News

RCN/DND––When Her Majesty’s Canadian Submarine (HMCS) Corner Brook began its undocking on June 13, it became the most modern submarine in the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN). This undocking marked the return of Corner Brook to Vancouver Island waters for the first time in almost a decade. It is also the first in a series of milestones required for returning the submarine to operational service alongside HMC Submarines Victoria and Windsor.Corner Brook was in an Extended Docking Work Period (EDWP) since 2015 in Esquimalt. Repairs included damage caused by a grounding in 2011 along with other more intrusive maintenance routines that can only be conducted in a long maintenance period in dry dock. The EDWP also included several notable upgrades such as a new communication mast called the Universal Modular Mast, which allows high-speed, highly-secure, jam-resistant satellite communications with shore. It also received the BQQ-10 sonar suite. The difference between the BQQ-10 and the previous 2040 sonar suite range from a significant increase in the amount of processing that occurs after data is received from a Victoria-class submarine sonar systems to how that information is displayed to the operators. Corner Brook is now able to fire the Mk48 7AT torpedoes, a significant upgrade to the current weapon, the Mk48 4M. In addition to these upgrades, and separate from the work conducted on Corner Brook during this period, is the Victoria-class Modernization (VCM) effort, which aims to ensure the submarines remain operationally relevant until the mid-to-late 2030s. This series of projects, as part of VCM, will provide improved habitability and deployment conditions for submariners and enhanced capabilities to support continued contributions to Canadian Armed Forces joint operations as well as improving survivability against current and evolving threats in an increasingly complex and changing battle space.The Royal Canadian Navy’s four Victoria-class submarines – Victoria,...

[caption id="attachment_26096" align="aligncenter" width="550"] HCapt(N) Debbie Eisan.[/caption]Steven FouchardArmy Public Affairs––Finding her own voice was Debbie Eisan's first step in becoming an advocate for Indigenous soldiers and veterans.Her career with the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) began in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, not far from the Batchewana First Nation where she grew up.By the time of her medical release 36 years later at the rank of Petty Officer Second Class, she had become a valued advisor to senior military leaders on Indigenous matters. Her work alongside her colleagues on the Defence Aboriginal Advisory Group resulted in what she now describes as “huge steps forward” for Indigenous soldiers and veterans.Late last year, the RCN recognized her work with an appointment to the rank of Honorary Captain (Navy) affiliated with the future Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship Margaret Brooke. In a recent interview, HCapt(N) Eisan looked back at her career struggles and triumphs, how the Canadian Armed Forces has become “more open” to Indigenous culture, and how her new rank is an opportunity to continue amplifying Indigenous voices.What drew you to the Canadian Armed Forces?My story is a bit of a funny one. When I was working as the National Aboriginal Recruiting Advisor, I was asked to go to Toronto to be on TV Ontario for Remembrance Day one year. There was myself, a sergeant, and a colonel. When the interviewer asked the colonel why he joined, he said it had been a longstanding tradition in his family. The sergeant said he was six years old when his family came to Canada and his mother said to him, ‘What a wonderful thing to join the military of the country that has given us so much.’ While they were talking I was thinking, ‘What do I say about my story?’ My mother has always taught me to tell the truth so, when it came...

[caption id="attachment_26091" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Jennifer Kingston, owner of Kingston Cake Craft and Bakery.[/caption]Peter MallettStaff Writer––When not cooking healthy meals at the Wardroom, Jennifer Kingston is in her home micro-bakery creating custom cakes and pastries for clients.The base foods employee owns Kingston Cake Craft and Bakery, a small profitable business that feeds her creativity.“When people ask me why I love to bake so much I tell them that’s my passion. The natural world is full of beauty and replicating it in sugar has been a great source of happiness for me.”  Her most recent cake was for Fleet Maintenance Facility Cape Breton’s 25th anniversary small, physically distanced get together. The 18” x 24” vanilla cake was filled with Bavarian cream. She handcrafted the special logo out of gum paste for a 3D effect, and meticulously cut out and placed laurel leaves, numbers, and letters from fondant as part of the decoration. “It was a real showpiece,” says Ashley Evans, one of the organizers of the event.“The reason I love making cakes and baking is to see the satisfaction and joy it gives people,” says Kingston. “When someone looks at one of my cakes and gets excited it reminds me that, while you can’t buy happiness, you can buy cake.”She is a red seal certified cook and Camosun College culinary program graduate, starting her career at CFB Esquimalt 21 years ago.  She has also worked alongside the talented chefs and cooks at the Dominion Hotel, Laurel Point Inn, and The Delta Ocean Pointe. When Swedish Bakery owner Ingmar retired, Kingston stepped in as head cake decorator. It eventually closed and she inherited many of the bakery’s fundamental tools such as cake pans, boxes, and molds. This gave her the tools needed to get her small business up and running. Her home kitchen is Capital Regional District certified.“My dad was the one in the family with the true passion for cooking and taught me to admire, love, and respect food,” says Kingston. “He always seemed...

[caption id="attachment_26088" align="aligncenter" width="594"] Lt(N) Steven Gallant performs functional tasks on board a rigid-hulled inflatable boat with Harry DeWolf in the background during warm water trials. Photo by Corporal Simon Arcand, Canadian Armed Forces Photo[/caption]RCN / DND––The temperature was a little different this time around.After a month of conducting cold weather and ice trials off the coasts of Northern Labrador and Nunavut earlier this year, Harry DeWolf found itself in warm waters near Puerto Rico in late April.With the water temperature hovering at 29C and the outside air temperature at 35C, conditions were perfect for the trials needed to test the ship’s systems in warmer weather alongside or at sea.“The ability for the ship to cool engines, keep humidity in check, and have enough cool air for computer hardware to run properly are the mainstays of heating, ventilation, and air cooling (HVAC) system testing,” says Commander (Cdr) Corey Gleason, Harry DeWolf’s Commanding Officer. “The refrigerated spaces and the galley temperatures were checked each day while preparing meals. The main propulsion plant was tested at full speed over a period of four hours where the sea water cooling was checked periodically, as well as the temperatures of every engine space. Finally, all of the lifting appliances were tested and verified to be operational in extreme heat.”Cdr Gleason says the ship performed very well in the warm weather. “There were requirements to tune the HVAC system in different parts of the ship to ensure air flow was meeting specifications, and we as a ship’s company did our part by maintaining strict access controls to the upper decks to keep the hot air outside.”While Harry DeWolf is an Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ship that will be used as an icebreaker in the North, Canada needs a navy that can operate anywhere in the...

