[caption id="attachment_29692" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Roger Payne takes a break from his Coding for Veterans class. Photo supplied[/caption] Kateryna Bandura Editor — After retiring from the navy in 2015, Roger Payne wasn’t quite ready to pack in work life. He wanted to transition into a civilian job that would be beneficial to Canada, just as his navy job as a Naval Communicator had been. The IT world interested him, but he knew he needed additional training, and that’s when he found Coding for Veterans (C4V) through a vocational rehabilitation specialist. Now, he is on track to obtain industry-recognized qualifications in cybersecurity through the Coding for Veterans program. “I’m loving every minute of it,” Payne says. “The program is helping me achieve an actual certification, as well as teaching me how to market myself. C4V also puts on seminars for students to meet companies and understand what they’re looking for, and to understand how to market ourselves when we wade out into the unknown private sector.” Coding for Veterans is a not-for-profit that provides software and cyber security qualification training to veterans and their families in two streams of Canada’s tech sector: software development and cyber security. The eight-month program is a partnership between Coding for Veterans and the University of Ottawa’s Professional Development Institute (PDI). Graduates receive a certificate from the PDI and industry-recognized qualifications. At the end, the organization helps veterans find job placement opportunities. There are approximately 200 students in various stages of the program who are veterans and their family members. Payne started his studies in September 2021 and is currently taking the Cyber Security Network certification program. Upon completing the 650-hour course, he will receive a University of Ottawa Professional Development Certificate and the CISCO Certified Network Associate certification. The course also provides him with the CyberOps Associate certification. “I think every service member needs to know what C4V offers and that it’s not only an offer to veterans, but also their spouse. I think that’s incredible,” he...

[caption id="attachment_29685" align="aligncenter" width="595"] The Battle of the Atlantic Fleet Weekend 2022 was brought to a close with a parade on Saturday, May 1 at the Sailor’s Memorial Park in North Vancouver. Current serving Royal Canadian Navy members, veterans and civilians united to honor the sacrifices of all those in the Second World War naval battle. Photo: Master Corporal Nathan Spence, MARPAC Imaging Services[/caption] SLt Wilson Ho MARPAC Public Affairs — On the first Sunday of May, sailors from the Royal Canadian Navy and Maritime Forces Pacific commemorated the 77th anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic with marching contingents and a commemoration ceremony at Sailor’s Point Memorial in Waterfront Park, North Vancouver. The parade and ceremony was part of the navy’s inaugural Fleet Weekend at Burrard Dry Dock Pier. Joining the parade were contingents from the ships participating in Fleet Weekend, and members of HMCS Discovery, the Naval Association, the Navy Cadet Corps, and the Navy League. Together they marked from the Burrard Dry Dock Pier to Sailor’s Point Memorial. During the ceremony, the names of each ship sunk during the longest continuous Second World War naval battle were read out loud, and a ship’s bell was rung eight times after each name. As the ships were lost at sea, and no answer returned, the bell ringer would then call out, “They do not respond.” A special announcement was also made to mark the anniversary of Stalker 22, the Royal Canadian Air Force CH-148 Cyclone that crashed into the Ionian Sea with six Canadian Armed Forces members lost on April 29, 2020, as well as the four Officer Cadets who died April 29 in an accident at the Royal Military College of Canada.    When wreaths from all of the contingents were laid and the Last Post and Reveille were played, a moment of silence was observed.   The Battle of the Atlantic began on the opening day of the war in September 1939 and ended almost six years later...

[caption id="attachment_29676" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Cdr Matthew Otoupal, left, was presented with his Platinum FORCE Test pin by RAdm Brian Santarpia, Commander Maritime Forces Atlantic on April 20. Photo: Mona Ghiz, MARLANT PA.[/caption] Joanie Veitch Trident Newspaper — After scoring 398 out of 400 in his most recent FORCE fitness evaluation, Cdr Matthew Otoupal is understated when asked how he reached the Platinum level, a feat accomplished by fewer than one per cent of Canadian Armed Forces members. “I wanted to push myself during the test,” he says. “I tend to hold onto the (score) cards to write down and compare for all the different things I have to do during the test. It helps to motivate me.” It’s actually the second time Cdr Otoupal, who is Comptroller for the Formation — Maritime Forces Atlantic (MARLANT) and Joint Task Force Atlantic (JTF(A)) — has scored at the Platinum level. The first time was in 2019 when he was posted in Kingston, Ontario. Due to restrictions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, FORCE fitness evaluations weren’t held in 2020. When asked how he’s managed to reach the top level twice, he is quick to give credit to his wife Jennifer for introducing him to CrossFit training about four years ago, after she joined a CrossFit gym when they were living in Victoria. “To be honest, she dragged me along with her at first but it didn’t take long for me to get into it.” After he was hit by a car while riding his bike to work at CFB Esquimalt, Cdr Otoupal took about three months off to recover. When he was able to get back to doing workouts he appreciated the functional fitness part of the program even more. “My biggest challenge in staying fit is making sure I don’t re-injure...

