish ships, aircraft and submarines. The exercise had serials that worked every department on board St. John’s: manoeuvres, replenishment at sea approaches, combined anti-submarine and air defence exercises, maritime interdiction and vessel boarding, search and rescue of a stricken submarine, and communications via radio, flashing lights and flags.The work of the embarked sailors, soldiers and aircrew did not go unnoticed.“I am exceptionally proud of the officers and crew of this ship,” said Commander Sheldon Gillis, Commanding Officer of HMCS St. John’s. “After steaming 4,500 nautical miles to the Black Sea and seamlessly integrating with units of Standing NATO Maritime Group 2, we proved to ourselves and to our allies that we are a first class navy, ready to demonstrate Canada’s commitment to our collective defence obligations.”While in the region, St. John’s visited Istanbul, Turkey;...

[caption id="attachment_15237" align="alignnone" width="450"] HMCS Saskatoon leaves Esquimalt Harbour, passing Fisgard Lighthouse for Operation Caribbe, Canada’s contribution to combat the international drug trade. Photo by SLt Melissa Kia, MARPAC Public Affairs[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~HMCS Saskatoon deployed Feb. 20, beginning its latest contribution to Operation Caribbe, Canada’s decade-long contribution to the multinational campaign against illicit trafficking by transnational organized crime in the Caribbean sea and the eastern Pacific Ocean.The Kingston-Class Maritime Coastal Defence Vessel and its crew are fulfilling Canada’s commitment to Operation Martillo – the United-States led multinational effort among Western Hemisphere and European nations aimed at drug interdiction and counter smuggling operations in the area.“By preventing the flow of illicit drugs and denying unlawful access to the sea, our sailors are effectively interrupting a major funding source for organized crime,” said Lieutenant-Commander Todd Bacon, Commanding Officer HMCS Saskatoon. “Our mission success during these operations is a result of the continued support our sailors receive from their family, friends and colleagues back home.” It is usually better to look for a rehab near me in case we know a drug abuse case.It’s the second time in 12 months Saskatoon has participated in Operation Caribbe. On March 19, 2016, Saskatoon assisted members of the United States Coast Guard in the seizure of 10 bales of cocaine weighing approximately 360 kilograms. The drugs had been dumped in the water by a fishing boat before it fled the scene.  That bust was part of the Royal Canadian Navy’s contribution to the seizure and disruption of 5,570 kg of cocaine and 1,520 kg of marijuana in 2016, and 66 metric tonnes of cocaine and four metric tonnes of marijuana over the past 10 years.Canadian warships deployed on Operation Caribbe, along with CP-140 Aurora aircraft from the Royal Canadian Air Force, act in a support...

[caption id="attachment_15199" align="alignnone" width="450"] Left to right: CPO2 Mike Savich of the Naden Band practices his Sousaphone at the band headquarters. CPO2 Savich will retire later this month, ending a musical military career that spanned over 41 years. PO2 Michael Savich met a military tuba player from the Soviet Union during Festival International de Musique Militaire in Saumur, France, in 1987.[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~After 41 years hitting all the right notes, the Naden Band musician Petty Officer Second Class Michael Savich will pack up his tuba at the end of the month and call it a career.The band’s longest serving Canadian Armed Forces member, who has also played bassoon, euphonium, bass guitar and Sousaphone in a career spanning four decades, says he really doesn’t want to go. But on Feb. 28, he turns 60, the mandatory retirement age for military personnel.“It will be very difficult for me to leave the band because I have had such a tremendous career. After four decades of playing music for ‘Team Canada’ I don’t think any other career path could have made me happier,” said PO2 Savich.His current and former bandmates will also be sorry to see him go.“Mike has committed his life to the preservation and promotion of the Music Branch, and is also the greatest archivist the branch has ever seen,” said former Naden Band Commanding Officer, Capt Matthew Clark. “I always relied on him to instill a sense of calm, and his natural ability to express proper concern to the chain of command is one of legend. Simply put, when he spoke I listened.”PO2 Savich says his career allowed him to make a living at the thing he loves most – playing music and travelling Canada and the world.Career highlights include playing at Vimy Ridge six times, an outdoor mass at the Vatican for Pope John Paul II, the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics and Paralympics, the Calgary Stampede, and multiple appearances at the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo music festival...

