News

The lives of two Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) airmen were remembered Aug. 28 in a solemn and moving ceremony near the place where they were killed over 50 years ago.Lieutenants Norman J. Ogden and Donald S. Clark died when their RCN T-33 jet trainer crashed near the peak of Mount Strachan in Cyprus Provincial Park Nov. 23, 1963. This tragedy happened the day after President John F. Kennedy was assassinated.The assassination was covered for days by media around the world, and somewhat lessened the impact of the Canadian naval aviator’s deaths, who were killed in their service to Canada.Their loss was all but forgotten until some 50 years later, when a memorial project was started by the Air Force Association of Canada, and the Battle of Britain Memorial Fund, to properly pay homage to them.It was supported by retired RCN aviators across Canada, and this culminated in a ceremony this memorial plaque unveiling Thursday, Aug. 28 near the crash site, which is known as Cyprus Mountain, a ski area north of Vancouver, B.C.Commander (Ret’d) Al Horner, of Victoria, was a fellow naval aviator with VU-33, the RCN Squadron based at Pat Bay where 443 MH Squadron  is now located. Cdr Horner was also a close friend of the two dead RCN pilots, and he played a major role initially in the search, and then sadly, their burial.“On Nov. 23, Ian Powick and I were tasked to take two HUPs [RCN helicopters] to Vancouver to assist in the search for the missing aircraft,” said Cdr Horner in his remarks at the ceremony. “The weather was typical for November, low cloud, not much visibility, and very short days in terms of daylight.”He then explained that the first two days were hampered by low ceilings and their searches were limited and not successful....

Last Thursday, the Esquimalt community gathered at Memorial Park to witness two historical artifacts be reborn.Two artillery guns, captured by Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) personnel during the First World War, were unveiled after being refurbished, repainted, and repaired to a nearly new condition.“The 100th anniversary of World War One gives us all a chance to reflect on our country’s military history,” said Mayor Barb Desjardins to the assembled crowd of military members, politicians, veterans, and civilians at the unveiling. “We are here to preserve that history, and remember the sacrifices made. It is our duty to maintain these guns as a symbol of that sacrifice.”Base Commander, Capt(N) Steve Waddell was on hand to represent the CAF.“The losses suffered by Canada during its time spent in the Great War were overwhelming,” he said. “The refurbished trophy gun monuments were taken during conflict as a sign of victory, but we are not here today to imply that war itself is a victorious endeavour. War for any side, in any struggle, brings only suffering, pain and loss.”The guns, a permanent fixture of Memorial Park since 1920, are two of only three such artifacts in the province; the other resides in Kelowna. The project to refurbish them was spearheaded by Esquimalt Public Works employee Mike Reed, who began the project in the fall of 2012.“We were thinking about what we could do for the centenary, and the subject of the guns came up,” says Reed. “They’d been falling further and further into disrepair, and it seemed like the right thing to do to preserve the history of the Township.”Both guns were captured in two separate engagements. One of the guns, an anti-tank weapon, was captured from the Bavarian Army by the 2nd Canadian Mounted Rifles at Vimy Ridge in 1917. The other,  a Krupp...

Next spring, a group of children from Victoria hope to honour the past with the power of song.The Victoria Children’s Choir is hoping to go to Holland for a two week choral tour honouring the country’s historic bond with Canada, but only if they can raise enough funds to cover travel expenses.While the trip is still months away, Boudewyn van Oort, Board President of the West Coast Children’s Choral Society, of which the Victoria Children’s Choir is a part of, says fundraising must begin early due to the high costs involved. Based on airfare, accommodations, food, and other expenses, he estimates the cost of each child, staff member, and chaperone at roughly $4,000.While it would be difficult to cover the entire cost of the trip through fundraising for about 35 singers in both group’s junior and senior choir, van Oort says the goal is to help ease the cost for the families.“It’s a lot of money, but trips like this are always worth the experience for the kids,” he says. “Obviously it’s much too much for the families to raise by themselves, but we’ve been doing all we can with bottle-drives and chocolate sales.”The plan is to have the children perform during the nation’s “Liberation Day” celebrations in May 2015 in Amsterdam.“When Canada led the liberation efforts in Holland, it created a bond between the two countries that is still very much honoured today. We wanted to do something ourselves to pay our respects to that bond,” says van Oort. “We’ve made such trips before, like our trip to Austria in 2011, and we thought this would be perfect opportunity to teach the children about the world and show the Dutch people their talent.”The group received an invitation to take part in a formal Remembrance Ceremony at the Canadian War...

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="544"] Children can take part in activities[/caption] With the back-to-school date drawing ever closer, and the end of the teachers’ strike no where in sight, Personnel Support Programs (PSP) is hoping to lend parents a helping hand. Beginning Sept. 2, the Recreation Department will offer weekly camps for children out of school. Based out of the Youth Activity Centre (YAC) in Belmont Park, kids can take part in games, crafts, nature walks, and other activities to keep their minds and social skills sharp during the teachers’ strike. “When we realized that school most likely wouldn’t be in session by the start of September we wanted to put something together to give families a helping hand,” says Megan McDougall, PSP Recreation Coordinator. “We’ve got a lot of great people working with these camps, so we wanted to use our expertise to take some stress off these working parents.” Camps are modelled after their summer camps. The first week, beginning Sept. 2, costs $100, with each subsequent five-day week costing $125. Camps will run until school begins. “We really do offer some of the most thorough and affordable childcare in the city,” says McDougall. “Hopefully this will be a good option for the military community, and we can help some families out along the way.” Shawn O'Hara Staff Writer

