[caption id="attachment_7249" align="alignnone" width="300"] Combined Forces Maritime Component Commander (CFMCC) of Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2014 Canadian Rear-Admiral Gilles Couturier, left, speaks with Cdr David Stallworth, commanding officer of Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron (HM) 14, on the bridge of the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Anchorage (LPD 23) while underway off the coast of San Diego.[/caption] A veteran newscaster in Hawaii and anchor of KHON(FOX)2’s Wake Up 2day show, gave Canadian Rear-Admiral Gilles Couturier an honorary title during an interview about Rim of the Pacific Exercise 2014 on July 24. RAdm Couturier, who has participated in five RIMPAC exercises over the years, was named by Ron Mizutani as an “honorary Kama’ina” - a native-born local citizen of Hawaii. RAdm Couturier is commander of the maritime component for RIMPAC, the world’s biggest maritime exercise, which is about to enter its final week in and around Hawaii. On behalf of all RIMPAC participants, RAdm Couturier thanked the people of Hawaii for their support and “aloha,” noting how RIMPAC helps the local economy. “Without a doubt the 25,000 sailors, plus the ships ... they need all sorts of things, so we buy local Hawaiian and I want to take the opportunity to thank the [people of Hawaii] for their hospitality,” he said. “This is my fifth time at RIMPAC, so I’m very familiar with your beautiful islands and every time looking forward to come back here and visit and enjoy.” During his interview, RAdm Couturier explained two of the primary goals of RIMPAC. “First of all, it’s to be able to learn to work together as professional mariners. So this year we have 22 countries, 47 ships, 200-plus aircraft, six submarines and over 25,000 people here. What we are trying to do to is work together in order to...

[caption id="attachment_7245" align="alignnone" width="300"] Capt(N) Steve Waddell gives his first speech as Base Commander at the CFB Esquimalt Change of Command ceremony held at the Military Museum Parade Square on July 30.[/caption]As ranks of shining white, green, and blue uniforms stood at attention under the blazing summer sun, CFB Esquimalt welcomed its new Base Commander.Capt(N) Steve Waddell took command of CFB Esquimalt from Cmdre Luc Cassivi during a well-attended ceremony on July 30.Beginning the ceremony with blessings from Esquimalt Nation Elder Mary Anne Thomas, and Songhees Nation Elder Elmer George, as well Formation Chaplain Maj Doug Friesen, the newly minted Cmdre Cassivi took to the podium to bid farewell to the base.“Thirteen months ago I took over the position as ‘Mayor of CFB Esquimalt,’” said Cmdre Cassivi to a crowd that included prestigious guests such as VAdm (Ret’d) Nigel Brodeur, and Mayor of Esquimalt Barbara Desjardins. “It was a challenging year, and it showed me the power and ingenuity of the men and women in uniform. With your dedication, and a passion for what you do, you faced every challenge head-on and that’s why, to me, this year was a success.”From CFB Esquimalt, Cmdre Cassivi will move on to his new position as Director General of Naval Strategic Readiness at National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa. To incoming Base Commander Capt(N) Waddell, he had some choice words on the nature of base leadership.“There are a lot of people here to help you; trust them, work with them, and they’ll make your time here much easier,” he said. “These are good people. You’re in good hands.”Following the lowering of Cmdre Cassivi’s Base Commander’s Pennant, Reviewing Officer RAdm Bill Truelove, Commander Maritime Force Pacific (MARPAC) took the podium.“You came into the job running and never slowed down, and the results are evident everywhere...

