[caption id="attachment_19411" align="alignnone" width="590"] Participants from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Victoria were joined by Pacific Fleet Club Executive committee members and HMCS Victoria and HMCS Chicoutimi crew members.[/caption]SLt M.X. Déry, MARPAC PA Office ~Six “littles”, as they are affectionately known, from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Victoria were accompanied by four adult mentors and family members on an unusual sightseeing tour last week. The youth had the rare opportunity to venture down into the submarine HMCS Chicoutimi and walk the decks of Halifax-class frigate HMCS Regina. The Saturday tour was at the suggestion of PO2 Devin Maxwell, a naval communicator in Chicoutimi.One by one the group crossed the brow onto the black hull and then traversed down the hatch via ladder into the submarine. Once inside, submariners showed them the inner workings of the Victoria-class diesel boat, something very few members of the public get to see.Awaiting the youth on the jetty as they climbed out of the hatch at the tour’s end was a police cruiser and fire truck brought over by the Military Police and Esquimalt Fire Services. It was a hands-on moment as the youth donned fire gear, climbed the fire truck and let the police cruiser siren bellow. In the afternoon, the group moved to Regina for a tour of the surface ship. “Half the kids wanted to become submariners and the other half wanted to be surface sailors,” said PO2 Maxwell.At the end of the day, the sailors surprised the group with a $1,600 donation from the Pacific Fleet Club executive committee and the Submarine Forces. “It is such a unique experience,” said Danielle Gumbley, team lead and mentoring coordinator at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Victoria. “Not only did they plan this fantastic day, but they also supported the agency. We wouldn’t be able...

[caption id="attachment_19407" align="alignnone" width="590"] Firefighter Jon MacDonald helps Able Seaman Conner Dulisch repel from a training tower at the CFB Esquimalt Fire and Rescue Aug. 20. Photo by Peter Mallett, Lookout Newspaper[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~Students from Naval Fleet School (Pacific) (NFS(P)) are getting difficult rescue training from CFB Esquimalt Fire and Rescue after the launch of a new partnership. Last Monday, two members of the base fire department were perched high atop a training tower located at the rear of the fire hall on Esquimalt Road. Firefighters Jon MacDonald and Keith Lee were kept busy helping 15 students complete the Helo Rescue portion of their Hull Technician Qualification Level 5 (QL5) training course. Marine Technicians (MarTech), a new trade that combines elements of the Marine Engineer, Hull Technician and Electrical Technician, are responsible for firefighter billets while at sea. That includes employing the proper procedures for rope rescues.“The training is a sharp learning curve for most and with this type of training it’s always about safety,” said Lee. “We explain all of the safety devices and procedures to build their confidence. It’s not a rush, we don’t want them to rush into anything. We give them an opportunity to learn by watching other people.”Students learn procedures for tying rope knots, the details of their personal protective equipment, the mechanics of the repelling manoeuvre, and how to use the hardware and repelling devices. On day two of training the group focusses on patient packaging and how to rescue an accident victim from a difficult area. While the first two days of training had students learning how to use their equipment in a controlled environment and the relative safety of the fire department’s training centre, on Aug. 22 they took their skills into the real world. Students and firefighters embarked in HMCS Vancouver to learn more about proper rope techniques on Canadian warship ladders, rescues in tight engine spaces, and hangar-top rescues.Sergeant Stephanie Harding, Senior Firefighter with NFS(P) Damage Control School, says an...

[caption id="attachment_19440" align="alignnone" width="590"] Photo by Cpl Joey Beaudin, 19 Wing Imaging[/caption]OS Marianne Laroche-Thibault lowers the Canadian Flag as part of the sunset ceremony aboard HMCS Moncton while alongside Québec City during the 2018 Great Lakes Deployment Aug. 3.

[caption id="attachment_19437" align="alignnone" width="590"] Photo by MCpl Neil Clarkson, Formation Imaging Services[/caption]Leading Seaman Justin Cormier mans a lookout on the bow of the training vessel HMCS Oriole as it enters Whitby, Ontario during the 2018 Great Lakes Deployment Aug. 10.

[caption id="attachment_19434" align="alignnone" width="590"] Photo by MCpl Neil Clarkson, Formation Imaging Services[/caption]Cadets and crewmembers aboard the training vessel HMCS Oriole man the rail as the vessel enters Whitby, Ontario during the 2018 Great Lakes Deployment Aug. 10.