[caption id="attachment_15194" align="alignnone" width="425"] Wearing their uniforms, participants in this year's Wounded Warrior Run B.C. gather at Jim Pattison Subaru in Colwood to kick-off the fundraising campaign. Photo by John W. Penner, John's Photography[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~With each stride they take, the participants in this year’s Wounded Warrior Run B.C. know they are changing the attitudes surrounding mental illness and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).On Feb. 20, a team of seven military and civilian athletes will begin their seven-day, 700 kilometre relay run covering the length of Vancouver Island. The relay run is now its fourth year and co-founder Petty Officer Second Class Allan Kobayashi believes the non-profit charity, which has raised a total of $100,000 for Wounded Warriors Canada since its start, is helping change the perceptions about mental illness and PTSD.“When I started running four years ago, I introduced myself to people and said ‘I’m Allan and I have PTSD’, many people would look puzzled and really wouldn’t know what I was talking about,” says PO2 Kobayashi. “Now people have empathy and compassion, and want to help or find out more for their own educational purposes.”Runners will set off from Port Hardy, located on Vancouver Island’s northern tip, and pound the pavement along the Trans-Canada Highway, regardless of rain, snow, wind or shine. If all goes according to plan they will cross the finish line Feb. 26 at 3 p.m. at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 91 in Langford.PO2 Kobayashi, previously a member of the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, was deployed to Kosovo in 1999 and Kabul in 2003. He was diagnosed with PTSD following those deployments. PO2 Kobayashi now works as an analyst for the Naval Training Development Centre and will be the only runner on the team this year to be diagnosed with PTSD.Like many...

[caption id="attachment_15191" align="alignnone" width="425"] Formation Chief CPO1 Gilles Gregoire (centre) is set to drop the puck in the ceremonial opening faceoff of the first annual Weapons Engineering Trade Hockey Challenge at Wurtele Arena, Feb. 10. The game brought members of the trade together on the ice for an afternoon of esprit de corps. Photo by CPO2 Maxime Michel[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~Team White defeated Team Black in the Weapons Engineering Technicians Hockey Challenge game Feb. 10, but the game’s organizer says the final score was of little importance.Even though Master Seaman Aaron Butler played on the winning team and organized the first annual game, the HMCS Ottawa Weapons Tech says his team’s 4-3 victory wasn’t the real triumph. Instead, he says, it was the esprit de corps and the strengthening of trade solidarity that was the true cause for celebration.“Playing a popular sport like hockey is a great way to get everyone from various units together for a good time,” he says. “And judging by the reactions and expressions of the players on the ice we accomplished our mission.”Interest in the game gradually snowballed when it was announced in late January, leading to enough players to create two randomly selected teams, along with a “boisterous crowd” of approximately 40 co-workers and friends in the stands.The Formation Chief, CPO1 Gilles Grégoire, attended the game and participated in the ceremonial opening puck drop.CPO1 Grégoire was there in an official capacity, but also has a personal connection to both the game and the trade. CPO1 Grégoire enrolled in the Canadian Armed Forces as a Naval Weapons Technician in 1986, and worked as a Naval Weapons Technician and later as the Canadian Forces Naval Engineering School’s Naval Weapons Training Chief.“I was delighted to be able to attend the event; not only is it an...

