[caption id="attachment_5522" align="alignnone" width="300"] RAdm. H.S. Rayner is seen here inspecting the Guard and pauses to speak to Guard Officer Lt. Hector Renton.[/caption] Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps Rainbow recently turned 95 and celebrated with a special parade at Government House. The cadets were inspected by Lieutenant Governor Judith Guichon and Commander Maritime Forces Pacific Rear Admiral Bill Truelove. The Lieutenant Governor presented the band with a Drum Major’s mace and five silver bugles. In addition, 11 cadets received bronze and silver Duke of Edinburgh awards.   It has been 43 years since Rainbow last paraded at Government House. 95 years of training youth Founded in 1918, Rainbow was originally called the “Boys Naval Brigade.” Many of those first sea cadets went on to join the RCN Volunteer Reserve when it started up in 1923. In that same year, the name was officially changed to the “Sea Cadet Corps.” Since the beginning, Sea Cadets have been supported by the Navy League of Canada, itself founded in 1895. Early training was very hands on with lots of sailing, boat pulling, seamanship, camping, and of course parade-ground work. The Sea Cadet program grew throughout the great depression and Second World War and spread across the country. In 1941, the RCN officially partnered with the Navy League to jointly support Sea Cadets, and in 1942 King George VI bestowed the honorific “Royal Canadian” to the Sea Cadet Corps and became their first Admiral. After the war the old RN/RCN establishment at Comox was commissioned as HMCS Quadra in 1952.  Since then, tens of thousands of cadets have spent summers training at Goose Spit in Comox Harbour. Following unification in the late 1960’s, Sea Cadet Officers were formally commissioned into the reserves as members of the Cadet Instructors List. It is now called the...

A video collection of the Combat Camera images that captured the devastation of Hurricane Haiyan and the beauty of Canadian assistance in the aftermath.

Paying tribute to 50 years of service by Canada's CH-146 Sea King helicopters.

PO2 Joel Mullan of HMCS Yellowknife shares a moment with son Edmond and wife Deborah.

HMCS Victoria is welcomed back to CFB Esquimalt after the completion of Op Carribe 2013.

HMCS Edmonton is welcomed back to CFB Esquimalt after the completion of Op Carribe 2013.

HMCS Brandon and HMCS Nanaimo show off their holiday lights displays during the Holiday Village light display at CFB Esquimalt on 16 December 2013.

Outgoing Commanding Officer, Cdr Todd Bonnar (left)  and Incoming Commanding Officer, Cdr Julian Elborne (right). The Officer presiding of the ceremony is Commodore Bob Auchterlonie, Commander Canadian Fleet Pacific.

[caption id="attachment_5419" align="alignnone" width="600"] Capt(N) Luc Cassivi, Vicki Laidlaw, Honorary Capt(N) Cedric Steele, and RAdm Bill Truelove present Interim CEO of United Way Greater Victoria, Heather Gardiner, and Health Partners Campaign Manager, Ellen Louie with a cheque for $555,000 during the closing ceremonies for the Government of Canada Workplace Charitable Campaign held at the Naden Drill Shed at CFB Esquimalt on Dec. 16.[/caption] Members of the Defence Team gathered at CFB Esquimalt last Monday evening to mark the conclusion of their annual Government of Canada Workplace Charitable Campaign (GCWCC) during the official opening of the Navy Holiday Village at the Naden Drill Shed. Capt(N) Luc Cassivi, Base Commander, presented a big cheque during the opening of the Holiday Village in the amount of $555,000 to Heather Gardiner of the United Way of Greater Victoria and Ellen Louie of Healthpartners. The figure was followed by a “plus sign” to indicate further unit contributions continuing to arrive. “Our organizers and volunteers did a fantastic job throughout this year’s campaign. There was great unit participation across the Formation and a lot of excitement generated throughout,” said Capt(N) Cassivi. “I am also very pleased to see so many members of the community here for the cheque presentation and to connect with their navy at our Navy Holiday Village.”    The local Defence Team, comprised of Canadian Forces members and civilian employees working at more than 100 Department of National Defence (DND) units within the Greater Victoria Area, has been a leading contributor to the United Way of Greater Victoria. These contributions are the result of countless hours worked by volunteers who each year make the campaign a success. The United Way of Greater Victoria will distribute the local Defence Team’s donations to the registered Canadian charities. The campaign began Sept. 19, raising contributions through...