[caption id="attachment_7552" align="alignnone" width="536"] Soldiers from the British Columbia Dragoons conduct a water crossing during Exercise KOOTENAY COUGAR 2014 in Trail, BC on August 24, 2014.[/caption] Over 400 Canadian Armed Forces members descended on the city of Trail, British Columbia, in late August for Exercise Kootenay Cougar 2014. It was an intensive four-day exercise that had the primary training audience exposed to a wide scope of scenarios involving resources and expertise from 408 Tactical Helicopter Squadron, 1 Field Ambulance, and HMCS Discovery. “The mantra of this year’s exercise is train to excite,” explained Lieutenant-Colonel Nigel Whittaker, Director for Exercise Kootenay Cougar 2014. “We’ve designed eight different stands that provide a real variety of challenges to our troops and junior leaders; however, each challenge tests the core soldiering skills of shooting, moving, and communicating.” Two Royal Canadian Navy members from HMCS Discovery, a Naval Reserve unit in Vancouver, operated the safety boat for one of the eight stands. In the stand’s scenario, the platoon was advised of an enemy’s position some distance down a reservoir. The platoon had to row a dingy approximately 2,000 meters, meet with an informant to gain further intelligence on the exact location of the enemy, disembark and complete a reconnaissance, and ultimately destroy the enemy position. A father and daughter team, Lt(N) Desmond Doyle and OS Caroline Doyle ensured the portion of the scenario that took place on the water went smoothly. “The troops are expected to get themselves back in the boat should they fall out, but we’re there as a sort of insurance policy,” explains Lt(N) Doyle. “It’s a great opportunity to help out the Army and bring some of the expertise and skills I’ve developed as a sailor.” Many of the stands required an opposing force, ‘OPFOR’, to make the scenarios realistic. In...

[caption id="attachment_7543" align="alignnone" width="517"] Senior Naval Reserve leadership attend an interactive workshop during the Naval Reserve Division Command Teams Training Seminar[/caption] Senior leadership of the Royal Canadian Naval Reserve from across the country met in Quebec City from Aug. 14-17, to discuss where the Formation had been, where it currently stands, and where it is going. The theme of this year’s command team conference was “Naval Reserve Integration”, an important principle of the Royal Canadian Navy as it continues forward with the “One Navy” reorganization concept.  The conference was chaired by Commodore David Craig, Commander of the Naval Reserve, and attended by representatives from the Canadian Naval Training System, personnel from Ottawa, and the Commanding Officer and Coxswain from each of Canada’s 24 Naval Reserve Divisions – or “stone frigates.” Over the course of the three days, attendees participated in informational presentations and interactive workshops on Naval Reserve organization and training. These served to equip senior Naval Reserve leadership with the information and tools to tackle the challenges they may face as the Royal Canadian Navy integrates all force generation processes. Among those in attendance was RAdm Bill Truelove, Commander Maritime Forces Pacific (MARPAC), who has taken on increased responsibility as the Naval Reserve becomes amalgamated with MARPAC. “This conference marks an important milestone for the Naval Reserve as we continue to transform it into an institution of excellence for the 21st century. With the centennial behind us and future procurement projects on the horizon, we must now lay the foundation to ensure the Naval Reserve plays an integral role of augmenting our maritime forces in the future of our navy,” said RAdm Truelove. With the release of the 2013-2017 Executive Plan by VAdm Mark Norman, Commander of the RCN, the Naval Reserve is accelerating the transition of becoming increasingly...

[caption id="attachment_7412" align="alignnone" width="200"] Novelist Brenda Corey Dunne with her latest book, "Dependent".[/caption] For novelist and military spouse Brenda Corey Dunne, her work isn’t just a book on a shelf, it’s a piece of her. A few weeks ago she released her second novel, “Dependent”, which follows 45-year-old military spouse Ellen Michaels. When Michaels loses her husband in a training accident, she sets out on a journey of self-discovery and growth, reclaiming a sense of self she left behind following her marriage. “It’s a very raw story,” says Dunne. “It was difficult to write, because I had to get into the mind of someone experiencing these unbridled, painful emotions.I think what came out is a very honest story, and I’m very proud of it.” Dunne’s inspiration came partly from her own life, putting her own circumstances in the same framing as that of the fiction Michaels. She is a former Air Force Physiotherapy Officer and wife to Wing Commander of 19 Wing Comox Col Thomas Dunne. “I can’t imagine what I would do if I’d lost my husband. He’s been on deployment before but has always come home safe. It was hard to put myself through that thought process,” she says. “It’s important to put yourself into your writing, so what comes out is as real and as human as possible.” So intense are the book’s contents, Dunne says after submitting the manuscript to her publisher she received a concerned email. “I think she was considering calling social services,” she says, laughing. “It can get pretty grim, so it can be hard to separate the author from the fiction, but I assured her that I’m very happy with my life.” Already a published author, Dunne says the beginnings of what would become “Dependent” were first penned in 2004. So long has the process been, she’d already released her first novel, a historical fiction set in her native New Brunswick, before even finishing the manuscript for “Dependent”. “My first novel, ‘Treasure...

[caption id="attachment_7404" align="alignnone" width="199"] CFB Esquimalt Firefighters take part in a positive pressure attack exercise at an empty house near Work Point.[/caption] Base firefighters assembled in Work Point two weeks ago to keep their much-needed emergency skills perfect. Using a smoke machine to mimic a smoke-filled residence in an empty house near Work Point, the crew tackled a simulated emergency. The technique exercised was a Positive Pressure Attack (PPA). A PPA is a firefighting technique in which cool air is blasted into a burning building with a high powered fan. This ambient air pressurizes the inside atmosphere while also reducing the inside temperature, increasing the chances for anyone trapped inside to survive. Once the firefighters have created an adequate exhaust opening, the super-heated gases, smoke, and other combustible fire debris vent out of the building. “Techniques like this can bring the heat in a building down from 1,600 degrees to 300 degrees in 30 seconds,” says Randy Morton, Battalion Chief at the CFB Esquimalt Fire Department. “That makes it more survivable for occupants, and gives firefighters more time to get them out safely. It also clears smoke and super-heated fire gases, giving firefighters a clearer field of vision as they advance into the hazardous environment.” Breaching the entrance, firefighters moved into the building, and swept it for occupants and the source of the fire. Within five minutes they completed a search of the entire structure, extinguished the fire, and exited with a mannequin in their arms. “This is the kind of response I like to see,” said Morton during the team’s debrief. “This was efficient, effective work. This is why we train to ensure procedures are followed, and a quick attack is provided without delay.” This exercise and others like it are part of the department’s daily shift workday. Every 24 hour shift the department conducts an exercise. “We don’t get calls every day, but it’s important for us to stay on top of our game,” says Morton. “Working in...

