As part of the Government of Canada’s commitment to refocus existing innovation programs to support the fight against the spread of COVID-19, the Department of National Defence has announced the first of a series of calls for innovations aimed at addressing some key challenges Canada is facing. With an initial commitment of $15 million, the first three challenges focus on:Viable and effective processes and methods for safely and rapidly decontaminating enclosed work environments, such as buildings and modes of transportation, containing sensitive equipment;Innovative material and designs to aid in decontamination of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), operational clothing, and equipment for personnel responding to events involving biological hazards; andData gathering solutions to support the early detection and community-based monitoring of outbreaks of contagious diseases.These challenges were determined by multi-departmental panels led by the National Research Council of Canada as part of the COVID-19 Challenges Procurement Program. In addition to the call for innovation, these panels are engaging Canadian small- and medium-sized enterprises to refine their near-to-market products to meet a COVID-19 related need. Promising solutions in the areas of PPE, sanitization, diagnostics and testing, therapeutics, and disease-tracking technology may receive funding to further their solutions of interest.This effort is a collaboration with the National Research Council of Canada, Public Health Agency of Canada, and Health Canada and sees an additional investment of up to $10 million.Innovators are encouraged to consult the IDEaS program website (https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/programs/defence-ideas.html) for more information on the challenges and how to apply to the program.  “These are unprecedented times. We need to leverage all great minds and innovators in our efforts to combat COVID-19,” said Defence Minister Harjit Singh Sajjan. “We will invest in Canadians as we look for innovative solutions to keep not only the women and men of the Canadian Armed Forces, but all Canadians safe.”–Quick...

[caption id="attachment_23765" align="aligncenter" width="593"] Mission Complete: Army and Navy Reservists line the jetty at Albert Head following the at-sea move from HMCS Malahat in downtown Victoria to the training area during Exercise Strong Mariner May 22.  Photo by Capt Jeff Manney, 39 CBG Public Affairs[/caption]Capt Jeff Manney, Public Affairs Officer, 39 Canadian Brigade Group ~In a first since the onset of the COVID-19 crisis, Army and Navy Reservists of Land Task Force Vancouver Island combined forces May 22 for a critical proof-of-concept event.Exercise Strong Mariner saw HMCS Malahat’s two Rigid-Hull Inflatable Boats convey soldiers with the Task Force’s Domestic Response Company (DRC) on a choppy but exhilarating 30-minute crossing from Malahat’s downtown Victoria location to Albert Head. The marine-to-land movement aimed to explore the unique capabilities of the DRC’s naval component.“Across Vancouver Island there are literally thousands of islands with isolated populations that might require immediate assistance, but that could not be reached without our small boats,” said Lt(N) Stephen Holisko, commander of the DRC’s 4 Platoon. “This is what we’re good at – moving equipment, sustenance and people from point A to point B quickly, in a safe manner and with an economy of effort.”This was the first action Lt(N) Holisko’s sailors had seen since the Chief of the Defence Staff directed the Canadian Armed Forces to “stay home, stay healthy and stay fit”. The DRC’s Army Reservists had recently chalked up a pair of convoy exercises, Strong Drive I and II, but were just as excited to get out of the house again.“This is a great way to spend a day,” shouted Master Corporal Jesse Hunt through his improvised personal protective mask. “But it’s also a great experience. It’s rare enough we get to work with other trades let alone another element. This kind of face-to-face time is really beneficial.”Like...

[caption id="attachment_23761" align="aligncenter" width="593"] HMCS Nanaimo returned from Operation Laser May 22. Members of the crew received SPARKMOUTH drinks as they disembarked. Photo by Leading Seaman Valerie LeClair, MARPAC Imaging Services[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~A British Columbia beverage company has come through with a substantial, thirst-quenching donation to CFB Esquimalt. Vancouver-based SPARKMOUTH Drinks Co. Ltd made good on a delivery of 57,600 355ml cans of its new sparkling water on May 20. The 2,400 cases of drinks were unloaded at base storage facilities Colwood 66 and Y702 and will be distributed to military and civilian staff working at integral and lodger units across the base. Jackie Fox, SPARKMOUTH Vice-President of Sales and Marketing, says the donation was her company’s way of letting the men and women of the Canadian Armed Forces know they greatly appreciate the work they do. “Our company wanted to support and give thanks to those on the front lines that are supporting our community and keeping us safe in such a precarious time,” said Fox. “When we decided to earmark some of our product for donation, we immediately thought of the Canadian military. We hope it puts a small ‘spark’ into their day.”LCdr Colleen O’Brien, N44 Staff Officer, Supply Chain Management and Systems Readiness, said the drinks can be consumed by members in the workplace or taken home to their families. Units receiving shipments are Base Administration, Base Information Services, Base Logistics, Port Operations and Emergency Services Branch, Canadian Forces Health Services, Joint Rescue Coordination Centre, Military Police Unit Esquimalt, Regional Joint Operations Centre, and Her Majesty’s Canadian Ships. LCdr O’Brien says SPARKMOUTH’s generosity is a morale booster for those in the defence community who have provided essential services throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and Operation Laser. The donation by SPARKMOUTH has an approximate cash value of $43,000. The company...

