News

Peter MallettStaff Writer––Teams in the Cascadian Convoy sailing competition overcame a fierce autumn storm and container ship spill and fire to complete their races.The sailing competition, which took place Oct. 23 to 25, is part of the Vancouver Island Racing Series. It was hosted by the Canadian Forces Sailing Association (CFSA). Several sailors from the base posted strong finishes in the convoy, which served as a qualifier for the Van Isle 360 and Vic-Maui International yacht races.Bomb Cyclone and the unexpected The storm, dubbed a ‘bomb cyclone’ by forecasters, was centred off the west coast of Vancouver Island for most of the weekend. Meteorologists called it the strongest storm to ever hit the Pacific Northwest with a barometric pressure dropping to 942.5 millibars, strong winds and gusts of 90 km/h, and an atmospheric river of heavy rain. Then, a shipping accident aboard commercial freighter Zim Kingston on the eve of the race further complicated matters for organizers.Weather conditions were the gravest concern to sailors and race organizers throughout the weekend, says LCdr Christopher Maier, CFSA Commodore and Cascadian Convoy Race Officer.“From a race organizer’s standpoint, saying that we successfully overcame our fair share of adversity and everything that was thrown at us on a wild and challenging weekend would be a gross understatement,” he adds.The race course did not see storm force winds until later in the day on Oct. 24, long after all boats had crossed the finish line. However, on Oct. 22, the container ship spilled 106 shipping containers into the sea at the western approach of Strait of Juan de Fuca. A fire erupted aboard the ship the next day while it was anchored between Race Rocks and Discovery Island.Races go ahead After careful review of the modelling of the sea conditions, weather forecasts, and the number of obstructions, the decision was made to continue the Long Course Race but change the race course itself. Organizers steered boats away from the floating shipping containers and extremely rough...

[caption id="attachment_27126" align="aligncenter" width="595"] PO2 Jacob Russell. Photo by Ed Dixon, MARPAC Imaging Services[/caption]Peter MallettStaff Writer––A member of Personnel Coordination Centre (Pacific) has been selected for Sentry duty at the National War Memorial on Remembrance Day. PO2 Jacob Russell was among six military members appointed by Acting Chief of Defence Staff General Wayne D. Eyre on Oct. 25 for the National Sentry Program. “Knowing that I was selected out of so many applicants, I was truly shocked when my coxswain announced in front of my unit that I was selected,” says PO2 Russell. “I’m proud and this is very humbling for sure because there are so many other military members that do amazing work and could have been recognized instead of me.”PO2 Russell, 36, has served 14 years in the Canadian Armed Forces and is currently attached to the Personnel Coordination Centre (PCC) Pacific.His normal responsibilities include managing incremental taskings for Orca-class training vessels. But on Nov. 11 he will take a break from that work and stand watch at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Ottawa during the nationally televised Remembrance Day proceedings.He is also the Sentry Commander for the ceremony. His duties include marching the contingent on and off parade for the ceremony. To round out the experience, PO2 Russell and the other Sentries will attend a Silver Cross Mother’s Luncheon at Rideau Hall, a guided tour of the Canadian War Museum and Canadian Aviation Museum, dinner with the other sentries, and meet with the Acting Chief of Defence Staff and Vice-Admiral Craig Baines, Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy. His wife S1 Laura Russell of Base Logistics and their one-year-old daughter Joni will join him on the trip to Ottawa. His father and step-mother will make the drive from their home in northern New Brunswick and his in-laws,...

[caption id="attachment_27107" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Melanie Tetreault[/caption]Melanie TetreaultNDWCC Coordinator––Right now, your unit ambassador is likely starting conversations with you about donating to the NDWCC and asking if you want to take part in events that celebrate the spirit of the campaign.I’d like to tell you a story about why it is important to make a meaningful E-Pledge donation.This is a true story. It involves a military family; a husband (sailor,) wife, and two children. The wife had severe depression and their oldest child had special needs. The relatives of this family lived out of province and could rarely visit. The wife had very few friends. Daycare was too expensive for her to work, so the family survived on only the member’s income. Their marriage was strained and divorce was looming.The husband was suddenly called away for a lengthy deployment. Once he departed, the wife found herself in a pit of emotional confusion and became even more depressed. Everything seemed hopeless, disorienting, and extremely lonely. The children became hard to manage alone and their home became frightening and overwhelming to her.Then, one Sunday, her and the children attended a Sunday Session at the Military Family Resource Center. This was a program put on by MFRC Deployment Services to connect families to one another during deployment. There was childcare for the little ones so mom could watch the presentation. She had to leave halfway through the session due to her emotional stress; even then things seemed so sad and unending.However, in the hallway she was approached by an MFRC social worker who was very empathetic and checked in with her. It was liberating to have someone to talk to about the struggles she was facing. The social worker encouraged her to attend more events and have more conversations. This led to the wife joining a...

Peter MallettStaff Writer––Military members and civilian staff celebrated the return of Canadian Armed Forces Sports Day on Oct. 20.There was a strong showing for a wide range of team sports and other drop-in fitness-related activities hosted by Naden Athletic Centre staff.  Throughout the day dozens of participants brought their ‘A’ game to indoor soccer, floor hockey, dodgeball, volleyball, spikeball, length swims, aquafit, and spin classes. At the Wurtele arena they did lap skates and outside ran a five kilometre route. Participants were required to follow COVID-19 protocol, providing proof of vaccination and wearing a mask when entering, exiting, and transiting through the facilities. They also received a free Sports Day t-shirt and lunch.[caption id="attachment_27104" align="aligncenter" width="595"] S1 Joseph Zwieck takes a freethrow during action on the basketball court. Photos by Peter Mallett, Lookout[/caption] [caption id="attachment_27103" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Participants in a volleyball match get set for the opposing team to serve.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_27102" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Troy Grinder of Personnel Support Programs (PSP) and PO2 Ray Moore of HMCS Regina practise their skills at floor hockey.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_27101" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Bianca Hood of Base Administration takes laps in the Naden pool.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_27100" align="aligncenter" width="595"] S2 Aron Kim and S2 Maxime Vandal of HMCS Ottawa display their free Sports Day t-shirts.[/caption]––––