[caption id="attachment_7396" align="alignnone" width="318"] RAVEN candidates stand ready during their graduation ceremony on Aug. 21.[/caption] Thirty candidates from the Canadian Forces RAVEN Aboriginal Youth Employment Program stood proud and hearkened to reviewing officer Capt(N) Tim Gijzen’s congratulatory words at their graduation ceremony held at the Work Point Parade Square last Thursday. The six-week course – five weeks of Primary Army Reserve Basic Military Qualification and a three-day Culture Camp on Aboriginal traditions — attracted First Nation, Métis, and Inuit students from across the nation to explore the Canadian Armed Forces. OS Katcheech was inspired to join the program through the Federation of B.C. Youth and Care Networks. “I told [one of the caregivers] that I wanted to live a bit before I became a teacher and she told me there’s a program for native youth. I applied a week before the course; it’s a miracle I’m here.” said OS Katcheech. “When I first got here I noticed how everybody was nervous. I thought people would be cocky, people would be ‘I’m the tough one’. I was surprised how even and equal we all were.” The RAVEN program provides Canadian Aboriginal youth an opportunity to experience life in the Canadian Armed  Forces. On successful completion of the program, it also offers RAVEN participants the option to pursue a career in the Reserve Force, Regular Force, or in a civilian occupation within the Department of National Defence. The Culture Camp was designed to ease the transition from civilian to military lifestyle, and focuses on common spiritual beliefs conducted by Elders of different First Nations and Aboriginal groups. Canadian Forces RAVEN Aboriginal Youth Employment Program, Serial 0085’s award sheet: • RAVEN Candidate OS Perry Assu was presented with the Top Student Award as well as the Commandant’s Trophy for Overall Highest Achievement. • RAVEN Candidate OS Brandi Lenglet was presented with the Comradeship Award. • RAVEN Candidate OS Elijah Charlie was presented with the Personal Achievement Award. • RAVEN Candidate OS Jolene Rockhill...

[caption id="attachment_7441" align="alignnone" width="300"] LCol Steve Jourdain, displays his book, “Mon Afghanistan”, a collection of lessons learned during his deployment to Afghanistan in 2009 as Commander Cobra Company.[/caption] In the hallowed halls of the legendary École Spéciale Militaire de Saint-Cyr in Guer, France, military personnel and civilian enthusiasts gathered for two days of presentations, talks, and arm-chair chats at the 5th Annual Festival International du Livre Militaire (FILM) July 18-19. The festivities had Canadian representation in the form of LCol Steve Jourdain, Chief of Operations of the 2nd Canadian Division, and author of war memoir “Mon Afghanistan”, a record of his time serving as Commander of Cobra Company in Sperwan Ghar in 2009. “I was contacted by a coordinator who had my name passed to him by a reviewer,” says LCol Jourdain. “I was excited at the prospect of presenting alongside so many other military personnel, plus I already had plans to visit France, so there was no way I was going to pass it up.” With a release in 2013, “Mon Afghanistan” received solid reviews from both critics and the military community. It is a personal and honest reflection on his time in Sperwan Ghar. LCol Jourdain says he was happy to write down his thoughts on the role of Canadians in the Afghan conflict, the responsibilities of leading men and women in combat situations, and the repercussions when those combat situations resulted in lost lives. “It was a period of great growth for me. I learned a lot of things there that have given me a new perspective on my life and the lives of others,” says LCol Jourdain. “I hope that with my book I can pass on those perspectives and lessons to people who need them.” He says the idea for the book began long before...

[caption id="attachment_7348" align="alignnone" width="300"] Members of the Afghan National Women’s Cycling Team train for the Asian Games being held inSouth Korea this September.[/caption] When Capt Ingrid Walker saw how limited women’s choices were during her 2012-13 tour in Afghanistan, she started looking for a way to make a difference. The search didn’t take long. In the course of her deployment, she stumbled across Mountain2Mountain, a charity dedicated to helping women and girls in conflicted regions around the world. “It’s an organization that I discovered completely by chance while I was on tour, working with the NATO Training Mission – Afghanistan (NTM-A) in Kabul from November 2012 to May 2013,” says Capt Walker. She immediately began to support the charity and has now organized Victoria’s first Global Solidarity Ride to raise awareness and funds for the grassroots organization. On Aug. 30, she invites all women to hop on the saddle of their bicycles and ride from Mattick’s Farm to Ogden Point. The ride starts at 10 a.m. The one-way 25.7 km ride is open to anyone who wants to join and Capt Walker is encouraging those who have served in Afghanistan, in particular, to participate. There is no registration fee. Riders are instead encouraged to donate to the Mountain2Mountain website, www.mountain2mountain.org. “For me, it’s a way to continue my relationship with the Afghan people, albeit from a distance,” says Capt Walker of her involvement with the charity. “I worked with Afghan women quite a bit in my role as a Human Resources Gender Integration Mentor and was left with an enduring admiration for their courage, tenacity and resilience. It seemed short sighted to end my commitment to women in Afghanistan, simply because my tour was over.” Mountain2Mountain uses the bicycle, a symbol of freedom of movement, as its vehicle for changing...