[caption id="attachment_23614" align="aligncenter" width="593"] LCol (Retired) Max Shaw, Maj (Retired) Elizabeth Brown-Shaw, and their children Victoria, Benjamin and Johnathan.[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~What began as a casual discussion over a bottle of wine led to an epic seven-year sailing journey throughout the South Pacific islands. Back in 2011, as a fierce snowstorm raged outside their Halifax home, LCol Max Shaw and his wife Maj Elizabeth Brown-Shaw tossed around ideas for their future.  Both had 23-year careers in Canada’s military and were still enjoying those challenges and opportunities, but they realized it was time for new adventure, especially one they could share with their children.So, they plotted a non-traditional course. In 2012, they sold their home and bought an old 47-foot fibreglass hulled sailboat they named SV Fluenta. With their children, eight-year-old Victoria and six-year-old Johnathan aboard, they set off from Anacortes, Washington, for the South Pacific.Their first major destination was Mexico, where they spent 18 months near Puerto Vallarta and the Sea of Cortez refitting the boat - and eventually welcoming baby Benjamin. This extended stay enabled them to adjust to their new lifestyle before setting off for more-distant lands. They departed Mexico for French Polynesia when Benjamin was four months old.Two decades in the Canadian Armed Forces and Shaw’s leadership of the sail-training program in Halifax had helped prepare them for the adventure. However, the learning curve was still steep as they had to become DIY mechanics, plumbers, electricians, and riggers all while nurturing and educating their children in tight spaces and in a foreign countries. “Many times, the Lego characters were doing the same kinds of jobs as Mom and Dad, such as installing solar panels and 12V batteries!” said Shaw. Living aboard a boat wasn’t a vacation. They lived in close quarters, which sometimes brought about trying moments. “There...

***This message is intended for DND civilian employees as an update to the Deputy Minister’s direction provided 1 May 2020. Please visit the Defence Team Covid-19 website for the latest information pertinent to both civilian and military Defence Team members.***Team,You want to know when we will resume business activities and what that will look like. Here is best answer I can give you right now.The Short AnswerIn no way making light of this difficult situation, the answer is "it depends". But as Deputy Minister, I have no expectation that all of you will be back in your regular places of work on 1 June. Some of you may be but a great number of factors must be considered, communication will have occurred, and safety measures will have been put in place before that happens.The Long AnswerIn broad strokes, the process of business resumption—with some of us working remotely, and others working on a DND site—will roll out like this:Over the next several weeks, L1s across the Defence Team will explain to their staff in greater detail how—and when—your different areas of operations will resume a more familiar state of business.As a Defence Team civilian, your personal resumption-of-business timing will be influenced by a variety of factors, including (but not limited to):the public health conditions in your part of the country;the type of work you do on the Defence Team;your work location’s readiness to accommodate workers in a safe way;whether your work needs to take place on a DND/CAF premises, or whether remote work is possible;your health; andyour personal situation, especially as it relates to COVID-19 related complications such as child care, caregiver responsibilities, public transportation and other matters that are beyond your control.These and other challenges have been raised by many of you who have completed our Defence Team COVID-19 Survey, and we will continue to analyze the data and help it inform our actions throughout the Business Resumption Process.Business Resumption Planning: From Guidance To Tactical DecisionsYou are all different people, with different challenges, working...

The Defence Team guide for managing and working remotelyApril 29, 2020 - Defence StoriesDuring this unprecedented period, flexibility is a necessity in order to ensure the safety and well-being of all employees and to achieve Department of National Defence/Canadian Armed Forces (DND/CAF) objectives. Pre-existing policies, guidance and tools may no longer be applicable in this new environment. We are committed to offering the best possible guidance and information to support managers and employees as they continue to contribute to the DND/CAF mission in the most effective way.The following are key elements in managing and performing work remotely during this period.Define new ways of working, focus on collaboration and outcomesManagers must make every effort to provide their teams with clear guidance and direction. It may be necessary to regularly revisit understanding of priorities as they may shift quickly and often.Reconfirm the hours of work of your employees and be flexible in your expectations. Define work objectives to ensure achievable results/outcomes within reasonable timelines.You are encouraged to establish “Interim Agreements” with your employees to help clarify work objectives and priorities. Establish clear guidelines on best ways of communicating and collaborating within the team and with clients. Make sure employees have the right tools to do their best work.Use this opportunity to foster and enhance collaboration and teamwork. Discuss and develop team goals, making sure each employee understands how they contribute to these goals.Treasury Board Secretariat has suspended deadlines for the completion of 2019-2020 employee performance reviews. You should not access the Public Service Performance Management Application (PSMP App) to complete assessments but you are encouraged to have performance conversations with your employees, based on past performance, and to set new expectations. Focus on the strengths that they have demonstrated in the past that will help them work effectively through this challenging time.Maintain connection and establish effective communicationThe power of teamwork and collaboration is fuelled by strong, frequent communication and engagement. Working remotely presents unique challenges but learning to use new tools and technology will ensure you...