[caption id="attachment_26084" align="aligncenter" width="594"] CAF Ombudsman Gregory Lick[/caption]Peter MallettStaff Writer––Last week, the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Ombudsman completed a series of virtual outreach sessions and town hall meetings at CFB Esquimalt and Maritime Forces Pacific. Ombudsman Gregory Lick and his staff met with approximately 540 military members and civilian staff in 16 different virtual meetings held mostly via video conferencing from May 24 to 31. “This visit was an opportunity for military members and civilian staff to raise questions and concerns over issues affecting themselves and their families,” said Lick. “We also provided information to constituents about what the office of the Ombudsman does.” The CAF Ombudsman investigates complaints and serves as a neutral third party on matters related to the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces for serving and former military members. It acts independently of the chain of command with the Ombudsman reporting directly to the Minister of National Defence. The Ombudsman’s office is also a direct source of information, referral, and education for military members and civilian DND employees. It helps individuals get access to existing channels of assistance or redress when they have a complaint or concern.Issues of ConcernKey issues raised were the increasing cost of living expenses and the need for the Treasury Board to update the criteria and rates for the Post Living Differential (not updated since 2008); relocation issues with government-contracted Brookfield Residential Property Services; sexual misconduct and abuse of authority concerns; and access and wait times for health care.Other concerns raised included the CAF mandatory retirement age of 55, quarantine requirements, and mental health issues associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. This year’s outreach by the Ombudsman was also part of an ongoing systemic investigation into issues surrounding compassionate postings and families with special needs children.Lick says military members must be...

[caption id="attachment_26081" align="aligncenter" width="594"] Photo by Capt Jenn Jackson, PAO[/caption]Capt Jenn JacksonTGEX 21-02 PAO––Her Majesty’s Canadian  Ships Winnipeg and Regina started Task Group Exercise 21-02 (TGEX 21-02) on May 29 with a successful anti-air warfare exercise in the West Coast Firing Range.Winnipeg fired two evolved sea sparrow missiles as part of the ship’s preparations for their upcoming deployment on Operations Projection and Neon. They fired at unmanned aerial targets known as Vindicators launched from Regina.“I am extremely proud of my team and what they accomplished,” says Cdr Doug Layton, Commanding Officer of Winnipeg. “In addition to firing our missiles, we also successfully fired our 57mm gun, Close-in Weapons System, and Naval Remote Weapons System to destroy all four Vindicator targets. The teamwork displayed across all departments was unsurpassed throughout.”TGEX 21-02 is a naval exercise taking place until June 11 off the coast of western Vancouver Island, and in the vicinity of Constance Bank, and the Strait of Georgia. It includes participation from the Royal Canadian Navy and Royal Canadian Air Force.“This exercise provides a valuable opportunity for Pacific Fleet ships to maintain operational readiness while simultaneously supporting at-sea experience for newly trained Operations Room Officers,” says Capt(N) Scott Robinson, Commander of TGEX 21-02. Operations Room Officers (OROs) are senior Lieutenant(N) Naval Warfare Officers who are charged by the ship’s Commanding Officer with conducting and coordinating the ship’s overall program and warfare capabilities. Selection to become an ORO is merit-based and a key step for Naval Warfare Officers to progress to higher ranks and eventual command.“Having an opportunity to gain experience at sea has been extremely valuable,” says Lt(N) Ben Scott, recent ORO course graduate. “It is helping me build confidence in my skills and the mentorship I’ve received makes the transition from the simulations we do on the course to...

Peter MallettStaff Writer––The Base Orderly Room (BOR) has completed a successful trial of a digital form that changes the way Canadian Armed Forces members do business. Military members posted to CFB Esquimalt and CFB Halifax can now complete their In/Out routine form via online application. In/Out forms are essential documents that enable military members to receive personal liability and clearance certificates, pay and records documentation, amd mess affiliation when leaving an existing posting and arriving at a new one. Prior to the launch of the trial in May, all In/Out routine forms were paper hard copy. Lt(N) Alex Uddin, BOR Officer In Charge, says the modernization was born out of necessity. “During the COVID-19 pandemic, the BOR faced many challenges including members not being able to physically come into the BOR. This resulted in the modernization of our delivery of core services through digital methods. Part of that mission was to streamline the In/Out routine for members being posted to and leaving the base, which resulted in a digitized process instead of a physical paper copy.” The PDF-based forms require a digital signature to complete. The document is accessible on the DWAN browser. The digital form can be used in Esquimalt or Halifax or to transfer from any other CAF base. The trial of the digital forms received positive feedback, says Lt(N) Uddin. The program received final approval and is now live, they anticipate the new digital forms will become a permanent feature. To access the In/Out routine forms through the DWAN visit the following web page: http://esquimalt.mil.ca/main/e/documents/RCN_IOR_MbrDataEntry.pdf  If you do not have access to a DWAN account or computer send your request to PL-ESQ.BAdmIORoutines@forces.gc.ca using the following subject line: “Requesting In/Out Routine Form.––––