Boaters in the Gulf Islands were treated to an exciting scene when the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG), volunteers of the Royal Canadian Maritime Search and Rescue (RCMSAR), and United States Coast Guard (USCG) personnel gathered for a joint training evolution in the sun-soaked waters off Pender Island. The exercise involved coordination between the 47 foot CCG Motor Life Boat (MLB) Cape Naden, a CCG 753 Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat (RHIB), a U.S. Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin helicopter and four RCMSAR RHIBs. Participants were supported by 443 Maritime Helicopter Squadron, which provided space for briefings and the use of their helicopter pad for aircraft familiarization. Personnel practiced lowering and raising an Air Rescue Technician in a rescue basket between MLB Cape Naden and the aircraft, as well as station keeping with the RHIBs. “We share a lot of adjacent water with the U.S., we share a common goal of helping those in peril, so there are situations in which we will support each other on SAR incidents. It’s important to be ready for those situations,” says PO1 Mike Mitchell, Search and Rescue Program Officer for the CCG and the Coxswain for HMCS Malahat. “We only get the opportunity to train together a few times a year so it’s important to make the most of it.” He says the high level of coordination and skill necessary between air and sea assets is what makes any joint rescue a perilous undertaking. “If the sea conditions are rough or it’s windy, things become very challenging,” he says. “Not only are the vessels bouncing around, but the wind is buffeting the aircraft, and they have to be in almost perfect synchronization to make sure everything is as safe as possible when lowering or raising people in danger.” PO1 Mitchell says working with the USCG, while...

[caption id="attachment_7283" align="alignnone" width="300"] For more information on the Digitization Project and the archives, or to submit your own materials visit www.esquimalt.ca/cultureHeritage/archives/ or call 250-412-8540.[/caption] In a three-room office underneath the Esquimalt Road McDonald’s restaurant the history of the township is being brought into the digital age. Municipal Archivist Greg Evans and his team are heading up the Archives Digitization Project, scanning over 6,000 images dating back 150 years and storing them online for the public eye. “The archives have always been available on site, but we wanted to make our collection more accessible,” says Evans. “This way you can be anywhere in the world and look at the images we have, and also gives us a way to preserve them should anything happen to the hard copies.” The project is one of several similar ones funded by the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, receiving a $9,000 grant from the organization. The money has gone towards the re-inforcing of the archive’s web architecture, and the services of archive consultant and historian Patrick Craib. Digging through stacks and stacks of photos, Craib scans and annotates each one, adding relevant information such as the date of its production, the subjects, and any other details that are to be posted alongside it on the archives website. “Individually the photos are interesting, but once you start going through them all in succession it gives you a new appreciation for the culture that existed back then,” says Craib. “You see how people dressed, how they spent their free time, how they felt about certain events, and what was important to them. There are reasons people took photos of these events and finding those reasons is very intriguing.” For Evans’ part he hopes the new digital archives can give the people of Esquimalt a reason to...

What is happening?Power to the CFB Esquimalt areas of Dockyard, Signal Hill, and Naden will be disrupted for approximately eight hours due to a planned power outage. When is this happening?This is scheduled to take place Sunday August 24, 0830hrs until approximately 1630hrs. Why is this happening?This power interruption is required to perform repair work on the high voltage power distribution system within the base, as well as repairs to the high voltage system at the Esquimalt Graving Dock. The following will be affected: All buildings and structures within the Dockyard gates, and on Signal Hill. All buildings in Naden including the Arena, Base Gym and CANEX. All Dockyard and Naden Jetties including ships’ power supplies. Esquimalt Graving Dock. Critical buildings and systems will be dependent on permanently installed generators. Note: Not all buildings on base are backed up with generators. No portable generators will be provided. The following will not be affected: Naden Health Services Clinic. Work Point all areas. All outlying areas not located in Esquimalt.  (ie. Colwood, Albert Head, Armouries, etc) Emergency services will be available. Alarm systems will function on battery backed up power. Phone lines are not anticipated to be effected. Note: If using a cell phone to call 911, tell the dispatcher your location is CFB Esquimalt and request to be transferred to the Base Fire Hall. What accommodations and food services will be affected?All housing units and accommodation blocks within the gates of Naden and Dockyard, as well as all base messes located on Signal Hill will be affected. Housing units outside the gates, in Work Point, and in outlying areas will not be affected.This power outage is planned to take place as stated; however, timings are subject to change due to the nature of the work.Watch the MARPAC notice board for updates. If you require more information, please contact:Dean MarshallElectrical SupervisorBase Construction Engineering Dean.Marshall@forces.gc.ca 250-363-2225   Power outages from a BIS perspective What is happening?In order to replace UPS’s at Esquimalt Dockyard...

[caption id="attachment_7271" align="alignnone" width="300"] For more information on Fab Forts and the remaining summer programs such as Learn to Camp, English Car Affair in the Park, and the Lantern Tour hosted at Fort Rodd Hill, visit www.pc.gc.ca/fortroddhill or 250-478-5849.[/caption]Next weekend the normally serene grounds of Fort Rodd Hill National Historic Site will turn to a scream fest as hordes of children engage in Victoria’s largest water gun fight.The bone-drenching competition is a part of Fab Forts, an annual Parks Canada initiative created to celebrate the many historic and military forts scattered across Canada.“We wanted to do something to get the adrenaline pumping. What gets the blood going more than a water gun fight?” says Lara Cohlmeyer, Interpretation Coordinator for Fort Rodd Hill. “The grounds of the fort are beautiful and expansive, so we thought we’d put them to use.”In years past Fort Rodd Hill has featured military re-enactments and presentations; this year they wanted to try something a little different.Beyond the team-based Storm the Fort there will be  Capture the Flag, target practice, face painting and music.“For many people this will be their first Fab Forts, and we wanted to show them a side of the fort they’ve never seen before,” she says. “It’s one thing to walk around and observe the history in this place, but it’s another to run around and soak your friends in it.”Whether you’re looking to duke it out in the water gun fights, or just relax with some sunshine and live music, Cohlmeyer says the event has something for everyone.“This fort is for the community,” she says. “We want people to come down and soak in some local history in any way they want.”Gracing Vancouver Island’s coastline since its construction in 1850, Fort Rodd Hill has long stood as a bastion of Canadian naval...