Museum staff share stories about the spirits of Admiralty HouseJoanie VeitchTrident Newspaper––The lady with the long white hair on or near the main stairs is the most common sighting reported to Naval Museum of Halifax staff. They’ve also had reports of people hearing water running, and another from someone who heard the clang of a metal bucket.Even without visitors in the building, the museum is never silent. More than 200 years old, Admiralty House creaks and groans from time to time — as old buildings do — making it easy to imagine how a small noise or sudden movement could play on the mind.Could it be a ghost?“We’ve heard lots and lots of ghost stories,” says Lisa McNiven, archivist at the museum.Sightings of a lady with white hair and the sound of water running are most likely connected to the story of Mary Gray, a servant who worked at Admiralty House in the mid-1800s, McNiven says.“The story that has been passed down is that late at night the lady of the house called for water. Mary was either the lady’s maid or some other house servant and she went upstairs to deliver the water — it would have been in a bucket — and she fell down the stairs on her way back.”Mary Gray died that night in 1858, and although the inscription on her grave has eroded, museum staff say her gravestone is in the old cemetery, the Royal Naval Burying Ground, tucked away at the lower part of the base.Before COVID-19 safety precautions closed the museum to the public, a medium who visited the Naval Museum of Halifax as part of a paranormal investigation team estimated there were as many as 14 spirits in the house.“Pre-COVID we had a daycare visiting and one little guy, he would have...

[caption id="attachment_27094" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Sailor First Class Hunter Johnson on board HMCS Winnipeg in the East China Sea during Operation Neon. Photo by MCpl Andre Maillet, MARPAC Imaging Services[/caption]S1 Hunter JohnsonHMCS Winnipeg––Who knew that signing up for a job that would land me in the middle of the ocean on a warship would be one of the best confidence boosters in my professional life?The last time I stepped foot on a Canadian warship was for Rim of the Pacific 2018 in HMCS Ottawa. Since then, I finished my undergrad, completed my Naval Communicator course in Halifax, and deployed with my reserve unit, HMCS Prevost, located in London, ON, on two domestic operations for COVID-19 (Operation Laser and Operation Vector). Weeks before I signed up for Operations Neon/Projection in HMCS Winnipeg, I had just finished a year-long contract for a civilian job and was starting to look into sailing again to brush up on my skills, and to have a chance of getting out of the country for a little while. Since sailing in Ottawa, I knew without a doubt I wanted to sail in a frigate again. The larger crew and platform is a personal preference and I have a lot of fond memories from RIMPAC. With near perfect timing, my best friend (also a Reservist at HMCS Prevost) saw a few openings in HMCS Winnipeg and, of course, we had to sign up together. After just two weeks I was offered a spot in the Naval Communicator section, and my bestie was offered a position as a Human Resource Adminstrator. Two weeks. That’s all it took to have this amazing opportunity right in front of me. So, my home unit booked my flights and I started preparing to leave home for the four month deployment.You’re probably thinking, “Two weeks...

[caption id="attachment_27068" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Military Police unit members in Kingston, Ontario, armed with Conducted Energy Weapons train in accordance with standard police practices.[/caption]DND––Beginning in November, on Bases, Dockyards and Wings across the country, Military Police (MP) personnel will begin carrying Conducted Energy Weapons (CEW).A CEW is an electrical impulse device, commonly known as a Taser, that will assist MPs in gaining control of a subject in situations where the subject is assaultive, or where there is an imminent threat of serious bodily harm or death.While never to be used as a substitute for de-escalation, the addition of the CEW will add flexibility to employ an applicable level force to successfully resolve an altercation while securing the safety of MP personnel and anyone being protected by them.Only trained MP personnel are authorized to carry, deploy, and discharge the CEW. All MP personnel receive initial qualification training on the CEW in accordance with standard practices by qualified instructors, which starts at the Canadian Forces Military Police Academy. In addition, all CEW users will be required to undergo a yearly re-certification.“Military Police undergo knowledge, marksmanship, and scenario-based training on the CEW prior to being qualified to carry and use the weapon,” says Sgt Eric Kellar, CEW instructor at the MP Detachment Kingston. “MPs are exposed to scenarios in which they must decide if and when it is appropriate to de-holster, display the warning arc, or discharge a cartridge into a subject. Military Police continue to use de-escalation techniques and the existing use of force training to control a potentially violent scenario.” ––––

[caption id="attachment_27062" align="aligncenter" width="595"] CPO1 Al Darragh and S1 Charmaine Davison-Peer review the Logistik Unicorp website.[/caption]LCdr (Retired) Michael McWhinnieContributor––A small software update on a military clothing website is having a positive impact on Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) personnel across the country.Since 1993, Logistik Unicorp has provided clothing solutions to CAF for non-operational dress. Until recently, when navigating the website for clothing, personnel were presented with one of two menu options where items correspond to gender. Now, clients can toggle between the “male cut” and “female cut” menus to place an order.This change is part of a measured transition from 111 years ago when the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) was established by the Naval Service Act in 1910. Men and women were issued separate and distinct clothing items. But things began to change in 2012 when the Naval Dress Committee authorized male-pattern Distinctive Environmental Uniform (DEU) pants for wear by females.“The navy has always been an institution that values tradition, but it’s evolving to be more responsive to the views of its members,” says CPO1 Al Darragh, Base Chief CFB Esquimalt. “Many women preferred the male pants and since then policies have advanced so that today females are also authorized to choose between two options for the peak cap (or bowler) and long sleeve DEU shirt.”Changes were furthered in 2019 when a women’s sub-committee was added to the Naval Dress Committee to help shape policy based on the views of female personnel regarding the design of “female cut” uniform items.“Although policy permits women to wear male pattern pants, shirts, or peak caps, prior to the Logistik website change members had to submit a memorandum and have their online account updated to access those items. The [newest] change will reduce costs, time, and of course frustration,” adds CPO1 Darragh.S1 Charmaine Davison-Peer is a member of CFB Esquimalt’s Defence Team Pride Advisory Organization. She sees the change as a positive step towards inclusion for transgender and non-binary CAF personnel.“Broadly speaking, I think this change aligns well with the CAF’s...