[caption id="attachment_5421" align="alignnone" width="600"] HMCS Yellowknife is welcomed back to CFB Esquimalt by the Admiral after three months at sea with Operation Caribbe.[/caption] HMC Ships Edmonton and Yellowknife, along with HMC Submarine Victoria, returned home last Thursday after completing deployments in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, marking the end of a very successful year for Operation Caribbe 2013. It was late fall when Yellowknife and Edmonton left Esquimalt harbour for what would be a fruitful operation combating transnational organized crime off the Caribbean and Pacific coasts of Central America. Brimming with anticipation, the two reserve crews sailed away in their Maritime Coastal Defence Vessels Sept. 23 for their three month deployment. The transit was 3,200 nautical miles south to the west coast of Central America. The mission:  Operation Caribbe, Canada’s contribution to the international campaign against illicit drug trafficking in that region. While en route, the ships’ crews completed work-ups tailored to the unique requirements of their upcoming mission. Following a quick stopover in San Diego to pick up United States Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachments, the MCDVs joined a two-day exercise dubbed North American Maritime Security Initiative (NAMSI) between the Canadian, Mexican, United States Navies and the U.S. Coast Guard. That exercise challenged the Canadian, U.S., and Mexican forces to plan and execute a combined response to a maritime security threat. Several objectives were met including coordinated planning, seamless information sharing, and command and control during the detection, interdiction and disposition of a vessel engaged in illicit activities. With training complete, the Canadian MCDVs continued south to the Mexican Naval Base in Ensenada, Mexico. Sailors were introduced to Mexico’s multiple counter-narcotic practices, such as their road search procedures and canine unit, as well as a tour of their Coast Guard vessels and Russian built Mi 17 helicopter. Each country joined in hospitality celebrations, with Admiral Victor Uribe Arevalo of the Mexican Navy awarding Yellowknife a plaque in commemoration of their involvement in NAMSI. In return, LCdr Brad Henderson, Commanding Officer...

Last week, beneath the cold waters of CFB Esquimalt, divers from Fleet Diving Unit (Pacific) (FDU(P)) moved about like sub-aquatic bees. They were replacing the sensitive sonar domes of HMC Ships Regina and Winnipeg, and, according to MS Marc-Andre Bibeau, what is a relatively simple task in dry dock, is complicated beneath the waves. “You have to worry about a laundry list of things you don’t need to think about on land,” says MS Bibeau. “For example, if you drop a tool on land you can just pick it up, but if you drop something down there it’s gone.” Six bolts securing the six-foot-long, eight-foot-tall fibreglass dome were removed with a two-handed speed wrench. The old dome was then lowered onto a supporting structure of legs assembled underwater by the divers to ensure it wasn’t damaged. Crane operators then removed the old dome. A new one was then lowered into the water, manoeuvred into place and secured by the divers. “It’s a nice bit of team work between the divers and the guys up top,” says MS Bibeau. “There’s a lot of moving pieces in terms of workers, so it’s good to have everyone on the same page.” When it comes to the physical aspect, MS Bibeau says the difference between surface and sub aquatic can be strikingly apparent during the most routine parts of the job. “It’s an added complication, because you need leverage to use a speed wrench,” says MS Bibeau. “Anything that requires leverage down there is challenging. You’re basically weightless, so you have to secure yourself or find your own leverage. It can put you in some strange positions sometimes.” He says while all the added complications may make the job seem overwhelming his team is skilled and used to this sort of task. “The domes have to be replaced around once a year, so this isn’t out of the ordinary for us,” he says. “We’re happy with the work we’ve done on it, and we’re...

The first group of the Disaster Assistance Response Team boards their ride home following Operation Renaissance in Iloilo, Philippines.

