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[caption id="attachment_13017" align="alignnone" width="300"] Sailors march past the Reviewing Officer, Commander of Maritime Forces Pacific, Rear-Admiral Gilles Couturier, during the Naval Personnel and Training Group Change of Command parade at Work Point, Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt, on July 6. Photos by Cpl Stuart MacNeil, MARPAC Imaging Services[/caption]Sonya Chwyl, MARPAC Public Affairs ~Last Wednesday, Maritime Forces Pacific’s finest was on full parade to mark the reconfiguration of the Naval Training Development Centre (Pacific) and Naval Fleet School (Pacific).The large-scale parade was accompanied by the Naden Band, and followed by a formal renaming and change of command, during which Commander S.E. Hooper took command of the Naval Training Development Center (Pacific), while Commander Todd Bonnar took command of the Naval Fleet School (Pacific).The ceremony signalled the next step in the RCN’s Future Naval Training System initiative, which will re-configure five training centres across Canada into three campuses in Halifax, Esquimalt and Quebec.“This is the inception of a new organizational structure,” said Rear-Admiral Gilles Couturier in a speech following the parade. “Today, we’re celebrating the implementation of modern training aligned across three campuses.”The new structure – a “system of systems,” according to RAdm Couturier – will leverage emerging technology to generate efficiency and support operational excellence.In Esquimalt, the newly-named Naval Fleet School (Pacific) will deliver individual and career courses, while the Naval Training Development Center (Pacific) will be the RCN’s Center of Excellence for engineering, damage control, command, leadership and professional development curriculum and courseware development.The schools will allow Regular and Reserve Force sailors to train at home or at their own units in a shorter time span by completing coursework through a blend of traditional classroom learning, distance education, virtual tools and hands-on experience.“We’re seeking to train officers where they live,” said RAdm Couturier. “Through modernization, we believe we can reduce course length by thirty percent.”Innovative training methods, such as virtual ship models and bridge simulators, will help prepare sailors for work on board the RCN’s forthcoming Arctic Offshore Patrol Ships, Joint...

[caption id="attachment_13013" align="alignnone" width="300"] Major Nick Arakgi (left) and his brother, BC Lions linebacker Jason Arakgi. Photo courtesy of BC Lions[/caption]Matt Baker, BC Lions ~The BC Lions Football Club was proud to hold Canadian Armed Forces Night when the Toronto Argonauts came to town last Thursday. Tickets were given to servicemen and servicewomen who may not otherwise be able to attend a game.Hunter Steward and Jason Arakgi both have strong ties to the Canadian Armed Forces: Hunter’s Father Robin serves as a Lieutenant Colonel in the army, and was on hand assisting in the coin toss with Rear Admiral Gilles Couturier of the Royal Canadian Navy, while Jason’s older brother Nick currently serves as an infantry officer in the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry.Football is often referred to as a “battle in the trenches” or a “war of attrition.” Considering the great game involves big hits, banging pads and lots of excitement, most of the time such comments are not met with much resistance.“You compare it just because football is a match up of man against man and you have to physically dominate the other person,” Steward said. “It’s totally different than war absolutely. Lives aren’t at stake.”The elder Steward has quite a decorated record serving our country, including a tour in Afghanistan in the first couple of years following the 9/11 terrorist attacks.“He was pretty high up in the ranks, I think a major at the time,” Hunter Steward said. The Lions offensive lineman was barely into his teens when his father went overseas, and he admits it was pretty intense times for the family. “I knew he wasn’t directly out in the field, but you still have all those concerns. I am very proud of the work he’s done.”In addition to Afghanistan, Steward’s Father also did tours in Bosnia...