[caption id="attachment_19404" align="alignnone" width="590"] Members of the British Columbia Forest Service pick up their bags after being dropped off by a Sea King in support of OP LENTUS Aug. 21. Photo by Cpl Jeffrey Clement[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~As more than 565 wildfires burned across British Columbia last week, CFB Esquimalt’s defence community stepped up its relief efforts in the ongoing provincial state of emergency. Approximately 40 personnel from Joint Task Force Pacific (JTFP) are covering around-the-clock shifts at Dockyard’s Battle Watch Operations Centre. They are acting in support of the Province of British Columbia as part of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) ongoing disaster relief effort known as Operation Lentus. The provincial government made its formal request to the Federal Government for wildfire assistance on Aug. 12. JTFP is now playing a key role in directing and coordinating approximately 400 personnel and military equipment in support of that effort. Captain(N) Steve Jorgensen, Joint Task Force Pacific Chief of Staff for Plans and Operations, says the scope of this year’s forest fires is significant.No fewer than 2,000 B.C. properties are under an evacuation order, and around 12,000 are also on evacuation alert. A thick blanket of smoke from the fires has prompted prolonged air quality advisories across Western Canada. Approximately 300 soldiers from 1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group from CFB Edmonton were deployed Aug. 15 and 16 and are stationed at the Vernon Cadet Camp, and in Merritt. This Land Task Force is tasked with conducting mop-up activities, making sure extinguished wild fires don’t re-ignite. Deployed in small groups, each team of 20 soldiers is working under a supervisor, also known as a Strike Lead, from the B.C. Wildfire Service. The efforts of multiple teams are focused on the 633-hectare Gottfriedson Mountain Fire, west of West Kelowna, which is now under control....

M.X. Déry, Contributor ~I love that almost everyone nowadays takes photos, but there are several of you, and you know who you are, that commit every photography sin, and I shutter to think what people in the future will say about our walls of rubbish photos.As I stated last week, the fact that everyone now has a miniature camera in their cell phones is a boon, since it allows for more casual, everyday activities to be photographed. What they are not meant for is to replace actual cameras outright. I’ve had friends leave on a long vacation with nothing but a cell phone to capture their memories of foreign landscapes, strange flora and exotic fauna. A cell phone is akin to a multitool or a swiss army knife in that it can do a lot of things in small quantities, but does not replace the original tool. If you are in an isolated cabin and need to remove Philips head screws on a portable generator, a multitool can be a life saver, but renovating a kitchen would require a screwdriver, and preferably a powered one.A cell phone is not purpose built for the task of high resolution photography. The sensor is tiny, the lens equally so and the aperture nearly microscopic. High Dynamic Range (HDR) on smartphones masks how poor the built-in camera is at low-light and contrast.It is the software on your smartphone that is doing the heavy lifting, using more and more processing to convert two to three images into a single corrected photo, but this makes smartphones more power hungry.This is also the device that people rely on for communication, navigation and information; battery power is a finite resource, so taking photos and videos with a cell phone burns through that resource quickly.Imagine you are on a hike...

[caption id="attachment_19384" align="alignnone" width="590"] NCdt Marc Mahadeo takes his turn cranking the winch on board STV Goldcrest.[/caption]2Lt Chelsea Howard, CFB Esquimalt PA Office ~When you think about a typical summer job in-between a school semester, you probably think fast food or retail. However, for a few Royal Military College (RMC) students the ocean was their workplace and learning to sail in Sailing Training Vessel Goldcrest was their job, and they got paid to do it.“We run a program through the International Sail and Power Association, so they’re doing a explains course that shows up on their Military Personnel Record Resume (MPRR),” explains John Haggis, second officer in charge of Royal Canadian Navy Sail, and the skipper of STV Goldcrest. “They get qualifications they can use to move up the different sailing tiers such as crew, day skipper, coastal navigator, coastal skipper, then offshore navigator,” But it isn’t all work and no play. “They get to do what people pay a lot of money to do, and that’s tour the Gulf Islands,” says Haggis. “We do port visits in places like Ganges, Sidney, Thetis Island, Port Browning and Poet’s Cove, and these are all sought-after places for people to go visit.”The program is open to RMC students and personnel awaiting training. It provides a platform for junior military members to learn basic principles of leadership and how to function at sea. Having this kind of hand’s-on experience early in one’s career provides a considerable jump on further training, especially for future Naval Warfare Officers such as Naval Cadet Ken Yim. “We’re learning a lot on the sailing vessel and really familiarizing ourselves such that when we get on the actual frigates, we will have lots of experience already,” says NCdt Yim. Some of that experience includes navigating through a difficult area of...