[caption id="attachment_29662" align="aligncenter" width="595"] S1 Jaime Santisteban Bazan is congratulated for his Sailor of the First Quarter honour by Capt(N) Jean Ouellet, Commander Canadian Submarine Force.[/caption] Kateryna Bandura Editor — The good work of Sailor First Class Jaime Santisteban Bazan has earned him Sailor of the First Quarter honours. The award recognizes the outstanding achievements of a junior non-commissioned member of a fleet unit. The HMCS Victoria sonar operator was humble about his recognition. “I don’t think I’m special. I look around me and everyone is trying to do something for the community. I feel like the light happened to shine on my actions by chance,” he says. It was his work with the RCMP on a pamphlet to help police officers communicate with hard of hearing drivers during traffic stops that garnered leadership appreciation. With the help of an RCMP officer acquaintence, he created a pamphlet for 90 officers on the lower mainland to trial. S1 Santisteban Bazan was also responsible for introducing the Sentinel Program to his unit. “We had a bit of a morale problem within the Canada Submarine Force. I contacted the chaplain and explained what was going on and asked him to come [talk to the crew]. At first it was going to be a seminar on recognizing symptoms of stress. But it turned into organizing a Sentinel Program within the Canadian Submarine Force, with designated people wearing this special patch.” Sentinels are people trained by the chaplains to recognize when someone is having problems, and then guide them towards the right resources. They are not qualified mental health professionals, but trusted co-workers. “The designation doesn’t mean anything if people don’t trust you. So, I’m very happy that some people do come to me,” he says. For his Sailor of the First Quarter award, he received a coin from the Canadian Fleet Pacific Chief and another coin from the Commander of the Canadian Submarine Force. He expects to head to Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School...

SLt Wilson Ho MARPAC Public Affairs — As seven navy vessels passed under the Lions Gate Bridge in North Vancouver Friday April 29, curious onlookers lined the Stanley Park Seawall and the Burrard Dry Dock Pier, where the ships were berthing. Her Majesty’s Canadian Ships Vancouver, Calgary, Brandon, and Edmonton, and three Orca Class Patrol Training Vessels were in town the last weekend in April for an inaugural Fleet Weekend and Battle of the Atlantic Commemorative Ceremony. Fleet Weekend 2022 was created to increase the navy’s presence in Vancouver, to foster awareness of Royal Canadian Navy capabilities and opportunities, and allow the general public the opportunity to see and experience what sailors do on a day-to-day basis. On Saturday, the general public flocked to the pier for ship tours and to see displays from HMCS Discovery, Fleet Diving Unit (Pacific), and Naval Tactical Operations Group. Although the weather was overcast and rainy, it did not dampen visitor spirits – long lines formed as curious visitors queued to get aboard. The weekend cumulated with a parade and a commemorative ceremony marking the 77th anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic, which was held at the Sailor’s Point Memorial in Waterfront Park, North Vancouver. 

[caption id="attachment_29647" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Wrens on parade at the WRCNS basic training school, HMCS Conestoga,December 1942. Library and Archives Canada[/caption] With the 80th anniversary of the inception of the Women’s Royal Canadian Naval Service (WRCNS) approaching on July 31, Canadians are invited to share their stories about a friend or family member who served in the WRCNS. Submissions may be published on the RCN’s website, base newspapers, and social media accounts. Please include high resolution, scanned photos if available, as well as your name and contact information. Mail your submission to: NavyPAInternalComms.APMarine-Communications-Internes@forces.gc.ca   [caption id="attachment_29646" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Members of the Women’s Royal Canadian Naval Service arriving in Britain, October 1944. Courtesy Royal Canadian Navy[/caption]    