Canadian Armed Forces members play with children for whom they helped raise funds for Christmas time in Lonoy, Philippines during Operation Renaissance.

Local citizens wrote ''Thank You Canada'' on the roof of their house to thank the Canadian Armed Forces for their contribution in the Philippines during Operation Renaissance in Roxas City, Philippines.

Members of HMCS Toronto fire blank bullets from the .50 calibre machine gun at an incoming simulated threat during a force protection exercise during Operation Artemis.

A member of HMCS Toronto’s naval boarding party keeps his marksmanship sharp during rifle training on during Operation Artemis.

Crewmembers onboard HMCS Toronto prepare to approach a tanker for a replenishment at sea during Operation Artemis.

[caption id="attachment_5376" align="alignnone" width="300"] Ken Lidstone poses with his larger than life Santa and reindeer cut outs. They are just a few of the many cut outs that will adorn the Navy Holiday Village.[/caption] Piles of fluffy cotton snow, cheerful holiday music from the Naden Band, and a cast of colourful characters festoon the Naden Drill Shed this week during the inaugural Navy Holiday Village.Last week volunteers decked the hall with boughs of holly, decorated Christmas trees and created a winter wonderland walkthrough for the public to enjoy. “We wanted to come up with a replacement for the Navy Lighting Contest, and we thought this was a great opportunity,” says Ken Lidstone, primary designer of the village. “With dockyard under construction, we wanted to centralize the celebrations, and I think we’ve outdone ourselves.”Among the decorations, including an installation from the CFB Esquimalt Model Train Club, are hundreds of cartoon cut-outs constructed by Lidstone himself. The craftsman has been constructing these plywood characters for the past 35 years.“It’s just a small hobby of mine,” he says. “I’ve created about 250, but plywood doesn’t last forever so I’m currently at around 100.”Lidstone’s collection runs the gamut from the Grinch to Bugs Bunny to Santa and his Elves. “I wanted to contribute in any way I could, and this is something I love doing,” he says. “Seeing children smile when they recognize characters they love fills me with such joy.”Outside, visitors will see a lighted truck display and naval ships lit up from afar. “The view from the bluff at the Drill Shed is beautiful, and with the lights on the water it’s just wonderful,” says Lidstone. “It’s a great way to cap off the event.”Cdr Wes Golden, Base Administration Officer, says he is thrilled by the work and effort put in by...

[caption id="attachment_5373" align="alignnone" width="300"] VAdm Norman addresses sailors of the Royal Canadian Navy during a ship visit.[/caption] The Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) has a new roadmap to establish the navy’s direction and strategic priorities for 2013 to 2017.The RCN Executive Plan, launched in early December by Vice-Admiral Mark Norman, Commander RCN, will help guide the organization through the most intensive period of transition and renewal ever in its peacetime history.In the Executive Plan, VAdm Norman sets out his four main priorities: to ensure excellence in operations at sea; to enable the RCN’s transition to the future fleet; to evolve the “business of our business”, leading to more effective management of resources; and finally, to energize the entire RCN institution.VAdm Norman is confident the Plan will allow the Navy to realize these goals. To this end, the RCN has set in motion a series of changes in its governance, readiness processes and structures as it seeks better, leaner and smarter ways to deliver on its mission. These changes, collectively known as “Navy Renewal”, represent the RCN’s contributions towards the broader Defence Renewal effort.“The organizing principle for Navy Renewal is ‘One Navy’, by which we will realign the RCN’s core readiness functions and processes around pan-naval authorities who will exercise their responsibilities on behalf of the entire RCN regardless of where they are located,” VAdm Norman explains.The creation of pan-naval authorities includes a clear separation of roles and responsibilities between the strategic and operational levels of command. The Naval Staff in Ottawa is being realigned toward its corporate functions, such as ensuring the delivery of the future fleet, and further decentralizing operations to the coasts.At the operational level, functions are being delegated to one of the two coastal commanders. Commander Maritime Forces Pacific will assume responsibilities for Naval Training Systems, individual training...