[caption id="attachment_7249" align="alignnone" width="300"] Combined Forces Maritime Component Commander (CFMCC) of Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2014 Canadian Rear-Admiral Gilles Couturier, left, speaks with Cdr David Stallworth, commanding officer of Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron (HM) 14, on the bridge of the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Anchorage (LPD 23) while underway off the coast of San Diego.[/caption] A veteran newscaster in Hawaii and anchor of KHON(FOX)2’s Wake Up 2day show, gave Canadian Rear-Admiral Gilles Couturier an honorary title during an interview about Rim of the Pacific Exercise 2014 on July 24. RAdm Couturier, who has participated in five RIMPAC exercises over the years, was named by Ron Mizutani as an “honorary Kama’ina” - a native-born local citizen of Hawaii. RAdm Couturier is commander of the maritime component for RIMPAC, the world’s biggest maritime exercise, which is about to enter its final week in and around Hawaii. On behalf of all RIMPAC participants, RAdm Couturier thanked the people of Hawaii for their support and “aloha,” noting how RIMPAC helps the local economy. “Without a doubt the 25,000 sailors, plus the ships ... they need all sorts of things, so we buy local Hawaiian and I want to take the opportunity to thank the [people of Hawaii] for their hospitality,” he said. “This is my fifth time at RIMPAC, so I’m very familiar with your beautiful islands and every time looking forward to come back here and visit and enjoy.” During his interview, RAdm Couturier explained two of the primary goals of RIMPAC. “First of all, it’s to be able to learn to work together as professional mariners. So this year we have 22 countries, 47 ships, 200-plus aircraft, six submarines and over 25,000 people here. What we are trying to do to is work together in order to...

[caption id="attachment_7245" align="alignnone" width="300"] Capt(N) Steve Waddell gives his first speech as Base Commander at the CFB Esquimalt Change of Command ceremony held at the Military Museum Parade Square on July 30.[/caption]As ranks of shining white, green, and blue uniforms stood at attention under the blazing summer sun, CFB Esquimalt welcomed its new Base Commander.Capt(N) Steve Waddell took command of CFB Esquimalt from Cmdre Luc Cassivi during a well-attended ceremony on July 30.Beginning the ceremony with blessings from Esquimalt Nation Elder Mary Anne Thomas, and Songhees Nation Elder Elmer George, as well Formation Chaplain Maj Doug Friesen, the newly minted Cmdre Cassivi took to the podium to bid farewell to the base.“Thirteen months ago I took over the position as ‘Mayor of CFB Esquimalt,’” said Cmdre Cassivi to a crowd that included prestigious guests such as VAdm (Ret’d) Nigel Brodeur, and Mayor of Esquimalt Barbara Desjardins. “It was a challenging year, and it showed me the power and ingenuity of the men and women in uniform. With your dedication, and a passion for what you do, you faced every challenge head-on and that’s why, to me, this year was a success.”From CFB Esquimalt, Cmdre Cassivi will move on to his new position as Director General of Naval Strategic Readiness at National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa. To incoming Base Commander Capt(N) Waddell, he had some choice words on the nature of base leadership.“There are a lot of people here to help you; trust them, work with them, and they’ll make your time here much easier,” he said. “These are good people. You’re in good hands.”Following the lowering of Cmdre Cassivi’s Base Commander’s Pennant, Reviewing Officer RAdm Bill Truelove, Commander Maritime Force Pacific (MARPAC) took the podium.“You came into the job running and never slowed down, and the results are evident everywhere...

[caption id="attachment_7241" align="alignnone" width="300"] Cmdre Luc Cassivi (centre) receives his new rank from Base Chief Petty Officer CPO1 Shawn Taylor (left) and Commander Maritime Forces Pacific/Joint Task Force Pacific, RAdm Bill Truelove (right).[/caption] The promotion is in and the epaulettes have been changed. Capt(N) Luc Cassivi is now Commodore and set to head to Ottawa for his next assignment – Director General Naval Strategic Readiness at National Defence Headquarters. Last Wednesday marked his final moments as CFB Esquimalt’s twentieth Base Commander when he officially handed over the job to Capt(N) Steve Waddell. His journey from the small town of New Richmond, Quebec, to becoming one of the navy’s highest ranking officers has been built on opportunity and curiosity. He joined the navy for the education but stayed for three decades because of its diversity. “It’s constant change; there’s never an occasion where it’s a steady rhythm. The navy provides many challenges and chances to try something new. That’s what hooked me,” he says.  The variety of work has included submarine and surface ships, even working with the Royal Australian Navy in the officer exchange program, and high level desk jobs. Last June he landed in the corner office in Naden 5, assuming his “mayorship” over CFB Esquimalt. Having spent most of his time “in pointy end operational” work, the prospect of the year-long job was both exciting and anxiety-filled. “My biggest experience with the civilian workforce was three admin assistants, so having a large civilian workforce and dealing with unions, and the outside community was all new territory,” he says of the first few days managing the second largest base in Canada. The Base Commander portfolio includes delivery of support services to 70 separate organizations located at CFB Esquimalt. Plus he is the landlord for $1.6 billion in real estate...

[caption id="attachment_7191" align="alignnone" width="300"] Inset: The gifted medals originally awarded to the late Rear-Admiral Victor Brodeur throughout his 38-year-career in the military. They include Companion of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath, presented by King George VI for his services during the Second World War. Plus the United States Legion of Merit (Commander) presented by President Harry Truman for his work as the Canadian Naval Attache and Naval Member of the Canadian Joint Staff in Washington DC.[/caption]The walls of the Admiral’s suite at Maritime Force Pacific (MARPAC) Headquarters will now be home to an important piece of Royal Canadian Navy history.In a small presentation held July 23 in the Wardroom, VAdm (Ret’d) Nigel Brodeur passed on the medals worn by his father Rear-Admiral Victor Brodeur to RAdm Bill Truelove, Commander Maritime Forces Pacific.“My father cared very much about this navy, and that caring shaped the organization into what it is today,” said VAdm Brodeur, who followed in his father’s footsteps into the navy, and eventually retiring as Deputy Chief of Defence Staff in 1987. “In passing these on I hope to pass on his memory and passion for the Canadian Armed Forces. He would be very proud of everyone here today.”RAdm Victor Brodeur served in the RCN for 38 years from 1909 to 1947. During his lengthy career, RAdm received recognition for his service from heads of state around the world.Most notably, he was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) by King George VI for services to the Empire. King George also awarded RAdm Brodeur with the CB (Companion of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath), the senior honour for service “of the highest calibre” during the Second World War.RAdm Brodeur was also recognized for his service by the United States. President Harry...