Veterans Affairs Canada and Canadian Heritage have revealed the five concepts for the National Monument to Canada’s Mission in Afghanistan. Canadians are invited to view the concepts and complete the short survey to help choose a design before June 9 at www.Canada.ca/survey-monument-afghanistan.In August 2019, teams of professional artists, landscape architects, architects, and other urban design professionals were invited to provide their credentials and examples of prior work. In summer 2020, a jury composed of experts in the fields of arts and urban design and representatives from key stakeholder groups shortlisted five design teams to each create a design for the Monument.The National Monument to Canada’s Mission in Afghanistan will recognize the commitment and sacrifice of the more than 40,000 Canadians who served there, and the support provided to them by Canadians at home, as well as the families whose lives were changed by the mission.A jury of experts and stakeholders will consider the survey responses when selecting the winning design, which will be announced in the fall.For more information on the monument, https://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/memorials/afghanistan-monument––––

[caption id="attachment_26061" align="aligncenter" width="550"] Example of the new DND 404 Driver’s Licence.[/caption]DND––To make Canadian Armed Forces institutions more inclusive sex designation has been eliminated on the DND 404, the military’s driver’s licence.Starting June 1, all new DND 404s will be issued without sex identification on them. Current versions will remain valid until their expiry date. Anyone who wishes to exchange their current version before its expiry date for a new version without a sex identification can do so by requesting this to their local Road and Vehicle Safety Section (RVSS). Their RVSS will process a regular DND renewal request and a new DND 404 will be issued.This change to the DND 404 will not affect the card as a valid piece of federal government identification since it is not used as a primary identity document. Nor will it affect the licence’s status under the Canadian Driver Licence Agreement, which means it will continue to be recognized by provincial and territorial jurisdictions, and by law enforcement officers across Canada. There will be no impact on provincial or territorial driver’s licence qualification exchange programs, or on the recognition of CAF driver qualifications abroad.The provincial and territorial driver’s licence qualification exchange program allows recently retired or currently serving military members to transfer their DND 404-related qualifications onto their civilian provincial/territorial licence without additional training or testing. In general, most, if not all, military driving qualifications that have an equivalent class for a civilian driver licence are granted by the jurisdiction. However, each province and territory has its own process, so interested members should check the specific requirements of the province or territory in which they reside.––––

[caption id="attachment_26049" align="aligncenter" width="594"] Kevin Zalba[/caption]A/SLt Wen Guo Base Administration––It seems like fate that Kevin Zalba would spend his civilian career managing an arena. The former sailor, who joined at 17 in 1981, served 22 years in the navy, retiring as a Petty Officer Second Class.While he loves the navy, he loves hockey even more. “I played hockey my whole life and was always around the rink as a kid. I played at a higher level and always enjoyed the competitive nature of being on a hockey team. When I retired from the navy and this position became available, I jumped for this opportunity because I love hockey and I wanted to provide a great facility for people who love hockey too.” Zalba is the Arena and Grounds Manager at the Personnel Support Programs (PSP), leading a team of 13 staff members. His main responsibility is to keep the Wurtele Arena and sports fields in great shape for the military and Greater Victoria community to use. “I love working on our ice; we have the best ice in the city and working with an amazing PSP team makes me want to come to work every day of the year.” In addition to the arena, Zalba and his team also take care of the baseball diamonds, outdoor volleyball field, soccer fields on Colville Road, and the tennis court in dockyard. “My passion for sports motivates me to maintain high standards in all our facilities and various sports fields. I want the best facilities for our members and will do whatever I can to achieve that.” The job has come with additional rewards. In 2019, the base hosted the World Junior Hockey Team offering the arena for their practice as they prepared for the World Junior Hockey Championships in Vancouver and Victoria....

[caption id="attachment_26040" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Commander Amber Comisso[/caption]Peter MallettStaff writer––Vancouver-based filmmaker Adrian Juric has included a Royal Canadian Navy officer in his upcoming documentary Our Time Has Come: Women Who Lead.Commander (Cdr) Amber Comisso, 42, joins a half dozen other successful working women in the film that focusses on gender equality and the unique ways women lead at the highest levels of the organizational world. “I was truly honoured and excited that he chose me to tell part of a larger story of the struggle of gender equity to Canadians,” said Cdr Comisso. “I really do think it’s important for young women to see someone successful in the navy, and research shows for so many women, seeing is believing.” She currently works as F3, Canadian Fleet Pacific, and is preparing for the upcoming Task Group Exercise involving HMC Ships Winnipeg and Regina running May 28 to June 11. Her clip was filmed at the Wardroom, with a sneak peak recently released on LinkedIn. “Young women, especially those in their teens, need to see women who have done big things in the world in order to go after success themselves,” says Juric. “My goal with this film is to introduce them to female leaders who fit this description, women who might inspire them enough to pursue leadership roles of their own one day.”His cousin, Kara Osborne, a retired army intelligence officer, recommended Cdr Comisso. It was her impressive accomplishments over 23 years in the navy, and her roles as mother of two and service spouse, that prompted him to reach out to her. She recently completed a posting as HMCS Winnipeg’s Executive Officer, part of which was a five-month deployment to the Asia-Pacific region on Operations Projection and Neon. She previously held the title of National Military Co-Chair of the Defence Women’s Advisory Organization, which advises Canada’s military on systemic barriers concerning women and gender equity.[caption id="attachment_26042" align="aligncenter" width="389"] Commander Amber Comisso[/caption]During the filming, Juric asked her several provocative questions on gender:...