DND/CAF — Do you have the right contacts listed on your CF 742 Emergency Contact Notification (ECN) and DND 2587 Next of Kin Identification (NOK) forms? If you’re like the majority of us, you joined the Canadian Armed Forces right out of high school or during university. At that point, your parents and possibly a sibling or two were likely the only people listed on these forms. Over the years, you may have gotten married, had children, or changed marital status, which requires an update to your emergency contacts and next of kin designations. As the years in uniform add up, and each Annual Personnel Readiness Verification seems to come around more frequently than the holidays, we often become complacent with our ECN and NOK updates. Review the toolkit on the HR-Civ intranet website or the HR Go RH app, which you can access on your mobile device while you are on leave. ECN Form The ECN form (CF 742) is used by the chain of command to inform those you have identified if you become ill, injured, are missing, or pass away. The ECN form is distinct from your NOK form, as it only serves for emergency notification purposes should anything happen to you; it does not entitle anyone listed to potential benefits. Members need to ensure they select the right individual(s) they would want to be contacted in case of an emergency. The ECN form can include immediate family or persons most close to you. They can be related to you, or not, they can be adults or minors. They can be your spouse, children, step-children, parents, siblings, in-laws, or friends. Incorrect ECN forms have led to significant delays in emergency contacts being notified and in some cases, the wrong person(s) have been informed. NOK Form The NOK form (DND 2587),...

[caption id="attachment_29640" align="aligncenter" width="595"] A rendering of the pavillion the Comox Air Force Museum is fundraising to build.[/caption] Peter Mallett Staff Writer — Aviation history will soar to new heights when the Comox Air Force Museum places its prized De Havilland Vampire Mark III fighter jet under a glass protective display structure. To do this, they need $1.5 million in donations to build a pavilion in the museum’s Heritage Air Park, hopefully in time for the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) 100 anniversary in 2024. Acting Deputy Wing Commander, Major Niomi Caldwell is representing the campaign and says the pavilion is essential because the Vampire’s wooden construction makes it fragile to the outside elements. It is currently housed in a hangar, away from public viewing. “There is a protective metal skin on the outside, but its inner structural workings are partially constructed from wood, which is incredible,” she says. “It’s a fascinating piece of aviation history that most people don’t know about or know we have at the Wing.” Initially named the Spider Crab, the Vampire is one of 86 aircraft manufactured by De Havilland for the RCAF, with the first aircraft arriving in 1948 and put into service as a Central Flying School training aircraft at RCAF Station Trenton. By 1958, it was phased out with newer jets, the F-86 Sabres. The museum’s Vampire is one of a few remaining vintage aircraft. The jet, tail number 17031, was obtained through a National Defence Headquarters approved trade in 2000. It was previously owned by a private collector in the United States who flew it in air shows. It was declared an artefact by the RCAF in 2001. [caption id="attachment_29639" align="aligncenter" width="595"] The De Havilland Vampire Mark III at CFB Comox.[/caption]   A local legend The plane and its legacy also have a special significance for CFB Comox and Comox community as Second World War fighter pilot and Comox resident James ‘Stocky’ Edwards once piloted the Vampire in the years after the war....

Peter Mallett Staff Writer — A few Canadian Armed Forces members have created and posted on Facebook a video celebrating the Sikh Holiday Vaisakhi and Sikh Heritage Month. Vaisakhi is one of the most important days on the Sikh calendar and occurs each year in mid-April along with Sikh heritage month. Military personnel of Sikh heritage from across Canada appeared in the short video to deliver their well wishes. They included Lt Bavleen Deo, Lt Balraj Singh Deol, and S1 Ashish Bhagria, S3 Udhay Singh Nijjer, and PO1 Kanwar Singh Nijjer.  The video acknowledges the significant contributions Canadians of Sikh faith have made to Canada. It was produced by 2Lt Vatsal Shah of Maritime Forces Pacific (MARPAC) Public Affairs and MARPAC Base Imaging members S1 Valerie Leclair and S1 Sisi Xu.

[caption id="attachment_29611" align="aligncenter" width="594"] Volunteers use Canadian Forces Sailing Association boats to tow and position docks into place at their new home in Lang Cove. The club provides recreational sailing opportunities to the Defence Community and their families and is in the process of moving its headquarters from their former home at Munroe Head. Photo credit: CFSA[/caption] Peter Mallett Staff Writer — Lang Cove is the new site of the Canadian Forces Sailing Association (CFSA). The protected inlet, visible from the entrance to Naden, will be the home for the recreational boats of club members. “We really like our new home because it brings CFSA into the heart of the CFB Esquimalt community,” says LCdr Chris Maier, Club Commodore. “Instead of being in an out-of-site location, everyone at the base will see our boats in the harbour as they drive into work each day and this offers a much larger presence for our club.” The club’s original location since 1954 was off Maple Bank Road with the clubhouse on Monroe Head, but that land has been transferred to Public Service and Procurement Canada for development. “There is a lot of history at our Maple Bank location and it is very sad to say goodbye because we even have some [current] members who joined the club when it was first established,” he explains. Since the end of March, LCdr Maier, the club’s network of volunteers, members, and community supporters have been slowly moving the docks and 95 boats to the new location. It’s about a one-kilometre journey. The move will also see CFSA’s youth sailing programs and sailing camps suspended for the summer months as safety and operational procedures are established. During the move, CFSA has been working closely with Formation Safety and Environment (FSE) to ensure the relocation of docks and boats causes minimal disruption to the ecosystem. Chief among the concerns is the placement of concrete blocks to anchor the marina. The process also involves the monitoring of  water turbidity...