[caption id="attachment_12976" align="alignnone" width="300"] Naval Cadet Alek Robaczewski on the bridge wing of USS Stockdale in the Philippine Sea.[/caption]Sonya Chwyl, MARPAC PA Office ~Not many summer jobs give university students the chance to gain hands-on experience in their field, and even fewer provide the opportunity to travel while doing it.That’s what makes the Naval Personnel and Training Group’s (NPTG) On the Job Experience (OJE) program such a great opportunity.This summer, the OJE program has given a number of Royal Military College Naval Cadets the chance to live and work on board military ships for the first time. Twelve of them are spending the summer with the United States Navy on some of the most advanced warships in the world, including guided missile destroyers.“It’s hard not to be jealous of these cadets,” said Lieutenant(Navy) Charlotte Farish, the OJE Program Coordinator. “I think they’re going to have such an amazing summer.”Five Naval Cadets have joined the United States Ships (USS) Stockdale, Spruance, Chung-Hoon, and Mobile Bay. They’ll be on board for a month and a half, working alongside the American crew.Another group of seven have joined the USS San Diego, where they’ll stay for about a month and get to participate in RIMPAC, the world’s largest international maritime exercise.The cadets are already hard at work orienting themselves on the ship and learning the basics of damage control and firefighting. After that, they’ll be able to carry out basic officer tasks, such as standing watch on the bridge.For the cadets, it’s an opportunity to learn the traditions and practices of one of Canada’s greatest naval allies.“They’re working on major warships that are heavily armed—just phenomenal ships,” said Lt(N) Farish. “They’re going to have so much fun sailing on them.”The time they spend on the water will go towards their sea service insignia.While this...

[caption id="attachment_12972" align="alignnone" width="300"] The referee gets ready to drop the ball at the Pacific Regional Ball Hockey Qualifying Tournament June 21 at Wurtele Arena. Photo by: Peter Mallett, Lookout[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~The Esquimalt Mens Tritons earned a spot on the Canadian Armed Forces National Ball Hockey Championship roster in Ontario after a convincing regional qualifying victory over the Comox Flyers.Tritons swept the Totems to defeat in the best-of-three series at Wurtele Arena June 20 and 21.They outscored their Royal Canadian Air Force opposition by a total margin of 15-0. With the victory the Esquimalt team now moves on to the national play at CFB Borden, July 23 to 28.“Our game plan was fairly simple; we just wanted to take away their time and space. So as soon as they got possession we had a man on them trying to force them to cough it up,” said Tritons player-coach, MS John Helpard, of HMCS Ottawa.The Tritons registered an 8-0 victory in Game 1 followed by a 7-0 result in Game 2 and  outgunned their opponents in shots-on-goal by a 96-17 margin over two games, which consisted of two 20-minute periods each played on a defrosted concrete playing surface.Forward, LS Derek Cheetham, also with Ottawa, was named Game 2 Player of The Game for the Tritons; Defenceman LS Keelan Cook captured Game 1 Player of The Game honours and was also named the tournament’s overall MVP.“It’s great to be recognized but really I was just doing my usual job of getting the ball to our forwards so they can score goals,” said LS Cook, an instructor with Fleet School. “The opposition fought hard right until the final buzzer, and it really takes a lot of determination to do that when things aren’t going your way.”MS Helpard says the likelihood of...

[caption id="attachment_12969" align="alignnone" width="300"] Kevin McKoy, Co-Chief Executive Officer of Irving Shipbuilding, Carl Risser (46 years of service with Irving), Rear-Admiral Newton, Commander Maritime Forces Atlantic, and CPO1 Pierre Auger, Formation Chief Petty Officer, at the coin placement ceremony.[/caption]In early June at Irving Shipbuilding’s facility in Halifax, Rear-Admiral John Newton, Commander Joint Task Force Atlantic and Commander Maritime Forces Atlantic, along with Kevin McCoy, President of Irving Shipbuilding, and Chief Petty Officer First Class Pierre Auger, Formation Chief, attended a coin placement ceremony for the future HMCS Harry DeWolf, the lead ship in the class.The coin placement is a shipbuilder and naval tradition where a newly minted coin is placed on the ship’s structure to bring luck to the vessel and crew for the life of the ship. The coin was placed by Carl Risser who, with 46 years of shipbuilding experience at Irving Shipbuilding, declared the keel as “well and truly laid.” The ceremony was attended by representatives of the Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships (AOPS) project office, as well as Irving Shipbuilding employees, and marks another milestone in the ongoing construction of Harry DeWolf.The Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) is anticipating the delivery of Harry DeWolf, the first of the Harry DeWolf-class AOPS, in 2018. The ship is named after Vice-Admiral Harry DeWolf, a widely-respected officer who served with distinction in the Second World War and later rose to be Chief of the Naval Staff in the late 1950s.The Harry DeWolf Class will be capable of: • armed sea-borne surveillance of Canada’s waters, including the Arctic;• providing government situational awareness of activities and events in these regions; and• cooperating with other partners in the Canadian Armed Forces and other government departments to assert and enforce Canadian sovereignty, when and where necessary.The Harry DeWolf Class will provide the RCN with the ability to operate much...