Peter MallettStaff Writer––A new book by a Royal Canadian Navy sailor is inspiring musicians to seek perfection in their live performances and to “never be an echo of someone else.”Author PO1 Jason Parsons is an accomplished live music producer and performance coach. By day he is a Human Resources Administrator in the Base Orderly Room (BOR) at CFB Esquimalt.During the past year, as the COVID-19 pandemic raged, the music industry morphed into a state of hibernation and live concert gigs all but dried up. Instead of remaining idle, PO1 Parsons wrote his self-published book Be A Voice: A Musician’s Guide for the Live Performance. “It’s an offering of invaluable lessons about the music industry and live concerts, whether you are a seasoned musician or just at the beginning of your musical journey,” he says. PO1 Parsons has served over 17 years in the navy, but he is also a former rock musician who once found success on the big stage in Nashville, TN. “Although pursuing a career in music is an exciting and rewarding venture, it also comes with its fair share of rejection and obstacles. The live performance is critical to the success of any music artist and this book will inspire you to never be an echo of someone else.” [caption id="attachment_26031" align="aligncenter" width="227"] PO1 Jason Parsons[/caption]Melfort to Music CityPO1 Parsons, 47, grew up in a musical family in Melfort, Saskatchewan. He experimented with guitar and drums in high school, playing in several local rock bands. One of those bands was Surrender, an acoustic rock band that released their debut EP, You and Me, in 1997. Within six weeks of its release the song reached No. 4 on the Indie (Independent) Top 40 charts in the United States. There were many live performances to follow after the band’s act was picked up by a producer in Nashville, but their fame was short lived. So he began studying Live Performance in the late 1990s in Nashville and then underwent formal...

[caption id="attachment_26037" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Kodi Gibson with the unnamed mannequin.[/caption]Peter MallettStaff Writer––Navy ships have Oscar, the person overboard dummy. The Naden Athletic Centre has…well, an unnamed, non-gendered mannequin used in the pool for water-rescue training. Kodi Gibson, facility supervisor, and Ron Boyce, Aquatics Supervisor, want a moniker for their dummy, and are looking to the Defence community for ideas. “As humans, we have a tendency to want to name everything whether it’s an inanimate object like a car, a beloved stuffed animal, or a life-sized mannequin,” says Gibson. “After Personnel Support Programs staff got into a debate over what to name the new mannequin, we figured it was best to let the community decide.” The contest runs from May 31 to June 17 with the name announced on June 18 after a thorough review of submissions by a panel of judges. The winning entrant will receive a free fitness consultation and personalized fitness plan designed by PSP staff, a Health Promotions swag bag, and an official certificate of recognition to be displayed at the Aquatics centre. The mannequin is so life-like “it actually looks like a human being,” says Gibson. It stands about five feet tall and weighs 100 lbs when filled with water. It was bought because of COVID and a need to train in the pool without a real person in need of rescuing. To enter the contest provide a name suggestion in the comments section on the NAC’s Facebook posts promoting the contest. Alternatively, you can email your suggestions to Kodi.Gibson@forces.gc.ca––––

[caption id="attachment_26034" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Sub-Lieutenant Dmitriy Shulga, a Naval Warfare Officer, takes a navigational bearing with a Polaris on the bridge of Standing NATO Maritime Group One Flagship HMCS Halifax off the coast of Portugal on May 23 during Exercise Steadfast Defender 21. NATO photo by Sailor 1st Class Bryan Underwood, Royal Canadian Navy[/caption]DND/RCN––Two Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) Flag Officers have assumed key leadership roles for Exercise Steadfast Defender 21, the first in a new series of long-planned NATO exercises to enhance Alliance security.Twenty Allies from North America and Europe are participing. The exercise will help improve the interoperability of Allied forces and practice military mobility throughout Europe.The RCN’s Rear-Admiral Steven Waddell, currently on exchange as Vice-Commander of the United States Second Fleet, is the Maritime Component Commander for the exercise and is working alongside Canada’s NATO partners aboard the Blue Ridge-class command and control ship United States Ship Mount Whitney.Standing NATO Maritime Group One (SNMG1), currently under the command of the RCN’s Commodore Bradley Peats from flagship HMCS Halifax, is participating in the maritime operational and tactical-level live exercise (LIVEX), running from May 20 to 30.The LIVEX, which is taking place off the coast of Portugal in the Eastern Atlantic, will demonstrate the ability of Allied maritime forces to execute Joint Force Command Norfolk’s mission of protecting strategic lines of communication in the Atlantic.Steadfast Defender 21 is also the first large test of NATO’s adapted command structure and involves two new commands: one focused on logistics, Joint Support and Enabling Command, based in Germany, and the other focused on the Atlantic, Joint Force Command Norfolk, based in Virginia. It offers the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) an opportunity to gain understanding of these commands, as well as the new Standing Joint Logistics Support Group.As a founding NATO member, Canada remains committed to the Alliance...

[caption id="attachment_26027" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Members of Combined Task Force 150 and HMCS Calgary show their new look after getting their hair, beards, and ‘staches shaved off for a charity event on May 24 in Manama, Bahrain, during Operation Artemis. The two groups have self-isolated throughout their respective operations and remained physical distanced from each other during the event to ensure the health and safety of all involved. Photos by Cpl Lynette Ai Dang, Imagery Technician[/caption]––Over the May long weekend, 17 members of HMCS Calgary and five members from Combined Task Force 150 made good on their promise to shed their hair in support of the ship’s official charity Calgary Foothills Burn Unit. After a busy operational counter-narcotics program, where Calgary made 14 drug busts to date off the Coast of Oman, the Operation Artemis team lost their locks, beards, and mustaches in the plus 40-degree heat alongside in Bahrain. The fundraiser has garnered over $5,000 thus far and remains open to donations until Calgary leaves the Operation Artemis area of operations in mid-June. To support the crew in their fundraiser go to Go Fund Me page: gofund.me/6461bffb––––