[caption id="attachment_27054" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Photo by MARPAC Imaging Services[/caption]Peter Mallett Staff Writer––As Remembrance Day draws near, one local organization is set to honour past and present military members, DND civilians, and their families in a slick way.The Victoria Royals have made their Nov. 6 game against the Kamloops Blazers a Canadian Armed Forces Appreciation Night. Working with CFB Esquimalt, the evening will showcase the military and pay tribute to its successes.“This event was a huge achievement in 2019, pre-pandemic, and we are very excited to bring it back this year,” says Matt Carlson, who is helping support the event from the Base Public Affairs side. “Before, during, and after the game, the public will have opportunities for interactions with various CAF and DND assets and personnel with the intent to raise CFB Esquimalt’s visibility within the local community.”The military will provide dynamic and interactive exterior and interior displays at the Save-On-Foods Arena. There be a ceremonial puck drop involving Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members and a colour party while the Naden Band of the Royal Canadian Navy performs the national anthem.Victoria Royals players will don a special Royal Canadian Navy-themed jersey for the game to be unveiled by the team in the coming days.In a recent announcement by provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry, sports events are permitted to operate at 100 per cent capacity commencing Oct. 25Those attending are required to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccinations and masks will be mandatory for spectators. Facial coverings can be taken off when eating and drinking.Complimentary tickets will be distributed through units to CAF personnel and DND civilian staff. Others can purchase discounted tickets at the team’s box office and on the team’s website www.victoriaroyals.com with a discounted promotional code to be released through interal channels.––––

[caption id="attachment_27038" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Joint Interface Control Officer candidates and staff at the Joint Interface Control Cell for Ex CUTLASS FURY 21, Osbourne Head, NS. Photo by Cpl Branden Trudeau[/caption]PO1 Shawn QuigleyJoint Interface Control Officer––“Lose sight, lose the fight” is an old fighter pilot adage that is more valid today than ever before.  The speed and complexity of modern warfare continues to grow apace advancements in Defence technologies. State-of-the-art combat control systems rely heavily on Tactical Data Link (TDL) to compile and present the accurate and timely information Commanders need to made to make critical decisions.TDL networks are complex and require a great deal of planning and coordination to manage successfully, a role assigned to the Joint Interface Control Officer (JICO). The recent Exercise Cutlass Fury 21, a major east-coast joint and combined exercise, was the perfect venue to qualify 10 new JICO candidates from across the Canadian Armed Forces.Tactical Data Link (TDL-400) JICO candidates are drawn from the RCN, CA and RCAF. This course is the final validation in which the students apply the theory gained throughout the TDL 100, 200, and 300 courses, along with their unique operational backgrounds in the TDL environment. As the students will tell you, their previous experience is never enough to make this course anywhere near easy. After a week in the classroom students transition to the practical phase by creating an entire Joint Interface Control Cell (JICC), from which they controlled data link network for the entire Ex Cutlass Fury. Additional participants included the Medium Range Radar from 4th Artillery Regiment (General Support) and the Aurora’s Deployable Mission Support Centre, connections to the Canadian Air Defence Sector, the ships at sea, aircraft over-head, and Regional Joint Operations Centre (Atlantic); creating an uncommonly rich training environment. Over two-weeks, JICO students stood watches 24/7, alongside...

Peter MallettStaff Writer––It takes a community to raise a child, and the same can be said for preparing the next wave of Regular Force sailors.Albert Head is home for 10 weeks to newly signed naval recruits undergoing their Basic Military Qualification (BMQ) training, decentralized two years ago from the Leadership and Recruit School in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec, to help ease the training burden as the school also trains army and air force personnel. Instructors come from all corners of the navy to help Naval Fleet School Pacific deliver each training serial. A full training serial includes the standard modules: classroom instruction, drill, field training, weapons training, range practice, first aid, basic fire extinguishing skills, confidence course completion, swim tests, and chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear training, and physical fitness training and testing.Over 200 recruits graduate the Basic Military Training each year on the west coast.Navy members who volunteer for teaching duties undertake a two-week General Military Training Instructor course in preparation. However, billet shortfalls within the trades make finding instructors tough, says CPO2 Stephan Melançon, D-BMQ Chief Petty Officer.“As this is a number one CAF priority, people who are interested need to let their chain of command be aware of their intentions as soon as possible,” he says. “The ideal candidate to be a BMQ trainer is someone who is a good mentor, that doesn’t mind working extra hours and on weekends, they also need to have really good people skills, and be able to adapt to change on the fly.” Currently, 52 personnel are at the ready to instruct. This expertise casts a wide net: Naval Communicators, Weapons Engineering Technicians, Marine Technicians, Boatswains, Sonar Operators, Naval Combat Information Officers, Naval Communicators and even an Imagery Technician and professional musician with the Naden Band. PO2 Katrina Bligh, an oboe player with Naden Band of the Royal Canadian Navy, decided to become a D-BMQ trainer in February, with the gig ending after the August graduation of the serial.She completed her first serial...

Every year, the Healthy Relationships campaign runs in October. This year it takes place over two weeks from Oct 18 to 29. But why do we even focus on relationships, you ask?In general, being in a healthy relationship feels good. Healthy relationships can make us feel happy and mentally strong. When we find ourselves in an unhealthy one, the opposite is true. We can feel stressed out about every little thing and even be unhappy in our day-to-day lives.Yet over time, all relationships will evolve and change. Have you ever wondered what sets apart a healthy relationship from an unhealthy one?According to relationship experts Drs. John and Julie Gottman, the primary reason why couples separate or divorce is that they are unaware of their partner’s inner world. In the past, experts believed that major betrayals are what led to separation or divorce. The Gottmans have spent the last four decades studying romantic relationships to find out what makes a marriage successful. They report that couples who remain together are more likely to be attentive to their partner’s needs and wants. This simple idea has revolutionized the study of love and romantic relationships. In fact, experts now believe that small acts and gestures are what can make or break a relationship.There are easy ways to increase your awareness of your partner’s ‘inner world’. How much do you know about your partner’s most embarrassing childhood moment? What does your significant other consider unfair in the world? Is there something that is hard for them to overcome this week? Knowing the answers to these questions allows you to connect with your partner on a much deeper level.To help you find out more about your partner’s inner world, the Gottmans created an app called Card Decks. It has a series of card deck themes...

