A Ukrainian soldier gives a demonstration to Canadian and Ukrainian dignitaries during Operation Unifier at the National Demining Centre in Kamyanets-Podilski, Ukraine, on Nov. 28

Roman Waschuk, Canada's Ambassador to Ukraine, addresses a parade marking the Government of Canada's donation of $3 million of Explosive Ordinance Disposal equipment to Ukraine during Operation Unifier at the National Demining Centre in Kamyanets-Podilski, Ukraine, on Nov. 28.

The Honourable Harjit Singh Sajjan, Minister of National Defence speaks with His Highness Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah during a visit to the Bayan Palace in Kuwait on Nov. 30.

The Honourable Harjit Singh Sajjan, Minister of National Defence speaks with a Canadian Armed Forces member during a visit on board a CP-140 Aurora aircraft in Kuwait  Nov. 30.

[caption id="attachment_11507" align="alignnone" width="600"] MCpl Michael Bastien was honoured Nov. 25 for his outstanding photography with the Military Photographers Achievement Award, part of the Canadian Armed Forces Photo Contest. Pictured here: BGen Marc Theriault; BMO representative, Rick Campagna; MCpl Bastien; and Vice Chief of the Defence Staff, LGen Guy Thibault, at the Canadian War Museum.[/caption]DND – Bravo Zulu to Master Corporal Michael Bastien, who goes above and beyond as an Imagery Technician at Maritime Forces Pacific.Thanks to his outstanding imagery and dedication to his trade, MCpl Bastien has won the inaugural Military Photographers Achievement Award in the Canadian Armed Forces Photo Contest.This new award recognizes the technical quality of an individual photographer or videographer’s work, and highlights the personal qualities – the hard work and dedication behind the scenes that go into consistently producing evocative imagery for the CAF.MCpl Bastien is seasoned in the art of acquiring and using still and motion imagery to support operational planning, public affairs, and countless other requirements during crises, contingencies and exercises.He has deployed on operations several times as an image tech, including on Operation Reassurance in 2014 on board HMCS Regina. He used his time at sea to compose some amazing operational shots, a number of which won awards – both at previous CAF Photo Contests and in the 2015 Canadian Community Newspaper Awards.His skill and artistry in telling a story through the camera lens has led to his images regularly appearing in newspapers across the country.Called a natural leader by his unit, MCpl Bastien consistently takes the opportunity to mentor and coach less experienced colleagues about new equipment and techniques, while continuing to work on his own professional development.Thanks to his extensive experience and talent at capturing the commitment of the men and women who serve Canada, he’s proven to be an...

A/SLt Kyle Reed, MARPAC PA Office – As soon as HMC Ships Ottawa and Edmonton discovered their namesake city teams, the Ottawa RedBlacks and the Edmonton Eskimos, would be opponents for the 103rd Grey Cup, the rivalry erupted between the ships. In the days leading up to the big game, there was the expected banter and bickering as the ships’ crews expressed support for their teams.To make the rivalry official, the ships’ Commanding Officers exchanged messages predicting each other’s demise and agreeing to terms on a bet. The bet demanded the losing team hoist the winning team’s flag for a 24-hour period after the game. If that weren’t enough, on the Friday before the game, Edmonton sailed closely past Ottawa with the Edmonton Eskimos flag flying proudly, while Ottawa crew members had their own RedBlacks flag on display.If such a relationship between two ships and their respective CFL teams is surprising, it shouldn’t be. The Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) and their respective namesake city’s CFL teams have shared a close relationship for decades, and the hoisting of the opposing team’s flag is a common tradition.The RCN even won a Grey Cup back in 1944 when HMCS Donnacona defeated the Hamilton Wildcats 7-6. Last year, sailors from HMCS Vancouver sailed the Grey Cup into Vancouver harbour, prompting then-CFL commissioner Mark Cohon to exclaim, “I get to do a lot of cool things in my job. I get to present the Grey Cup and take the Grey Cup to Afghanistan. I get to call the guys who are in the Hall of Fame and tell them they are going into the Hall of Fame. But I’ve got to say, coming in with the Cup with Vancouver, the ship, behind me – it was spectacular!”With the teams taking to the field for the Grey...