[caption id="attachment_19381" align="alignnone" width="591"] Petty Officer First Class Kim Chaisson[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~A sailor with Regional Cadets Support Unit Pacific gave herself a confidence boosting, early 50th birthday present by completing her first Ironman Race. It took Petty Officer First Class Kim Chaisson from dawn to dusk to complete the gruelling Ironman Canada course at Whistler on July 29 during in an energy-sapping heatwave. She finished near the bottom in a field of 1,191 racers but says she was proud of her perseverance to complete the race course that involves 3.8 kilometres of open-water swimming, 180 km of cycling and a 42 km of running. “When I crossed the finish line I thought to myself, I can’t believe it’s finished. I did it, it made me feel better than graduating college,” said PO1 Chaisson. “It was a great 50th birthday present to give to myself.”PO1 Chaisson finished in 1,148th place, with a time of 16:47:05. A range of emotions, from relief to jubilation, swept over her as she crossed the finish line in the darkness of late evening. “Conquering the course was an internal battle and a process because throughout the race my mind was constantly working to shut my body down,” said PO1 Chaisson. “As the race continued, I continually asked myself: Why are you doing this and can’t I just stop and walk for a little while?”At several points she did take a break to walk or get off her bike to rest and rehydrate at one of the designated rest stops, but says she was determined not to quit.“I was thinking to myself, how you are going to feel tomorrow if you don’t get this check in the box as one of your life’s accomplishments. I needed to get it done, so throughout the race I was...

Lt(N) Paul LePrieur, HMCS Calgary ~HMCS Calgary is leading the way on environmental protection.It became the first ship in the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) to install an engineering change for use of fresh water as their ballasting medium to achieve compliance with the recently ratified International Maritime Organizations Ballast Water Management Convention. Fresh water is generated from the ship’s reverse osmosis desalination units and eliminates the threat of transferring aquatic invasive species in the ship’s ballast water.Ballasting is necessary for ship stability to adjust for varying sea states and loads. Traditionally, this has been accomplished by pumping in sea water directly from the environment. However, this can be a transport mechanism for thousands of species, including hard to detect life such as larva of aquatic animals, or microbes. These non-native species can overrun local ecosystems without the checks and balances of predators, or the natural competition of their original environment.Many invasive species to Canada have the potential to be carried in ballast water, such as the Zebra Mussel, European Green Crab and Japanese Skeleton Shrimp. Reports indicate these invasions have caused approximately $54 billion in damage worldwide in the last five years alone.Zebra mussel is a well-known example, having colonized many of North America’s inland water ways, now reaching as far west as California and being detected on recreational craft entering B.C. Zebra mussels completely cover surfaces in newly established waters, suffocating native mussels, clams and plants, altering the food chain, and even the water composition through its filter feeding. Severe economic impacts occur through the clogging of water intakes and fouling in-water structures and vessels. It has been speculated the first wave of the invasion was started by ballast water released into the Great Lakes in the late 1980s from a vessel originating in the mussel’s native Black Sea habitat.In...

Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~Award-winning athlete Lieutenant(N) Nicholas Lightbody has reached new heights after his second-place finish in the Open Age Ironman Canada 70.3 race at Whistler, B.C. Lightbody, formerly at Base Information Services (BIS) and currently posted to HMCS Discovery, recorded a personal best time of 4:09:10 in the Subaru racing series event held under a scorching summer sun on July 29. “I’m absolutely ecstatic about the race; it shattered all my expectations and I couldn’t be happier with how everything came together,” said Lt(N) Lightbody. The race was half the distance of a standard Ironman race and involved a 1.9 kilometre swim, 90 km bike ride and 21.1 km run.  Competitors battled extreme heat with temperatures topping out at 35°C with higher humidex values. The 26-year-old was runner-up in a field of 1,150 amateur competitors from across Canada and around the world. With his second place finish, Lt(N) Lightbody beat his personal best by 15 minutes. After crossing the finish line with his arms raised above his head in celebration he was quick to congratulate his coach Mike Neill from Victoria’s Human Powered Racing.“All the hard work that I have been putting in during training has been paying off,” said Lt(N) Lightbody. “Mike has created a great program that has help cultivate me into the athlete that I currently am.”Lt(N) Lightbody started off strong in the opening swimming portion of the race and was first out of the water with a time of 25:30. He was particularly surprised by his performance in the half marathon portion of the event where he finished 1:23:21. But he still wasn’t fast enough to catch winner Holtham Elliot of Canada, who bettered Lt(N) Lightbody by just 20 seconds. Holtham is an accomplished competitor who won the 2014 Ironman Australia, and so is third-place...