[caption id="attachment_15188" align="alignnone" width="425"] U.S. Army diver First Lieutenant Josh Voorhees prepares for a search and recovery procedure during Exercise Roguish Buoy 2017 at the Albert Head Training Centre.[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~Military divers from seven NATO countries have converged in the waters off Albert Head for Exercise Roguish Buoy 2017 as part of a month-long collaborative effort to share knowledge and skills.Approximately 100 army divers from Canada, the United States, Belgium, the Netherlands, France and Germany are making the residences of Albert Head Cadet Training Centre their temporary homes during the month of February, and a small coastal inlet on Vancouver Island’s southern shore their classroom.The exercise is run by the Army Dive Centre at the Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering (CFSME) in Gagetown, N.B. The exercise began in 1979 and rotates to a different location each year.“Exercise Roguish Buoy is a great benefit for all the divers involved because it provides a unique opportunity for cross-pollination of experience, knowledge and training from Canada’s NATO allies,” said Capt Harry Morrison, Exercise Roguish Buoy 2017 Coordinator. “It’s also an excellent way for Canadian army divers to learn from the methodology of others, and find out how they approach certain common tasks.”From a domestic perspective, Capt Morrison said Roguish Buoy is providing Canadian Forces combat engineers from CFB Gagetown, Valcartier, and Edmonton an unparalleled training experience.Divers have been broken into four Canadian-led teams with this year’s training focusing on underwater construction, demolition, and debris clearance, along with search and recovery.Capt Morrison says each component of the exercise has practical applications for future military deployments down the road. He cited international humanitarian efforts such as an earthquake or a hurricane as a real-life application of tasks carried out during the exercise.“We are learning how to work together in various aspects of...

[caption id="attachment_15185" align="alignnone" width="425"] Photo by Cpl Stuart MacNeil, MARPAC Imaging Services[/caption]A ceremonial Guard of Honour comprised of 100 members from Maritime Forces Pacific (MARPAC) were on parade during the opening of the 6th Session of the 40th Parliament of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Wednesday Feb. 14.Also participating was the Naden Band of the Royal Canadian Navy and an artillery saluting battery from 5th B.C. Field Regiment Royal Canadian Artillery.The ceremony began with a 15-gun Vice-Regal Salute when Her Honour, Lieutenant Governor Judith Guichon, arrived to meet Premier Christy Clark on the steps of the Legislature Building at 1:40 p.m.The following personnel were in leading parade positions: Guard CommanderLieutenant-Commander Mike ErwinRight Guard Platoon OfficerLieutenant (N) David FillionLeft Guard Platoon Officer Captain Joshua WeissbockColour Guard ChiefChief Petty Officer 2nd Class Eric PohoneyNaden Band Director of MusicSub-Lieutenant Vincent RoyTroop Sergeant Major Warrant Officer Lisa KachanoskiArtillery Troop CommanderLieutenant Krysta Spielmacher Artillery Salute Alpha Gun Detachment Commander Master Corporal Christopher YuillArtillery Salute Bravo GunDetachment Commander Sergeant Bill Colesweb

[caption id="attachment_15181" align="alignnone" width="425"] Maritime Forces Pacific leadership and DND civilian employees in D100 show their support for anti-bullying by donning the symbolic pink shirt.[/caption]The last Wednesday of February is known as Anti-Bullying or Pink Shirt day in Canada.The original event was organized at a Nova Scotia high school following the bullying of a student who wore a pink shirt during the first day of school. Wearing pink on this day symbolizes a stand against bullying.On Wednesday, Feb. 22, Maritime Forces Pacific (MARPAC) will participate in this community recognition of anti-bullying day by encouraging military and civilian personnel to wear pink clothing items. Military members may wear pink over their uniform while on base. Special anti-bullying pink t-shirts can be purchased at London Drugs for $9.80, plus tax. Proceeds fund local anti-bullying programs in the community.The monthly Fleet Run has been moved from its usual time slot of Thursday to Wednesday Feb. 22.MARPAC leadership is encouraging all those running to wear pink during the Fleet Run.