[caption id="attachment_7241" align="alignnone" width="300"] Cmdre Luc Cassivi (centre) receives his new rank from Base Chief Petty Officer CPO1 Shawn Taylor (left) and Commander Maritime Forces Pacific/Joint Task Force Pacific, RAdm Bill Truelove (right).[/caption] The promotion is in and the epaulettes have been changed. Capt(N) Luc Cassivi is now Commodore and set to head to Ottawa for his next assignment – Director General Naval Strategic Readiness at National Defence Headquarters. Last Wednesday marked his final moments as CFB Esquimalt’s twentieth Base Commander when he officially handed over the job to Capt(N) Steve Waddell. His journey from the small town of New Richmond, Quebec, to becoming one of the navy’s highest ranking officers has been built on opportunity and curiosity. He joined the navy for the education but stayed for three decades because of its diversity. “It’s constant change; there’s never an occasion where it’s a steady rhythm. The navy provides many challenges and chances to try something new. That’s what hooked me,” he says.  The variety of work has included submarine and surface ships, even working with the Royal Australian Navy in the officer exchange program, and high level desk jobs. Last June he landed in the corner office in Naden 5, assuming his “mayorship” over CFB Esquimalt. Having spent most of his time “in pointy end operational” work, the prospect of the year-long job was both exciting and anxiety-filled. “My biggest experience with the civilian workforce was three admin assistants, so having a large civilian workforce and dealing with unions, and the outside community was all new territory,” he says of the first few days managing the second largest base in Canada. The Base Commander portfolio includes delivery of support services to 70 separate organizations located at CFB Esquimalt. Plus he is the landlord for $1.6 billion in real estate...

Canadian RAdl Gilles Couturier receives an equipment and capabilities brief from Canadian divers on board the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Anchorage (LPD 23) during RIMPAC 2014.

Air Weapons System Technicians, Cpl Byron Plume and Joseph Burns ready  inert bombs for loading into a CF-18 Hornet during RIMPAC 2014.

 Canadian CDS, Gen Tom Lawson and CWO Kevin West speak with Canadian, American and Australian military members participating in training during RIMPAC 2014.

CDS General Tom Lawson and Deputy Commander, U.S. Pacific Command, LGen Anthony Crutchfield are recognized upon arriving for an Honour Ceremony during RIMPAC 2014.

A 437 Transport Squadron CC-150T Polaris strategic air-to-air refueling mid-air a USN F/A-18 Super Hornet during RIMPAC 2014.

After refueling, a USN F/A-18 Super Hornet flies beside a 437 Transport Squadron CC-150T Polaris strategic air-to-air refueler from 8 Wing Trenton, Ontario during RIMPAC 2014.

[caption id="attachment_7191" align="alignnone" width="300"] Inset: The gifted medals originally awarded to the late Rear-Admiral Victor Brodeur throughout his 38-year-career in the military. They include Companion of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath, presented by King George VI for his services during the Second World War. Plus the United States Legion of Merit (Commander) presented by President Harry Truman for his work as the Canadian Naval Attache and Naval Member of the Canadian Joint Staff in Washington DC.[/caption]The walls of the Admiral’s suite at Maritime Force Pacific (MARPAC) Headquarters will now be home to an important piece of Royal Canadian Navy history.In a small presentation held July 23 in the Wardroom, VAdm (Ret’d) Nigel Brodeur passed on the medals worn by his father Rear-Admiral Victor Brodeur to RAdm Bill Truelove, Commander Maritime Forces Pacific.“My father cared very much about this navy, and that caring shaped the organization into what it is today,” said VAdm Brodeur, who followed in his father’s footsteps into the navy, and eventually retiring as Deputy Chief of Defence Staff in 1987. “In passing these on I hope to pass on his memory and passion for the Canadian Armed Forces. He would be very proud of everyone here today.”RAdm Victor Brodeur served in the RCN for 38 years from 1909 to 1947. During his lengthy career, RAdm received recognition for his service from heads of state around the world.Most notably, he was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) by King George VI for services to the Empire. King George also awarded RAdm Brodeur with the CB (Companion of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath), the senior honour for service “of the highest calibre” during the Second World War.RAdm Brodeur was also recognized for his service by the United States. President Harry...