Lt(N) Tristan Robertson, HMCS Ottawa ~On the heels of completing the Rim of the Pacific exercise and during a busy summer schedule, HMCS Ottawa put their training to good use when the ship aided an 18-foot recreational vessel Aug. 4. The boat had lost power 15 nautical miles south of the island of Oahu. Ottawa was at sea for a two-day Canadian Leaders at Sea sail, with guests embarked to experience life at sea in the navy. Guests were afforded the unexpected opportunity to witness a real-world search and rescue situation in which the ship’s company employed its response organization and capabilities.As Ottawa transited to Pearl Harbor, the ship’s bridge team monitored radio transmissions between a vessel requesting assistance and the United States Coast Guard (USCG). When the Commanding Officer, Commander Alex Barlow ascertained the vessel in distress was in the immediate area he offered his ship’s assistance. Once Ottawa reached the disabled vessel, a team from the ship’s Marine Systems Engineering department was sent to affect repairs. Lt(N) Alanna Foscarini, PO2 Michael Tatton, and LS Richard Tessier embarked on the vessel and dealt with a challenging sea state, an unstable deck, and an unfamiliar engine as they attempted to resolve the mechanical issues. Ultimately it was determined the damage to the vessel’s engine was irreparable by ship staff, and the vessel would require a tow. Ottawa coordinated and prepared the vessel to be towed by the USCG and remained on scene until the towing vessel arrived.The ship received a “Bravo Zulu” from the RAdm E. Lunday, Commander of 14th United States Coast Guard District, who highlighted that Ottawa’s “quick and professional response ensured the search and rescue situation did not worsen,” and that the ship “demonstrated the superb teamwork that is the hallmark of Canada-US operations at sea.”

Victoria Police ~An Esquimalt man is in custody facing four charges of sexual assault following a year-long investigation into a series of historical sexual assaults. Special Victims Unit investigators believe there are likely more victims.Kit Wong, a 71-year-old Esquimalt man, faces four charges of sexual assault related to historical sexual assaults involving four women. Wong was working as an acupuncturist, massage therapist and practitioner of traditional Chinese medicine out of his home-based business in Esquimalt. Several of the incidents are reported to have occurred there between 2005 and 2006.Wong previously served as an officer in the Canadian Armed Forces. Although not a member of the medical staff, he practiced traditional Chinese medicine on service members. Given Wong’s career with the Canadian military, his work as an instructor and practitioner of acupuncture, and traditional Chinese medicine during the time of the allegations, investigators believe there could be more unidentified victims, both in the Esquimalt community and across Canada. Investigators believe these victims could include current and former serving members of the Canadian Armed Forces, current and former students of traditional Chinese medicine, as well as members of the wider community.“These alleged sexual assaults left these women feeling powerless,” said Special Victims Unit Detective Graeme Leblanc. “Our investigation indicates that Kit Wong’s position in the Canadian Armed Forces and in the community left women hurt by this man, feeling as though they could not come forward. It doesn’t matter who the suspect is. We will listen.”If you are a victim or have information regarding Kit Wong that you would like to share with police, investigators are asking you to call our non-emergency line at (250) 995-7654. Alternatively, you can contact the Victoria Sexual Assault Centre at (250) 383-3232. If you are a serving member of the Canadian Armed Forces and need support,...

[caption id="attachment_19366" align="alignnone" width="590"] LS Nicholas Dipersio (centre) presents the unit’s new morale patch that he designed to LCdr Tyson Bergmann, Patrol Craft Training Unit (PCTU) Commanding Officer, and CPO2 Eric Pohoney, PCTU Coxswain.[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~The sailor who created the Patrol Craft Training Unit’s (PCTU) first morale patch admits the words colourful or cartoonish often come to mind when people first see his design.Leading Seaman Nicholas Dipersio purposely choose a cartoon-style portrayal of an Orca whale at the helm of a PCTU vessel as a nod to bygone days of naval art.“The whole intent was to be cartoonish and represent the old school ways that morale patches used to look,” said LS Dipersio. “The idea to make the patch less rigid and more light-hearted in nature came from naval tradition and some of the older design ideas that were painted on the side of Canadian warships during the Second World War.”He was presented the first patch by Lieutenant-Commander Tyson Bergmann, PCTU’s Commanding Officer, and Chief Petty Officer Second Class Eric Pohoney, PCTU Coxswain, on Aug. 10. The embroidered patches will be worn on the naval combat jackets of the 70 men and women who work aboard the unit’s eight Orca-class Patrol Vessels, which are used to train personnel from Naval Fleet School Pacific and the Naval Officer Training Centre.Historically, patches boost morale and build unit pride. PCTU’s patch also has two red maple leafs bordering an inscription that trumpets the unit’s motto: Training Leaders Building Confidence.LS Dipersio, 35, has served eight years in the Royal Canadian Navy, and studied graphic design. The concept behind the logo was developed in early June with his co-worker LS James Hopper. He then put pencil to paper and came up with the design. After getting approval he made a digital rendering, so the...