[caption id="attachment_15178" align="alignnone" width="425"] Rear-Admiral Art McDonald, Commander Maritime Forces Pacific (MARPAC), presents a $385,000 cheque to Eileen Dooley of HealthPartners Canada and United Way of Greater Victoria CEO, Patricia Jelinski at the MARPAC Health and Wellness Expo at the Naden Athletic Centre, Feb. 16.[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~Over 120 business and community organizations converged on the Naden Athletic Centre Feb. 16 for the 2017 MARPAC Health and Wellness Expo.The annual expo attracts approximately 1,000 military and DND civilian employees.This year’s event saw representation from local non- profits and businesses representing health and wellness, recreation, sports, fitness, and outdoors activities, as well as area schools and base clubs. The expo is hosted by the Lookout Newspaper and the Maritime Forces Pacific (MARPAC) Health and Wellness Strategy Team. Complimentary meals were given to the first 500 visitors for Deadbeetz and Rolling Reef food trucks.Maryse Neilson, Manager of Health Promotion, says the expo is an important opportunity for the MARPAC community to gain exposure to health and wellness programs and businesses.“Events such as the expo fit into the health promotion approach and address the pillar of health education and individual and group behavioural change,” said Neilson. “Not only does the expo bring awareness to people of the resources available to them, but the event itself communicates a strong message that MARPAC believes in creating a supportive and healthy community.”The Expo was also the venue for the National Defence Workplace Charitable Campaign conclusion of its annual fundraising campaign. This year’s campaign began in September and wrapped up on Jan. 31, 2017. Through a variety of fundraising events and other initiatives this year’s campaign raised a total of $385,000 for the United Way of Greater Victoria, Canadian HealthPartners and numerous registered charities.During the noon hour, Rear-Admiral Art McDonald made an official cheque presentation to Eileen...

Darlene Blakeley, Editor Crowsnest Magazine ~The Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) has adopted a redesigned command badge that better reflects both the current RCN makeup and its traditional identity.The original badge was adopted in 1968 with the stand-up of Maritime Command after unification. It has been out of date since 2011 when the historic names of the Canadian Armed Forces’ (CAF) three services – the RCN, the Canadian Army (CA) and the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) – were restored.“Like the return to our historic name, the redesigned command badge recognizes our heritage and many years of proud RCN service,” says Dr. Rich Gimblett, the RCN’s Command Historian. “It takes its core inspiration from the pre-unification command badge.”The redesigned command badge incorporates the following modifications:The background light “air force” blue has been replaced with dark navy blue, which matches the pre-unification badge and better reflects the RCN’s traditional blue;The central device (anchor) has been flattened to reflect the device found on the pre-unification badge and for consistency with the anchor found on the CAF badge. Also, the eagle has been removed to better reflect the RCN’s current makeup; andThe motto, “Ready Aye Ready”, already translated for common use in French as “Toujours là, toujours prêts”, has been translated to the Latin “Parati Vero Parati” for consistency with the army and air force badges. The English and French translations will be used below the badge where appropriate.For uniformity within the CAF, the redesigned command badge retains the standard CAF command badge style with a central circular rope surround and maple leaves clustered at the bottom.And while the RCAF design element of the eagle has been removed from the new RCN command badge, Dr. Gimblett says it will continue to be a central part of the Canadian Naval Ensign (flag) flown aboard warships.“The...

[caption id="attachment_15058" align="alignnone" width="450"] LS Gray (left) and LS Yance (right) show off naval boarding party equipment to visitors in the hangar.[/caption]LS Brendan Gibson, HMCS Winnipeg ~HMCS Winnipeg’s ship’s company entertained family members during a day sail to Constance Bank on Friday, Feb. 3.Friends and relatives arrived at 9 a.m. and received a safety brief while the crew prepared for the departure. Guests particularly enjoyed observing preparations from the bridge.Winnipeg began the sail with maneuvering demonstrations that emphasized the impressive turning rate of a Halifax Class Frigate, and its ability to hastily reach high speeds and to stop within a ship’s length. Younger guests even had the chance to be helmsmen, under supervision, with five-year-old Sean Flynn saying, “It was fun driving the boat.”Guests also observed a man overboard drill. Colin Earl threw the initial smoke marker that indicated the position of the mannequin used for training purposes.“It was cool to throw a smoke marker, and it was awesome to see it light up in the water,” said the youngster.Although this is a well-practiced drill onboard Royal Canadian Navy ships, guests were thrilled to see the ship’s company work toward a common goal – recovering the person.Captain Chris McDonald, Captain Madeleine Dah, and Heidi Dahl were impressed with the coordination of drills and enjoyed the tour of the Operations Room, saying it looked like the bridge from Star Trek. They similarly enjoyed the ship listing during the sharp turning maneuvers.Ernie and Sheryl Semeniuk said they enjoyed seeing the streamlined approach to the man overboard drill, and expressed particular interest in the attentiveness of the boat’s crew, whose attention to detail and organization ensured a seamless evolution.Day sails such as the one conducted by Winnipeg provide guests with a better understanding of life at sea and the comradery of a ship’s...