[caption id="attachment_7186" align="alignnone" width="300"] Julie H. Ferguson is presenting Celebrating Canadian Submariners: 1914 to 2014 on Sunday, Aug. 3 at 2 p.m. at the Maritime Museum of B.C., Bastion Square, Victoria. The event is free and focuses on the submariners rather than the boats — from the prairie boys in 1914 who’d never seen the sea, let alone a submarine, to the highly trained sailors who serve in our Victoria class today. This is their story. Both books will be available for purchase and signing.[/caption]Unbeknownst to most Canadians, Canada has a long and colourful submarine service history – to be exact, 100 years of service this year.To honour the centenary, Julie H. Ferguson’s publishers have released updated, second editions of her two books: “Through a Canadian Periscope: The Story of the Canadian Submarine Program” and “Deeply Canadian: New Submarines for a New Millennium.”“Canada has had such vibrant history with regard to its submarines, it’s a shame more people don’t know about it,” says Ferguson, a retired reserve naval officer. “With my books, I always wanted to inform Canadians on the subject, and hopefully with renewed interest due to the centenary I can reach a few more.”She was inspired to write both books when she asked her husband LCdr James S. Ferguson (Ret’d), who was captain from 1979-1981 of the now decommissioned submarine HMCS Okanagan, where she could read more on the subject of the Canadian submarine service. “He was surprised when he realized there weren’t any books,” says Ferguson. “And so was I.”That realization encouraged Ferguson to write one, and a year later set her on a decade-long project that would take her across Canada and the United Kingdom, speaking with veterans, serving members, and historians, and delving deep into archives.Her first book, “Through a Canadian Periscope” explores the history...

[caption id="attachment_7183" align="alignnone" width="300"] Cpl Adam Carruthers of the CFB Esquimalt Military Police will join 23 other riders on this year’s Tour de Rock.[/caption]Every year a team of Vancouver Island police officers and media professionals make an arduous journey through rain, snow, and wind all in the name of pediatric cancer research.Joining them this year in the 2014 Tour de Rock will be Cpl Adam Carruthers, 28, from CFB Esquimalt Military Police. “I lost my grandmother to cancer in 2013, so I was looking for a way to help families who are in the same position that mine was. I’d only heard good things about the ride from co-workers, so when the time came around to apply I put my name in,” says Cpl Carruthers. “It’s such a great cause, and a once in a lifetime kind of experience. I didn’t want to miss my chance to take part.”The bike rides spans 1,100 kilometres, from Port Alice to Victoria, in 14 days to benefit the Cops for Cancer charity.With the start date for the ride still months away - kicking off Sept. 20 - Cpl Carruthers and his fellow teammates are already four months into training, with practice rides taking place Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday.Training exercises alternate between hill nights, where riders practice extended uphill rides; speed training with a focus on acceleration, and distance rides where sheer distance is the name of the game.“It’s been exhausting, but rewarding,” says Cpl Carruthers. “You really get a feel for what the actual ride might be like, but at the same time I know it will be so much more.”For the ride, team members have been outfitted with special road bikes tailored to their specific attributes. These prototype bikes, donated by Trek Bicycle Store in Esquimalt, will see them through training as well...

HMCS REGINA Storing Ship from Michael Bastien on Vimeo.

[caption id="attachment_7168" align="alignnone" width="300"] Veteran Marina Libro receives assistance from teammates on a steep climb June 28.[/caption]For dedicated athlete and Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) member Sgt Dan Bodden, no distance is too great when it comes to helping wounded veterans.The Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) Assistant Air Controller recently returned from the inaugural Can/Am Veteran’s Challenge, a 1,200km 18-day bicycle ride that took 16 wounded Canadian, American, and Danish military veterans, as well as nine civilian riders, from the Parliament Buildings in Ottawa, ON, all the way to Capital Hill in Washington, D.C.The ride was conceived by non-profit organization World TEAM Sports as a way to show injured veterans, as well as the civilian population, that being injured or disabled doesn’t mean you stop being active.“The team I was riding with came from all walks of life, all different parts of Canada and the U.S., as well as a few riders from around the world, and they all showed the same fierce spirit,” says Sgt Bodden. “It was a very inspiring experience. They showed me that getting on with your life is as much as part of rehabilitation as any surgery or medicine.”When it comes to going the distance for wounded veterans Sgt Bodden is no slouch.Just this past February, he  co-founded the Wounded Warriors Run BC and his team ran from Port Hardy to Victoria.“As a member of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) it’s my duty to aid and support my fellow service men and women any way I can,” he says. “When I heard there was an opening for the Veteran’s Challenge there was no way I would pass it up.”His dedication went as far as physically helping a fellow cyclist during the Can/Am ride.During the journey Sgt Bodden rode alongside US Army Master-Seargent (Ret’d) Marina Libro,...