Letter from Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS) regarding COVID-19May 22, 2020 - Defence storiesDear Families and Members of the Canadian Armed Forces,It has been another difficult week for the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and the nation.Op INSPIRATIONThe Snowbirds Op INSPIRATION brought joy and hope to Canadians as they flew across our country. Sadly, as the Snowbirds began their departure from Kamloops, British Columbia, Snowbird 11 crashed, killing Captain Jennifer Casey, the team’s Public Affairs Officer (PAO). The sad and tragic irony is that Captain Casey, as the team PAO, was very much responsible for the uplifting effect of Op INSPIRATION. I have spoken to Captain Casey’s family offering condolences on behalf of all of us in the CAF family. Captain Casey will return to Halifax, to her final resting place this weekend while, in the coming days, a Celebration of Life will be held at 15 Wing Moose Jaw. I want to wish Captain Richard MacDougall, the skilled and courageous pilot of the aircraft, a full and quick recovery from his injuries, and our thoughts go to the Snowbirds team as they deal with challenging days ahead. May Jennifer rest in peace, and may the Snowbirds fly and perform again soon for her and for all of us.Op REASSURANCEOn Tuesday 19 May, 2020, a Tech Brief from Comd CJOC was provided to the public regarding Stalker 22 search and recovery efforts now underway with our Allies, most notably the United States Navy. Our primary focus is the search, recovery and repatriation of the remains of our fallen. The second is the recovery of the aircraft, with the view that this will help with the flight safety investigation and advance our understanding of what caused the accident. Over the coming days, and possibly weeks, we will update the families, you and the general public on the status of the search and recovery operation. We remain committed to doing everything we can to recover our lost CAF personnel and bring them home. HMCS FREDERICTON has re-commenced operations as part of Op REASSURANCE and we are currently looking...

Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~With this year’s freshwater fishing season opening up across the country, despite social distancing measures in place during the COVID-19 pandemic, a recreational fisherman from the base is in his kitchen making lures.LS Adam Leach has been fishing since age 12, casting a balsam spinning rod to catch pan fish off the dock at his family’s cottage. From that point, he developed a keen interest in fresh water fishing. As he got older, he moved from the dock to a 12-foot aluminum boat with a 4hp outboard motor looking to hook pike, walleye, musky, and smallmouth bass.Having a decent selection of rods, reels, and lures is essential to success, he says.“I have a large selection of equipment I use for different applicants.”Lures, he says, are an important part of a fisherman’s tackle box, and require practice and experience to use them well. Four years ago, after learning about the cottage industry of making lures in Sweden and Europe, he decided to make his own. His kitchen is his workshop. He designs lures by drawing them on graph paper and then augmenting details with a paint program on his laptop. The process of making a blank begins with the lure sculpted in polymer clay and then baked in the oven. It is then sanded and epoxy putty is applied to create more detail in the eyes, gill plates, mouth and fins. LS Leach then seals the blank with spray paint and uses this as his mold blank. He mixes a two-part mold making silicone, which acts as the negative for what will eventually be a lure made from soft pliable rubber. This is where his art takes off. Before pouring the molten plastic, he adds colorant, glitter, and mica powder to the liquid rubber to enhance the attractiveness...

Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~Last week, PO2 Marielle Audet played her traditional Aboriginal drum at four locations on base to mark Indigenous Awareness Week. The yearly event to celebrate Canada’s Indigenous Peoples and their diversity of cultures, traditions, and values was recognized virtually this year due to COVID-19.The musician is of mixed background, Indigenous and French, and when not playing clarinet with the Naden Band, she serves on the Defence Aboriginal Advisory Group (DAAG).“I wanted to see members of the DAAG and the Naden Band come together and help the base celebrate Indigenous Awareness Week and with their help and support we achieved that,” said PO2 Audet.A second initiative was a video of band members and DAAG members performing a drum and singing solo Come Drum With Me from their home or other remote locations. Each person beat a segment of the song on one of the band’s 10 traditional Aboriginal drums. The drums were handmade in 2016 for the band’s Aboriginal drum group.“While most of us in the video are professional musicians, none of us are professional singers, so while our drumming is very good, our vocals are really far from pitch perfect, me included,” she said. They recorded their performances with their cameras or cell phones, and bandmate LS Laura Engsig put together the finished product.The members who made the director’s cut are PO2 Audet, LS Laura Andrew, LS Simeon Westeijn, PO2 Greg Sly, PO2 Roy Styffe, PO2 Steve Donegan, and DAAG member Sgt Nikki Ducharme.PO2 Audet wore a medicine pouch around her neck, an eagle feather, and two woollen braids to reflect her Métis heritage, while Sgt Ducharme, who is also Métis, wore a Métis sash and other traditional wear.The video can be viewed on the Naden Band Facebook page.––––