[caption id="attachment_27024" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Navy race participants conduct pre-sail inspection of Tuna. Photo by Michael McWhinnie[/caption]Peter MallettStaff Writer––The Canadian Forces Sailing Association (CFSA) will once again be hosting the Cascadian Convoy race with this year’s competition planned for Oct. 23 and 24. The search is on both for volunteers and teams to compete.Despite COVID-19 constraints, the CFSA hosted a highly successful race last year and have pledged to operate this year under similar, stringent safety protocols says CFSA Commodore LCdr Chris Maier. “When all of the big sailing races were cancelled last year, the CFSA stepped up to think outside the box and host a no-contact race,” says Maier. “With most of the races cancelled again this year, there are a lot of people still interested in getting out and racing.”Competitors and volunteers will follow COVID-19 health and safety protocols conforming to those mandated by the province says LCdr Maier, who works as the Deputy Commandant at Naval Fleet School Pacific (NFS(P)). LCdr Maier says there are many prominent racing teams and “big boats” already registered but noted overall participation numbers are low: he cited COVID-19 protocols along with the unpredictable late-October weather as contributing factors. “It’s a rough time of year to be racing but that’s also part of the allure and the hardy are drawn to the race,” he notes. Two Navy sailboats, Tuna and Goldcrest will be competing in the event. The boats are managed by NFS(P) and are used to provide seamanship training to personnel awaiting training (PATs).“These boats provide exceptional training value to officers and NCMs at the start of their careers,” emphasized Lt(N) Konnor Brett, a Training Officer at NFS(P).  “Students develop a wide range of maritime skills from seamanship to navigation to small-team leadership.”  Lt(N) Brett will skipper Tuna in the upcoming competition. “The PATs that learn to sail at Fleet School never stay long yet we manage to develop highly competitive crews capable of giving the bigger boats a run for their...

[caption id="attachment_27019" align="aligncenter" width="595"] The CH-148 Cyclone helicopters (seen here accompanying HMCS Winnipeg and HMCS Regina) are the RCNs main ship-borne maritime helicopter. Photo by MS Dan Bard, Canadian Forces Combat Camera[/caption]Peter MallettStaff Writer––He was looking for a bigger challenge on his career path and ended up with a job landing helicopters on the flight decks of RCN ships.Today Naval Combat Information Operator (NCIOP) MS Nelson Holland says he is fully enjoying his new job as Shipbourne Air Controller (SAC) onboard HMCS Vancouver. The 26-year-old from Sanford, Manitoba began his service in the RCN seven years ago. Prior to completing his SAC training in May 2021 he was employed as an Air Raid Reporting Operator and Track Supervisor within the NCIOP trade. “I decided to volunteer for the SAC course because I wanted a greater sense of accomplishment and something that would keep me more engaged in my job and have a tangible impact on operations,” says MS Holland. “After being approached by other air controllers in the fleet and being given additional insight into the job, I decided it would be a good fit and provide the sense of accomplishment I was looking for.” Shipbourne Air Controllers are responsible for the tactical air control of helicopters, fixed wing marine aircraft as well as international aircraft excluding fighter jets. Their job and title is a recognized NATO qualification granted to combat operators from naval trades including NCIOP, Naval Electronics Sensor Operator (NESOP) and Sonar Operator. The job itself is similar to an air traffic controller, but SACs also provide tactical or radar control when pilots and their air crews are not capable of detecting threats. “I quickly discovered that being a SAC puts you into an advisory role to command for everything to do with the employment of air assets,” says MS Holland. “I find myself contributing to many different evolutions involving our shipborne helicopter or other aircraft.  The SAC plays an important role in many operations vital to a...

[caption id="attachment_27014" align="aligncenter" width="595"] HMCS Harry DeWolf makes its way towards Pond Inlet during Operation Nanook-Nunakput, on the Davis Straight, Aug. 18. Photo by Corporal Simon Arcand, Canadian Armed Forces photo[/caption]Lt(N) Lisa Tubb HMCS Harry DeWolf PAO––It was a remarkable sighting, that black dot on the horizon in the field of blue and white of the Canadian Arctic. The sailors in the Multi-Role Rescue Boat dispatched from Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Harry DeWolf slowly drew closer to the strange sight.“We slowly inched closer to this brown and black dot on the horizon, it just completely stood out from its surroundings,” said Medical Officer Major (Maj) Lili Zhang, one of the sailors sent to photograph a particularly large iceberg when the anomaly was spotted. “We maintained a safe distance from it, but it was unmistakeable, a lone walrus was perched on a large slab of ice.”The walrus didn’t seem to be as interested in the sailors as they were in it.“Walruses are normally sighted in large groups referred to as herds, so to see one all on its own was really rare,” Maj Zhang said, referencing an Arctic wildlife field manual which has been passed around the crew.[caption id="attachment_27015" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Photo by Corporal Simon Arcand, Canadian Armed Forces photo[/caption]Thanks to Sub-Lieutenant (SLt) Karen Winzowski who has supplied the crew with her own copy of an Arctic Wildlife field manual, crew members have been reading up on the wildlife they have encountered.During the transit through Canada’s storied Northwest Passage on Operation Nanook 2021, every member of HMCS Harry DeWolf has had their own wildlife sighting story.SLt Terrance Moy spotted an albatross from the bridge while on watch, confirming this after consulting the field guide.“The wingspan was just incredible,” he said.Sailors who went ashore on Herschel Island, Yukon, had a heartwarming surprise awaiting them: a lone seal pup was there to greet them on arrival. While sailing through waters off of Nunavut, an Arctic fox was sighted by Imagery Technician Corporal Simon...