[caption id="attachment_7186" align="alignnone" width="300"] Julie H. Ferguson is presenting Celebrating Canadian Submariners: 1914 to 2014 on Sunday, Aug. 3 at 2 p.m. at the Maritime Museum of B.C., Bastion Square, Victoria. The event is free and focuses on the submariners rather than the boats — from the prairie boys in 1914 who’d never seen the sea, let alone a submarine, to the highly trained sailors who serve in our Victoria class today. This is their story. Both books will be available for purchase and signing.[/caption]Unbeknownst to most Canadians, Canada has a long and colourful submarine service history – to be exact, 100 years of service this year.To honour the centenary, Julie H. Ferguson’s publishers have released updated, second editions of her two books: “Through a Canadian Periscope: The Story of the Canadian Submarine Program” and “Deeply Canadian: New Submarines for a New Millennium.”“Canada has had such vibrant history with regard to its submarines, it’s a shame more people don’t know about it,” says Ferguson, a retired reserve naval officer. “With my books, I always wanted to inform Canadians on the subject, and hopefully with renewed interest due to the centenary I can reach a few more.”She was inspired to write both books when she asked her husband LCdr James S. Ferguson (Ret’d), who was captain from 1979-1981 of the now decommissioned submarine HMCS Okanagan, where she could read more on the subject of the Canadian submarine service. “He was surprised when he realized there weren’t any books,” says Ferguson. “And so was I.”That realization encouraged Ferguson to write one, and a year later set her on a decade-long project that would take her across Canada and the United Kingdom, speaking with veterans, serving members, and historians, and delving deep into archives.Her first book, “Through a Canadian Periscope” explores the history...

[caption id="attachment_7183" align="alignnone" width="300"] Cpl Adam Carruthers of the CFB Esquimalt Military Police will join 23 other riders on this year’s Tour de Rock.[/caption]Every year a team of Vancouver Island police officers and media professionals make an arduous journey through rain, snow, and wind all in the name of pediatric cancer research.Joining them this year in the 2014 Tour de Rock will be Cpl Adam Carruthers, 28, from CFB Esquimalt Military Police. “I lost my grandmother to cancer in 2013, so I was looking for a way to help families who are in the same position that mine was. I’d only heard good things about the ride from co-workers, so when the time came around to apply I put my name in,” says Cpl Carruthers. “It’s such a great cause, and a once in a lifetime kind of experience. I didn’t want to miss my chance to take part.”The bike rides spans 1,100 kilometres, from Port Alice to Victoria, in 14 days to benefit the Cops for Cancer charity.With the start date for the ride still months away - kicking off Sept. 20 - Cpl Carruthers and his fellow teammates are already four months into training, with practice rides taking place Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday.Training exercises alternate between hill nights, where riders practice extended uphill rides; speed training with a focus on acceleration, and distance rides where sheer distance is the name of the game.“It’s been exhausting, but rewarding,” says Cpl Carruthers. “You really get a feel for what the actual ride might be like, but at the same time I know it will be so much more.”For the ride, team members have been outfitted with special road bikes tailored to their specific attributes. These prototype bikes, donated by Trek Bicycle Store in Esquimalt, will see them through training as well...

[caption id="attachment_7168" align="alignnone" width="300"] Veteran Marina Libro receives assistance from teammates on a steep climb June 28.[/caption]For dedicated athlete and Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) member Sgt Dan Bodden, no distance is too great when it comes to helping wounded veterans.The Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) Assistant Air Controller recently returned from the inaugural Can/Am Veteran’s Challenge, a 1,200km 18-day bicycle ride that took 16 wounded Canadian, American, and Danish military veterans, as well as nine civilian riders, from the Parliament Buildings in Ottawa, ON, all the way to Capital Hill in Washington, D.C.The ride was conceived by non-profit organization World TEAM Sports as a way to show injured veterans, as well as the civilian population, that being injured or disabled doesn’t mean you stop being active.“The team I was riding with came from all walks of life, all different parts of Canada and the U.S., as well as a few riders from around the world, and they all showed the same fierce spirit,” says Sgt Bodden. “It was a very inspiring experience. They showed me that getting on with your life is as much as part of rehabilitation as any surgery or medicine.”When it comes to going the distance for wounded veterans Sgt Bodden is no slouch.Just this past February, he  co-founded the Wounded Warriors Run BC and his team ran from Port Hardy to Victoria.“As a member of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) it’s my duty to aid and support my fellow service men and women any way I can,” he says. “When I heard there was an opening for the Veteran’s Challenge there was no way I would pass it up.”His dedication went as far as physically helping a fellow cyclist during the Can/Am ride.During the journey Sgt Bodden rode alongside US Army Master-Seargent (Ret’d) Marina Libro,...

[caption id="attachment_7165" align="alignnone" width="300"] Deputy Minister of National Defence Richard Fadden presents MWO (Ret’d) Bob Quann with the Deputy Minister’s Commendation. Quann received the commendation during the Corporate Awards in Ottawa for his dedication, passion, and excellence during his 43-year career as a Resource Management Support Clerk with the Department of National Defence.[/caption]When MWO (Ret’d) Bob Quann joined the military as a Resource Management Support (RMS) Clerk, he wanted to build a career helping people. He never imagined doing a job he loved would earn him a trip to Ottawa to receive an award.Just a month prior to retiring from a 43 year career with the military and public service, Quann visited the National War Museum to accept a Deputy Minister’s Commendation that recognized the passion, dedication, and excellence he’s shown during his career.Deputy Minister of National Defence Richard Fadden presented the award, which consists of a certificate signed by the deputy minister, a lapel pin and a gift of Canadian art.The commendation recognizes work above and beyond normal duties, or community service that either benefits or brings credit to the Department of National Defence.“I was truly honoured and humbled by the award,” says Quann, who retired July 18. “I was totally unaware that I was nominated, so when my boss, PO1 Andrew Chadwick, showed me the e-mail where I was awarded the DM Commendation, I was blown away, to say the least.”While his end-of-career recognition is welcome, the thought of awards never crossed his mind.“I guess I spent the last 43 years looking after others and never expected this type of recognition for myself,” he says.While an outsider looking in may see the administrative work of an RMS clerk as just filing and paperwork, Quann found it to be much more than that.“In this trade you’ve always got someone...