Lieutenant Chelsea Dubeau, HMCS Nanaimo Public Affairs Officer ~"Is the Doc in here?" asks a member of the ship's company as they poke their head into the wardroom. The Doc is in. Sub-Lieutenant (SLt) Nicole Spivey, HMCS Nanaimo's Physician Assistant, or Doc as she is known, waves the person in. Nanaimo's Doc is a former Medical Technician of 13 years who commissioned as a Physician Assistant in January 2020 after completing her training. The patient takes a seat while SLt Spivey does a quick examination of what ails: a bump to the head, but it's not too bad. A quick clean of the wound, a couple Band-Aids, and a few encouraging words and the patient is good to go. Today, it's a minor head wound; tomorrow, who can say. The medical needs of a ship's company can be vast, varied, and as complex as the human beings on board. The relationship that forms between individual members and the specialists on board who nurture their welfare is unlike any other, especially with the person who provides medical care. Physician Assistants see the usual bumps and scrapes, coughs and colds, headaches, bellyaches, and more; those normal ailments that come from working in tight, close quarters, with disrupted sleep schedules and the unique trials and tribulations that come with the territory in which the crew operates: a ship at sea. But they are prepared to treat, at least initially, more serious medical events that might occur, everything from urinary tract infections to cardiac events. Kingston-Class ships don't normally sail with a Physician Assistant on board unless on deployment or other demanding sails where they are required. The rest of the time it's the Casualty Clearing Team, led by the Chief Cook, that responds to the medical needs of the crew. SLt Spivey has been...

[caption id="attachment_23578" align="aligncenter" width="593"] A platoon from Land Task Force Vancouver Island’s Domestic Response Company assemble at Canadian Forces Ammunition Depot Rocky Point before returning to base May 6. Photo by Capt Jeff Manney, LCC D/PAO[/caption]Capt Jeff Manney, Public Affairs Officer, 39 Canadian Brigade Group ~Making their first foray from their armouries since the start of the pandemic, B.C. Reservists took to Vancouver Island roads two weeks ago to continue honing their skills working in a COVID environment. On May 6, Exercise Strong Drive saw the Domestic Response Company (DRC) from Land Task Force – Vancouver Island dispatch a fleet of nine vehicles from Victoria’s Bay Street Armoury and another three from Nanaimo. Soldiers conducted convoy and communications training en route to Canadian Forces Ammunition Depot Rocky Point. Two days later, 17 DRC vehicles carrying troops from Comox, Nanaimo, and Victoria met up at the Nanaimo Military Camp before heading into the city’s environs for more training.“We are all Reservists; we care about our communities and Vancouver Island has a significant amount of land to cover,” says LCol Brendon LeBlanc, commanding officer of Land Task Force – Vancouver Island. “We want to be good at convoy ops so we can deliver assistance when called upon. That means having a task force that is flexible, well-trained, and prepared to handle any situation.” LCol LeBlanc’s Land Task Force is one of five across British Columbia answering to Land Component Command. It represents the army element of Joint Task Force (Pacific), which is mobilized to respond to requests for assistance from government on either the COVID front or for natural disasters such as wildfires or floods. While convoy driving and communications skills may be second nature to soldiers, correctly disinfecting vehicles, staying at least two metres from one another, and wearing masks when that’s...

Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~The Royal Canadian Navy’s (RCN) Digital Navy initiative, rolled out in February, is being hailed by senior leadership as a multi-pronged approach to empower members of the naval team for the rapidly evolving digital age. The objective is to create a fundamental cultural shift that will enable the navy to innovate with more agility in the digital domain. In doing so, the RCN is seeking to ensure Canada continues to have a relevant, highly capable naval force in the years ahead. “We have entered a new era where naval activities are more dependent on actions taken in the digital domain than ever before,” said Vice-Admiral Art McDonald, Commander of the RCN. “From the business space to the battle space, the same digital technologies that are driving fundamental disruptive changes across the global economy are creating equally game-changing impacts throughout the naval enterprise. Increasingly, those organizations that find innovative ways to digitally empower their people will be the ones who secure for themselves future mission success. Your Royal Canadian Navy will be among this cohort.”Leading the change is Capt(N) Mark Sheppard, a Naval Engineer who heads the recently formed Digital Navy Office located in Ottawa. His job is to drive coherence and the many specific digital innovation initiatives that are underway across the RCN. The end result will be a needed acceleration of the navy’s digital evolution, he says. The navy, he adds, is taking a leadership role in the military’s digital drive building on its proud history of leveraging digital technologies in its warships.The Digital Navy initiative is being executed across the country. Execution has been organized along functional lines, meaning that teams in each area will have a role to play in moving the initiative forward. All elements of the naval enterprise, from the financial, business and human resource management functions, which underpin the back-end of business to ships that execute the RCN’s mandate at sea, will be engaged, says Capt(N) Sheppard.The Digital Navy initiative includes a...

Kevin M. Carlé, Broadmead Volunteer Golf Committee ~The COVID-19 pandemic has affected us all in so many ways. As we continue to “plank the curve,” we really don’t know what the “new normal’ will be like.Many events have been cancelled or delayed, including the 17th Annual Charity Golf Tournament in support of the Broadmead Veterans Memorial Lodge. Originally scheduled to be held on June 4 at the famed Royal Colwood Golf Club, the organizing committee made the difficult decision to postpone the tournament until 2021. However, all is not lost, and the show will still go on.We will be “taking our mulligan” by holding a virtual Stay ‘N Play event.This live-streamed event will include messages from our sponsors, Broadmead Care’s CEO, and residents/family members; suggestions from a golf pro; live draws for the Diamond Raffle, 50/50 draw, and our grand prize of a $1,000 Capital Iron gift card – but you have to be online for the entire streaming event to be eligible for that one!Diamond Raffle tickets are available at https://www.broadmeadcare.com/diamond-raffle/About the tourneyFrom humble beginnings, this charity tournament to support military veterans has grown into a significant fundraising vehicle for Veterans Memorial Lodge at Broadmead.Vice-Admiral (Retired) Nigel Brodeur, who, along with now deceased MGen (Retired) Herb Pitts, and veteran Jim Parker organized the first tournament at Cadboro Bay Golf Course in 2004.“We were pleased to have raised some $600 that year,” recalled Brodeur. Then, in 2005, the high value prize was $400 in gift certificates donated by Tom Martin, owner of Hillside Esso and a strong supporter of Broadmead.Over the years, the tournament has grown in the number of players, the amount raised annually, and the number of appealing prizes and silent auction items.“In addition to being an event for golfers, the annual tournament brought other folks into Broadmead Care,...