[caption id="attachment_19363" align="alignnone" width="591"] Rear-Admiral Bob Auchterlonie, Commander of Maritime Forces Pacific, inspected the platoon and addressed each graduate.[/caption]A/SLt S. L. Delaney, MARPAC PA Office ~It was the best of military splendour, with a nod to Aboriginal culture, at last week’s Raven graduation.More than 120 family, friends and guests looked on Aug. 14, as 24 Aboriginal recruits earned their Ordinary Seaman rank after completing their basic military qualification this summer. Some parents travelled from as far as Ontario to witness this milestone in their child’s life.The Raven Indigenous Youth Program is a transformative six weeks where recruits aged 16 to 21 learn basic military skills, teamwork and leadership and share elements from their respective First Nations, Inuit and Métis cultures. The National Band of the Naval Reserve primed the audience with a diverse set of tunes as the graduates prepared to march onto the parade square. Five Métis students were presented waist sashes – a symbol of pride and nationhood – just before the parade. A teepee was set up at the side of the Work Point parade square with two Aboriginal drummers and two dancers in full regalia performing for the audience. At the final beat of the drum the graduating platoon marched on to the parade square to face their guests. They displayed poise and unity in their drill movements, a testament to their training from Naval Fleet School Pacific instructors.Rear-Admiral Bob Auchterlonie, Commander of Maritime Forces Pacific, inspected the platoon and addressed each graduate. As the National Band of the Naval Reserve played the ethereal theme song from Band of Brothers, a doe and her fawn walked quietly across the parade square. Raven’s spiritual advisor and Elder, Elmer George from the Songhees Nation shared an Aboriginal blessing, and Padre Lt(N) Lara-Ann Bowditch led the Naval Prayer. Awards and...

[caption id="attachment_19352" align="alignnone" width="591"] Petty Officer Second Class Matthew Goodwin displays two Double Dark Chocolate Cookies. The cookies are produced by Whey2Good Cookies, a company started by PO2 Goodwinand his classmates as part of a school project for Royal Roads University’s School of Business. Photo by Peter Mallett, Lookout[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~A Royal Canadian Navy sailor and his classmates at Royal Roads University say they’ve found a fundraising recipe “whey” too good to resist.As part of his studies for a Bachelor of Arts in Commerce, Chief Petty Officer Matthew Goodwin, a Regional Unit Chief for Joint Personnel Support Unit (JPSU), and four fellow students recently launched their own cookie company called Whey2Good Cookies.  Their assignment is not just about building a profitable small business, but, according to CPO2 Goodwin, it’s also about providing a healthier snack alternative for people on the go, and a bit of community give back. They will be graded on building a successful e-commerce business through product marketing, digital sales and promotion via social media. They are responsible for manufacturing, packaging and selling their product to the public, with their marks dependent on sales and marketing techniques.Each cookie retails for $3. They are free from preservatives, have 16 grams of protein and use natural coconut palm sugar and coconut oil. They come in two varieties: a dark double chocolate cookie made of ginger, cinnamon and a hint of Cayenne pepper and Himalayan sea salt, and English vanilla toffee that has a crispy and crunchy toffee bottom and a hint of vanilla.“They are made with organic ingredients and by tasting them you would never know what’s in them and how healthy they are,” said CPO2 Goodwin. “We wanted to offer our customers something quick and healthy to eat while on the go and at the same time provide an alternative to mass-produced, store bought energy bars.”Profits from sales won’t be going to the shareholders or boosting their own bank accounts. Instead, after their baking and supply costs,...

[caption id="attachment_19348" align="alignnone" width="592"] Photo by Peter Mallett, Lookout[/caption]A boisterous crowd of family, friends and co-workers were on hand in Dockyard last Friday as HMCS Vancouver returned from a four-month deployment in the Asia-Pacific region. From April 3 to June 25, Vancouver participated in Operation Projection, conducting forward naval presence operations and participating in several naval exercises with partner nations. Immediately afterwards Vancouver headed to Hawaii to take part in Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC), the world’s largest maritime military exercise.