[caption id="attachment_5370" align="alignnone" width="300"] LS Wesley Chao spent an unplanned night in the woods near Shawnigan Lake after a mushroom picking trip went awry.[/caption] When LS Wesley Chao drove up to Shawinigan Lake a month ago seeking the elusive and highly sought after pine mushroom, he didn’t expect to stay overnight. But inattention would leave him no choice but to brave the night in the wilderness.“The pine mushroom only grows in abundance in a few places on the island, and one of those places in Shawinigan Lake,” says LS Chao, a Weapons/Engineering Technician aboard HMCS Calgary. “I love pine mushrooms, so I thought I’d head up and see what I could find.” So he piled into car with friends and took to the hills around the lake where pine mushrooms are known to grow. The day expanded to a fairly profitable mushroom hunt, with LS Chao collecting upwards of 10 pounds of the tasty and expensive fungi. “I was having a great time. I was so engaged in the picking I started wandering higher and higher up the hill,” he says. “According to my compass I was going west, so I figured I had a pretty good idea of where I was.”The day wore on and the sun went down as LS Chao continued his hunt. Once it started getting dark he began to head in the direction of his car, or where he thought he had parked his car.“I should have gone northwest, but instead went west. I found a small path through the trees I thought would take me back, but it didn’t,” he says. “My two friends knew their way around so they made it back first; I was calling out to them but they were too far away.”With his compass, his mushrooms, and the night quickly...

Kids from Culasi village of Barbartan Island, Antique Province, Philippines, run in order to get the food dropped by members of 408th Tactical helicopter Squadron.

Capt Alaina Mundy, health care administrator from 2 Field Ambulance, Petawawa, gives an Izzy doll to a girl in Lucero, Philippines during Operation Renaissance.

A Royal Canadian Air Force Griffon helicopter flies toward the Philippine Army 3 Infantry Division Headquarters during Operation Renaissance, in Jamindan, Philippines.

MCpl Rick Stanutz (right) and Cpl Joel Majaralie (left) from 2 Combat Engineer Regiment, Petawawa, distribute Izzy dolls to local children during Operation Renaissance in Mambusao, Philippines.

Local citizens observe the soldiers from the Disaster Assistance Response Team as they store water jugs in a gymnasium during Operation Renaissance in Mambusao, Philippines.

Capt Andrew Jewer from CFB Valcartier sits at his station during a training mission for SERPENTEX 2013 in Corsica, France.

[caption id="attachment_5332" align="alignnone" width="300"] Sgt Michael Oliver (right) was selected from numerous nominees as the senior MP of the year for 2013, and was awarded with a recognition certificate by the Canadian Forces Provost Marshal Colonel Rob Delaney, CD, (left) on Nov. 26.[/caption] One CFB Esquimalt Military Police (MP) officer had his overseas work nationally recognized when he was given the title of Senior Non-Commissioned Member (NCM) of the Year.The award came as a surprise to Sgt Mike Oliver, who was deployed to Afghanistan for the eligible period.“It’s not often people get this award as part of a deployment,” he says. “I’m very proud of the work we did over there so to receive this acknowledgement feels really good.”Sgt Oliver was posted in Kabul, Afghanistan, from February to November of 2012. There he was employed as the Close Protection Platoon 2IC, escorting and protecting high value personnel such as politicians, dignitaries, and senior ranking military officials. “It was a very high tempo deployment,” says Sgt Oliver. “You never really knew what was going to happen, but you went out everyday well prepared and relied on your training. Our whole team made it back home and that’s what counts.”While he was the one on the ground every day in Afghanistan, Sgt Oliver says the struggle was just as real for family and friends back home. Without the support system of his family in place he says the experience would have been much different.“The courage and strength displayed by my wife Tracey allowed me to focus on successfully completing my mission and coming home safely,” he says. “I really can’t overstate how appreciative I am of her unwavering support.”The nomination comes from the ranks of Military Police across Canada of which Sgt Oliver says there are many worthy of the accolade. “We’ve...