Peter Mallett Staff Writer — The Royal Canadian Navy wants to send you to Data Boot Camp. There are no chin-ups, obstacle courses, or early morning inspection required in this digital Basic Military Qualification. Instead, it’s a starting point on the road to building a digitally-ready future fleet and crew, and involves three introductory data analytics courses. They teach simple, basic data analysis skills that all sailors can use in their career. Instruction is geared to all navy ranks and trades, regular force and reserve, says LCdr Fraser Gransden, Section Head of Ottawa-based Digital Solutions (DDN3). Canada’s navy began offering its Data Foundations, Data Analysis with Excel, and Data Visualizations with Power B1 courses in 2021. The courses are part of an overall effort to help sailors fulfil their pathway to data analytics proficiency. “The purpose is to build data literacy across the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) so there is greater awareness of how data analytics can be used in support of planning and operations, and to enable better engagement with sources of data,” says LCdr Gransden. “Training is aimed at providing members the core skills required to transform unprocessed data into insights that enable effective decision making.” Participants can start the learning process online at their own pace or participate in more intensive instructor-led learning. All training can be accessed from a military member’s personal device or on the Defence Wide Area Network (DWAN) computer; instructor-led training uses MS Teams to link instructors to students. WYWM Legends The courses were custom-designed for the Canadian Armed Forces by Australian-based tech company With You With Me (WYWM). Sean Naugle, an engagement manager with WYWM, says the goal is to provide participants with leading-edge analytics training through practical projects. Some of the skill sets developed are how to structure, clean, and transform raw information into usable data and merging data records, as well as interpreting data to answer questions. “Candidates will also learn how to visualize the information into dynamic and easily digestible...

[caption id="attachment_29601" align="aligncenter" width="595"] PO2 Lance Ingeberg shows his daughter how to operate the ship’s binoculars during a day sail in HMCS Brandon. Photo by Kateryna Bandura, Lookout[/caption] Kateryna Bandura Lookout Editor — Surrounded by 30 civilians on the deck of HMCS Brandon, Petty Officer Second Class (PO2) Lance Ingeberg explained the person overboard exercise unfolding in the water before them. “The fleet standard is five minutes, from the second alarm is raised to the person recovered safely in the Zodiac,” he explains. The recovery drill on April 22 was one of many to showcase the ship and crew’s capabilities to family and friends sailing with them for a day sail.  “I’m really happy to have my daughter along,” says PO2 Ingeberg. It has been almost a decade since the 14 year old sailed with her father. The day sail is not an actual working day at sea; a program is created so visitors get to see some of what the crew does, explains PO2 Robin Moncrief, Brandon’s acting Coxswain. “For the kids, it’s great to see where mom or dad goes for three or four months, get a feel for where they live. They get to see the spaces where their families or friends work, which is really cool, especially for families that haven’t been on board before,” she says. She joined in 2008 and has been posted on all the West Coast Kingston class ships since 2011. She has been posted to Brandon since 2018 and is one a few sailors who’ve sailed only in the Maritime Coastal Defence Vessels (MCDVs). To showcase the ship’s ability to maneuver, Lieutenant (Navy) Sam Coffey, Operations Officer, took control of the ship to conduct a full-stern reverse thrust, weaving, and sharp turns that demonstrated their unique thrusters. “Fun thing about Maritime Coastal Defence Vessels is they have thrusters, as opposed to a rudder, that can rotate the ship 360 degrees. The bonus of having this system is it makes the ship overall...