M.X. Déry, Contributor ~After a month of complaining in an open forum about drivers, e-bikers, cyclists and pedestrians, I have received several comments in person, by email and via Facebook about all of the above topics. I will also have to eat crow since I have made some minor errors in my rantings.The motor-assisted cycle piece received the most reader approval, with all commenters agreeing that a 1300W scooter had no business in the bike lane.While avid cyclists agreed with my commentary on jaywalkers and the alarming frequency that they are nearly struck by vehicles passing them or cutting them off, readers seemed silent on the topic of stop signs. Many readers shared stories of near misses with motor vehicles in and around the base.The military police were quick to point out that headphones are another problem they see on base that I didn’t mention. Another sore topic was the MP gate, with cyclists failing to dismount and follow the sentry’s instructions. This may very well lead to that gate being shut permanently if cyclists can’t obey the rules in the future.The most vocal group were pedestrians, who, upon hearing any portion of my commentary was about them, said that I should write about bicycles burning through stop signs. Luckily, I could reply that I had covered that topic in the previous edition.When talking about jaywalkers, I wrote that this was the top infraction MPs regularly ticket for, but I later learned that while it is the top infraction, they do not regularly ticket for this dreadful behaviour.Another point of contention with readers was my statement that cyclists are supposed to remain one metre from the curb. Admittedly, the B.C. Motor Vehicle Act states that, with the exception of a few highways, bicycles are vehicles that can take up a whole...

Ryan Melanson, Trident Staff ~The Invictus Games comes with all the excitement of a large international sporting event, including stadium venues, cheering fans, skilled competitors from around the world, and plenty of training beforehand.Athletes, coaches and volunteers were in Halifax July 25 for the team’s final group training camp before the 2018 Invictus Games, being held in Sydney, Australia, Oct. 20-27.At the end of training Canada’s 2018 team was officially announced.Team Captain, Maj (Retired) Robert Hicks, described the group as “representative of all three Canadian Armed Forces elements, with diverse backgrounds and different experiences with injury, illness and recovery.”“But what’s shared is that everyone here has sacrificed in service of their country, whether their injuries were physical, or involved mental health, or a combination of the two,” he said. Venues for the training camp included the STADPLEX, Dockyard and Shearwater gyms, as well as MacDonald Beach, the Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron, and Beazley Field in Dartmouth.BGen Mark Misener, Commanding Officer of the Joint Personnel Support Unit and Mission Head for Canada’s Invictus team, was also in Halifax for the training camp, and said he’s been inspired by the dedication shown from Team Canada. For some, being in Halifax among peers and overcoming social isolation is a success in its own right, with the physical training adding to the intensity of the week. “These athletes have faced great adversity and they’ve met that challenge. They’ve actively chosen to bolster their recovery through sport, and through reconnecting with family, peers and community,” he said.Canadians are encouraged to follow along with Team Canada on social media at www.facebook.com/TCInvictusEC as the athletes continue to prepare for October, and to tune in on television and online for the main event in Sydney this fall.About InvictusFounded in 2014 and with subsequent events in 2016 and 2017,...

[caption id="attachment_19323" align="alignnone" width="592"] Left photo: Luigi Micco is presented the Unsung Hero Award by Deputy Minister Jody Thomas. Right photo: Dustin Williams is awarded the Emerging Leader Award by Deputy Minister Jody Thomas. Photos by Cpl Michael MacIsaac, Canadian Forces Support Unit (Ottawa) – Imaging Services[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~Two employees from Esquimalt’s Real Property Operations Pacific (RPOps) have been recognized with the prestigious Deputy Minister Award for Excellence. Electrician Luigi Micco of RPOps’ electrical shop won this year’s Unsung Hero Award, while Dustin Williams, manager of the unit’s Water Fuel and Environment department took the Emerging Leader Award. The Celebrating Excellence Awards Program represents the highest expression of recognition under the Department of National Defence (DND) Awards and Recognition Policy. The pair were among 44 recipients honoured during a June 15 ceremony at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa with Deputy Minister of National Defence Jody Thomas and Chief of Defence Staff General Jonathan Vance among dignitaries. The award recipients received a scrolled certificate signed by Minister Thomas along with a piece of handcrafted Canadian art. Micco, 57, has worked as an electrician for DND since 1984 and said he was “thrown aback” when he first opened an email earlier this year telling him he had won the award. “I am just a little fish from Esquimalt who does his job and loves his work,” said Micco. “If people are happy with the work I do then I’m happy. I never thought my work would be recognized with such a prestigious national award.”He was nominated for the award by Gerald Bennie, RPOps A Electrical Systems Business Manager, who described Micco as a dedicated worker who has gone above and beyond the call of duty and is always ready to spring into action. That includes responding to calls about alarm problems at the base at all hours of the night or teaching himself how to repair new electrical devices and technology on his own time. “I have a lot of...