[caption id="attachment_12966" align="alignnone" width="300"] Jeff Krieger, a Nuisance Wildlife Technician, with his dog Pixie, has been hired to help keep Canadian geese off the grass in Work Point.[/caption]Lorraine Crinkley, Formation Environment Office ~Impacts from non-migratory resident Canada geese can be observed all over CFB Esquimalt and include the degradation of lawn and sports fields, large amounts of fecal matter, and during breeding season goose aggression.Conflicts between geese and base activities are an ongoing issue at CFB Esquimalt’s Work Point property. Large goose numbers have caused training areas and playing fields to be unusable due to excessive pitting from grubbing. (eating down into the sand layer), and excessive fecal matter. Walkways, parking lots and stairs also become covered in feces which make them slippery and unsightly.The ocean side Work Point property is an ideal location for non-migratory resident Canada geese. It provides large open green spaces for geese to forage and rest. Work Point is also a fairly quiet site, especially outside of regular business hours – this means geese are not disturbed or feel pressured by the presence of people or dogs, and that creates a safe haven.In the fall of 2015 staff from the Naval Officer Training Centre (NOTC) began completing daily goose observations at Work Point and documented the location, number of geese, and their behaviour. These observations were collected to establish baseline data on the population. Formation Safety and Environment (FSE) subsequently hired EBB Consulting Inc. to complete an assessment of the population at Work Point and provide recommendations to mitigate impacts and reduce conflicts.Using the observational data collected, EBB Consulting was able to determine that during the winter months, daily goose numbers at Work Point was consistent with 30 to 40 individuals. EBB Consulting recommended trialing techniques such as dog hazing, installing barriers and fences, re-landscaping...

          Bart Armstrong, Contributor ~For years people across Britain complained about a burning issue that made celebrating their Victoria Cross recipients difficult.In many cases the statue or monument honouring their brave lads was not located locally, but rather in some far off city or land. So they let government know this was not good enough.Parliament agreed something should be done at the local level, but what was that something?Contests were held and a plan was developed that would see paving stones made that were inscribed with the hero’s name, regiment and date of the First World War deed that earned the Victoria Cross. They would be provided to local councils across the country, with public meetings held and decisions made about where they should be mounted.But the plan only called for stones dedicated to recipients born in Britain. What about those buried in Britain, but born elsewhere? Government then included these, made the paving stones, and circulated with instructions that local governments unveil them on the very day, 100 years after the deed in which the battle took place.But another flaw was soon realized. What about all the heroes neither born nor buried there, but as equally deserving of the same honour? What about heroes from around the world such as Canada’s Billy Bishop and Billy Mitchell, George Pearkes and Rowland Bourke.The missing “few” soon morphed into at least 175 men.Research showed that men from 11 different countries now needed this same recognition. So a Bronze plaque was designed and sent to each country listing their heroes.Then on June 21 of this year, Britain’s Foreign and Commonwealth office unveiled the next part of the overall memorial to these Great War recipients. It is a searchable digital archive that lists most of the foreign born recipients by country. Clicking on links takes...

