Archana Cini, Lookout Newspaper Three former Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) sailors who served together as teens during the Korean War reunited unexpectedly in their 90s at the Veterans' Lodge, a Broadmead Care home. The men shared memories of life aboard His Majesty's Canadian Ship (HMCS) Athabaskan II, from demanding boiler room work to long months at sea. Their reunion offered a powerful reminder of service, sacrifice, and the lasting bonds formed at sea. - For Roy Mackay, Gil Russell, and Don Russell, life in the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) as teens meant hard work and discipline. Almost eight decades later, life would give them an unexpected gift — a sudden reunion of shipmates now in their nineties. Now 92, 95, and 94 respectively, (Gil and Don are unrelated, and Don passed away shortly before being interviewed) the three reunited at Victoria’s Broadmead Care Society for the first time in decades. The last time they saw each other was when they were only 16, 18, and 19, serving aboard His Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Athabaskan during the Korean War, a vessel often nicknamed ‘Athabaskan II’ or ‘Athabee’. A Tribal-class destroyer, Athabaskan II deployed on three wartime tours starting in 1950 with duties ranging from antisubmarine patrols to troop transport, evacuations, and bombardments. The vessel was in service to Canada from 1948 to 1966. Gil, Roy, and Don all deployed together during its third wartime tour, working as stokers in the boiler room. “I was glad to get out of the army and into the navy, you know,” said Roy. “The navy actually helped me find a job during my return to civilian life, and that was really important to me.” Roy shared details of his work once aboard Athabaskan II for his first deployment with the RCN. “It was freezing down...

Kelley Stark, MARPAC PA His Majesty's Canadian Ship (HMCS) Max Bernays returned home on Dec 19 after a four-month deployment spanning the Arctic and Indo-Pacific under Operations LATITUDE, HORIZON, and NEON. The ship made Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) history by reaching 81° North, the furthest north ever sailed by a Royal Canadian Navy vessel, reinforcing Canada’s Arctic sovereignty. - His Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Max Bernays sailed into its home port on Dec 19, marking the end of a four-month deployment that spanned the Arctic and Indo-Pacific regions under Operations (Op) LATITUDE, HORIZON, and NEON. The crew and their loved ones were thrilled to be reunited. Even the weather seemed happy to see them together as the sun came out on a rather rainy day just as the crew disembarked. Rear-Admiral (RAdm) David Patchell, Commander of Maritime Forces Pacific (MARPAC) and Joint Task Force Pacific ( JTFP), was on the jetty to welcome them home, stating, “It is a crew of exceptional sailors supported by absolutely amazing families,” he said. “They’re home in time for the holidays for a well-deserved break.” The Harry DeWolf-class Arctic and Offshore Patrol Vessel (AOPV) made history during Op LATITUDE by reaching 81° North, the farthest north any Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) vessel has ever sailed. This milestone demonstrates Canada’s growing ability to operate in the High Arctic, and reinforces our sovereignty in a region of increasing global importance. “It is incredible. It is barren. It is breathtaking,” said Commanding Officer of the ship, Commander Nadia Shields. “It is ice as far as the eye can see, and I would say that the Arctic is something that we definitely need to protect.” Following its time in the Arctic, Max Bernays sailed to the Indo-Pacific, visiting ports in Alaska, Hawaii, Japan, the Philippines, and South Korea...

LCdr Michelle Scott, MARPAC The Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) hosted a town hall for sailors in late 2025, allowing them to ask questions regarding the future of the navy and any potential concerns. Questions asked by sailors during the town halls centred around the themes of housing, security, and force generation. Responses from RCN leadership can be read below. - In November, Rear-Admiral (RAdm) David Patchell, Chief Petty Officer 1st Class (CPO1) Jonathon Sorensen, and Formation Master Sailor (MS) Haley LeClair held a series of command town halls for the Formation. While not every question and answer is captured here, these questions highlight the predominant themes of housing, security, and force generation. HOUSING Q: How is the Navy addressing housing challenges for our sailors, soldiers and aviators, especially as we work to grow the force and accommodate those on the Basic Training List? A: We recognize that housing remains one of the most pressing challenges. At present, inventory of housing on Base is insufficient, and we are committed to addressing this gap through multiple approaches. New infrastructure projects are underway, including the soon-to-start construction of multiplexes, the purchase of a condominium building at 244 Island Highway, and we are exploring additional options to meet the needs of our members. We are also working closely with local communities to ensure there is adequate housing in the surrounding area. With over 1,800 personnel on the Basic Training List, accessible and affordable lodging for these members is a priority. In the interim, services like the MFRC housing coordinator help connect members with rental opportunities. Q: What is being done to improve infrastructure and maintain morale and retention while major projects like the Nelles Block replacement and the new mess facility are still years away? A: We know that infrastructure limitations and delays affect...

Archana Cini, Lookout Newspaper Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) sailor Matt Blades survived over two hours in frigid Pacific waters after falling overboard from a RHIB near Vancouver Island, prompting an international, multi-agency rescue effort. The successful recovery highlighted the science, training, and coordination behind modern search and rescue operations, including drift modelling and functional time. S1 Blades met with rescuers and RCN leadership just five days later, with the meet leaving a lasting emotional impact on all involved. - One moment Sailor 1st Class (S1) Matt Blades was at the helm of a RHIB. The next, he was fighting for his life in the Pacific. “My whole thought process was that they’re either going to find me, or there’s nothing else I could have done,” said S1 Blades. What followed was a rescue effort that left S1 Blades, his rescuers, and the local community with a deeper appreciation for training, teamwork, and the fragility of life at sea. S1 Blades and his wife S1 Margaret Blades also met some of his rescuers, Rear-Admiral (RAdm) David Patchell, Commander of MARPAC, and Chief Petty Officer 1st Class (CPO1) Jonathon Sorensen, to thank the team and share more about his experience — just five days after his near-death experience. The incident occurred east of Bentinck Island, where S1 Blades was operating a Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat (RHIB) as part of his sentry duties with a fellow sailor. “The waters were getting pretty choppy, so I actually tuned the radio [on the RHIB] to channel 16 in case someone fell overboard,” said S1 Blades about the moments leading up to the incident. “Obviously, this was unknowing that it would eventually be me,” he laughed. S1 Blades fell overboard at approximately 2:40 p.m. into rough waters amid stormy conditions. “I was coming up over a...