Captain Sarah HarasymchukOperation Caribbe PAO––HMC Ships Brandon and Saskatoon left Esquimalt Harbour on Feb. 18 on a grey rainy day to start a three-month deployment on Operation Caribbe. After a highly successful deployment with many drug interdictions, both ships returned to port on May 20.Operation Caribbe is Canada’s participation in the U.S.-led enhanced counter-narcotics operations in the Caribbean Sea and the eastern Pacific Ocean. Naval warships and aircraft deploy to the region on a rotational basis to support the American-led multinational mission to suppress trafficking in international waters.The Coxswains on board play a critical role on the ship to ensure high standards of deportment, maintain discipline, and ensure sailors have a voice to the Command Team. Here’s more about HMC Ships Brandon’s and Saskatoon’s Coxswains, Petty Officer First Class Keith Parsons and Petty Officer First Class Kenny Sparkes.––[caption id="attachment_26012" align="aligncenter" width="300"] HMCS Brandon’s Coxswain, Petty Officer First Class Keith Parsons[/caption]HMCS Brandon’s Coxswain, Petty Officer First Class Keith Parsons, a Weapons Engineering Technician by trade:Are you the first person in your family to be in the military? Yes, I am the first in my family to join the forces.Where was your favorite place to sail in your career? That is a tough one, as I have been all over the world, and each place has its own uniqueness about it. How did you get such an excellent crew on board? I ask myself that very question almost daily. The morale on board is nothing like I’ve seen before. It helps when you have a small crew and everyone buys into the mission. With every evolution requiring the entire ship’s company, whether it be part ship hands or launching the RHIB, it allows everyone to come together quickly.Why did you choose to join the navy in particular? That is a funny story. When I went to the recruiting office, I actually wanted to join the combat arms trade, as I didn’t really know anything about the Royal Canadian Navy. Now that I...

[caption id="attachment_26008" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Petty Officer First Class (PO1) Kurt Arnold[/caption]Capt Jeff KlassenHMCS Calgary PAO––Section Base 5: a one man emergency response team in HMCS CalgaryThey’re called section bases – emergency response teams that gather in different parts of the ship during emergency situations. While most commissioned ships in the Royal Canadian Navy have four, HMCS Calgary is the only one with a Section Base 5.Section Base 5 is the nickname given to Calgary’s Chief Cook, Petty Officer First Class (PO1) Kurt Arnold. Officers and senior Chiefs find him to be so fast and so capable at responding to emergencies they lovingly compare him to a whole team. “It’s really rare to see sailors attain his level of knowledge for damage control and general seamanship. Through sheer determination and putting in extra hours, his knowledge is equal to or greater than some hard sea trades at his rank,” says CPO1 Arvid Lee, who was PO1 Arnold’s Coxswain when he first came to Calgary in 2018.Part of the reason for PO1 Arnold’s success is spending a lot of time at sea, much more than the average cook. By the end of 2021, he will likely earn his Gold Sea Service Insignia (SSI) signifying he has served 1,460 full days at sea; he currently has over 1,300 sea days. Out of the roughly 16,600 Regular Force and Reserve members in the Royal Canadian Navy, only around 330 have their gold anchor. It’s especially rare for cooks because they are a purple trade, meaning even if they wear a navy uniform they can also be posted across Canada to any army or air force base. “As always, there are exceptions but largely because of their limited amount of sea time we don’t often see support trades like cooks take on this level of...

Peter MallettStaff Writer––At the helm of the Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue (RCMSAR) is a retired naval officer.Captain (Navy) (Retired) Bill Riggs’ familiarity with the ocean coupled with his navy training provides the expertise to lead the more than 900 search and rescue volunteers.They operate 44 specialized rescue vessels and 32 marine rescue stations, and are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week to help the coast guard and military keep watch on 450,000 square kilometres of the Pacific coastline and inland lakes and waterways in British Columbia. “We have the resources, people, and assets on the water and are available to support the Canadian Coast Guard, the Canadian Armed Forces, and the Province when we are needed,” says Riggs, RCMSAR Chief Executive Officer. “Many of our volunteers are also heavily involved in other activities within their communities.”Through an agreement with the Canadian Coast Guard, RCMSAR can be called out to marine emergencies by the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre located at CFB Esquimalt.Persons in medical distress, collisions, onboard fires, mechanical failures, boats taking on water, and missing persons are some of the marine emergencies volunteers tackle. They conduct, on average, one-third of all marine rescues each year. The non-profit was founded in 1978 as the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary - Pacific. It was re-branded in B.C. in 2012 to highlight its crews are volunteers.Since 1996, they have responded to more than 2,814 SAR taskings and assisted more than 1,966 individuals, recording  over 370,000 volunteer hours in British Columbia.“The strength of any non-profit is in its volunteers and they are what makes our operation so successful,” he says. “Our strong ties to the military through our membership are also quite remarkable.”RCMSAR’s volunteers come from all walks of life including current-serving military and veterans who make a seamless transition to...

DND––Special scenarios for navigation, ship handling, and anchoringLearning to navigate a ship more than two times longer than a football field is no small feat. Virtual reality training is enabling a powerful and more effective way of conducting ship navigation training to allow navigators to become more effective and aware of the challenges before getting behind the wheel.“Students will find themselves in training scenarios where they will be able to see the ship from perspectives that wouldn’t be possible during real-world training, such as under the surface as the ship they are manoeuvring comes to anchor,” said Lieutenant (Navy) Sara Kucher, a Curriculum Analyst with Naval Training Development Centre (Pacific) (NTDC(P)).“These perspectives will provide a more rounded experience for students and answer the ‘why do we do that?’ questions they might have by providing a visual representation to accompany the classroom instruction.”Through Innovative Solutions Canada, the Royal Canadian Navy’s navigation school, NTDC(P), has partnered with developers from Chaac Technologies to test the viability of having virtual reality in the classroom.Chaac Technologies is a geospatial technology software company. They use 3D modeling and photo-realistic imagery to create training programs that provide safety procedure training for situations that would normally be found in dangerous environments. By using the virtual reality technology, trainees can learn and practice these procedures while reducing the risk to their personal safety.“The team at NTDC(P) have seized a fantastic opportunity by matching new tech from our partners at Innovation Solutions Canada with areas of their training plan and objectives that can be greatly enhanced with these new methods,” said Lieutenant-Commander Lee Vessey from Director Navy Innovation. “There is some hard work being done on design development by the team and the result will be greater capacity for training for some of the most challenging tasks. It is an...