[caption id="attachment_19309" align="alignnone" width="591"] MS Thibault receives his gold medal at the CAF Combatives Grappling Tournament.[/caption]A/SLt Jesse Grigor, ContributorMaster Seaman Lee Thibault’s elation and pride poured into each word as he detailed his impressive performance at the CAF Combatives Grappling Tournament in Petawawa, ON, in June, and the people who made it all possible.His win in the heavyweight division, his third national title, was his toughest to date. When asked how this title compared to the previous two, MS Thibault tipped his hat to his opponents and noted this was the toughest tournament he has competed in. “The division was stacked,” he acknowledged without any reservations.This year’s CAF Combatives Grappling Tournament surpassed previous tournaments in competitors and online viewers. The tournament was live-streamed and had approximately 80,000 watching online at any given time. In total, 164 men and women from the army, navy, air force, including special operations forces, from privates to lieutenant colonels, took to the mats to compete in the growing sport of combatives, also known as grappling or submission wresting. The tournament format was double-elimination - two losses and competitors were eliminated. Winning his first two matches on points, MS Thibault entered the semi-finals undefeated, but came up short in a grueling semi-finals match. However, because his semi-final loss was his first, and each of his opponents had all lost a match heading into the semi-finals, he was able to enter the finals, only to face off against the opponent who beat him in the semi-finals.“Because I was facing off against the guy who had just beat me I was mentally shaken and I needed to wake up,” MS Thibault admitted. His father and life-long coach, Mike Thibault, a retired military police, had been meticulously studying both his son and his opponent during their matches throughout the tournament...

[caption id="attachment_19306" align="alignnone" width="591"] HMCS Ville de Québec’s embarked Helicopter Air Detachment is the first crew to deploy with the RCAF’s new maritime helicopter, the CH-148 Cyclone. Photo by Mona Ghiz, MARLANT PA[/caption]Ryan Melanson, Trident Newspaper ~A new milestone for Canadian maritime aviation was reached on July 18 when HMCS Ville de Québec set sail for Operation Reassurance along with an embarked CH-148 Cyclone helicopter and Helicopter Air Detachment. The departure marks the first operational deployment for the new helicopter, and the result of more than three years of testing, evaluation, and training.Col Sid Connor, Wing Commander at 12 Wing Shearwater, was on hand to speak with the air crew and support staff at the jetty before they left for the roughly six-month deployment, which will focus on supporting NATO assurance measures in Central and Eastern Europe.“This is an amazing change for our air crews, and this is the start of the next chapter in maritime helicopter operations, working with the Navy wherever Canada chooses to send us. It’s a very exciting time,” Col Connor said.The Cyclone, manufactured by Sikorsky, comes with numerous technological improvements compared to the CH-124 Sea King fleet, including flight speed, distance, sensors and communications. The Cyclone flies from a frigate with the same four-person air crew as the Sea King, but with many tasks now being automated, personnel are free to do more to support the ship.“What’s changed is the types of tasks they’ll do, the range of tasks they’re able to do, and the amount of effectiveness the crews will get out of the equipment,” Col Connor added.The mission will mainly involve supporting NATO assurance and deterrence measures in the Baltic and Mediterranean. The ship is set to join Standing NATO Maritime Group 1, a naval force composed of ships from various allied countries, in...