[caption id="attachment_7165" align="alignnone" width="300"] Deputy Minister of National Defence Richard Fadden presents MWO (Ret’d) Bob Quann with the Deputy Minister’s Commendation. Quann received the commendation during the Corporate Awards in Ottawa for his dedication, passion, and excellence during his 43-year career as a Resource Management Support Clerk with the Department of National Defence.[/caption]When MWO (Ret’d) Bob Quann joined the military as a Resource Management Support (RMS) Clerk, he wanted to build a career helping people. He never imagined doing a job he loved would earn him a trip to Ottawa to receive an award.Just a month prior to retiring from a 43 year career with the military and public service, Quann visited the National War Museum to accept a Deputy Minister’s Commendation that recognized the passion, dedication, and excellence he’s shown during his career.Deputy Minister of National Defence Richard Fadden presented the award, which consists of a certificate signed by the deputy minister, a lapel pin and a gift of Canadian art.The commendation recognizes work above and beyond normal duties, or community service that either benefits or brings credit to the Department of National Defence.“I was truly honoured and humbled by the award,” says Quann, who retired July 18. “I was totally unaware that I was nominated, so when my boss, PO1 Andrew Chadwick, showed me the e-mail where I was awarded the DM Commendation, I was blown away, to say the least.”While his end-of-career recognition is welcome, the thought of awards never crossed his mind.“I guess I spent the last 43 years looking after others and never expected this type of recognition for myself,” he says.While an outsider looking in may see the administrative work of an RMS clerk as just filing and paperwork, Quann found it to be much more than that.“In this trade you’ve always got someone...

[caption id="attachment_7162" align="alignnone" width="300"] Cpl Michael Bastien, MARPAC Imaging Services The naval boarding party of HMCS Regina conducts tactical movement drill practice on the ship’s upper deck off the coast of Africa on earlier this year during Operation Artemis.[/caption] The Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) is taking important steps toward tailoring its operations to confront and deter smaller, asymmetric threats with the standing up of a single dedicated unit that will provide an Advanced Naval Boarding Party (ANBP) capability.“We are excited about the development, the stand-up of this new unit, and the unique and challenging opportunity it presents to all RCN personnel,” said LCdr Wil Lund, the ANBP Capability Officer in Charge. “It represents an important milestone that will enable the RCN to combine over a decade of highly successful operational experience with the ingenuity and abilities of our own officers and sailors.”Right now, naval boarding parties are comprised of regular members from a ship’s company who perform these duties in addition to their primary duty on board. Once fully operational, the new unit will deploy specialized teams on any RCN platform operating in a high-risk environment.Though traditional NBPs are capable of conducting basic obstructed boardings, the dynamic and evolving nature of RCN missions now calls for a new approach. The ANBP capability will allow for deployed vessels to meet the new level of risk and to provide other direct support when necessary.With today’s naval operations increasingly concerned with providing maritime security in the littoral (near-shore) environment, the need for an advanced, versatile force that can respond rapidly to threats such as pirates, drug smugglers or small, nimble fast attack craft is as salient as ever.These operations require a highly trained team such as the ANBP. Through extensive specialized training and careful selection, the Maritime Tactical Operators from this unit will eventually...