[caption id="attachment_12955" align="alignnone" width="300"] As part of training sailors douse the helicopter simulator at the Damage Control School at CF Fleet School Esquimalt.[/caption]Lt(N) Adam Drover, CF Naval Operations School ~Due to the diverse nature of the future fleet’s capabilities, tied with the complex nature of the future security environment, the Royal Canadian Navy’s (RCN’s) Naval Training System is in need of an overhaul.The Future Naval Training System Strategy, released in the summer of 2015, identifies where the RCN needs to focus in order to address the capabilities of the future fleet, which are being built at Irving Shipbuilding in Halifax, N.S., and Seaspan Shipyards in Vancouver, B.C. under the National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy.This includes the re-configuration of training establishments in Halifax and Esquimalt into two campuses, Atlantic and Pacific, under the Naval Personnel and Training Group to meet the RCN’s training requirements.Campus Pacific will stand-up in a ceremony July 6. This means Canadian Forces Fleet School Esquimalt and the Naval Officers Training Centre will be re-configured into Naval Fleet School Pacific and Training Development Centre Pacific.Naval Fleet School Pacific will deliver individual training such as career courses and qualifications to sailors in Esquimalt.The Training Development Centre Pacific will be the RCN’s Centre of Excellence for engineering, damage control, command, leadership, and professional development.Likewise in Halifax, Campus Atlantic will stand-up with a ceremony on July 15 where the Canadian Forces Naval Operations School and Canadian Forces Naval Engineering School will become NFS(A) and TDC(A).NFS(A) will deliver individual training in Halifax, with the addition of submarine training, while TDC(A) will be the RCN’s Centre of Excellence for combat, operations, and seamanship training.Canadian Forces Fleet School Quebec, in the heart of Quebec City on the banks of the St. Lawrence River, was renamed Naval Fleet School Quebec during a ceremony on June 29....

[caption id="attachment_12936" align="alignnone" width="300"] Family, friends and VIPs bade farewell to HMCS Charlottetown as it pulled away from the jetty and headed overseas for a six-month deployment. Photo by: Master Seaman Peter Reed Formation Imaging Services Halifax[/caption]HMCS Charlottetown departed from Halifax June 27 as the designated forward deployed ship of the Royal Canadian Navy, replacing HMCS Fredericton in that role.Fredericton has been employed on Operation Reassurance since January 2016.Charlottetown will provide Canada the flexibility to execute a range of missions across a broad spectrum of operations in support of allied efforts in the region, including surveillance and monitoring, regional defence, diplomatic engagement, and capacity building.The ship’s mission will be the third to employ one of the Royal Canadian Navy’s Enhanced Naval Boarding Parties, a specialized team that is capable of executing a full range of maritime interdiction operations.Charlottetown’s last international deployment was in 2012, when the ship served on Operation Metric, Canada’s support to enhanced security in the eastern Mediterranean region, and Operation Artemis, Canada’s support to counterterrorism and maritime security in the Red  Sea, the Gulf of Aden, the Gulf of Oman, and the Indian Ocean.

[caption id="attachment_12908" align="alignnone" width="200"] LCdr Steve Shute, Other Government Department Liaison Officer.[/caption]SLt MJ Cserhazi, MARPAC PAO ~British Columbia’s unique geography and tectonic positioning means it is not a question of if, but when the next major earthquake disaster will strike.Other Government Department Liaison Officer (OGD LO), LCdr Steve Shute, and 17 Regional Liaison Officer (RLO) counterparts, are the keys the province will use to unlock the military’s emergency tool box when it turns to Joint Task Force Pacific (JTF(P)) for help. LCdr Shute’s efforts help JTF(P) build stronger ties and relationships with B.C.’s provincial emergency organizations, which are ultimately responsible for any kind of response to natural or man-made disasters within the province.“My position creates a bridge between the province and the CAF that is designed to quickly respond to the need for assistance from the province,” says LCdr Shute.He helps provincial emergency managers understand the unique resources available from the CAF, and advises them on how those resources might be best suited to assist during an emergency response.His role, and the support role of JTF(P), was recently tested during Exercise Staunch Maple.From June 7-10, JTF(P) provided simulated emergency assistance to the Province of British Columbia during the exercise, which was nested within BC’s Exercise Coastal Response.“Being prepared to deal with the immediate aftermath of an earthquake is a shared responsibility. Everyone needs to be prepared, from the individual to the highest level of government. That is where the OGD LO plays a role,” he says.His timely advice to JTF(P)’s provincial partners allows civilian authorities to better understand and make requests through a formalized process known as a Request for Assistance (RFA).“An RFA is the formal document that requests a desired effect for assistance from the province to the federal family, which is where the CAF is often uniquely prepared...