[caption id="attachment_27007" align="aligncenter" width="595"] The new peaked cap is based on a design worn by petty officers pre-1967.[/caption]The Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) has released a new, more comfortable peaked cap for its sailors. “The new cap has a flexible oval frame to better accommodate different head sizes, which makes it more adaptable for everyone,” says Chief Petty Officer 1st Class (CPO1) David Steeves, Command Chief Petty Officer of the Royal Canadian Navy. The new cap – which is comfortable to wear in various weather conditions – will be easier than the old version to care for. Its replaceable cloth top cover can be machine washed and dried. When it is worn-out, damaged or permanently soiled, the top cover can be replaced at less cost than replacing the whole cap. Sailors will wear the new cap with their naval Distinctive Environmental Uniform. “A sailor’s uniform is a source of pride,” says CPO1 Steeves. “Being able to wash the white cover of the cap will make it easier for sailors to maintain a professional appearance.”The peaked cap was authorized for wear by all sailors, regardless of gender   or gender orientation in 2016: the new cap will conform to that existing policy. Female sailors will be able to wear either the current sea service bowler or the new peaked cap, based on what is best for the member to accommodate their authorized hairstyles. Alternative service headdresses such as a hijab or Sikh turban will continue to be available to naval members to support their faith-based requirements.The design of the new cap is also a nod to RCN tradition. The non-commissioned members’ version is based on the RCN petty officer cap worn prior to unification of the Canadian Armed Forces in 1967. The new cap will be worn by non-commissioned members from the rank...

[caption id="attachment_27004" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Photo by LCdr Colin Dudeck[/caption]SLt Wilson HoUPAR - HMCS Vancouver––PCT Renard 58 was on the move last week when it made its way from Esquimalt Harbour to Point Hope Maritime Shipyard on Oct. 1 for a scheduled docking work period (DWP). The DWP will be an extensive overhaul for the vessel.  It will be lifted out of the water onto wooden blocks so contractors can inspect and repair the entire ship thoroughly inside and out. The evolution was a “cold move” for Renard, which meant that the propulsion plant onboard was not used. Instead, the Queen’s Harbour Master (QHM) tug Glendyne was made fast “at the hip” (beside the tug) and moved the vessel from its usual berth to the shipyard, located in Victoria West.It is not every day that a Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) vessel traverses Victoria’s Inner Harbour, and the event garnered significant public attention. Crowds of curious onlookers gathered along the boardwalk and in proximity to the Johnson Street Bridge, which connects Victoria’s downtown with Victoria West. Vehicle traffic was briefly interrupted when the bridge was raised to allow the two vessels to pass. “The challenging part is going under the bridge with Renard on the hip,” said Brian Whittaker, the QHM pilot in charge of the evolution. The entire operation, however, went smoothly and both the tug and Renard arrived safe and on time at Point Hope Maritime Shipyard. PCT Renard 58 is one of eight Orca-Class Patrol Craft Training Unit (PCTU) vessels that the RCN operates. The “Orcas” are maintained by an in-service support contract (ISSC) through civilian contractors as well as PCTU personnel. Operating year-round in and around the Gulf Islands on Canada’s west coast, these vessels are ideal training platforms used to teach junior officers and non-commissioned members. PCT...

[caption id="attachment_26999" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Norman Pimlott with daughter Colleen Pimlott-Marsel.[/caption]Peter MallettStaff Writer––During the Second World War, Norman Pimlott served as a naval gunner onboard His Majesty’s Canadian Ships Gatineau (1942), Saskatoon (1943), and Trois-Rivières (1944).  Afterwards, he raised a family, built a successful life as a businessman, was employed with the Department of Veterans Affairs as Chairman of the Pension Review Board of Canada, and became a municipal politician. Now, at the age of 96 Norm is adding one more profession to his credentials: author.The Canadian navy veteran decided to share his experiences by detailing life at sea aboard Canadian warships and the exploits defending convoys during the Battle of the Atlantic, the longest continuous military campaign of the war.  His book is titled My Way... Norm’s ups and downs on the Sea of Life.Norm enlisted at a tender age and served more than three years with the Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserves (RCNVR).  “The War Years were long and arduous,” writes Pimlott. “Somehow, in spite of the many hardships during the war and long hours of duty in all kinds of weather, it still seemed to bring out the best in the young men I was privileged to serve with.” A new adventureBorn on the 4th of July 1925 at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Victoria, Norm was youngest of seven children. He joined the Reserve Army at the age of 14 before transferring to the RCNVR two years later in 1941.  Shortly afterwards, he was given 24 hours’ notice to report to duty at HMCS Naden in Esquimalt. Norm was hastily inoculated then transported first to Sydney N.S. for basic training at HMCS Protecteur II, then to Cornwallis for additional instruction.[caption id="attachment_27000" align="aligncenter" width="416"] Norman Pimlott[/caption]“I found myself in a new adventure in the navy,” he recalls. “I was with 100 guys who were also new to the military. We slept on hard curved wooden seats on the train to Sydney [N.S.].”When Norm arrived at the training base in Cornwallis he...

Peter MallettStaff Writer––Armed with gloves and garbage bags a team of air cadets completed a cleanup of Belmont Park military housing community on Oct. 4. On a bright, sunny fall morning they took to the streets and tree lines of the West Shore neighbourhood for more than three hours, recovering approximately 25 garbage bags of trash. The team of 17 cadets and four adult staff members were from Royal Canadian Air Cadets Squadron 848. The majority of recovered items consisted of used medical masks, snack wrappers, plastic grocery bags and cigarette butts. Other items collected included a couch, broken toys and a children’s pool. By day’s end they had filled the back of a flatbed trailer with bagged refuse. The garbage was hauled away by Rolling Tides Construction Inc., who volunteered to dispose of the garbage for the cadets. Lt(N) Courtney Looye, Commanding Officer 848 Sqn. says some residents stopped by to thank the cadets for their efforts while others pointed out where more garbage could be located. In the end she declared their mission a success. Lt(N) Looye was highly impressed by the cadets’ willingness to help and said many of them had gained a true sense of accomplishment by taking part in the cleanup. “How can you feel anything but pride seeing youth, ages 12 to 18, walking through a community picking up garbage?” she asked. “This was a great opportunity for the cadets to get some exercise and fresh air and make their community a better place.” The cadets were required to wear masks along with a thorough washing of their hands after the event. The cleanup was one of the cadets many projects aimed at promoting community service. The squadron’s last community activity occurred in 2019, prior to COVID-19 restrictions, when they collected litter from Esquimalt Lagoon beach....