Ashley Evans, FMF CB ~Over the past seven weeks, employees in Fleet Maintenance Facility Cape Breton’s Shop 124 Work Centres have been active supporting the navy, working all but two business days. This work has included supporting deployers HMC Ships Brandon, Regina, and Calgary; aiding preparations to move HMC Ships Ottawa and Vancouver over to Victoria Shipyard Ltd, and assistance to Fleet Diving Unit (Pacific) with the transfer request of Ottawa’s C5 Sonar Dome on to Regina in Nanoose Bay. The first two week’s work was spent on the storing requirements of the deployed ships, and the last minute preparations to get Brandon, Calgary, and Regina to sea. In addition to ensuring all expired life rafts on future deployers were certified and changed out as required, FMF CB staff assisted and supported brow installs and removals, oftentimes on short notice and after hours. “Establishing and maintaining communication while working remotely is probably one of our biggest challenges, but we have a system in place that is working well to get the information to the people on the ground,” said Steve Ringma, Work Centre Manager, Shop 124.Similar to other management teams, Ringma and fellow managers meet virtually with supervisors weekly to discuss work priorities, safety concerns, and to provide updates. Additional check-in calls are then done daily, as priorities are constantly changing. Work on Ottawa and Vancouver was dynamic. Ottawa had major destoring requirements before being sent for its work period at the Esquimalt Graving Dock. Under tight timelines, with the assistance of TEME (Transportation, Electrical, and Mechanical Engineering), crane crews helped ship staff remove approximately 250 pallets of stores and equipment.Vancouver has seen a prioritizing of crane support related to their docking dependent rudder work and hull insert requirements, but also to meet contractual requirements under waterfront management within the Ship...

[caption id="attachment_23538" align="aligncenter" width="594"] Commander Jason Bergen, Commanding Officer of HMCS Nanaimo, oversees a transit. Photo by Leading Seaman Brendan Gibson, MARPAC Imaging[/caption]Lieutenant Chelsea Dubeau, HMCS Nanaimo Public Affairs Officer ~It's a beautiful morning at sea. The water is calm. The bridge is quiet. Commander Jason Bergen, HMCS Nanaimo's Commanding Officer, sneaks up to the captain's chair and goes, for the moment, unnoticed by the bridge team. He's stealthy, calculated. There's a wicked gleam in his eye. He knows something.Seconds later, the Man Overboard alarm goes off and the bridge transforms into organized chaos. Cdr Bergen smiles. "We try to do these drills once a week. It's up to the Officer of the Watch to make sure they kick off the proper procedures. For the most part it's them driving and I'm there as a safety check. Mistakes get made sometimes, and that's when I step in."It's no easy task to share a ship with close to 40 people for whom you're ultimately responsible. You'd think that leadership is made easier only if you've got good followers, but in the case of Nanaimo, leadership is made easier by virtue of the fact that everyone on board is also expected to lead. "Leadership can come at all levels," says Cdr Bergen. "Everybody's got a role to play, everybody's got one common goal, you know, the mission objective, and all it takes is one person for mission success or one person for mission failure."Eat, sleep, lead: it could be touted as the Nanaimo way. At sea and at all times, Nanaimo sailors are doing one of those three things. When it comes to the lead part, they are often doing so at a higher level than would normally be expected of their rank. "Before I was even a Lieutenant (Navy), I was the navigating officer...

Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~Physical distancing rules were the catalyst for a unique surprise promotion ceremony of an HMCS Vancouver Combat Systems Engineer.Sub-Lieutenant Rebecca Post and 11 other ship’s personnel were at the Albert Head Cadet Training Centre May 6 on the pretense to film a video on how to lead an active lifestyle under COVID-19 health and safety measures.She was told by shipmate Lt(N) Tracy Tkachuk, the video’s producer, to jog around the training track as a drone filmed her from above. On the inside of the track, LCdr Rob Hooper, Vancouver’s Commanding Officer, and his Coxswain, CPO1 Steve Wist tossed around a football. In the finale moments of her scene, LCdr Hooper called out and tossed her the football. She caught it, and upon closer inspection saw Lieutenant Navy epaulettes (bars) affixed to the surface. “I didn’t expect to be promoted or become the focal point of a video, but that’s what happened,” said Lt(N) Post. “I have never seen anyone promoted this way, so it really came as a complete surprise. To be sure I got some extra attention with this particular ceremony and I think people will find the video very interesting and amusing.”LCdr Hooper lauded the one-of-a-kind promotional ceremony, noting it is likely the “most creative method” to promote a sailor he has encountered over his 25 years of service. “We are always looking at new and interesting ways to promote in the RCN, and this video is a cool method of outreach to the public. It’s also a great way to boost morale of our ship’s company and I think our sailors are going to be pretty stoked about this.”The idea for the video was hatched by Lt(N) Tkachuk, who has filmed other promotional videos. “The original intention was to show people having fun while...