[caption id="attachment_29598" align="aligncenter" width="595"] CPO1 Mike Umbach, MARPAC’s subject matter expert on the Digital Parade State tracking software, demonstrates the program to CPO2 Chris Gagne, HMCS Vancouver’s Combat System Engineering Chief.[/caption] Peter Mallett Staff Writer  — Once again the navy has embraced technology to improve the way it does business. This spring they launched Digital Parade State (DPS), an internally-developed tracking software that provides instant, accurate information on crewing needs and personnel availability. After beta testing, DPS went live in February with users in Canadian Fleet Pacific HQ staff, HMCS Regina, and the Personnel Coordination Centre in the initial roll out. “This application provides our ships and sailors greater insight into the data that affects their day-to-day availability and career progression, and is a boon to personnel management efforts,” says Lt(N) Brent Fisher, Digital Parade State (DPS) team lead. “DPS helps address crewing shortages and improves personnel management by providing a real-time view of billet status and key statistics, and it addresses limited visibility on sailor employability.” With a current shortfall exceeding 1,000 sailors, the software will aid in better addressing personnel challenges, he adds. The web-based application can be launched from any desktop computer on the Defence Wide Area Network (DWAN) and is linked to a DWAN profile. After launching the program, users can select from various options depending on their role and permissions. A fleet overview gives a quick synopsis of the personnel status of each unit; a ship summary provides a deep dive into each department and their members’ availability; and a sailor profile provides qualifications, a brief posting history, and how they can be employed. “The idea is to digitize business processes and provide a one-stop shop where fleet staff can get an overview of all ships, who is available to sail, and who isn’t,” says Lt(N) Fisher....

[caption id="attachment_29595" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Madam Sylvie Bédard, Canada’s Ambassador to Ecuador, is joined by female sailors from HMCS Saskatoon on the ship’s fo’c’sle during a women and leadership event in Manta, Ecuador. Photo by Captain Jamie Blois[/caption] Captain Jamie Blois HMC Saskatoon Public Affairs — HMCS Saskatoon arrived in Manta, Ecuador, on April 18, marking the first time a Royal Canadian Navy ship has made this visit. The port visit was the fourth stop in the ship’s journey during Operation Caribbe and was a much anticipated reprieve for the crew after having spent a stretch of 19 days at sea. Manta’s port is the second largest in Ecuador after Guayaquil, which is further south. Beyond the necessity of resupply and reprieve for the sailors aboard Saskatoon, the ship was drawn to Manta because of an incident that took place a year earlier. April 24, 2021 Saskatoon was patrolling the Eastern Pacific during their deployment on Operation Caribbe. The day was as normal as can be on operation, just as it had been the 73 previous days. But on this day, the normality was broken when the ship’s Chief Engineer suddenly found himself with chest pain. After evaluation by the Physician’s Assistant, it was determined that Petty Officer First Class (PO1) Kerry Wiggins was facing a cardiac event and needed more medical attention than what the ship could provide. Based on the location of the ship, the closest appropriate medical centre was in Ecuador. It was a race against time, and the journey from ship to hospital was not a straight forward one. The first step was to transfer him to a ship with helicopter lift capability, along with a fellow sailor to serve as escort for administrative and moral support, and the Physician’s Assistant. Saskatoon, at full speed, headed towards the nearest U.S. Coast Guard Cutter, which was USCGC Tahoma. They adjusted their course to meet Saskatoon. Once the two ships were near each other, the three members were transferred via...

Peter Mallett Staff Writer — Mechanics at the base are upgrading their skills to better service the expanding fleet of electric vehicles. Eight members of Transport Electrical and Mechanical Engineering (TEME) recently concluded an Electrified Vehicle Technology Service course at Camosun College’s Interurban Campus. The course is introductory in nature and designed [...]

  Ashley Evans FMF CB/CS — Fleet Maintenance Facility Cape Scott, in Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Halifax, millwright Chyenne McPherson was asked about her apprenticeship journey, both in school and on the shop floor, over the past year. What is your current position title? “I completed my dockyard written and practical trades test back in November, so I am now EME10. I’m also currently in school doing my level four block training.” When will you be taking your red seal test? “I’m planning to write my red seal certification exam at the end of April.” You recently spoke on a virtual panel for Nova Scotia Apprenticeship and modeled for some images - one of which that was on a city bus – can you please speak about this? “I spoke on a panel for International Women’s Day about my journey as a woman in trade; it’s always a pleasure speaking for the Nova Scotia Apprentice Agency (NSAA). Last summer, I participated in a photo/video shoot for NSAA and they have been using the content in commercials, advertisements, and on buses.” How does it feel seeing your photo on a bus? “It’s extremely exciting seeing my face on the side of a bus, it’s even more exciting hearing from people that they’ve seen me on the buses.” What is the coolest project you’ve worked on during your time at FMFCS? “Honestly, everything I work on is cool and fascinating, such as working on radars and antennas that do things I didn’t even know were possible.” What’s a neat fact about your trade/shop/schooling/apprenticeship you’d like others to know? “Cool thing about my shop and my line of work is the antennas and radars that I work on. It’s so cool to think about how far we have advanced in technology. It’s also really cool how not many people work on the same equipment as I do, or even know equipment like this exists.” What has been the most impactful part of your schooling?...

