Commander Ryan Saltel, Commanding Officer of HMCS Calgary, presented awards and promotions on July 3. Photos by MCpl Chris Ward, MARPAC Imaging Services[caption id="attachment_16536" align="alignnone" width="560"] LCdr Mike Stefanson is promoted to his current rank.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_16537" align="alignnone" width="560"] Lt(N) Ji-hwan Park is promoted to his current rank.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_16538" align="alignnone" width="560"] WO Jaime Knox is promoted to her current rank.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_16539" align="alignnone" width="560"] PO2 Brian Riech is presented the Canadian Forces’ Decoration First Clasp.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_16540" align="alignnone" width="560"] PO2 Rene Chalifoux is presented the Canadian Forces’ Decoration.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_16541" align="alignnone" width="560"] PO2 Rene Chalifoux is presented the Canadian Forces’ Decoration.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_16542" align="alignnone" width="560"] PO2 Bradley Warford is presented the Canadian Forces’ Decoration.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_16543" align="alignnone" width="560"] Lt(N) Adam Bailey is presented the Operational Service Medal.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_16544" align="alignnone" width="560"] Lt(N) Jeriel Soriano is presented the Operational Service Medal.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_16545" align="alignnone" width="560"] PO2 Owen Demarce is presented the Operational Service Medal.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_16546" align="alignnone" width="560"] WO Jaime Knox is presented the MARPAC Bravo Zulu award.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_16547" align="alignnone" width="560"] MCpl Mark Luke is presented the MARPAC Bravo Zulu award.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_16548" align="alignnone" width="560"] SLt Place is presented the Commanding Officer’s Bravo Zulu award.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_16549" align="alignnone" width="560"] LS Adam Carnegie is presented the Commanding Officer’s Bravo Zulu award.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_16550" align="alignnone" width="560"] LS Matthew Cormier is presented the Sailor of the Quarter.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_16551" align="alignnone" width="560"] CPO1 Paul Fenton is presented the Canadian Forces Physical Fitness Award for Aerobic Excellence White Seal.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_16552" align="alignnone" width="560"] LS J.B. Silva is presented the Canadian Forces Physical Fitness Award for Aerobic Excellence Red Seal.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_16574" align="alignnone" width="560"] Photo by Cpl Carbe Orellana, MARPAC Imaging Services[/caption]A member of the Maritime Tactical Operations Group boards a rigid hulled inflatable boat as part of a boarding exercise during Poseidon Cutlass, July 4.

[caption id="attachment_16530" align="alignnone" width="450"] A RAVEN program facilitator provides instruction on how to halt and detain a potential threat (2016).[/caption]Will Chaster, MARPAC Public Affairs ~Naval Fleet School (Pacific) staff are gearing up to host another round of Aboriginal youth wanting a glimpse into military life, and a possible career in the Canadian Armed Forces.Forty candidates from across Canada are in Esquimalt July 10 to start six weeks of Basic Military Qualifications as part of the Raven Program.This includes a military haircut and getting their full uniform and kit.The program has two parts, a culture camp and basic training as new recruits. At the end of training they can continue as a Primary Reservist, make a component transfer to the Regular Force, or release.Training emphasizes basic military skills, weapons handling, first aid, and ethical values. Since physical fitness is an integral component of military service, part of the course is spent on fitness training.“Members vary in age from 16 to their late 20s and come from all over Canada; it really is fantastic seeing people from different parts of Canada come together for this course,” says Lieutenant (Navy) Alicia Morris, Leadership Officer at Naval Fleet School (Pacific).Raven begins with recognition of First Nation’s culture through a Culture Camp at the Canadian Forces Maritime Experimental Test Ranges in Nanoose. Over four days participants explore their own culture and the cultures of other First Nations peoples by taking part in different ceremonies and traditions hosted by three instructors, usually Metis, Inuit and another member of the First Nations people.Once finished, the youth head back to the Work Point barracks to start the training.Graduation is set for Aug. 17.If participants in Raven wish to join the naval reserve following the completion of the program, they can then complete their Naval Environmental Training Program (NETP) without...

In this episode, we highlight Operation NEVUS and Exercise DYNAMIC MONGOOSE 2017.

Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~Healing through sports was very evident the last week of June as 12 ill or injured military members tried three on-the-water activities and one shore-based as part of Soldier On.Former and current Canadian Armed Forces members donned life jackets, and, with paddle in hand, ventured into the ocean in kayaks, on paddle boards and as a group in a dragon boat. On shore they limbered up with yoga.Petty Officer First Class Joe Kiraly from the Joint Personnel Support Unit, which manages the Soldier On program, travelled from Ottawa to host the event. He is part of the ill and injured group having fallen from a ladder that left him with back, shoulder and neck injuries.“Participation with the program is a rewarding opportunity for me to not only help others but also help myself in the healing process,” he says.“A recurring comment I hear at every event for first time participants is ‘this is the best I’ve felt in years.’ Hearing those comments is one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve ever had in my military career,” he adds.From 2007, Soldier On has supported more than 3,200 ill and injured members to acquire recreational sporting gear, and to participate in everything from alpine skiing to fishing to multi-activity events such as the paddling camp. Since its creation the program has disbursed more than $5 million in public and private sector donations for the purchase of equipment and to cover the costs of hosting events.PO1 Kiraly says there is a common bond between all ranks, trades, and military occupations, and that they share the same bond, either through their service or their injury.“Many participants indicate they feel a loss after being separated from that structure in the military, so it’s rewarding to see this instant reconnection with their peers.”For more information about Soldier On and future events and activities visit their website at www.SoldierOn.ca or their Facebook or Twitter pages.[caption id="attachment_16527" align="alignnone" width="560"] Volunteers and participants of the...

[caption id="attachment_16568" align="alignnone" width="560"] Photo by Cpl Carbe Orellana, MARPAC Imaging Services[/caption]Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy, Vice Admiral Ron Lloyd, is greeted by the command team of HMCS Winnipeg in Busan, South Korea on June 27.

[caption id="attachment_16517" align="alignnone" width="450"] Two of the five member team that won the CANEX Championship Gaming Series last year, Cpl Jeff Johnson and CPl Michael Ryer were presented with the trophy and first place prizes by Commodore Sean Cantelon, Director General Morale and Welfare Services; Captain(N) Chris Sutherland, Base Commander, CFB Halifax; Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services, CWO Guy Pelleteir; and Larry Mohr, Senior VP of Commercial Services (CANEX and SISIP Financial), at the opening ceremony for the new CANEX and SISIP office at CFB Halifax Oct. 16, 2016. Team members not present were Jonathan Pulsifier, MCpl Terry Stafford and Cpl Mitch Talbot who helped take the first place title in the first ever CANEX gaming series.[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~Canada’s military store is once again offering video gamers a chance to compete for $7,000 in prizes when the CANEX Championship Gaming Series (CCGS) returns next month.The 2nd Annual CCGS launches on the Twitch Game Platform Aug. 18 to 20, with this year’s competition featuring six-player teams matching their gaming skills in the popular online combat-based action video game Overwatch®.Vivian Ngai, Segment Marketing Manager for CANEX, a Division of the Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services (CFMWS), says they and their corporate sponsors are excited about the return of the gaming contest following the success of last year’s inaugural launch.Last year featured the video game Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, and Ngai says it wasn’t just the game action itself, but also the interaction between players and spectators that created a social media buzz.“We had an overwhelming response last year with participation numbers of over 4,000 users and viewers either playing, watching the action on Twitch, or participating in our CCGS live event contests on the CANEX Facebook page,” says Ngai. “Our target audience are gamers from the Canadian Armed Forces...

[caption id="attachment_16565" align="alignnone" width="560"] Photo by Peter Mallett, Lookout[/caption]Volunteers and participants of the Soldier On program try their hand at paddling a Dragon Boat in Victoria’s Inner Harbour June 29.

Hundreds of visitors swarmed Canada Place to check out the many military displays. Plus the Naden Band of the Royal Canadian Navy and the Band of the 15th Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery, participated in the Vancouver Canada Day parade.In addition, HMCS Regina welcomed over 100 members of the Chinese and Sri-Lankan community on board July 3 as part of Canada 150. RAdm Art McDonald and HCapt(N) Chan greeted visitors and spoke about the importance of inclusivity and diversity in the Canadian Armed Forces. The visit to Regina included tours of the ship. The community members also sat for a briefing that highlighted the navy’s activities in Indo-Asia Pacific and efforts in diversifying its workforce to be more inclusive.Photos by Lt(N) Melissa Kia, MARPAC PA

[caption id="attachment_16533" align="alignnone" width="560"] Photo by Cpl Carbe Orellana, MARPAC Imaging Services[/caption]HMCS Winnipeg, while en route to Japan during Poseidon Cutlass, encounters gale force winds from a storm, July 4.