[caption id="attachment_23522" align="aligncenter" width="593"] Malcolm Colquhoun. Right: Flight Lieutenant Malcolm Colquhoun during the Second World War.[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~The 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) came and went quietly this year due to fear of COVID-19 spread.But memories of the final days of the Second World War will never be forgotten by those old enough to remember, including 103-year-old Malcolm Colquhoun. He lives at Veterans Memorial Lodge, and through the aid of his daughter Rhonda and son Ross, has detailed life as a prisoner of war. He spent two years, three months, and 10 days at the infamous German prisoner of war camp Stalag Luft III. For those too young to know, the camp had two major prisoner escapes made famous in the movies: The Wooden Horse and The Great Escape. “It was our duty and job as officers to confound the guards and use up their time during the escapes,” says Colquhoun. “It still amazes me that so many made it home alive without a scratch while so many others died.” The camp was built in 1942 in the German province of Lower Silesia near the town of Sagan (now Żagań, Poland), 160 kilometres south-east of Berlin. The site was selected because its sandy soil made it difficult for prisoners to escape by tunnelling.Shot down over GermanyColquhoun was born and raised on a family farm near Maple Creek, SK. In September 1939, when war was declared on Germany, he was 21 years old; less than a year later he travelled to Regina to join the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). After passing aptitude tests and basic training, he was enrolled in a bombing and gunnery course at Jarvis, ON, in 1941. He honed his navigation skills aboard small planes at Pennfield Ridge, NB, before training in larger aircraft...

Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~Two weeks ago, Bill Stewart, 62, grabbed his drum and headed to Duntze Head to perform an Aboriginal drumming session one final time.After 27 years at Fleet Maintenance Facility Cape Breton (FMF CB), the Ahousaht First Nation member decided to retire from his Technical Data Specialist position. The April 29 drumming and chants of his Travelling Song, with the Esquimalt harbour as back drop, marked his departure from the base. “The song is a message of hope to those in combat or travels, sending good luck in travels wherever one goes,” he explains. “I do it to help people understand Aboriginal culture is in harmony with our workforce, and to make sure we understand and respect the First Nations land on which we live, work, and play.”He began working at CFB Esquimalt in 1993 with Base Construction Engineering (now Real Property Operations) as a term clerk. A month and a half later he was hired at Naval Engineering Unit (Pacific) (now FMF Cape Breton) as Duplicating Equipment Operator that was reclassified to Technical Data Specialist in 2004. After receiving a DND Scholarship award in 2003, he continued to work part time until he obtained an Associate Degree in Indigenous Business Leadership. He then became the FMF Cape Breton Technical Information Centre drawings guy for 27-plus years. To continue with the superior customer service, he transferred all his knowledge into an e-file (manual) for future employee reference.“He has extensive knowledge and has been a huge asset to FMF Cape Breton’s Technical Information Centre,” said Syndi Baker, department coordinator. “He is friendly, cheerful, and always ready to lend a hand to co-workers and management.”He was born and raised in Ahousaht First Nation areas, a tiny community located north of Tofino, B.C. His traditional name is (h)ooo-tuk-siah, meaning always learning, and...

[caption id="attachment_23515" align="aligncenter" width="592"] Leading Seaman Kayla Ruiz and Lieutenant (Navy) Miguel Perez conduct a maritime domain awareness patrol. Photo by Leading Seaman Brendan Gibson, MARPAC Imaging[/caption]Lt Chelsea Dubeau, Public Affairs Officer ~It's around 10:15 a.m. on a chilly morning at sea, day seven for HMCS Nanaimo since rejoining Task Group Exercise (TGEX) 20-01 following a week of rest. At around this time most days, depending on the ship’s position, the pipe is made to close up boats' crews and lowers in preparation to launch the RHIB. The sweep deck is a hive of activity as the key players step into their roles. The boat coxswain delivers her brief to the boat crew. The Officer of the Watch flips through her charts. The mission: Nanaimo's RHIB will conduct Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) patrols in the narrow inlets of the remote areas of the B.C. coastline, those parts inaccessible to the ship itself. "MDA is, basically, knowing what's in your waters," says Commander Jason Bergen, Commanding Officer of Nanaimo. "You have to establish a baseline, go through and understand the pattern of life, see what's just the normal tug and tow, fishing vessels, and Canadians out here sailing, versus stuff that's out of the ordinary. So you have to establish that baseline first, which is what the task group has been doing."Besides establishing what's out of the ordinary, the patrols are also treated to sights that feel distinctly extraordinary. Black bears foraging for food, seals languishing on the beach, and, probably the most spectacular, Orcas breeching in the distance. The RHIB's engine is immediately cut when the presence of the marine mammals is known so as not to disturb them, and the crew floats, able to enjoy the moment. When the whales have safely passed, the RHIB continues the mission. There are...