[caption id="attachment_15055" align="alignnone" width="450"] University of Victoria engineering students Alex McKay (left) and Nicholas Saar developed pre-fire plans for CFB Esquimalt Fire Rescue. During their four- month work study project they developed PDF maps of high traffic buildings at the base in an effort to help first responders quickly identfy the features in the buidlings they are entering.[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~Two engineering students from the University of Victoria are being hailed for their co-op placement project of designing new pre-fire plans for CFB Esquimalt Fire Rescue.During a four-month work study term, which started September 2016 and ended December 2016, Alex McKay and Nicholas Saar mapped in detail 146 of the base’s approximately 800 buildings.Their digital maps outline stairwells, fire exits, fire extinguishers, hazardous materials, locations of sprinklers and alarms, electrical systems, and a complete list of equipment and supplies that could pose a threat to emergency crews.“Their project will be very helpful to the battalion chief and the entire unit,” said Geordie Douglas, Deputy Chief, CFB Esquimalt Fire Rescue. “When our crews arrive at the scene of an emergency at a structure on base the maps will show our crews the potential hazards on the site and give them an understanding of the layout of the building.”For their efforts the two students, both entering their third year of a five-year program, were each presented a commemorative coin from Capt(N) Steve Waddell, Base Commander. Douglas says their awards were well deserved noting they helped to solve huge gaps in both detail and accessibility of existing pre-fire plans.The maps have been downloaded to computers located inside the fire department’s vehicles.“There was a big emphasis on making the maps of the buildings clear and easy to understand for firefighters working in a stressful situation,” said McKay. “We didn’t want to overload them with...

[caption id="attachment_15052" align="alignnone" width="450"] Major Mike Gibbons (right), Senior Fleet Chaplain, says a prayer as he conducts a burial at sea ceremony prior to the ashes being committed to the sea. Photos by MCpl Brent Kenny, MARPAC Imaging Services[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~Forty chaplains from across the nation gathered at CFB Esquimalt Jan. 23 to 27 for Mariner Spirit 2017, an annual training and fellowship exercise that rotates between Esquimalt and Halifax each year.Padres from Maritime Forces Pacific (MARPAC), Maritime Forces Atlantic (MARLANT) and Naval Reserve divisions, along with three members of the Interfaith Committee on Canadian Military Chaplaincy (ICCMC) and senior levels of the Royal Canadian Chaplain Services (RCChS) spent two-and-a-half days in discussions and presentations, and one morning sailing aboard HMCS Vancouver.The theme for this year’s event was RCN Chaplaincy in the Developing Environment.  After opening addresses by ICCMC chair Rev. Doctor J. Morris and Rear-Admiral Art McDonald, Commander Maritime Forces Pacific/ Joint Task Force Pacific, the first day of the conference saw presentations on strategic priorities including the RCChS’s  Spiritual Health Strategy and Operation Honour.“Mariner Spirit was developed by examining the RCN chaplaincy in the context of strategic, operational and tactical components, and sharing best practices pertaining to chaplain operations,” said LCol Andre Gauthier, Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) Command Chaplain, in his welcome message to participants.On the morning of Jan. 25 delegates were welcomed aboard Vancouver by the ship’s commanding officer, Cdr Clive Butler. During the sail they reviewed policy and procedures for worship and ministry in confined spaces on navy ships and the proper protocol for committal of ashes at sea.“We have requests for committal of ashes at sea quite frequently,” said Maj David Donevan, Formation Chaplain. “This is a very important part of our training and work when we are at sea it is up...