Kateryna Bandura Lookout Editor — It’s 3 a.m. A small lamp casts a dull light towards a corner in the dining room where a makeshift art studio resides. Under the glow, Jay Baker hunches over an easel.  A glass of Disaronno liqueur with cranberries is within reach. Atop a nearby cabinet a cat swats at a collection of paint brushes. Soothing classical music fills the quietude. “I tend to do most of my painting in the middle of the night to help quiet the mind; so the softer music helps with the process,” says Baker. “However, I often have to fight the cat off while I paint.” The 47-year-old veteran from Pembroke, ON, battles insomnia and says late night painting helps him find peace, especially after a hectic, stressful day. “I was having issues sleeping and my psychologist suggested I try painting in the evenings as a way to quiet the mind before bed. So I tried it out and never looked back.” He retired from the military a year ago after a 27-year career in the Army Reserves as an Infantry Officer with the Grey and Simcoe Foresters in Barrie, ON, and then the Regular Force in 2008 as a Land Communication Information Systems Technician. He has a rare condition that influences his art – monochromatism, complete color-blindness in which all colors appear as shades of one color. Because of this, he focuses on texture rather than colour. Texture created through brush stokes tells a better story. “As I paint, I’m mindful of these textures and try to use them to enhance my artwork. It’s one thing to paint a wave blue. It’s another to add texture to that blue to give the wave movement and life.” Blue is his primary colour because he can move freely between the light and dark shades without changing its base colour, unlike red that can easily turn pink. Subject matter is usually landscapes, developed with acrylic paint over canvas. “I enjoy the motion...

  [caption id="attachment_29550" align="aligncenter" width="595"] A/SLt MacArthur, A/SLt Sweet, A/SLt Campbell and A/SLt Lavoie on their first week in HMCS Calgary.[/caption] HMCS Calgary  — Four students on Personnel Awaiting Training Platoon for their Naval Warfare Officer (NWO) level III course recently joined HMCS Calgary for a month-long sail to the South Pacific. The sail aided their work towards their Officer of the Day packages.  The experience began with the four Acting Sub-Lieutenants - A/SLt Paula Campbell, A/SLt Luca Lavoie, A/SLt Scott MacArthur and A/SLt Sherri Sweet - being flown via a C-130 Hercules to Hawaii to meet up with the ship. This opportunity rarely happens for students just beginning their training – a full month of sailing, a port visit, and firsthand experience in a frigate for the first time in their careers.    Originally, the trainees were attach posted to HMCS Ottawa to work towards their Officer of the Day packages, an amazing opportunity in itself as most students don’t start this portion of their training until after their NWO IV course. However, having only been attach-posted for one week, this made them the ideal candidates to partake in this sail and experience life on ship firsthand, while still working towards their qualifications and participating in essential training.  Arriving in Pearl Harbor where it was 26 degrees hotter and immensely sunnier than Esquimalt, they took a brief ride to the jetty, joined up with Calgary, and enjoyed a crew-wide port visit, the first one since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Following a brief stay in Honolulu, the trainees returned to the ship and were encouraged by their new command team to take advantage of the experiences, evolutions, and opportunities to come their way, and to act like sponges, taking as much information in as possible.  Their first day was spent spread across various departments, shadowing and learning about the different roles such as Technician of the Watch, Petty Officer of the Watch, Shipboard Electro-Optic Surveillance System Operator, and...

[caption id="attachment_29540" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Members of the No. 2 Construction Battalion. Photo Courtesy Black Cultural Centre For Nova Scotia.[/caption] Joanie Veitch Trident Newspaper — In a recent event coordinated with the Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia, the Federal Government reaffirmed its commitment to apologize for the treatment of No. 2 Construction Battalion members, Canada’s only all-Black unit active during the First World War. “[This] is an important step to address this historical wrong and to ensure that we learn from the past so that we build a more equitable and just future for the members of our Canadian Armed Forces,” said Anita Anand, Minister of National Defence, via Zoom. When the First World War broke out in 1914, Black men across the country responded to the call but were turned away by recruiters. They persisted and finally on July 5, 1916, the No. 2 Construction Battalion was established in Pictou, NS, before being transferred to Truro. More than 600 Black men volunteered for service — with about 300 from Nova Scotia and the rest from other parts of Canada, the United States, and even some from the British West Indies. In his remarks, Russell Grosse, executive director of the Black Cultural Centre, paid tribute to the research and work done by the late Calvin Ruck, who, in 1986, published Canada’s Black Battalion: No. 2 Construction, 1916 – 1920; and the late Captain (Retired) George Borden, for his work in advocating for recognition of the battalion. “The story of the No. 2 Construction Battalion is a story of resilience, pride, and honour that was unfortunately marred by the effects of racial discrimination,” he said. Over the past year, a National Apology Advisory Committee, created by the Black Cultural Centre in partnership with the government, has held a series of consultations in...