[caption id="attachment_23506" align="aligncenter" width="593"] HMCS Calgary crewmembers line up to enjoy some McDonalds food provided by Westshore McDonalds while the ship was alongside F jetty in Colwood on April 30. Photos by Corporal Jay Naples, MARPAC Imaging Services[/caption]Lt(N) Greg Menzies, PAO HMCS Calgary ~It takes a lot of planning and preparation to feed 230 sailors on a Canadian warship, something the cooks sailing in HMCS Calgary know too well.  However, when Calgary came alongside F Jetty on April 30 to refuel and resupply before heading back to sea, the cooks were given the night off. McDonalds did the cooking.  The McDonalds on Island Highway in Victoria donated a “McBuffet” for the ship’s company consisting of 120 Quarter Pounders, 120 Big Macs, and 100 packs of 10 piece Chicken McNuggets, cookies, and apple slices. After a suggestion was made by a crewmember to order McDonalds  the next time the ship was alongside to keep morale high, Commander Alex Barlow, Commanding Officer of Calgary, reached out to Jeff Topping, McDonalds Director Restaurant Development Eastern Canada, for assistance.   The request was well received and Lt(N) Krisztina Rekeszki, ships Logistics Officer, and her team coordinated the details and delivery to F Jetty, while ensuring all health protection measures were taken.  Calgary’s crew sends out a thank you to Ken Taylor and the Westshore McDonalds team for their support.  The McBuffet donation was a great gesture and show of appreciation to Calgary during these difficult times.  Every sailor was “lovin’ it!”–––

This year, Dog Walk Day is Saturday May 16. So, Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services has created an hour walk challenge to encourage physical activity. Participants will be reminded of requirements for social distancing and when and where outdoor exercise is permissive. One participant will be the winner of a “dog goodies package” prize.There are four ways to participate for a chance to win the prize:First way to participate: walk your dog for an hour, click on “going” on the Facebook event and post a picture of your walk (www.facebook.com/events/247106163035268);Second way to participate (if you don’t have a dog): take a 60-minute walk, count the dogs you meet on your path, click on “going” on the Facebook event and let us know how many dogs you saw on your walk (www.facebook.com/events/247106163035268);Third way to participate (if you don’t have a dog): map your walk and take a walk in the shape of a bone, click on “going” on the Facebook event and post a picture of your mapped walk (www.facebook.com/events/247106163035268);Fourth way to participate (if you don’t have a dog): put a bowl of water in your driveway for your neighbourhood’s dogs taking a walk, click on “going” on the Facebook event (www.facebook.com/events/247106163035268).More information about the event: https://www.cafconnection.ca/National/Virtual-Services/PSP-Recreation-Special-Events.aspx.  Due to questions from Soldier On, the registration incentive is on hold.

Peter Mallett, Lookout Staff ~Victoria residents should look to the skies later this week for the Canadian Forces Snowbirds to appear as part of their nationwide COVID-19 salute to Canadians. Members of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) 431 Air Demonstration Squadron are currently in the midst of their cross-country mission dubbed Operation Inspiration. Exact times and flight locations are up in air due to the unpredictability of weather and flying conditions this time of year.Their fly past operation is a salute to front-line healthcare workers, first responders, essential workers, and all of Canada as our country fights the COVID-19 pandemic.“We’ve been asked to do what we do best, inspire Canadians,” said LCol French. “We want Canadians to know that we’re in this with you.”He noted the squadron’s thoughts are also with Canada’s maritime helicopter community and the Royal Canadian Navy after their recent loss of crew at sea off the coast of Greece.Operation Inspiration kicked off in the skies over Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and P.E.I. on May 2. Since then, the tour has gradually made its way west with Snowbird pilots flying their nine-plane formation of bright red CT-114 jets over major cities and population centres, with a specific emphasis on hospitals and residential areas. Flyovers occur at an elevation of no lower than 500 feet above all obstacles. When the squadron makes it to the West Coast they will have Captain Logan Reid of Victoria piloting Snowbird 8. Those interested in watching the flight are encouraged to observe the flyovers from the safety of their home, and refrain from travelling to see flyovers in order to maintain physical distancing practices. Flight times are updated 24 to 48 hours in advance. For updates on the tour and a full itinerary of their B.C. flight path go to the Snowbirds Facebook...

Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~Amateur do-it-yourself mechanics can save thousands of dollars by joining the CFB Esquimalt Auto Club. For as low as $40 a year and a $15 per hour workspace rental, military, DND civilians, veterans, their families, and guests can join the club and use its automotive workshop in Work Point. Three service bays with hoists are available for use, plus a tire changer, wheel balancing equipment, brake lathe, welding equipment, diagnostic machines, and a plethora of tools. It also employs part-time employees to ensure its availability to members and to offer sage advice. However, until the pandemic passes the shop is closed. “Most people don’t even know we exist; we’re one of the best-kept secrets on base and that’s quite unfortunate,” says Lt(N) Mitchell Newman, the Auto Club’s Vice President.Many believe the club is only for mechanics and hardcore auto enthusiasts, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Plus, many people join for the social aspects of working on vehicles with others.Last year, the auto club had just under 150 members and it has room to grow. “We are hoping to see new members join the club—enthusiasts and inexperienced tinkerers alike,” said Lt(N) Newman. The club opened in 1995 after Cdr Tony Cond saw sailors working on their cars in the driveways of their military housing units. They couldn’t afford costly repairs or a new vehicle. Cdr Cond had the idea that CAF members would greatly benefit from a communal workspace where they could work out of the rain and cold and have access to shared tools. He envisioned that members could work on their vehicles more safely, reliably, and responsibly.As a Personnel Support Programs service club, the Auto Club follows administrative policies including a voted-in executive team to manage it. Lt(N) Newman joined the club out...