[caption id="attachment_7162" align="alignnone" width="300"] Cpl Michael Bastien, MARPAC Imaging Services The naval boarding party of HMCS Regina conducts tactical movement drill practice on the ship’s upper deck off the coast of Africa on earlier this year during Operation Artemis.[/caption] The Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) is taking important steps toward tailoring its operations to confront and deter smaller, asymmetric threats with the standing up of a single dedicated unit that will provide an Advanced Naval Boarding Party (ANBP) capability.“We are excited about the development, the stand-up of this new unit, and the unique and challenging opportunity it presents to all RCN personnel,” said LCdr Wil Lund, the ANBP Capability Officer in Charge. “It represents an important milestone that will enable the RCN to combine over a decade of highly successful operational experience with the ingenuity and abilities of our own officers and sailors.”Right now, naval boarding parties are comprised of regular members from a ship’s company who perform these duties in addition to their primary duty on board. Once fully operational, the new unit will deploy specialized teams on any RCN platform operating in a high-risk environment.Though traditional NBPs are capable of conducting basic obstructed boardings, the dynamic and evolving nature of RCN missions now calls for a new approach. The ANBP capability will allow for deployed vessels to meet the new level of risk and to provide other direct support when necessary.With today’s naval operations increasingly concerned with providing maritime security in the littoral (near-shore) environment, the need for an advanced, versatile force that can respond rapidly to threats such as pirates, drug smugglers or small, nimble fast attack craft is as salient as ever.These operations require a highly trained team such as the ANBP. Through extensive specialized training and careful selection, the Maritime Tactical Operators from this unit will eventually...

[caption id="attachment_7113" align="alignnone" width="300"] The 16-metre Boomer 1 departs the patrol craft Egret as it makes its way under escort into harbour after nearly sinking. Photo by MS Richard Loy, CFMETR[/caption]A lightning fast departure by a Canadian Forces patrol craft from alongside was likely the key to keeping a sinking civilian vessel afloat after it began taking on water near Nanoose Bay June 6.Egret, one of the craft responsible for patrolling the torpedo test range operated by the Canadian Forces Maritime Experimental and Test Ranges (CFMETR), was having its windows replaced when a Mayday call crackled over the radio.  While vessel master PO2 Kevin Hall ran from his shore office, Bos’n MS Dan Connelly and Engineer MS Rich Loy hastily landed the contracted maintenance crew and fired up the vessel’s twin jet drives.“We got off so quickly it wasn’t until the Mayday was secured that I looked around and realized we didn’t have any windows on the starboard side,” said Hall. “But thanks to the professionalism of the crew we were first on scene, getting there even before vessels that were already in the area.”On reaching Boomer 1, a 21-metre power boat, Hall rapidly assessed the emergency.“The vessel’s bilge pump could not keep up with the water flowing in,” recalled Hall. “In other words, she was sinking.”  While Connelly calculated time and distance to the nearest safe harbour, Hall directed engineer Loy onto the foundering vessel to attempt to slow the influx of seawater. Hall remained on the radio, coordinating with the Rescue Coordination Centre, the approaching Coast Guard vessel Cape Cockburn out of nearby French Creek, and with another CFMETR vessel, the Canadian Forces Auxiliary Vessel (CFAV) Stikine.For 26-year veteran Loy, working in confined spaces was nothing new. He had once been trapped for 20 minutes in the bilge...

[caption id="attachment_7110" align="alignnone" width="300"] Teams arrive, via Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat, at the Fleet Diving Unit jetty prior to facing the day’s challenges.[/caption]In their first encounter with military reality, 11 teams from The Amazing Race Canada were put through their paces at the Damage Control (DC) Training Facility in Colwood to do what the producers of show wanted: make this stop one of the most difficult these teams encounter all season.In the series opener, staff at the training facility put the teams, dressed in firefighting gear and using the hoses at hand, through their paces.The first scenario consisted of knocking down three weighted buckets within 30 seconds, then suppressing a helicopter fire before recovering a casualty.It all had to be done with LCdr Rob Petitpas, Division Commander, watching and judging if teams passed or failed. “I was thrilled to be part of the show,” said LCdr Petitpas. “The firefighting challenge was not easy for some teams, but when they succeeded, it was great to see their excitement when I delivered them the good news.”Many teams found the challenge exhausting and a real eye opener regarding the reality of fighting a fire on a warship.  At least one team could be heard saying, “I’ve never been so hot in my life!” as they raced to the next challenge.“We really had a chance to showcase the Royal Canadian Navy and the training we put sailors through, “said CPO2 Spike Armstrong, the Division Chief at the DC Training Facility. “It was a blast watching teams go through the different scenarios.  It made me realize just how well we train our sailors.”Once through the fire trainer, it was off to the flood trainer to figure out how to stop water from flooding a room. It was made even more difficult as the teams were not provided...