[caption id="attachment_19303" align="alignnone" width="591"] MARPAC Team arrives into Camp Heumensoord at the end of the day’s marching on July 17. Photo by Combat Camera[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~A stomach virus that sidelined two members of the Maritime Forces Pacific (MARPAC) Nijmegen marching team didn’t stop the team from completing their mission in the Netherlands.While blisters from the day-long marches and heat exhaustion from the hot and humid temperatures are common obstacles during the event, this year’s team had to battle another enemy. On the final days of the marches approximately 20 members of the Canadian Armed Forces 170-person contingent were sickened by a stomach virus. MARPAC’s team leader, Lieutenant (Navy) Haley van Poorten said her team had been performing exceptionally well for the first two days of the event. Overnight, shortly before the 03:45 start on Day 3, she experienced nausea and fever and was placed in isolation for over 48 hours. Then on the final day of the march a second member of the MARPAC team began experiencing similar symptoms and was also placed in isolation. She described the bug as a “mystery” virus and more like a 24-hour flu. “Anyone in the [Canadian] contingent who reported to the MIR with such symptoms was put in isolation as a precaution,” said Lt(N) van Poorten. “It was a hard decision by the medical staff, but they had to consider the health and safety of the entire camp, which held over 5,000 military members and the other participants and onlookers.”The loss of the team’s leader meant Second In Command, Petty Officer First Class Rayon Murdock took over the leadership duties. Lt(N) van Poorten says the shakeup was disruptive for the team’s well-practised marching formation. “We have been conducting intensive training for this event since the end of February and this was a...

[caption id="attachment_19300" align="alignnone" width="591"] Outgoing CFB Halifax Base Commander Capt(N) Paul Forget, left, and the new Base Commander Capt(N) David Mazur.[/caption]Ryan Melanson, Trident ~It was 15 years ago that Captain (Navy) David Mazur was last posted to Halifax, serving in HMCS Halifax as the ship’s Command Control Information Officer.Since then, he has built a diverse resume that includes Canadian Fleet Pacific Operations Officer, Commanding Officer of HMCS Vancouver, and Commanding Officer of Sea Training Pacific.His latest tasking will make full use of that experience as he settles in as Base Commander of Canada’s largest military base.He officially took command of CFB Halifax July 11 from Capt(N) Paul Forget.“I couldn’t be happier to be back in Halifax. I recognize the key role CFB Halifax plays in supporting the fleet and other operations, and it’s clear that I’m taking over the helm of a very dedicated and professional team,” he said during the change of command.He thanked the outgoing Base Commander for his work and leadership in the position as well Rear-Admiral Craig Baines, Commander Maritime Forces Atlantic (MARLANT), for having confidence in him to lead the base through the coming years, and his family, including wife Marise and sons Kevin and Eric, who attended the ceremony.Along with senior leaders and a cross-section of uniformed and civilian employees, the change of command was also attended by Arthur J. Leblanc, Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia; Halifax Mayor Mike Savage; Halifax Regional Police Chief Jean Michel Blais; and other members of the wider community, highlighting the links that exist between the base and the Halifax Regional Municipality.In his address RAdm Baines noted that being a good community neighbour and maintaining relationships with all levels of government is one of the ways the job differs from other command appointments.“The job of base commander is a complex...

[caption id="attachment_19296" align="alignnone" width="591"] Photo by SLt M.X. Déry[/caption]HMCS Calgary sailed out of Esquimalt Harbour July 31 and onward to the Asia-Pacific region for Operation Projection, a five month deployment. The ship will conduct naval presence operations in the region. It will also support international naval exercises with partners, and make port visits in five countries. These visits support Canada’s diplomatic efforts in the region.

Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~The Esquimalt Tritons overcame a winless start at the Canadian Armed Forces Ball Hockey Championship at CFB Borden to capture the tournament’s silver medal.The Canada West’s representatives from Esquimalt suffered three consecutive losses in the tournament’s round robin phase, but rallied with two playoff victories.On Aug. 1 they scored an 8-4 win over CFB Kingston, who represented the Ontario Region, and then later that day got a 4-1 victory over CFB Greenwood of the Atlantic Region in the semi-final game.In the Aug. 2 championship game the Tritons fell 5-2 to Quebec Champions from CFB Bagotville but still managed to capture the tournament’s silver medal.Player-coach Master Seaman John Helpard, says getting the team’s runner-up medal after the final buzzer was a special moment for him and five of his teammates, who have played with the Tritons for the past 11 years and have had little to crow about.“This is the team’s first appearance ever in a final since I’ve been playing and everyone is very excited to be going home with a silver medal,” said MS Helpard, who works as combat instructor with the Naval Personnel Training Group. “This is a huge milestone for us. Our opponents from Quebec had an amazing team and deserve full credit for their victory.”Esquimalt qualified for the nationals after defeating Cold Lake in the Canada West regional qualifying tournament championship game on June 14 at CFB Wainwright. MS Helpard said the Tritons’ playoff success at the nationals could be attributed to making use of their entire roster of players during the round robin phase. This was a game-changer as the tournament wore on because it allowed his players to get the necessary playing time and jell together as a team, while also allowing key players to save their energy for the playoffs.MS...