[caption id="attachment_16502" align="alignnone" width="450"] Photo courtesy HMCS Ottawa[/caption]SLt S.M. Anderson, HMCS Ottawa ~It was business as usual in the port of Incheon, South Korea, on Canada Day.The air was filled with the noise of a busy port as ships unloaded cargo in the humid air. For HMCS Ottawa, July 1 was far from a typical Saturday; it was Canada’s 150th birthday and together with HMCS Winnipeg, the ships’ crew would be the first Canadians to celebrate this milestone.On that hazy morning, the ship’s company assembled on the flight deck in tropical white uniforms, joined by Vice-Admiral Lloyd, Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy. As the pipe from the boatswains call cut through the morning air, Ottawa’s crew stood at attention as the flag was raised, marking the first Canadian ‘territory’ to celebrate Canada 150 12 hours ahead of the rest of Canada.“It was a real privilege to take part in the colours ceremony, to be the first Canadians to celebrate Canada Day,” said Leading Seaman Peer, a Medical Technician.Celebrating Canada Day on the other side of the world was just one highlight of an eventful port visit to Incheon from June 26 to July 2. After partnering with Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) for naval exercises, Ottawa continued to foster understanding between the two navies by touring ROKN host ship, Cheon Ji.The Canadian warship returned the favour by hosting ROKN sailors onboard; tours reinforced the relationship between the Royal Canadian Navy and the ROKN as sailors noted the many similarities between the two navies.On June 29, Ottawa crewmembers joined sailors from the ROKN for a friendly soccer match at the Incheon Naval Base. Differences in culture and language were set aside for the mutual love of sport. The two teams played hard in the hot afternoon with the ROKN eventually...

[caption id="attachment_16493" align="alignnone" width="560"] Photo by Cpl Stuart MacNeil, MARPAC Imaging Services[/caption]AB Holly Laird, a member of the Royal Canadian Navy’s Naval Security Team carries a young girl at the Sungaewon Orphanage in Busan, South Korea, June 24.

Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~A new recruiting program set to launch at two test bases will give women considering a career in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) an intimate look at military life.The rollout of the Women in Force pilot project involves 120 participants taking part in two 10-day events.They will be split between CFB Borden’s Logistics Training Centre for those speaking English, and for French speaking women at the Leadership Recruit School at Saint-Jean Garrison, Que. from Aug. 14 to 23.Two shorter three-day weekend sessions will also be offered at the same venues in late October.The program is in line with the Chief of Defence Staff’s commitment to increase the percentage of women in the military to 25.1 per cent by 2026, says Lieutenant-Colonel Suzanne Raby Deputy Commander, Canadian Forces Recruiting Group Headquarters.“The whole purpose of Women in Force is to get the information out there and let Canadian women realize there are a multitude of career paths available to them in the armed forces,” she says.LCol Raby is 37 years into her CAF career and can speak first-hand about the expanding role of women in Canada’s military. She was in the first wave of women to graduate from the Royal Military College in 1984.“When I joined the military only five per cent of our membership were women, and women were restricted from serving in many of the front line occupations, such as infantry soldier, fighter pilot or submariner, so indeed we [women] have come a long way since I joined,” says LCol Raby.The Women in Force program will emphasize the current career opportunities in all 106 occupations.Participants will reside on base, eat at the mess and interact with military members. Tours and hands-on exercises, such as the CAF fitness test and firing a weapon, will also broaden their...

[caption id="attachment_16490" align="alignnone" width="560"] Photo by Cpl Carbe Orellana, MARPAC Imaging Services[/caption]HMCS Winnipeg hosts a Canada Day concert for the ship's company on the flight deck of the ship in Busan, South Korea, July 1.