CFMWS ~Last fall, Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) newspapers invited youth from military families between ages 13 and 18 to take part in the Youth Reporter Competition, and a chance to win a grand prize package and scholarship valued at $2,500.Youth were asked to submit a story idea about something important to their life or the community around them. Over 50 applications were received from across the country and around the world.  A selection committee comprised of CAF newspaper editors met in late January to go through the applications and select the six most unique and powerful stories with the best editorial merit. The six finalists were informed in early February and were given a few weeks to deliver their unique stories. They will be featured in a special PLAY e-zine edition published on CAFconnection.ca and in Canadian Forces newspapers across the country.“What a great opportunity for the youth of our military community to share their voices,” said Colonel Telah Morrison, Director, Military Family Services. “I thank CAF newspapers for creating this program and giving youth the means by which to express themselves.” CAF newspapers are now inviting community members to vote for their favourite story and  a chance to win a prize as well. Voting is May 1 to May 31 at CAFconnection.ca/YouthReporter.  Support our youth. Take the time to get to know these young finalists, read these unique stories, and cast your vote to crown the best Youth Reporter of 2020.Youth reporter finalists:Melissa Holyhead-Miles, Chilliwack, BCLleyton Maday, Morinville, ABKatya Arifin, Toronto, ONMikaël Bowes, St-Lin, QCMegan Henwood, Moncton, NBLuke Shields, Campbell River, BC––––

[caption id="attachment_23468" align="aligncenter" width="593"] Photographer Kathryn Mussallem captured this portrait of Ordinary Seaman Dale Bouchard during a 2016 sail in HMCS Calgary.[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~For the last eleven years, Kathryn Mussallem, 44, has photographed the navies of the world.It’s an interest that began in 2009 while attending The School of Visual Arts in New York City as a grad student. As she walked the streets of Manhattan, she would often see United States Navy members walking about in full dress whites with their canvas Dixie-Cup hats. “It looked like they were walking off a movie set from the 1940s,” said Mussallem. “Their uniform had never changed at that point and I was intrigued by that.”She was able to photograph them during Fleet Week, up close portraits that revealed their human side, the person rather than the military. That collection made its way onto the pages of an arts magazine and launched a pursuit that continues to this day. “I try to show the human side and the faces of people who serve. I want people to understand these men and women are your friends, brothers, sisters, and parents,” she says. “It’s a hard life. They are doing their jobs and making great sacrifices for freedoms many of us take for granted, and are leaving their families for long periods of time while they are away at sea.” Her work has won many accolades including the 2016 Sony World Photography Award for Sailor in the Spotlight that featured sailors hitting the dance floor at a popular bar in New York. It became part of a group exhibition at London’s famed art centre Somerset House. Her solo exhibition Tattoos and Scrimshaw: The Art of the Sailor, captured at a Fleet Week event in Boston in 2012, has appeared at maritime museums in New...

[caption id="attachment_23464" align="aligncenter" width="592"] No speeches, no march past as Artillery Regiment inducts new Commander, LCol Michael Lomax[/caption]Captain J.A. Manney, Public Affairs Officer, 39 Canadian Brigade Group ~Five people in an otherwise empty armoury wasn’t quite the change of command ceremony LCol Michael Lomax had anticipated.Most in the regiment are sheltering at home, so the ceremony imparted a “surreal” look to his first day on the job. But LCol Lomax says the tradition of marking his assumption of command of the 5th (British Columbia) Field Artillery Regiment has never been more important.“I think it’s critical to help soldiers understand we are all part of something greater than any one of us. Ceremonies like a change of command help instill a strong sense of connection to the Regiment and a real sense of family. That is our foundation in peace, in war, and most definitely in times of crisis.”He replaced LCol Brendon LeBlanc on April 25 at Victoria’s Bay Street Armoury. He credits LCol LeBlanc’s four-year tenure for, among other things, preparing the unit to weather the COVID-19 crisis. More than 30 Regiment soldiers are now attached to Land Task Force Vancouver Island, part of the Land (Army) Component Command forces working under Joint Task Force (Pacific) in the event government requests military assistance.“In the short term our goal is to continue that strong contribution,” LCol Lomax said. “We need to ensure we take care of our soldiers during this time of crisis and we’re looking out for their physical, mental, and financial well-being.”Fortunately for the soldiers of 5th Field, LCol Lomax is no stranger to taking care of people. A lawyer, mediator, and one-time director of CFB Esquimalt’s Dispute Resolution Centre, he now leads a team of mediators with the B.C. Public Service Agency, the government’s Human Resources department. His team is...