US marines test new robotic mule

A CH-146 Griffon helicopter investigates flood damage near Portage la Prairie, Manitoba during OP LENTUS on July 7, 2014.

A Marine from Combat Assault Company, 3rd Marine Regiment signals the driver to proceed into the surf during RIMPAC on July 9, 2014.

An Amphibious Assault Vehicle through the surf as it heads out to the United States Ship RUSHMORE during AAV training at Kaneohe Bay for RIMPAC on July 9, 2014.

The members of the Canadian ATF Romania and the Romanian AF play a friendly soccer match on July 11, 2014 in Turda, Romania.

The members of the Canadian ATF Romania and the Romanian AF before playing a friendly soccer match on July 11, 2014 in Turda, Romania.

[caption id="attachment_7113" align="alignnone" width="300"] The 16-metre Boomer 1 departs the patrol craft Egret as it makes its way under escort into harbour after nearly sinking. Photo by MS Richard Loy, CFMETR[/caption]A lightning fast departure by a Canadian Forces patrol craft from alongside was likely the key to keeping a sinking civilian vessel afloat after it began taking on water near Nanoose Bay June 6.Egret, one of the craft responsible for patrolling the torpedo test range operated by the Canadian Forces Maritime Experimental and Test Ranges (CFMETR), was having its windows replaced when a Mayday call crackled over the radio.  While vessel master PO2 Kevin Hall ran from his shore office, Bos’n MS Dan Connelly and Engineer MS Rich Loy hastily landed the contracted maintenance crew and fired up the vessel’s twin jet drives.“We got off so quickly it wasn’t until the Mayday was secured that I looked around and realized we didn’t have any windows on the starboard side,” said Hall. “But thanks to the professionalism of the crew we were first on scene, getting there even before vessels that were already in the area.”On reaching Boomer 1, a 21-metre power boat, Hall rapidly assessed the emergency.“The vessel’s bilge pump could not keep up with the water flowing in,” recalled Hall. “In other words, she was sinking.”  While Connelly calculated time and distance to the nearest safe harbour, Hall directed engineer Loy onto the foundering vessel to attempt to slow the influx of seawater. Hall remained on the radio, coordinating with the Rescue Coordination Centre, the approaching Coast Guard vessel Cape Cockburn out of nearby French Creek, and with another CFMETR vessel, the Canadian Forces Auxiliary Vessel (CFAV) Stikine.For 26-year veteran Loy, working in confined spaces was nothing new. He had once been trapped for 20 minutes in the bilge...

[caption id="attachment_7110" align="alignnone" width="300"] Teams arrive, via Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat, at the Fleet Diving Unit jetty prior to facing the day’s challenges.[/caption]In their first encounter with military reality, 11 teams from The Amazing Race Canada were put through their paces at the Damage Control (DC) Training Facility in Colwood to do what the producers of show wanted: make this stop one of the most difficult these teams encounter all season.In the series opener, staff at the training facility put the teams, dressed in firefighting gear and using the hoses at hand, through their paces.The first scenario consisted of knocking down three weighted buckets within 30 seconds, then suppressing a helicopter fire before recovering a casualty.It all had to be done with LCdr Rob Petitpas, Division Commander, watching and judging if teams passed or failed. “I was thrilled to be part of the show,” said LCdr Petitpas. “The firefighting challenge was not easy for some teams, but when they succeeded, it was great to see their excitement when I delivered them the good news.”Many teams found the challenge exhausting and a real eye opener regarding the reality of fighting a fire on a warship.  At least one team could be heard saying, “I’ve never been so hot in my life!” as they raced to the next challenge.“We really had a chance to showcase the Royal Canadian Navy and the training we put sailors through, “said CPO2 Spike Armstrong, the Division Chief at the DC Training Facility. “It was a blast watching teams go through the different scenarios.  It made me realize just how well we train our sailors.”Once through the fire trainer, it was off to the flood trainer to figure out how to stop water from flooding a room. It was made even more difficult as the teams were not provided...