[caption id="attachment_16463" align="alignnone" width="450"] Lt(N) Anis Gedeon high-fives children at the Courage, Compassion and Commitment House for children battling cancer in Sri Lanka. Photo by LS Simon Trudeau[/caption]Padre Matthew Squires, HMCS Winnipeg ~In support of Poseidon Cutlass 2017’s mission to strengthen international relations through regional engagements, members of HMCS Winnipeg ventured to the Courage, Compassion, and Commitment (CCC) Foundation, in Colombo, Sri Lanka May 23.CCC Foundation is a non-profit charitable organization founded in 2003 by Jetha Devapura, a Sri Lankan born Australian. He fundraised to build a “Ronald Macdonald” type house for families of children battling cancer. It is the largest transition home in Sri Lanka with 194 beds that serves as a home away from home for outpatients and their caregivers.Winnipeg started off the visit by giving a $5,000 donation from the ship and Boomer’s Legacy.Then 13 crewmembers spent time with the children and their caregivers.“We had an unforgettable time with the children coloring pictures, playing with Play-Doh, and teaching them how to make bracelets,” said LS Klarck Montemayor.  The Play-Doh was donated by LS Montemayor, and the bracelets were made with gun line patterned after the lanyards many sailors attach to their knives. Following the visit, Kamilka Perera, a committee member of the CCC house, expressed her appreciation to Padre Matthew Squires in writing: “As I was leaving CCC house, three female adult patients were seated on the bench outside near the gate and were braiding the wrist bands with eager smiles on their faces, and this is the kind of positivity we need to create. It certainly has a ripple effect.”Padre Squires said it was difficult to say who was impacted more profoundly by the visit, the children or the sailors.“I think we learned much about compassion, resilience, and the strength of unity as it was exemplified that...

[caption id="attachment_16487" align="alignnone" width="560"] Photo by Cpl Carbe Orellana, MARPAC Imaging Services[/caption]The Canadian Naval Ensign flag flies above HMCS Winnipeg during Canada Day festivities in Busan, South Korea, July 1.

In this episode, we see how the government is helping veterans find good, well-paying jobs, cover the CAF’s role in Latvia on Operation REASSURANCE, and highlight the first event in the Defence Ethics Program’s 20th Anniversary speaker series.

[caption id="attachment_16458" align="alignnone" width="450"] LS Craig Langille chats with children in Mumbai, India. Photo by Padre Lt(N) Matthew Squires[/caption]THE NAVY JOINS AN ARMY TO FEED THE HUNGRY IN MUMBAILS Brendan Gibson, HMCS Winnipeg ~Thirty-two members of HMCS Winnipeg took time out of their schedule May 14 while in Mumbai, India, to join forces with the Robin Hood Army (RHA) and distribute a warm meal to those in need.The venture was organized by the ship’s Chaplain, Padre Matthew Squires.“We had a blast playing games with the local children, establishing connections with families, distributing food, and even demonstrating some drill for the kids under the direction of the ship’s Coxswain, CPO1 Sylvain Jaquemot,” said Padre Squires.RHA is a volunteer-based organization that gets surplus food from local restaurants to the less fortunate, while providing fun activities and education to disadvantaged children. Since its start in 2014, RHA has fed more 1.8 million people and is currently established in cities throughout India, and in 11 other countries.“Our community relations visits give us an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others at a humanitarian level, as well as recharge our spirits after being away from our families for extended periods,” said MS Kevin Simons. “There is nothing more refreshing than having smiles returned by the lives we touch to help us push through to our next event.”With the assistance of RHA, Winnipeg was able to make a small, yet profound, contribution to a huge cause. The “take away” on opportunities like these is best summed up by OS Anthony Brockmoeller who said, “Seeing the impact of our contributions while deployed is not always easy until we serve others and see the joy it brings.”

[caption id="attachment_16481" align="alignnone" width="560"] Top Row: (left to right) LS Scott Steeves, HMCS Ottawa; and LS Joel Vandervies, HMCS Regina. Bottom Row: (left to right) LS Thomas Harding, Patrol Craft Training Unit (PCTU); MS David Larsen, PCTU; MS Shawn Martin, Naval Fleet School Pacific; LS Clayton Morrell, PCTU; and LS Andrew Vincent, PCTU.[/caption]Graduates of the new Marine Technician (MARTECH) training program, June 23.