[caption id="attachment_29535" align="aligncenter" width="595"] A nursing/pump room within HMCS Regina’s shore office.[/caption] Kateryna Bandura  Lookout Editor — HMCS Regina has set up a nursing/pumping room on the first deck of building D83, in the back corner of their shore office. The room has everything lactating persons need to pump and store their breast milk. “New mothers now have a safe, private space where they can perform a very natural bodily function - pumping the breast milk they may still be producing,” says A/SLt Melissa Boulanger of HMCS Regina. The rooms were established following Canadian Forces General Messages (CANFORGEN) 116/21 – “Support to Members Pumping and/or Nursing”, released last July. It directs Commanding Officers to put in place a lactation plan that includes a minimum of one lactation room for every 400 personnel. The new lactation room in D83 has been set up for anyone who needs to produce, pump, and store breast milk. The space is complete with privacy screens, a reclining chair, a mini-fridge for storing breast milk, a multi-outlet power strip, and plenty of surfaces for equipment. “The room is set up to be a quiet, private space; so, it’s a relaxing environment, which has been proven to help in the production of breast milk,” A/SLt Boulanger says. Nursing and breastfeeding is a human right protected by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Lt(N) Catherine Norris, MARPAC’s Defence Women’s Advisory Organization’s military co-chair, says that workplaces should support a member’s choice to continue breastfeeding and/or pumping when returning to work. “I have listened to the stories of veterans, retired civilians, and current Defence Team members about the discrimination or health issues they have faced when returning to work while choosing to continue to nurse or pump,” Lt(N) Norris says. In the past, some women had to wean their...

[caption id="attachment_29524" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Esquimalt Base Commander, Captain (Navy) Jeff J. Hutchinson addresses the parade.[/caption] HMCS Esquimalt was a Bangor class minesweeper that served in the Royal Canadian Navy during the Second World War. Esquimalt served on the Atlantic coast of Canada conducting anti-submarine patrols in the approaches to Halifax Harbour. The ship was torpedoed and sunk off Cheducto Head, Nova Scotia, by U-190 on April 16, 1945, becoming the last Royal Canadian Navy warship lost to enemy action. Every year, the military and Esquimalt community hold a memorial service to remember those who perished when the ship went down. In addition to the 28 sailors believed to have died when the ship sank, another 16 are believed to have died of exposure, on the open water, before HMCS Sarnia could rescue them. [caption id="attachment_29526" align="aligncenter" width="594"] A member of the Naden Band of the Royal Canadian Navy salutes during the National Anthem.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_29520" align="aligncenter" width="595"] MS Mark Littler is on hunt for more Clearance Divers.[/caption] Peter Mallett Staff Writer — OPEN TO ANY TRADE, NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY  Military members interested in diving, explosive ordnance demolition, and working in a close-knit unit, becoming a Clearance Diver might be just the fit. The Royal Canadian Navy is ramping up efforts to recruit regular and reserve force members to the trade, which mostly resides within Fleet Diving Units on both coasts. “This campaign is seeking highly motivated, intelligent, and physically-fit individuals that are looking for more out of their career,” says MS Mark Littler, from the Halifax-based unit. “If you are up for a new challenge and the experience of a lifetime, the Clearance Diver trade is looking for you.” Retirements have dwindled trade numbers in recent years, bringing the East and West Coast units together to recruit candidates. First in their efforts is bringing awareness of the trade to all three environments. “Our latest effort is intended to generate more interest in the Clearance Diver trade until we reach a point where our trade is well-known throughout the CAF,” says MS Littler.  A Canadian Forces General Message (CANFORGEN) memo, to be released in July, will officially promote the Clearance Diver Assessment Centre and provide application details and deadlines. The selection and training of Clearance Divers is conducted annually. Application deadlines typically end each year in November. Potential candidates must complete medical and dental screening and conduct a Clearance Diver Physical Fitness Evaluation with Personnel Support Programs staff during the application process. The Clearance Diver occupation dates back to the Second World War. The term ‘Clearance’ is derived from divers tasked to clear harbours and port obstructions, such as sea mines, by using underwater explosives. The first Royal Canadian Navy clearance diving unit was formed in 1954 and evolved over the decades. Today’s Clearance Divers play a vital role in neutralizing explosives, both underwater and on land. Core responsibilities are mine countermeasures operations, explosive ordnance...