[caption id="attachment_26990" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Adam Rainsford is a 4th year Shipwright Apprentice and a contributor to the chessboard project. Photo by Michael McWhinnie, LCdr (Ret’d)[/caption]Ashley EvansFMFCB––The team at Fleet Maintenance Facility Cape Breton (FMFCB) pride themselves on their ability to meet any challenge and produce consistently excellent results. Projects vary but regardless of their size or complexity the managers and tradespeople of FMFCB have the range of knowledge and skill to rise to the occasion.Thus, when NETE Senior Engineer Tony DeRosenroll approached the former Commanding Officer, Capt(N) Martin Drews (Retired) for support towards the Broadmead Veterans Memorial Lodge, he approved soliciting the Apprentice Association, confident that something special would be produced.Their President, Kyle Hubicka, accepted the challenge.  Imagination, creativity and attention to detail would be provided by an outstanding group of apprentices who collaborated across a variety of trade specialties to conceive, design and craft a one-of-a-kind chess board for the Charity Golf Tournament and Silent Auction.After a few delays caused by pandemic-related scheduling conflicts, the apprentices came up with the ‘luxury chess set’ idea and were ready to start production by the end of May 2021. The project was a perfect choice as it would showcase the widest range of FMFCB apprentice skillsets and assured the broadest participation by the members of the current cohort. Hubicka said that coming up with an item that would work well for a silent auction was the most challenging part of this project, as it needed to be both generic enough to gain interest from a wide range of bidders, but also thread the needle on being unique enough to stand out.“When Tony contacted me as Acting Apprenticeship Manager, I was excited about this opportunity to showcase the FMF’s apprenticeship programs, skills, and abilities for such a great cause,” said Steve Ringma, Acting Group 2 Manager.Approximately seven apprentices and new journeypersons including Shipwrights, Painters, Electroplaters, Machinists, and Engravers worked on the project, which was accomplished over the span of three months in-between operational requirements of...

[caption id="attachment_26987" align="aligncenter" width="595"] HMCS Harry DeWolf traverses under the Lions Gate Bridge in Vancouver, British Columbia for the first time. Photo by MCpl Nathan Spence, MARPAC Imaging Services[/caption]SLt Wilson HoUPAR - HMCS Vancouver––On the first weekend of October 2021, HMCS Harry DeWolf successfully completed the historic Northwest Passage voyage from Halifax to Vancouver. Early Friday morning, the ship arrived at the Burrard Dry Dock Pier, at the Lonsdale waterfront in North Vancouver. It was a momentous occasion, as it had been over 50 years since a Royal Canadian Navy vessel had completed the Northwest Passage route. HMCS Harry DeWolf is the first ship of its class, which is also named the Harry DeWolf class, and is primarily designed to patrol and support Canada’s arctic regions.On Sunday morning, HMCS Harry DeWolf departed North Vancouver and sailed through the Straits of Georgia, passing through Haro Strait and Boundary Pass to arrive at Ogden Point, in Victoria late in the afternoon. A large crowd lined Ogden Point, cheering and waving as the ship arrived at its berth. On Monday morning, HMCS Harry DeWolf departed Victoria and made its maiden entrance into CFB Esquimalt. After the long journey, the ship will be in a short work period and personnel will get a chance to get some rest and relaxation. Following the rest period, HMCS Harry DeWolf will continue its maiden journey by transiting through the Panama Canal and is expected to arrive in Halifax in December.––––

[caption id="attachment_26975" align="aligncenter" width="595"] "I am optimistic that my decision to speak publicly about my sexual identity means I will no longer be burdened by the isolation of having to pretend I am someone I am not.” – PO1 Robert Wheaton[/caption]Peter MallettStaff Writer––The Defence Community at Maritime Forces Pacific is preparing to celebrate National Coming Out Day on October 11th during the week of this issue’s publication. The event is a catalyst and will be a turning point in the life of at least one RCN member. National Coming Out Day is an annual event that aims to support LGBTQ2+ people in their efforts to live openly and honestly with their personal identity within the broader community.The event is being organized by the Defence Team Pride Advisory Organization (DTPAO). At 8 a.m. on Oct. 11 members of the DTPAO will hoist pride flags and the the rainbow colours will fly prominently at Naden, Work Point and Duntze Head. DTPAO co-chair Steven Cleugh says inclusive policy changes and support are key to enhancing military and operational success for everyone in Maritime Forces Pacific (MARPAC). “The official recognition of National Coming Out Day at the base is an opportunity to promote understanding and acceptance,” said Cleugh. “The DPATO is here to listen, help and educate people who don’t know about LGBTQ2+ issues.  We support people who are part of the Defence Team with the overall goal of making the workplace a more open and inclusive environment.”The DTPAO was established on Dec. 9, 2020 and is the fifth Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) employment equity advisory group. The DTPAO’s mandate is to offer guidance to the CAF leadership on matters relating to the LGBTQ2+ members, both civilian and military.National Coming Out Day has become an important moment in the life of PO1 Robert Wheaton, a Naval Communicator (NAV COMM) employed...