[caption id="attachment_16454" align="alignnone" width="450"] Commodore J.B. Zwick, Commander of Canadian Fleet Pacific, is presented a flower necklace by two South Korean children, during HMCS Winnipeg’s visit to Jeju Naval Base, South Korea, June 22. Photo by Cpl Carbe Orellana, MARPAC Imaging Services[/caption]OS Darien R. Wickman, HMCS Winnipeg ~After a successful joint military exercise with Japanese Ship (JS) Inazuma, Her Majesty’s New Zealand Ship (HMNZS) Te Kaha, HMCS Winnipeg and Ottawa waved goodbye and came alongside the island of Jeju, South Korea, June 21.The following morning, after a series of planning meetings, Ottawa and Winnipeg departed the hospitable Jeju Civilian-Military Port Complex for the next stage of Poseidon Cutlass 17, a bilateral exercise with the Republic of Korea.Republic of Korea Ship (ROKS) Kang Gam Chan spearheaded the exercise that included ROKS Yul Gok Yi, ROKS Suncheon, Ottawa and Winnipeg. The objective of the exercise was to promote good relations between allied countries, as well as to provide Force Generation training for the operator trades.“Working with the Koreans proved very similar to working with North American navies. They had an excellent execution of their exercise, primarily improved by the effective distribution of their program,” said Sub-Lieutenant David Hughes, a bridge watchkeeper on board Ottawa.The ROKN-RCN bilateral exercise demonstrated both the efficiency and interoperability between the navies of the allied countries. The three-day program was tightly scheduled to include many forms of military operations. These included, but were not limited to serials exercising various methods of communication, formation maneuvering, boarding exercises, gunnery, and operational scenarios.“During our interactions with the ROK Navy, the operations teams participated in multiple Above Water Warfare and Anti-Submarine Warfare exercises,” said Ordinary Seaman Braeden Hart-Young, a Naval Combat Information Operator. “An operation of this scale showcases our allied navy’s potential to overcome both communication and technological barriers to successfully...

[caption id="attachment_16478" align="alignnone" width="560"] Photo by MCpl Precious Carandang, 4th Canadian Division Public Affairs[/caption]Members of Joint Task Force Central Headquarters march in support of their comrades in arms during the 100-day countdown to the Invictus Games in downtown Toronto on June 15.

[caption id="attachment_16449" align="alignnone" width="450"] RAdm Art McDonald personally awarded the Legion of Honour Medal to Frank Poole with wife Melodie was by his side. Inset: Frank Poole’s portrait taken during his military career.[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~Second World War and Korean War veteran Frank Poole admits the Legion of Honour medal recently bestowed upon him is perhaps the most precious he’s received to date.Capt (Retired) Poole, 93, was presented France’s highest order of military merit by Rear-Admiral Art McDonald, Commander Maritime Forces Pacific, during a ceremony at Veterans Memorial Lodge at Broadmead.A client of the Veterans Health Centre Day Program at Broadmead, Poole says all of the 14 medals he received for his 25-year military career are important, but the Legion of Honour holds special cultural significance for his entire family.“This is so big and my family members are in awe,” says Poole. “I grew up in Cape Breton and can trace my family tree back to Normandy, and my wife of 59 years [Melodie] is of Acadian descent. So yes this is a truly great moment for the whole family.”The Legion of Honour award was originally established in 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte  and has been awarded to approximately 93,000 veterans worldwide. In 2015 the French Government began honouring 1,000 Canadian veterans with the award to commemorate the 70th Anniversary of the D-Day Landing.Veterans in line for the award receive a package containing a letter from Nicholas Chapuis, Ambassador for France to Canada, and their medal that signifies the rank of Knight of the French National Order of the Legion of Honour. The award itself is a five-armed cross with a v-shaped cut out at the end of each point, and surrounded by a wreath of laurel leaves.RAdm McDonald, who also hails from Cape Breton, presented the medal to Poole...

[caption id="attachment_16474" align="alignnone" width="560"] Photo by LS Valerie LeClair, MARPAC Imaging Services[/caption]Members of HMCS Edmonton stand at attention during HMCS Edmonton’s Change of Command Ceremony at Y Jetty HMC Dockyard on June 21.

[caption id="attachment_16446" align="alignnone" width="450"] From left to right: Chief Petty Officer First Class Gilles Gregoire, Formation Chief; CPO1 Robert DeProy, Petty Officer Second Class Andre Aubry, and Rear-Admiral Art McDonald, Commander Maritime Forces Pacific, at the Wall of Valour monument June 26. Photo by Ed Dixon, MARPAC Imaging Services[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~The names of three Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) Medal of Bravery recipients were added to Signal Hill’s Wall of Valour monument during a ceremony in Esquimalt, June 26.The Wall of Valour, located below the Wardroom just before the Dockyard Gates, now displays the names of 36 sailors including the most recent: Chief Petty Officer First Class Robert Deproy, Chief Petty Officer Second Class André Aubry, and Petty Officer Second Class Evan Beaton.The award was first created by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 1972.Rear Admiral Art McDonald, Commander Maritime Forces Pacific (MARPAC), presided over the ceremony.“The efforts of all three individuals embody the true spirit of the award and exemplify the ethos of service to Canada,” said RAdm McDonald, who noted their “selfless acts of heroism” by willingly stepping up “in the face of danger.”“Your exemplary actions were indisputably products of your own strength of character,” he said to them. “You are role models, gentlemen, and your actions have inspired others in our organization, your country, and most importantly in each other.”CPO1 Robert DeProyOn May 19, 2012, CPO1 DeProy risked his life attempting to save fellow diver CPO2 Richard Boileau, who eventually died of his injuries caused by a malfunctioning breathing regulator.CPO1 DeProy emphasized the importance of training in his rescue attempt, but said receiving the honour and spot on the Wall of Valour was tinged with sadness and is “bitter-sweet” because CPO2 Boileau did not survive.“I’ve been diving an awfully long time, and in the navy we...