[caption id="attachment_25995" align="aligncenter" width="594"] S3 Connor Melville[/caption]HMCS Regina's S3 Connor Melville successfully accomplished his Cook RQ Cpl/S1 Package Practical Confirmation Dinner on May 16.Cooks on board HMC Ships hold an important responsibility to ensure crew morale, health, and well-being by continuously serving fresh, healthy, and delicious meals in accordance with Canada’s Food Guide to Healthy Eating and the CAF Food Services Manual. This is a milestone for S3 Melville’s career progression as it makes him eligible for QL5 training at Canadian Forces Logistics Training Center (CFLTC) in Borden, ON, in the near future.His meal consisted of a fresh herb clover roll, watermelon and cucumber salad dressed with a lime and vanilla vinaigrette, fresh halibut ceviche served with fried plantain chips, a mint and mango sorbet palate cleanser, beef filet mignon and lobster tail accompanied with a horseradish aioli, duchesse potatoes and beurre noisette asparagus almondine. For dessert, Breton Style Crepes filled with a mixture of fresh berries, coulis, and shredded dark chocolate. To conclude this delicacy, an old fashioned cocktail digestif smoked with apple wood and rosemary. Bravo Zulu S3 Melville.

Peter MallettStaff Writer––A new veteran-run driving school serving southern Vancouver Island is offering a discount to military members and first responders. Isle Drive Driving School is owned and operated by a former submariner of the Royal Canadian Navy, PO2 (Retired) Joe Hayward. He spent 18 of his 21-year military career as a Naval Acoustics Operator based on the east coast, working mostly in Oberon-class submarines. These days, instead of focusing on underwater surveillance, he introduces new drivers to the laws of the road. In January 2020 he revved up his small business venture.“Driving is a milestone and safe driving is a must,” says Hayward. “Safety should go hand in hand with everything you do behind the wheel.” He is not only the sole proprietor but also the school’s head instructor. Hayward holds ICBC Class 5 and Class 7 Driver Training Instructor licenses and has previous experience as an instructor. His business offers a 15 percent discount for immediate family members of military and first responders.The Duncan resident says Isle Drive Driving School’s advantage over competitors is its private individual instruction to all customers. Despite operating out of Duncan, he delivers training in Victoria, the West Shore, Ladysmith, the Cowichan Valley, and Chemainus with at-home or school pick-up available. Hayward conducts his class in a Toyota Prius, which is available for students to use for their final ICBC road test. Isle Drive Driving School offers customers flexible hours, custom-designed programs, and in-car, one-on-one private driving lessons. Areas of instruction include: new driver training, defensive driver lessons, ICBC Road Test Preparation coursing, senior refresher lessons, court-mandated lessons and winter driving awareness lessons. Hayward says owning a smaller-sized driving school gives him the opportunity to take the necessary time to make sure every one of his graduates is fully qualified to drive the...

[caption id="attachment_25987" align="aligncenter" width="595"] SLt Courtnay Pooley[/caption]A sailor’s journey from sonar technician to bridge officer in HMCS CalgaryCapt Jeff KlassenHMCS Calgary PAO––The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), like most militaries around the world, structures its ranks in two separate progression streams: officers and non-commissioned members - NCMs.Each stream has its own linear rank structure - there are both high-ranking officers and high-ranking NCMs. The majority of members don’t cross over from one stream to the other, but it does happen.Sub-Lieutenant (SLt) Courtnay Pooley is one of those NCMs that made the jump. He grew up on a small Rocky Mountain farm in the Nicola Valley just outside of Merritt, British Columbia. He spent years working as a sonar technician in HMCS Calgary. Now, after upgrading his education and training, he’s back with the same ship, this time as an officer on the bridge.“Each stream (officer or NCM) is difficult in its own way,” said SLt Pooley. “As an NCM you are expected to follow orders, work hard, and not necessarily know why. As an officer, you are given much higher levels of responsibility and while the day-to-day work isn’t as physical, that responsibility weighs on you.”SLt Pooley worked as sonar technician from 2013 to 2016. In 2016, he applied for the University Training Plan for Non-Commissioned Members. The program paid for SLt Pooley to get an Economics degree from the University of Victoria. He chose to become a Naval Warfare Officer - a general leadership position that covers many officer roles in the navy.“I wanted to stay in the navy because I still wanted to travel and I picked Naval Warfare Officer, instead of pursuing engineering as one might expect from a technician, because I heard it is one of the most demanding trades in the military and I wanted that...

Peter MallettStaff Writer––Spaces are filling up fast for the free presentation by renowned childhood development counsellor and author Deborah MacNamara. She will deliver her online presentation May 27 at 7 p.m. The event is being hosted by the Esquimalt Military Family Resource Centre and will focus on relationships in a military family.MacNamara is a best-selling author and director of the “Kids Best Bet” counselling centre. The centre provides educational training to adults involved with children and youth based on Dr. Gordon Neufeld’s attachment-based, developmental model. MacNamara focuses much of her work on how the desire for connections is a person’s greatest need, and on the importance of adult relationships for children and teens, and how to protect these relationships. Kelly Aucoin, Esquimalt MFRC Children’s Services Coordinator, says MacNamara’s offer to present is a coup for the base, military families, and educators within the community. She previously attended a presentation by the lecturer at a conference hosted by the Neufeld Institute and described it as an “ah-ha” moment. “For me, her message on attachment and its connection to brain development was so powerful I felt compelled to have her speak to us on behalf of military families,” said Aucoin. “She explains neuroscience and attachment in a way every parent can understand with some funny, relatable, real life stories. You will see your children in a whole different way after you hear her speak.”MacNamara has authored books on childhood development including Rest, Play and Grow: Making Sense of Preschoolers (or anyone who acts like one), a best-selling book that has been translated into nine languages. The book explains young children through developmental science and the concept of “what every child wished adults understood about them.” Her first children’s picture book entitled The Sorry Plane focuses on respecting the feelings of children and supporting their emotional development. For more information and to register visit the MFRC webpage: https://esquimaltmfrc.com/event/relationship-matters-building-strong-connections-with-kids/––––