[caption id="attachment_7102" align="alignnone" width="300"] Port Clements Mayor Wally Cheer accepts ships’ plaques from the Commanding Officers of HMC Ships Brandon and Edmonton, LCdr Lawrence Moraal and LCdr Brad Henderson.[/caption]Following a formal request from the Port Clements town council to the Admiral, HMC Ships Brandon and Edmonton were dispatched to help the small community celebrate its 100 anniversary.On the final day in June, the two Kingston-class vessels made history as the first warships to sail into Masset Inlet in the north of Haida Gwaii.The mayor, members of the town council, fire department and local citizens were on the jetty to meet the two ships.In his opening remarks, Mayor Wally Cheer addressed the sailors, saying, “The council, village staff, and the citizens of Port Clements and surrounding areas extend a heartfelt ‘thank you’ for visiting Port Clements, Haida Gwaii. Your presence will make our Canada Day and centennial year a memorable one for many years to come. Safe journeys and God bless you.”The comments were met with hearty applause from the ships’ companies. After the address, locals challenged sailors to games of softball, volleyball and soccer, followed by a barbecue.On the second day, sailors split up for a kayak trip, a hike up Juskatla Mountain, a hike along the Golden Spruce trail, and walking tour of village.The city tour showcased significant parts of the town’s history and stories of citizens that put Port Clements on the map. The  town’s museum exhibits logging of the past and First Nations culture, including the story of the white raven and the Golden Spruce that shaped the community over the last 100 years.Locals were also provided the chance to tour the ships and learn about the navy. Overall, 260 people toured the ship.On the last day, both crews returned to their ship and invited the mayor,...

[caption id="attachment_7031" align="alignnone" width="300"] Lt(N) Ellen Delong has made her mark in the history books by becoming the first female officer in charge of an Orca training vessel.[/caption] A personal and professional milestone was achieved earlier this month when Lt(N) Ellen Delong from the Cadet Instructor Cadre (CIC) completed her tender charge check ride, certifying her to act as Officer in Charge (OIC) of Orca training vessels. This certification makes her the first woman from CIC to receive this qualification. “It’s interesting to think I made a bit of history,” she says. “We’re at a point where women commanding vessels and making milestones isn’t an uncommon thing; but being the first female reservist from CIC to do it is pretty cool.” The certification is the last requirement in a long line of qualifications, which has included tests, training, and at-sea exercises spread out over the past six years. She began the process in 2008, but things were put on hold for two years while she focused on her family. “For some reason they don’t let you go to sea when you’re pregnant,” she says, laughing. “I had to take a break to raise my child; so getting back on the water felt really good.” For the check ride portion Lt(N) Delong set out on a fully-crewed Orca with Cdr Lorne Carruth, Commander Coastal Division, riding shotgun. As her boss, Cdr Carruth acted as judge and jury that day, analysing Lt(N) Delong’s performance. “He was very supportive and really helped me feel at ease,” she says. “I was a little on edge, it being my first shot at something I’d worked very hard for over the years.” Performing manoeuvres, coming alongside, and docking were just some of the things she had to walk her crew through. “The reverse docking is stressful. It’s a much more finicky kind of docking, but I think I handled it well,” she says. “Everyone one of the crew worked so well together, it was a thrill...

  The Canadian Armed Forces’ (CAF) 12-year mission in Afghanistan recently ended. It assisted in making the war-torn country more secure, better governed and more stable, but it did not come without sacrifice.While serving their country with honour, 161 Canadians – 158 CAF personnel, a diplomat, a Department of National Defence contractor and a journalist – lost their lives in Afghanistan. In addition, 43 United States Armed Forces members sacrificed their lives while serving under Canadian command during operations in Afghanistan. “One of the ways Canada is commemorating the mission in Afghanistan is by honouring the fallen through the Afghanistan Memorial Vigil, which will travel across Canada this year and in 2015,” said Capt Indira Thackorie, Canadian Joint Operations Command (CJOC) Public Affairs Officer. The Afghanistan Memorial Vigil consists of 192 plaques representing the 204 fallen. Originally, the plaques were part of the Kandahar Air Field cenotaph – a memorial structure built for soldiers by soldiers to commemorate their fallen comrades while deployed in Afghanistan. The first stop in the Memorial Vigil travel schedule was May 4 in Trenton, Ontario. On May 9, it was displayed in the Hall of Honour on Parliament Hill during the National Day of Honour and some of the families of the fallen were in attendance. Three CAF personnel – Captain Patrick Lottinville, Corporal Martin Labelle and Chief Warrant Officer David Mahon – will travel with the exhibit across Canada. During his time in the Canadian Army, CWO Mahon has been deployed to Germany, Egypt and Afghanistan. This task, however, holds an important significance for him.The opportunity to be a part of the Vigil Party will round out his 41-year career with the CAF. “Working with soldiers who are tasked to set up and tear down the Vigil, and then discussing the intent and meaning with Canadian citizens has been the most meaningful experience of my career,” he explained. “My task is ceremonial and drill. I feel that my years in the field and on...

This was it; 2014 would be the year I learned to ride a motorcycle and ride with the pack. None of my friends would ride with me unless I took a proper “learn to ride” course. And, as if the hog gods were listening, an ad appeared in the Lookout newspaper for “Learn to Ride” motorcycle training. I could almost hear leather-clad angels cooing “ahhhhh.” With my application accpeted and Class 6/8 Learner’s License obtained, I was set for the two evenings of four hour classroom theory, and two full days of learning on a 250cc motorbike – courtesy of  Learn to Ride Motorcycle Training Ltd. In hopes of staying ahead of the pack, I eagerly studied the ICBC “Learn To Ride Smart” booklet. A few days later, I was seated next to four other rider wannabes at the Econo Lodge Gorge View board room, our eyes set on Richard Beaumont, a Petty Officer Second Class sailor who has 14 years experience on two wheels, and seven as a certified trainer. He tossed out bike jargon that I found novel such as “space cushion.” No, not a silver lamé throw pillow, but a descriptive term for the necessary distance in front of you that allows time enough to stop or react safely. Or “road snakes,” the literal meaning sounds more fantastical than the actual. It pertains to the wiggly tar lines meant to repair the cracks in the road. They are slippery, especially when wet and are to be avoided where possible. In terms of real world threats to a motorcyclist, road snakes are on the lower end of our worries. We learned that everything is a potential hazard when you are riding, and it is best to practice SIPDE: scan, identify, predict, decide and execute. From the classroom, we...