SLt Melissa Kia, MARPAC PAO ~Overlooking a sea of military and civilians employees gathered in the Pacific Fleet Club Feb. 7, Vice-Admiral Ron Lloyd discussed his vision of mission first, people always, and fielded questions from the audience.The Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN), and Acting Vice-Chief of Defence Staff, was at CFB Esquimalt to attend the Admiral’s Council.His town hall at the Junior Rank’s mess was an opportunity to hear directly from West Coast sailors relating to his vision of the RCN. Questions ran the gamut from the X Ship program with HMCS Montreal, to Operation Honour, the Arctic Offshore Patrol Ships (AOPS), and the Naval Reserves.In his closing remarks the Admiral thanked his sailors and their families for their extraordinary work reminding them, “People First, Mission Always.”

[caption id="attachment_15045" align="alignnone" width="450"] During a rare winter storm in Victoria, Canadian dive supervisors conducted an equipment familiarization dive with allied divers during Exercise Roguish Buoy 2017, the Canadian Army’s annual combat diving training event. Photo courtesy Capt. H.J. Morrison, OIC Army Diving, CFSME[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~Military divers from Canada and around the world have converged in the waters off Albert Head for Exercise Roguish Buoy 2017.Approximately 100 divers from Canada’s military, along with personnel from international NATO partners, are taking part in the military exercise at Albert Head Training Centre, which began Feb. 7 and concludes on Feb. 26.The exercise is being hosted by the Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering, a school of the Combat and Training Centre located in Gagetown, N.B. Divers are testing and improving their skills in underwater construction and infrastructure repair, underwater debris clearance, the repair of floating military equipment, and underwater search and recovery. The operation will go a long way in improving diver readiness to respond to any situation, says Colonel Craig Aitchison, Commanding Officer of the Combat Training Centre.“As soldiers we must remain flexible, always prepared to deploy when our government calls upon us, whether at home or here in Canada or somewhere else in the world,” said Col Aitchison. “Events like Exercise Roguish Buoy help ensure the soldiers we send on underwater operations can meet their objective and exceed all expectations.”Col Aitchison says the exercise will help refine and confirm diving doctrine, tactics, techniques and procedures to achieve assigned battle-task standards, standardize diving operations with the Canadian Army, and ensure that Canadian combat divers are capable of both “functioning and integrating” with other NATO combat divers.NATO countries participating in the event include the United States, Great Britain, Netherlands, Belgium, France and Germany.

[caption id="attachment_15042" align="alignnone" width="450"] Graham Smith and Kevin Linka of Davey Tree Canada finish relocating the bald eagle nest on Signal Hill. Photo by Cpl Andre Maillet, MARPAC Imaging Services[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~An eagle nest perched in the upper branches of a tree high atop Signal Hill has been successfully relocated.The nest was moved in order to ensure that construction of the antenna on Signal Hill could continue this winter, and to remove the eagles out of the sightline of the antenna system. After building a platform, their nest was relocated to a similar tree approximately 150 metres to the southeast of the original nest, which is well outside the southwesterly transmission path of the antennas.Time will tell if the nesting pair will take up residence at the new location.The Feb. 3 move was carried out by contractors employed by Defence Construction Canada’s (DCC) and overseen by the Formation Safety and Environment (FSE) section.“Both the FSE and DCC staff will be observing the relocated nest to determine if it is used in future years, but at this point it is too early to tell,” said Tracy Cornforth, FSE. “It is common for a nesting pair to have more than one nest, and it appears this year the pair may be rebuilding a nest in dockyard.”The bald eagles built the nest on Signal Hill a 34-metre high Grand Fir tree that overlooks the Wardroom. The mating pair reared three eaglets at that location last year. Cornforth says the eagles appear to switch locations between the Signal Hill nest and a nest situated near the tennis courts on Commodore Road in dockyard.Stantec, an engineering and consulting firm, was hired by DCC to study the site and suggest possible alternative homes for the eagles. In their Dec. 8, 2016, report to DCC...