Peter MallettStaff Writer––Esquimalt’s Military Family Resource Centre (MFRC) has just enlisted a giant furry teddy bear to its ranks.The new employee is described by MFRC staff as friendly and fuzzy with a gigantic head, belly and glasses, but sadly the bear doesn’t yet have a name. To solve that problem a ‘Name the MFRC Bear Contest’ was launched May 10 and will conclude on May 31. The winning entry will be determined by a panel of judges and will receive a package of gifts from the MFRC’s Gifts From Afar program for military families.“Most everyone has loved a teddy bear at some point in their life,” says Lisa Church, MFRC Community Engagement Manager. “A teddy bear is there for good times and when we need some comfort. The intention is to bring happiness, laughter, enjoyment, and comfort to our military families.”When health and safety protocols allow, the mascot will become a friendly face to greet children at special events.The custom-made teddy bear was created by Sugars Mascots of Toronto. The bear measures a whopping 193 cm (6’4”) in height with a massive belly and head that that measure 190 cm (75 inches) and 157 cm (5’2”) respectively. Entries can be submitted between May 10 to 31 to contest@emfrc.com with the subject line: “Mascot Name.”––––

[caption id="attachment_25959" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Lieutenant (Navy) Blake Zazula[/caption]Captain Sarah HarasymchukOperation Caribbe PAO––Lieutenant (Navy) Blake Zazula was recently deployed on Operation Caribbe as the Executive Officer on board HMCS Saskatoon. His role was to advise the Commanding Officer, oversee training on board, and ensure the morale and welfare of the crew. Operation Caribbe is Canada’s participation in the U.S.-led enhanced counter-narcotics operations in the Caribbean Sea and the eastern Pacific Ocean. Naval warships and aircraft deploy to the region on a rotational basis to support the American-led multinational mission to suppress trafficking in international waters and airspace.Where was your favourite place to sail in your career?Valparaiso, Chile. I had a chance to bring my road bike on our deployment and cycle around some of the cities that we visited. The historical downtown is beautiful, and the people were extremely welcoming, and I had awesome shipmates to tour around with me; it was a blast.Would you rather be able to control the winds or the tides at sea?Winds, no more tricky alongside. Wind can add a lot of complexity to an otherwise easy alongside.What’s your favourite smell on ship?It’s a tie between coffee and barbecue. We had a banyan (a barbecue on a ship), and I was drinking my coffee and helping the cooks with dinner, preparing burgers over a charcoal fire, that was a good smell day.How did you get such an excellent crew on board? We encourage all our leadership to actively get to know and care for their departments. Pandemics suck, and those gestures and words build understanding, which creates a positive culture. That really carried on after we started to sail again, it set the tone and made everyone feel welcome. To keep what we have going we need to talk. We encourage candor and honest feedback with positive intent...

[caption id="attachment_25954" align="aligncenter" width="594"] From left: Cdr Michelle Tessier, Cmdre Richard Feltham, and Cdr Nicole Robichaud sign documents marking the Change of Command for the future HMCS Margaret Brooke on April 30. Photo: CFB Halifax Formation Imaging Services[/caption]Joanie VeitchTrident Newspaper––Cdr Nicole Robichaud assumed command of the future HMCS Margaret Brooke on April 30, in a Change of Command ceremony presided over by Cmdre Richard Feltham, Commander Canadian Fleet Atlantic.Cdr Robichaud, who is originally from Red Deer, Alberta, was Commanding Officer of HMCS Moncton in 2016 and Executive Officer with HMCS Fredericton from 2018 to 2020. She takes over leadership from Cdr Michele Tessier, who grew up in Grand Bank, Newfoundland and Labrador, and was given command of the future Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ship (AOPS) in 2017. Cdr Tessier is retiring from the Royal Canadian Navy.“It is quite unfortunate that you are not able to be the first Commanding Officer to take Margaret Brooke to sea after the four years you have dedicated to both the ship and crew,” Cdr Robichaud said, directing her remarks to Cdr Tessier. “I will continue to forge ahead and build on the culture that you have created within Margaret Brooke, one of inclusivity, of positive space, of welcoming arms, and a place where people are happy and want to come into work.” In her farewell address, Cdr Tessier said she will watch the launch of the future HMCS Margaret Brooke “with a little jealousy and a ton of joy”, adding that Cdr Robichaud is “exactly what this team needs, and I know I am leaving them in good hands.”Cdr Tessier also thanked the ship’s company of HMCS Harry DeWolf, the first of the AOPS to launch, for welcoming her to their shore office when she first arrived in Halifax in 2018, where she joked that she...

