Pacific Navy News

Archana Cini, Lookout Newspaper. Humans of CFB Esquimalt is a series dedicated to the people who form the West Coast Defence community. It captures unique stories of service, identity, learning, and living from both civilians and military members who work and move through the base. If interested in sharing your story, please email archana.cini@forces.gc.ca. – While many people join the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) early in their working lives, Acting Sub-Lieutenant (A/SLt) Mike Samuels joined at 49 years old after two decades at a desk job.  “I figured I had around 15 years left of a good, working life,” said A/SLt Samuels. “This country has been very good to me, I felt joining the Forces was an opportunity for me to give back – and add some excitement as well!”   A/SLt Samuels was born in Montreal, but soon after his family moved to Peterborough, Ont. Here, he was raised alongside his older sister by his father, a psychology professor at the local college, and his mother, a nurse. At 15 years old, A/SLt Samuels had the opportunity to attend Trinity College School, a boarding school in Port Hope. He then went on to study philosophy and history at King’s College at The University of Western Ontario. After graduation, A/SLt Samuels spent a little over a year teaching English in South Korea after deciding to broaden his perspectives on the world. After his return, A/SLt Samuels moved to Toronto, where he spent the next 18 years working in the telecommunications industry in Network Operations, during which he also got married.   “I didn’t hate my job,” said A/SLt Samuels. “But it simply wasn’t the kind of work that gave me the sense of purpose or satisfaction that I was looking for.”   At 47 years old, A/SLt Samuels applied to the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) amid the COVID-19 pandemic. During the...

Archana Cini, Lookout Newspaper The Raven program combines Indigenous teachings and cultural learning with CAF training, creating a six-week experience rooted in identity, service, and personal growth. 23 graduates from the 2026 platoon completed military training, field exercises, weapons handling, first aid, confidence courses, and naval experiences including a day sail. An Aug 17 graduation included Lekwungen dancers, a traditional sashing ceremony, a march past, and recognition for outstanding dedication and camaraderie. - The Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) Raven program returned to CFB Esquimalt this summer, running through July and August as one of five national summer programs for Indigenous peoples. Every year, Raven blends Indigenous teachings with naval-oriented military training to deliver a powerful training course for selected applicants.   Candidates are enrolled in the CAF at the outset of the course, beginning their journey with a three-day cultural experience, where they learn traditional Indigenous values and teachings from Indigenous teachers and Elders, fostering both self-discipline and pride in Indigenous traditions within military service. From there, candidates move into Basic Military Qualification training, covering: inspections, physical training, weapons handling, map and compass navigation, first aid, drill, outdoor field craft, and a confidence-building obstacle course. They also spend a day sailing aboard an RCN ship, getting a taste of life at sea through firefighting, flood containment, and damage control training.  [caption id="attachment_359362" align="aligncenter" width="600"] A candidate from the 2026 RAVEN program prepares to fire the C7 Automatic Rifle during a PWT1 shoot on Aug 4. Photo: S1 Kyle Maguire, MARPAC Imaging[/caption] This year’s platoon consists of 23 graduating members that also participated in a field topography phase; an educational visit to 443 Maritime Helicopter Squadron; a PWT 1 shoot at the Nanaimo rifle range; a day sail with the Patrol Craft Training Unit (PCTU); a ship tour aboard His Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS)...

Archana Cini, Lookout Newspaper YOU’RE INVITED!  Date: September 12, 2026  Time: 12 pm – 4 pm  NEW Venue: Work Point (Nixon Building and surrounding grassy areas) - For more than a decade, Formation Fun Day has celebrated the Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Esquimalt community with vendors, music, food, drink, and activities like rock climbing, face painting, and bubble shows. Drawing more than 1,000 attendees year after year, Formation Fun Day is designed to provide an afternoon of good times and connection for the local Defence community.  This year’s event brings an exciting change for attendees: Formation Fun Day 2026 is moving to Work Point from its long-time venue at the Naden Athletic Centre. With the Nixon Building anchoring the indoor fun and the surrounding grassy areas opening space for games, food, play, and performances, Work Point will offer the kind of layout that turns an afternoon into an adventure.    What’s Inside: the Nixon Building  [caption id="attachment_359355" align="alignleft" width="300"] A balloonist places a twisted balloon on a child's head during Formation Fun Day 2025. Photo: Lindsay Groves, Lookout Newspaper[/caption] Step inside for an exploration of more than 25 activities and booths, including face painting and glitter tattoos with Sparkle Storm; as well as engaging experiences from Kaleidoscope Theatre, the Victoria Conservatory of Music, Enchanted Fables, and the Greater Victoria Public Library. Community groups like the Scouts, Girl Guides, and the Esquimalt Proton Pulverizers STEM Robotics team will also be found indoors, alongside hobbyist clubs including the Base Model Railway Club, Vic LEGO Users Group (LUG), and the Base Golf Association. Indoor activities will include: a golf simulator and mini putt; a photo booth; a 20-foot obstacle course; and a Super Mario bouncy castle and slide. Attendees will also be able to drop by resource booths from BMO, CFMWS HR/Recruitment, MFRC Programs, CANEX, and SISIP.     What’s Outside: Work Point Grounds ...

Tyler Kung MSc., Emilie Miller MSc., and Etienne Chassé, MSc; CFMWS Human Performance Research and Development Team  CFMWS Human Performance Research & Development specialists adapted fitness expertise developed through work with Canadian astronauts for submarine operations. A compact flywheel training device provides strength-training options without the weight, noise, and space demands of traditional gym equipment. Submariners report that the system is easy to use and can improve access to exercise, morale, and overall fitness while deployed. - Over the past several years, the Human Performance Research & Development (HPR&D) team within the Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services (URL) has collaborated with the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) through a formal partnership focused on astronaut fitness and occupational performance. This work includes developing fitness assessments and providing specialized exercise support to astronauts. Most recently, the team contributed to the fitness programming of Colonel Jeremy Hansen as he prepared for the historic Artemis II mission, the first crewed mission to travel around the Moon in more than 50 years.  While supporting Canada’s human space program, the HPR&D team was also asked to help address another unique operational challenge much closer to home: supporting Royal Canadian Navy submarines.  Spaceflight and submarine operations share similar constraints: space is limited; equipment must be compact and reliable; and maintaining physical fitness is critical to performance and well-being.  To help address these challenges, Canadian submariners recently began using a flywheel training device. Unlike traditional gym equipment that relies on heavy weights, the flywheel uses spinning discs to create resistance. The harder a person accelerates the flywheel, the greater the force required to slow it down. This allows users to achieve a wide range of exercise intensities using only a few lightweight discs.  [caption id="attachment_359352" align="alignright" width="277"] An RCN sailor uses the flywheel training device. Photo supplied.[/caption] For a submarine, this compact design...