[caption id="attachment_12905" align="alignnone" width="300"] D.A.R.E. participants act out a skit for the rest of the group.[/caption]Rachel Lallouz, Staff Writer ~ Students from École John Stubbs Memorial School were given the tools to say no to drugs through a unique year-long program taught by Military Police Officer, Leading Seaman Andree Noye.The 75 students from Grades five and six graduated the D.A.R.E. anti-drug program in collaboration with Organic CBD Nugs  on June 14 in a special assembly held in the school’s auditorium. As the students filed into the room they high-fived the program’s mascot Daren, a life-sized lion.“It was an exciting year as a D.A.R.E. instructor, and as a leader of such an integral program to the children,” says LS Noye, who began teaching the program in October 2015. “Watching the kids graduate today was amazing.”D.A.R.E. stands for Define, Analyze, React, and Examine, which represents a series a decision-making for children to discourage the use of drugs and alcohol. The program is managed by the D.A.R.E. BC Society,  a Canadian charity that seeks to empower children with the critical thinking and life skills necessary to choose a drug-free life.Principal Stephanie Hedley-Smith congratulated the crowd of students and parents, before the students took to the stage, eager to show off what they had learned in the program. A handful of students read essays on their experience of the program, while others read poetry, presented skits, and one group of students played a rap video they acted in and produced.Subjects students explored ranged from peer pressure to refusing cigarettes and alcohol. Their performances reflected issues LS Noye explored with the students in their classrooms through the use of creative writing and drama.“We learned in D.A.R.E that drugs and alcohol affect thousands of people a year,” says Eddy Giusti-Tubbi, 11. “It just takes one bad decision...

[caption id="attachment_12902" align="alignnone" width="300"] Nijmegen marchers and their commanding officers complete their 10-kilometre march at Work Point, June 20.[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~Two officers joined the Nijmegen marching team to experience what it’s like to walk in full gear, even for a few kilometres.Lt(N) Greg Oickle, Executive Officer of Fleet Diving Unit (Pacific), marched alongside unit member LS Sara MacAleese for eight kilometres from Work Point to Saxe Point Park and back.“I haven’t marched like this since basic training, so my biggest challenge was not stepping on people’s toes, and staying in step with the group,” said Lt(N) Oickle. “This is a fantastic opportunity for her; she’s really committed to it and I’m more than happy to be supporting her on this march.”Team leader, Lt(N) Marianne Knai says it’s important to have superior officers see for themselves just what they are supporting when they authorize time away from the regular job.“We wouldn’t be able to participate in Nijmegen without the support of our chain of command,” she says.Experiencing a march makes it easier to explain the hardship, says LS MacAleese.“It’s hard to explain to your superiors about the event and what we actually do, so it’s nice to have someone from the unit come out and see the results of our training, and how we have been investing all this time away from work,” said Ls MacAleese.Capt Keil Monette-Saillant, Deputy Engineering Officer from Real Property Operations, paired up with the team’s second in charge WO Kevin Legg. He said the experience brought back some good memories. That’s because Capt Monette-Saillant is a former Nijmegen marcher and participated with the Royal Military College team six years ago.He said he had no hesitation granting WO Legg’s request to participate in the march for the second time.“It was really easy for me to...