November 30, 2015OTTAWA – Defence Minister Harjit S. Sajjan today wrapped up a successful visit to Kuwait where he met with Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) personnel currently deployed in the region as part of Canada’s contribution to the multinational Coalition against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). Minister Sajjan used the occasion to pay tribute to the troops, thanking them for their dedication and service. While in Kuwait, Minister Sajjan also met with his counterpart, His Excellency, Sheikh Khaled Al-Jarrah Al-Sabah, and other senior officials. During their discussions, the Minister underscored Canada’s ongoing commitment to working with allies and partners to counter global terrorism, and expressed his appreciation to Kuwait for hosting Canadian Armed Forces personnel engaged in the campaign. This support is vital to the mission. Quotes “Over the past few days, I have had the pleasure of meeting with allies and partners in both Jordan and Kuwait to discuss cooperation on a number of pressing global security and humanitarian issues. I was pleased with the positive exchange of ideas and expressed Canada’s on-going commitment to working with coalition partners to counter the ISIS threat, as well as Canada’s efforts to resettle 25,000 Syrian refugees from the region as quickly as possible.” Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of National Defence “It is an honour and privilege to represent Canada on the world stage and to have an opportunity to meet with coalition counterparts and members of the Canadian Armed Forces. I want to express my deep appreciation and heartfelt gratitude to Canadian soldiers, sailors and airmen and airwomen for their hard work, professionalism and dedication.” Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of National Defence Quick Facts Canada joined the multinational Coalition against ISIS in 2014 in an effort to help bring security and stability to Iraq and the region. Canada has been and continues to be an important contributor to this international effort.  Canada currently has approximately 600 CAF personnel deployed to the region as part of Joint Task Force-Iraq (JTF-I), which supports coalition efforts to degrade ISIS....

[caption id="attachment_11442" align="alignnone" width="300"] Members of Fleet Diving Unit (Pacific) and volunteers gathered Nov. 21 for the annual turkey run/spin at Millstream Village, Langford, to raise money for the Goldstream Food Bank’s Christmas Hamper Program.[/caption]Rachel Lallouz, Staff Writer – The Goldstream Food Bank got an early Christmas gift this year thanks to clearance divers from CFB Esquimalt.More than $21,000 was raised for the food bank’s Christmas hamper program at the sixth annual Navy Diver Turkey  Fundraiser at Millstream Village on Saturday Nov. 21.Lt(N) Walter Dubeau, lead organizer of the event, says crowds gathered at the Village to watch divers complete underwater demonstrations in a 3,000 gallon dive tank loaned to them by the B.C. College of Divers.Alongside the divers was an equipment display set up by the Fleet Diving Unit (Pacific) bomb disposal unit. One diver wore full bomb disposal gear for the entire day while walking on a treadmill. Stationed a few steps away were divers on nine stationary bicycles riding for hours, eventually covering the distance between Victoria and Calgary, roughly 1,500 kilometres.“People who line up to receive a hamper each year don’t have a whole lot,” says Lt(N) Dubeau. “The fact that more than half the dive unit – roughly 50 of us – came out and pulled together to raise the funds is a great achievement.”He credits the strength of the diving unit for pulling off such a feat.“It takes a whole unit to make this happen. The true thanks must go to the men and women of the Fleet Diving Unit and their friends and families who work hard to get every penny to put those turkeys on the tables.”Lt(N) Dubeau has been volunteering with the Goldstream Food Bank for over six years, and says that more than 700 recipients from Langford, Colwood, Highlands, Metchosin, and View Royal visit the food bank for a hamper every Christmas.To equip hampers with a meat product, the food bank relies on donations, which usually amounts to about 25...

HMCS Winnipeg sails in formation with His Majesty’s Norwegian Ship Fridtjof Nansen and Portuguese flagship, NPR Don Francisco de Almeida during Officer of The Watch manoeuver training in the Mediterranean Sea during Operation Reassurance.

[caption id="attachment_11439" align="alignnone" width="300"] It was a tense journey for sailors in Orca 55 as the training vessel encountered fierce winds and four metre swells.[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff writer – A few weeks ago most of south Vancouver Island was slammed with 90 kilometre an hour winds and heavy rain leaving thousands without power and a major cleanup of debris.Out on the water Mother Nature was even more dangerous.For those sailing to Vancouver in the 33-metre Orca 55 on Nov. 17, the storm was so fierce the swells reached epic heights – more than four metres or the height of a one story building.LCdr Preston McIntosh, Patrol Craft Training Unit Commanding Officer, says the storm’s fury was much worse than predicted by weather forecasters.He is hailing his crew for battling the elements and getting the vessel to safe harbour.“It was the quick action of my crew members that allowed us to make it safely into Holmes Harbour, Washington,” said LCdr McIntosh, noting it wasn’t the vessel’s intended destination. “It gives me a high level of confidence in my team and the ability of them to deal with any situation that might arise with the Orcas.”The training vessel was en route to the mainland for a community day sail when they encountered 83 kmh winds and two to three metre swells, causing Orca 55 to take very hard portside rolls near Discovery Island.LCdr McIntosh then made the decision to avoid a “perilous” northward turn into the Haro Strait where the ship would face even larger swells. He ordered the vessel change course to a southeasterly direction towards Puget Sound. But the unpredictable weather worsened. Winds increased to 160 km/h and the vessel and crew were forced to contend with four-metre swells.Despite the onslaught of sea sickness, MS Roger Robicheau made it to...