[caption id="attachment_16431" align="alignnone" width="560"] Photo by Cpl Stuart MacNeil[/caption]MS Chris Newstead, a member of the Royal Canadian Navy Naval Security Team, conducts a training scenario in Busan, South Korea on June 22.

DND ~Over the past 16 months, National Defence’s Directorate of Military Pay and Allowances Processing (DMPAP), with assistance and support from the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN), has been verifying the payment of Sea Duty Allowance (SDA) for personnel who were posted to HMC Ships undergoing refit from September 2001 to June 2014.This review of Sea Duty Allowance was initiated following the successful resolution of a grievance submitted by an RCN sailor who noticed a discrepancy between the existing policy and how it was being applied. In fact, at the request of the RCN, DMPAP conducted a wider investigation into the matter and found that more than 4,600 sailors were incorrectly not paid Sea Duty Allowance during a 13-year period.The policy application discrepancy has since been corrected and all sailors impacted by this error are having their pay accounts corrected. As a result of the review, the RCN reports that over 4,600 affected personnel have been collectively paid just under an additional $17 million in Sea Duty Allowance entitlements.However, the audit also uncovered other inaccuracies that needed to be fixed. Unfortunately, 63 members were overpaid during the same time period, amounting to approximately 1.3% of the total number of accounts reviewed. Many of these were as a result of incorrect SDA level increases being entered into the pay system.It is the RCN’s collective responsibility to ensure that taxpayer money is spent responsibly, and that members only receive the compensation they’re entitled to.At the same time, the RCN deals with such matters respectfully and with much regard to the personal circumstances of its sailors.The 63 members affected by the overpayment are being notified of the issue, and are being given time to decide on a repayment plan that best suits their respective situations.Affected members are encouraged to seek assistance from their pay...

[caption id="attachment_16426" align="alignnone" width="560"] Photo by Cpl Stuart MacNeil[/caption]LS Evan Hodgson, a member of the Royal Canadian Navy Naval Security Team, shares his hat with a child at the Sungaewon Orphanage in Busan, South Korea on June 24.

[caption id="attachment_16404" align="alignnone" width="450"] Corporal Jason Turgeon prepares infrastructure at Camp Adaži, Latvia, on May 23, in advance of the arrival of NATO’s enhanced Forward Presence multi­national battlegroup. Photos by Corporal Colin Thompson, Joint Task Force-Europe[/caption]Steven Fouchard, Army Public Affairs ~The Canadian Army is working with Latvian colleagues to ensure a NATO enhanced Forward Presence multinational battlegroup in Latvia will have comfortable living conditions when they arrive before year-end.This work is just one component of Operation Reassurance, Canada’s contribution to ongoing, NATO-led defence and deterrence measures in Eastern and Central Europe.Army combat engineers, members of New Brunswick-based 4 Engineer Support Regiment (4 ESR), arrived in Latvia in April to begin temporary infrastructure projects at Camp -Adaži, which lies northeast of the capital Riga.The 50 members on the ground face a considerable challenge in providing shelter and many other necessities for about 1,200 troops from the six allied nations that make up the battlegroup.In the following interview, Lieutenant-Colonel Hugo Delisle, Commanding Officer of the Canadian Theatre Opening Team, provides an update on what they have accomplished.Canada is one of four Framework Nations in this battlegroup.What does that mean and how does it impact your work on the ground?The Battle Group will be made up of six nations that will be working as part of a Latvian Land Forces Infantry Brigade.The Host Nation is Latvia, the Framework Nation is Canada, and the Sending Nations are Albania, Italy, Poland, Slovenia and Spain. Each has different responsibilities: Canada as the Framework Nation is responsible to work as a conduit for the Sending Nations (SN) through which to communicate with the Host Nation.It also is responsible, along with the Host Nation, to ensure all required support is available to the Sending Nations on their arrival. This includes office spaces, accommodations, internet, space management, and financial...