[caption id="attachment_25946" align="aligncenter" width="595"] S1 Ivan Vanegas Lopez, a Marine Technician aboard HMCS Calgary, stands with his daughter, S1 Susana Vanegas Tobon, a Human Resources Administrator aboard the ship. Photo by Cpl Lynette Ai Dang, Imagery Technician[/caption]Capt Jeff KlassenHMCS Calgary PAO––It took seven years for Sailor First Class (S1) Ivan Dario Vanegas Lopez and his family to become Canadian citizens. Learning the language, job hunting, and trying to make friends were all the hardships the new immigrant family went through. Finally, the Vanegas family walked out of their long-awaited citizenship ceremony in Montreal, Quebec, as full Canadian citizens. They were ecstatic and headed off to a restaurant to celebrate. But they didn’t go straight there. On the way, they stopped at a Canadian Armed Forces recruiting centre where mom and the kids sat in the waiting room as dad applied to join the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN). It was his lifelong dream, and it became an experience that inspired his daughter to join.Another seven years have passed, and now Sailor First Class (S1) Ivan Dario Vanegas Lopez, 53, and his daughter S1 Susana Vanegas Tobon, 20, are serving together in the same Canadian warship - HMCS Calgary. It’s rare for families to sail together in the same ship and it makes this deployment very special for the two of them. The ship is currently sailing throughout Middle Eastern waters as part of the multinational Combined Task Force 150, combatting smuggling that is used to fund terrorism.As a child in Medellin, Colombia, Ivan wanted to join the Colombian National Navy as an officer but his financial circumstances after high school led him to become an electrician. Over the years he married, had three children, and in 2007 they immigrated to Montreal. During his first months in the country, he attended a...

S1 Charmaine Davison-Peer––Before taking Command of Maritime Forces Pacific last Friday, May 14, Rear-Admiral Angus Topshee reflected on the highs and lows of his 30-plus year career and how it was leading the Pacific Fleet amid a Global Pandemic.Before his promotion to Rear-Admiral, then Commodore Angus Topshee sat at his sprawling desk at the Canadian Fleet Pacific Headquarters surrounded by memorabilia from his three-decade naval career. He recounted his career with wit and honesty, bypassing the pat answers given by most. Joining the Canadian Armed Forces in 1990 satisfied an itch to attend the Royal Military College of Canada (RMC), he said.“I got it in my head that I wanted to go to RMC, not sure where I got that idea from. My parents were not particularly enthusiastic about me joining the military until they learned that RMC paid for your education and gave you a salary on top of it.”He joined as a pilot in the Air Force, but after 17 hours flying time in a Beechcraft Musketeer in his first summer of training, he was turned down. The suggestion, perhaps he should try something else. That something else was a Training Development Officer at the height of the Force Reduction Program. To develop training, he says, he needed to experience training. Army training in Gagetown was not available, so he was sent to Victoria to learn what MARS II (Naval Warfare Officer) training entailed. “Next thing I know I am still in an Air Force uniform because I am an Air Force Training Development Officer and I show up to do MARS II, which confuses everybody, not least of which was the Commandant of the school who tore a strip off of my course training officer for not having me in the right uniform.”Navy training went well, so...

[caption id="attachment_25940" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Capt(N) Scott Robinson addresses those in attendance.[/caption]SLt Joshua EhniszPublic Affairs Officer, MARPAC––Captain (Navy) Scott Robinson assumed command of the Royal Canadian Navy’s Pacific surface fleet on May 8 as Rear-Admiral Angus Topshee was relieved.The change of command ceremony took place on D-Jetty and was limited to a small procession of guests in accordance with public health orders.Vice-Admiral Bob Auchterlonie presided over the ceremony.“It is a special moment for these two officers. A change of command ceremony is a time honoured event that is used to recognize the lawful exchange of command,” he said. “These are challenging and difficult times for the Canadian Armed Forces. In the midst of dynamic social change, leaders need to lead, listen, empathize and act. Our challenges are great but you two are the right people to do this.”Rear-Admiral Topshee noted that during his time in command, his focus was readiness, risk, and resilience, and that fleet members had demonstrated skill, determination, and leadership.The Pacific fleet, he said, has persevered deploying almost all its ships, and supporting operations globally throughout his tenure as commander. Only HMCS Vancouver, which returned from deployment weeks before he assumed command, did not deploy while he was in charge.He welcomed Capt(N) Robinson into the post saying that being commander of the fleet is like being the manager for a Formula 1 team, not the driver.“There are times when events transpiring on the track are out of your hands and that you will need to be reactive to the challenges present themselves.”Capt(N)Robinson, who is an avid Formula 1 fan, appreciated the reference and commenced his speech by mentioning he is only in the position of commander of the fleet as an interim placeholder, “until further notice.”But, he looks forward to the challenges that await and reaffirmed he will...

[caption id="attachment_25937" align="aligncenter" width="594"] S1 Michael Sladic, a Boatswain aboard HMCS Calgary, untangles a sea turtle caught in fishing nets and garbage. Photo by Cpl Lynette Ai Dang, Imagery Technician[/caption]Capt Jeff KlassenHMCS Calgary PAO––Sailors from HMCS Calgary rescued a sea turtle in distress while on counter-smuggling patrols off the coast of Oman May 4.The turtle was spotted by the ship’s Navigating Officer, Lieutenant (Navy) Evan Park, struggling helplessly in netting and other debris. He sought approval from Commander Mark O’Donohue, ship’s commanding officer, to dispatch a small boat team. “It’s unfortunate, but we often see debris of this type at sea. I have made it a habit when on watch to take a closer inspection to see if sea life is in danger, when it’s safe for the ship to do so,” said Lt(N) Park.Two boatswains from the small boat team spent 15 minutes delicately cutting the tangled mess of lines that had wrapped around the sea turtle’s body. Once freed, the turtle swam off to join other sea turtles that were circling the floating debris along with a large school of yellow tuna.“It must have been out there for days. The nets had wrapped around it in many different places and had made little impressions in its skin,” said Sailor First Class (S1) Michael Sladic, who, along with S1 Coree Ranville, set the turtle free.Saving sea creatures in distress is not a mandate of Canadian warships but it is sometimes done. Calgary is currently deployed on Operation Artemis, patrolling Middle Eastern waters in order to conduct counter-smuggling operations. The purpose of the mission is to seize narcotics and other illicit goods that are used to fund regional terrorist and criminal organizations. This work is done as part of Combined Task Force 150, a subsection of the multinational Combined Maritime...