[caption id="attachment_26972" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Capt(N) Sebastien Richard, Commander Fleet Maintenance Facility Cape Breton, serves breakfast.[/caption]At a ceremony presided by Capt(N) Jeff Hutchinson, Commander CFB Esquimalt, the Maritime Forces Pacific Defence Community launched its 2021 National Defence Workplace Charitable Campaign (NDWCC) on Oct. 5 at the Chiefs and Petty Officers’ Mess.  The event entailed the traditional pancake breakfast and inspirational speeches.This year’s kick-off was a success despite limitations on in-person participation resulting from COVID 19 protocols.  In just a few hours, organizers raised over $1,000 for charity.The NDWCC continues to be one of the largest and most successful campaigns of the Government of Canada Workplace Charitable Campaign (GCWCC), of which it is a part.The CAF/ DND Team has over 1000 volunteers working to make a difference in communities  across the country.In 2020, the NDWCC raised more than $2.5 million, accounting for approximately 8.5 percent of the $29.3 million raised in total throughout the GCWCC.

[caption id="attachment_26960" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Christine Goodridge retired on Sept. 22 after working 38 years as a barber for the military. Pictured here in the barbershop in FMF Cape Scott, Goodridge stands beside a bulletin board full of currency from all around the world, brought to her by sailors over the years. Photo by Joanie Veitch, Trident Newspaper[/caption]Joanie VeitchTrident Newspaper––After 38 years doing military haircuts at CFB Halifax, Christine Goodridge is packing up her clippers. On Sept. 22, she retired from her position as barber at CFB Halifax.She got her start as a military barber in late summer 1983. To put how long ago that was into context, Return of the Jedi was the big blockbuster summer movie that year, and Madonna had just released her debut album.“Thirty-eight years is a long time,” Goodridge says. “I still love cutting hair but I’m tired. You know when it’s time, and it’s time for me.” Goodridge grew up in Mill Cove, NS, near Hubbards. She got her start in the hair-cutting business shortly after finishing her training at the Atlantic Barbering and Hairstyling Academy; she was the youngest registered barber in North America at just 16 years of age.Working first at the iconic Golden Clipper – back when it was still on Spring Garden Road – and then at a hair salon on Dalhousie University campus, Goodridge decided she preferred barbering to hairstyling when a friend recommended her for the military barber job.“The barber up at Stad was having trouble with his barbers, drinking on the job, not showing up, that sort of thing. A friend I’d gone to school with suggested he give me a try.  He did, and it worked out.”Although Goodridge says she was “petrified” when she first started out, she fell in love with the job immediately, especially the pace...

[caption id="attachment_26955" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Volunteers and participants in the Soldier On program set sail on Esquimalt Harbour during a week-long sailing camp at the Canadian Forces Sailing Association (CFSA) Sept. 20 to 24. Soldier On is a support program which offers sports and recreational activities to serving and retired members with psychological illness or injury. Photos by Nicole Wray/Soldier On[/caption]Peter MallettStaff Writer––Five serving and retired military members learned to harness the ocean’s winds and waves by skippering a sailboat as part of a sailing course offered by the Soldier On program.Participants took to the water from Sept. 20 to 24 in 23-foot Sonar Keelboats as part of a competent crew sailing course. The coursing was taught by three instructors from the Canadian Forces Sailing Association (CFSA). Soldier On is a Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services program that provides support for serving and retired members of the Canadian Armed Forces who have experienced a physical or psychological illness or injury. Soldier On members across BC are provided with opportunities to try different sport, recreation, and creative activities while connecting with others in their communities.Participants were offered hands-on instruction on the basics of navigating a sailboat including the steps of docking, anchoring, rigging, operating outboard engines, and hoisting sails. The in-class component covered on-water safety, navigation, radio communications, ocean regulations, recognizing weather patterns, and how to handle emergency situations and equipment. To get them into the right mindset, CFSA sailing instructor Marisha Schaefer taught daily sailing-specific yoga and mindfulness sessions. The goal of the course was to provide the opportunity for participants to advance from an entry-level sailing skill set with instructor supervision, to sailing confidently in a command position with an instructor alongside for support.Included in the course was the opportunity to sail as a team in the 36-foot Royal Canadian Navy Sail Training Vessel, “Tuna,” to nearby Cole Island. The course drew rave reviews from participants. “This course included wonderful, positive staff and coaches that were eager to teach us but...

[caption id="attachment_26948" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Sentinels aboard HMCS Winnipeg that received refresher training.[/caption]Capt Arnold Noteh Glogauer HMCS Winnipeg––As HMCS Winnipeg set out on Operation Neon and Projection in August, departments nominated Sentinels to participate in refresher training. A refresher workshop was conducted early on in the deployment to bring the Sentinels back to the basics, review some of the fundamentals they may have forgotten, and brush up on new information. The Sentinel initiative is a peer support network established by the Royal Canadian Chaplain Service. The program is based on the understanding that the people we work with every day are in the best position to detect problems a co-worker is having. Sentinels are a group of trained, supervised, non-professionals whose purpose is to improve peer support on a day-to-day basis through a set of behaviours and attitudes they use with their peers. This strategic mental health buddy system is facilitated by empowering Sentinels to identify signs of distress in colleagues, to be able to offer better support, and where appropriate, to encourage an open discussion about their concerns and struggles with their chaplains, commanders, or mental health professionals. 2020 was a challenging year because of COVID where the recognition of Sentinel support was at a premium. Chaplains stationed all over the country continued to conduct Sentinel training; however, only on an online platform. One of the Sentinel’s roles is to ensure that service personnel know how to access support and how to provide support for one another. This is even more essential in a deployment at sea.––––