Her Magesty’s Canadian Ships Goose Bay and Moncton returned to their homeport of Halifax April 15 after a four-month deployment to western Africa on Operation Projection, in support of security and stability in the region. Operation Projection (West Africa) includes strategic engagements with regional nations [...]

[caption id="attachment_29502" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Brad Riddoch, Marine Electrician[/caption] Ashley Evans FMF CB — Two members of Fleet Maintenance Facility Cape Breton Electrical Shop have logged more than 260 hours connecting and re-wiring hundreds of wires for HMCS Victoria’s motor generator starter panel. Marine Electricians Brad Riddoch and colleague Thomas Webb began the project in February with a targeted completion date of May. It began with a highly complicated drawing from engineering, detailing hundreds upon hundreds of lines that connected different areas of the panels. “Reading the drawing was daunting if you look at it as a whole. We broke down each component and focused on one wire at a time. With there being so many wires, inspections are difficult, so we have to be very diligent while working,” said Riddoch. Their work starts with soldering wires, which begins with adding a little flux to the terminal to improve the connection and prevent oxidation. From there, they “tin” the wire and the terminal, which means adding solder to each component. Following this, they put the two components together and heat them up with a soldering iron, creating a solid joint. Once the Electrical shop complete their work, the chemical cleaners, sandblasters, and painters will step in to ensure the panel cabinet looks new. Riddoch says the most challenging parts of this project is sourcing materials and ensuring every wire is correct, noting that he and Webb remove each wire and replace it with a new one prior to proceeding to the next one. “The most rewarding part of this project is definitely seeing all of the new wires flowing very nicely throughout the cabinet,” said Riddoch. The final installation of the panel back into HMCS Victoria will be completed by the Electrical and Boiler Shops, Mechanical Fitters, Riggers, and Sheet Metal.

SLt Wilson Ho MARPAC PA Office — On the last weekend of April, the Royal Canadian Navy and Maritime Forces Pacific will host a Fleet Weekend in Vancouver, with a variety of attractions and activities for all ages. On Friday, April 29, HMCS Vancouver, HMCS Calgary, HMCS Brandon, HMCS Edmonton, and three Orca Class Patrol Training Vessels will enter Vancouver Harbour and berth alongside Burrard Dry Dock Pier in North Vancouver in preparation for Fleet Weekend. The next day, ships will be open for tours to the general public. There will also be static displays from HMCS Discovery, Fleet Diving Unit (Pacific), and Naval Tactical Operations Group. On Sunday, May 1, the Royal Canadian Navy and Maritime Forces Pacific will conduct a Battle of the Atlantic Commemorative Ceremony at the Sailor’s Point Memorial in Waterfront Park, North Vancouver. Battle of the Atlantic was the longest continuous battle of the Second World War and one in which Canada played a central role. The battle began on the opening day of the war in September 1939, and ended almost six years later with Germany’s surrender in May 1945. The general public is invited to spectate and observe this event that honours the Royal Canadian Navy and Canada’s maritime history.

[caption id="attachment_29491" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Military personnel and civilian staff from the Naval Personnel Training Group (NPTG) and the Transport Electrical and Mechanical Engineering (TEME) branch converged on D Jetty in Colwood on April 7. They were part of Initial Cadre Training for the new Sea-to-Shore connector. Their tasks included assembly and disassembly of the barge and its 12 modules. The Sea-to-Shore Connector will serve the navy’s new Joint Support Ships (JSS) and is designed to move large quantities of cargo or personnel quickly. The vessel depicted is one of four to be delivered to the navy in the coming months. Photo by DND.[/caption] Peter Mallett Staff Writer _ The first of four Sea-to-Shore connector barges designed to serve the needs of the navy’s future supply ships has been delivered to Esquimalt. The barge was set-to-work by maker Montreal-based Navamar Inc, who also provided initial cadre training to Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) members, allowing them to learn how the barge is assembled and operated, from April 4 to 8 at D Jetty in Colwood. The modular self-propelled barge has multiple uses and configurations, is Canadian made, and engineered to be assembled from the platform of the upcoming Joint Support Ships (JSS). Their key feature is the ability to move large quantities of supplies or personnel to and from shore quickly, and the ability to be stored or transported like standard shipping containers. While the Sea-to-Shore Connector’s primary use is a self-propelled barge, it can also transform into a bridge, a floating dock, or even a diving platform for salvage. It can even be useful for ship-side maintenance and inspections. They could be also deployed as standalone units, for example to support an Operation Lentus in dealing with floods throughout Canada. The barge’s engines, ramps, and safety equipment will be stored in two separate 20-foot containers aboard the new Protecteur-class ships, once built. The 12 pontoons can be stored or stacked like sea containers.  When required, the pieces of the interlocking pontoon system...