HMCS Vancouver sails alongside allies who took part in a Task Group Exercise hosted by the U.S. Navy's 3rd Fleet. The ship returned to home port last week.

Members of Fleet Diving Unit (Pacific) and volunteers gathered Nov. 21 for the annual turkey run/spin at Millstream Village, Langford, to raise money for the Goldstream Food Bank’s Christmas Hamper Program.

[caption id="attachment_11436" align="alignnone" width="300"] Base Chief, CPO1 Robert Spinelli (left) receives a flu shot from Cpl Justin Lalonde, Canadian Forces Health Services Centre (Pacific), at the Maritime Forces Pacific Headquarters flu vaccine clinic on Nov. 23.[/caption]Capt Laura Guevremont, CFHSC(P) – With flu season in full swing, Canadian Forces Health Services Centre (Pacific) has been offering the flu shot to its members to help them stay healthy this winter. It’s important when deciding whether or not to get the flu shot that you have the right information about the flu and the vaccine. There are many misconceptions about influenza and the flu vaccine, and these misconceptions can lead to a decrease in the number of people who are vaccinated.Influenza is a respiratory illness caused by the Influenza A and B viruses. This virus usually appears in the late fall and early winter when cold temperatures allow the virus to spread more easily. The flu most commonly causes a sudden high fever, chills, sore throat and cough.The flu can lead to more severe respiratory illnesses such as pneumonia. This is particularly dangerous in the very young and very old, the chronically sick, and pregnant women as their immune systems are not as good at protecting them from disease even after they have been vaccinated.Approximately 10 to 20 per cent of Canadians will get the flu each season, about 12,200 will be hospitalized and 3,500 will die.The influenza virus is constantly mutating which means people need to be vaccinated each year. The flu vaccine is formulated using data on flu viruses that circulated around the world in the previous year. The flu vaccine formulation for the 2015/16 season was chosen in February of this year. It protects against two A strains including H1N1, and one or two B strains.Last year the flu vaccine...

LCdr Christian Parisé, the Reviewing Officer for HMCS Winnipeg, prepares to lay a wreath on the cenotaph on behalf of the ship’s Commanding Officer and crew during the ship’s Remembrance Day ceremony in Toulon, France.

Members of 1st Regiment Royal Canadian Horse Artillery disembark a CH-147F Chinook helicopter from 450 Tactical Helicopter Squadron as part of Exercise Chinook Gunner at CFB Shilo, Manitoba.

SLt Matt Baker takes and reports a bearing on the bridge wing of HMCS Winnipeg during Operation Reassurance.

HMCS Winnipeg departs Toulon, France during Operation Reassurance in the Mediterranean Sea.

HMCS Winnipeg sails into a sunrise in the Eastern Atlantic Ocean during Operation Reassurance.

A Boatswain on board HMCS Winnipeg, disconnects the fuel connection after a Replenishment at Sea evolution with United States Naval Ship Arctic in the Eastern Atlantic Ocean during Exercise Trident Juncture.

[caption id="attachment_11411" align="alignnone" width="300"] Peter Mallett, LookoutFrom left: Cdr Wes Golden, CANEX vice president Mack McMillan, Cdr Brigitte Boutin, and CANEX Express Mart manager Iris Shiplack cut the ribbon during the grand opening ceremony of a Tim Horton’s express at their Colwood outlet.[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer - The operators of Colwood’s CANEX Express Mart hope the $120,000 investment in a Tim Hortons Express franchise will get business percolating in the Belmont Park location.As a fierce autumn storm raged outside on Nov. 17, employees, customers and base officials gathered around the giant automated coffee dispensary unit and raised their complimentary cup of java to cheerily toast the arrival of Tim Hortons.CANEX Express Mart manager Iris Shiplack says the new coffee kiosk is a more convenient location for Belmont Park residents, Colwood Pacific Activity Centre users, Fleet Diving Unit staff, and employees at Colwood Building 66.And while they won’t be selling Tim Hortons’ sweet treats, they will have fresh baked goods for sale from the Six Mile Bakery.The franchise bill was split between CANEX and the Base Fund, with the aim of driving up profits, with a percentage turned back to the Base Fund to be used for morale and welfare activities.This year, CANEX and SISIP donated a combined $166,092 to the Base Fund.Irene Woodruff, who resides close to the Express Mart, said the location is great for her and the neighbors.“I use a walker to get around and this location is easier for me, especially on stormy days like this one,” Woodruff said. “Word and excitement about this location seems to be spreading with my neighbours and others in the community that Tim Hortons is open for business.”