[caption id="attachment_26944" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Moose 62 is secured to a mooring buoy as part of a unique training opportunity. Photo by SLt Wilson Ho[/caption]SLt Wilson Ho UPAR - HMCS Vancouver––A group of junior officers undergoing the at-sea portion of their Phase IV training recently performed an evolution atypical for the class of vessel upon which they were embarked.“Coming to a buoy” is routinely conducted on Maritime Coastal Defence Vessels Canadian Patrol Frigates as part of readiness training. However, a regular Standard Operating Procedure was recently created for the Orca Class training vessels to be able to safely complete a mooring. The procedure permitted Moose 62 to successfully come to a mooring buoy on Sept. 27 near the entrance to Esquimalt Harbour. Coming to a buoy is an evolution where a ship is secured by attaching the ship’s cable or a hawser to a mooring buoy, which itself is secured by a heavy pendant and embedded anchors on the seabed. It is through the pendant that the forces of wind, tide, current, and waves, acting upon the vessel, are transmitted to the bottom where they are absorbed. It was a slow-time evolution for the students and crew. Led by the senior boatswain’s mate, Sailor First Class (S1) Lee Mihalcheon, the day started off with a detailed brief, followed by a full layout of all the equipment necessary to come to a buoy.[caption id="attachment_26945" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Buoy jumpers attach a hawser to a mooring buoy. Photo by SLt Wilson Ho[/caption]Once everything was deemed in working order, two buoy jumpers were lowered into the ship’s zodiac. When Moose 62 was in position close to the mooring buoy, the buoy jumpers were ordered onto the buoy and received the hawser. Passing through the mooring buoy ring, the hawser was sent back to the ship, and the buoy jumpers were ordered off the buoy. Moose 62 then slowly backed away, putting strain on the mooring buoy. Once complete, the hawser was taken off the mooring buoy...

[caption id="attachment_26941" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Fiona Treen shaves the locks of Cpl Michael Smith, Tour de Rock rider, just after having her own hair clipped as a fundraiser for Cops for Cancer.[/caption]Peter MallettStaff Writer––The daughter of a military member raised over $4,000 for this year’s Tour de Rock cycling fundraiser, shedding her locks to get the job done.Fiona Treen, 11, shaved off her long brown hair Sept. 15 at the Military Police detention barracks to support local Tour de Rock rider Cpl Michael Smith. Cpl Smith of the Military Police Unit embarked on this year’s cycling tour of Vancouver Island to benefit pediatric cancer with other military members and first responders. Fiona, daughter of Cdr Colleen O’Brien, wanted to shave her head ever since meeting another girl who had shaved her head for charity two years ago. Due to COVID, she had to wait until this year for the opportunity. Cdr O’Brien, whose husband is a police officer, suggested she support Cpl Smith and the Tour de Rock campaign. The O’Brien-Treen family connected with Cpl Smith and the rest is ‘hairstory.’“My husband bought her some new hats to keep her warm and she wore a Tour de Rock t-shirt to school the next day to explain her new look, which was very well received,” says Cdr O’Brien. Fiona’s hair was donated to make wigs for cancer patients. As a show of support Cpl Smith also went under the clippers. “Fiona is the embodiment of courage and selflessness as shown by her essentially donating her hair to the Tour de Rock,” says Cpl Smith. “Fiona had a smile from ear-to-ear during the head shave and that really struck me when I was on my bike riding on the tour.” This was his third consecutive Tour de Rock ride. The Tour de Rock began in 1998 and sees first responders and military members traverse Vancouver Island on their bicycles. On Sept. 22 and 23, he covered two legs of the tour between Campbell River,...

[caption id="attachment_26935" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Cdr Doug Layton, Winnipeg’s Commanding Officer, took part in a smudging ceremony performed by Cpl Terrance Carrier (left).[/caption]Lt(N) Amélie LeducHMCS Winnipeg––HMCS Winnipeg underwent a special cleansing ceremony, shortly after it set sail, by a crewmember of Cree heritage from the Sucker Creek First Nation in Alberta.Cpl Terrance Carrier, a Medical Technician, volunteered to perform a smudging ceremony to give the ship a “clean start” for its four-month deployment.“HMCS Winnipeg will be our home for the next four months. She will provide for us and protect us. But in order for the Winnipeg to succeed, we need to help her,” said Cpl Carrier. Traditionally, a smudging ceremony is for purifying or cleansing the soul of negative thoughts of a person or place. It can also allow people to remember, connect, and be grounded in the event, task, or purpose at hand, and to let go of negative feelings and thoughts. According to First Nations’ practice, a smudge is normally led by an elder or a person who has an understanding of what a smudge is and why it is done. “I am not an elder. Therefore, I ask for their blessings before I complete a smudge,” explained Cpl Carrier. “I do the best that I am able, and hopefully all who join me in these ceremonies have a positive experience from the smudging.” The ceremony began with a cross-legged Cpl Carrier facing east. He rolled sage and tobacco around a small piece of Chaga (mushroom) chosen for its medicinal characteristics. He then placed the contents into a small cast iron pan and lit it with a wooden match. At the stern of the ship he gestured to the four cardinal points. Facing east, he first cleansed himself. “I felt that Winnipeg will need balance during the sail. I started with my hands, then over my head, and then into my eyes, ears, nose, and mouth. I asked the ship to provide for us, and in return we will...

Losing a loved one is one of life’s most difficult experiences. For Canadian Armed Forces family members living this reality, the grief they feel isn’t always adequately addressed by civilian bereavement programs. This is the foundation of the Helping Our Peers by Providing Empathy (HOPE) program, which is marking its 15th anniversary.The program offers compassionate, understanding and confidential support that resonates with participants. That’s because it pairs a volunteer who has lost a loved one in the military with a bereaved military family newly coping with loss. In this peer-to-peer model, HOPE works on two tracks: it helps those who volunteer and those they mentor, as both work through their grief in their own way. Peer support has shown to have a significant impact on emotional healing and family wellbeing.HOPE seeks to demystify grief through the unique power of peer support. No matter how resilient an individual is, and military families show this quality every day, grief is overwhelming. The HOPE program provides family members with realistic and honest expectations so they can learn how to cope with their loss.HOPE participant Jim Davis knows this all too well. On the morning of March 2, 2006, he received the call all military family members dread; this one from his daughter-in-law Melanie about his son Cpl Paul Davis. “It was as though I was thrown into another dimension. I was spinning out of control in total confusion,” Davis recalls.It’s a natural reaction for someone in his situation, to want to shut down, to isolate and be alone with their pain. But Davis got another call a month later inviting him to attend a focus group in Edmonton. The topic of the meeting was how bereaved military family members can deal with their grief. He accepted because he recognized that step provided “a...