Coast Guard crews, along with partner agencies, recovered the marijuana jettisoned from a panga vessel approximately 200 miles off the U.S. and Mexico border in international waters Nov. 5. 

HMCS BRANDON (pictured), and HMCS WHITEHORSE make a quick port visit in San Diego, California, U.S., before heading out to the Eastern Pacific Coast to start Operation CARIBBE on Oct. 23.

Runners participate in the National Sports Day Run, Nov. 20, 2015 at CFB Esquimalt.

[caption id="attachment_11408" align="alignnone" width="300"] A/SLt Matthew Heim of HMCS Malahat shows Sara Geday how to “drive” a 33-metre Orca-class vessel.[/caption]Ten women and men joined naval reservists from HMCS Malahat for a morning at sea and an afternoon of firefighting, experiencing for themselves a day in the life of a sailor.Participants were mostly University of Victoria students, which had its reading break Nov. 9 to 13. The Sailor for a Day event was for those who wanted to experience what the Naval Reserve offers as part-time employment.“Participants were very interested in the Naval Reserve’s educational reimbursement for post-secondary education, competitive wages and benefits, leadership and professional development opportunities – all as a part-time career,” said Petty Officer Second Class Class Beth-Anne Salzer, one of Malahat’s recruiters.The day kicked off at Malahat in James Bay, and then the 10 guests were off to Her Majesty’s Canadian Dockyard in Esquimalt to embark in PCT Wolf, a 33-metre Orca-class patrol vessel from the Patrol Craft Training Unit.The weather was co-operative, with calm seas and no precipitation. The guests saw for themselves how a trained crew manages typical shipboard emergencies such as a person overboard drill and a steering gear breakdown.One of the highlights was learning to throw a heaving line, which resulted in a friendly competition amongst the guests.They also enjoyed the opportunity to take the helm, and under close supervision experienced driving the ship through many helm orders and engine revolution changes.After returning to HMC Dockyard and brushing the newly-earned salt from their shoulders, the guests were then off to the Damage Control Training Facility Galiano in Colwood, where they spent the afternoon learning about firefighting onboard RCN vessels, handling firefighting equipment and experiencing a controlled fire.As a bonus, the group had the opportunity to witness an advanced team of sailors attack a...

[caption id="attachment_11405" align="alignnone" width="300"] Lt(N) Lucie Gijzen on board MV Besant.[/caption]Rachel Lallouz, Staff Writer  -  Lieutenant(Navy) Lucie Gijzen, a physician working at Canadian Forces Health Services Centre (Pacific) isn’t your average doctor. On top of her duties as a Primary Care Physician, she travels the world to collaborate in submarine escape and rescue working groups in NATO countries, and participates in international submarine escape and rescue exercises.She is one of six physicians in the Canadian Armed Forces trained in the field of diving and submarine medicine.Her highly specialized medical training in hyperbaric and submarine medicine recently earned her a spot on a team of 25 medical personnel selected for Exercise Black Carillon 2015 (BC15). The submarine escape exercise took place Sept. 14 to Oct. 9 at the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) base HMAS Stirling in Perth, Western Australia.“The exercise was designed to provide massive casualties training to medical personnel trained in submarine medicine, to give submariners a chance to abandon a vessel in a real-life scenario, and to provide the RAN a chance to practice aero medical evacuations,” explained Lt(N) Gijzen. “All while using the RAN’s new intervention vessel for the first time, MV Besant.”She adds this type of exercise is important “because we need to be ready in the event that a submarine is in distress. We need to be able to keep our submariners safe.”The first few days of the exercise saw Australian submarine HMAS Rankin bottomed in 19 metres of seawater in Cockburn Sound, off the coast of Western Australia. Six James Fisher Defence instructors from the Submarine Escape Training Facility at HMAS Stirling were situated inside the submarine, ready to escape through the submarine’s single man escape tower in inflatable survival suits, buoying them to the surface.The scenarios for the exercise replicated a submarine collision with...

Comrades, Bob Benjamin and Cliff Ashton lay a wreath for the Unknown Soldier at the Somme Branch #31 Legion Remembrance Day Ceremony at Sullivan’s Pond, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia on Nov. 11.