[caption id="attachment_12899" align="alignnone" width="300"] Naden Athletic Centre[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff writer ~Three buildings at CFB Esquimalt will be part of a revamped Department of National Defence initiative designed to reduce energy consumption costs while using the savings to pay for upgrades.Officials from DND announced June 6 that the base will be one of seven across Canada chosen for the re-launch of its Energy Performance Contract Program.Nelles Block, Naden Recreation Centre and Wurtele Arena have been selected by the Assistant Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Environment (ADMIE) as initial sites for the program.Now it’s up to private energy service companies, who have solutions to substantially reduce heating costs, to come up with a plan and submit that proposal to ADMIE.“Greenhouse gas reduction is the main reason why we are doing this, and we really want to leave a mark,” says Sebastian Labelle, Director of Portfolio Innovation in ADMIE. “We are likely going to pick private companies who can offer us a bigger bang for our buck. It’s all about supporting the mission of the DND and reducing our energy costs will allow us to better spend the money in other areas.”DND spends more than $170 million annually on energy for infrastructure. Add to this, more than half the federal government’s greenhouse emissions come from military infrastructure, says Labelle. When the first seven contracts are awarded and then completed, ADMIE anticipates $7 million to $14 million in annual savings and a reduction target of 30,000 tonnes of greenhouse gasses over the life of the project.Once the proposals are approved in late 2016, the private firms and their contractors will carry out retrofit projects at no cost to the taxpayer and limited risk to the Crown. They are expected to invest between $5 million and $25 million per project, and will be repaid over...

[caption id="attachment_12896" align="alignnone" width="300"] “Flares of Grandeur” by MCpl Michael Bastien[/caption]Rachel Lallouz, Staff Writer ~ Images from a select few Canadian Armed Forces photographers’ cache of work is currently on display at the Canadian Forces Museum of Aerospace Defence at 22 Wing North Bay, Ontario.Included in the “Artists in CADPAT” exhibit is imagery from MARPAC Imaging Technicians Master Corporal Michael Bastien, Sergeant Angela Abbey, and Master Corporal Brent Kenny.“I was pretty excited when I found out one of my photographs was selected,” says MCpl Bastien. “It is a rewarding feeling to know this picture will hang in the museum with multiple people taking the time to look at it.MCpl Bastien’s “Flares of Grandeur,” taken two years ago while on board HMCS Regina, captures a Sea King helicopter setting off flares during a practice to deflect missiles. Enemy missiles will target objects giving off heat signature in the sky, such as aircraft. By deploying flares, the helicopter can successfully deflect an incoming missile, he explains.“The first time I captured the photograph, the setting wasn’t exactly right and the weather wasn’t appealing,” says MCpl Bastien. “On my third try I almost missed the shot, but by some stroke of luck the settings on the camera were just right and I took it with perfect timing.”He chose that photo for its contrast and clarity – difficult aspects to obtain in military photographs.“Things happen very fast in the military, so you only have a matter of seconds to capture what is going on,” he says. “No one will do it twice for you. It’s a hit or miss.”In Sgt Abbey’s 2002 photograph, “Take a load off,” a stone archway of a compound in Afghanistan frames a Canadian soldier providing rear security during a military operation. Similar to MCpl Bastien’s experience photographing the military, Sgt Abbey...

       The 10th Annual Navy Run, Sunday June 19, had over 700 participants including close to 120 members from the community and 68 children in the Kid’s Fun Run.Also participating this year were:• Able Seaman Stan Jones, 92 years of age, who is one of our recognized and surviving veterans.• John Edwards whose father PO Jack Edwards was a survivor of the HMCS Athabaskan.• Jim Silvester who was our oldest participant and 93 years of age took part in the 5K event.Thank you to our staff team, volunteers and sponsors: Ocean98.5/Kiss FM, SISIP, Muscle Mlk Absolute Therapy, Watch It, New Balance Victoria, Milestones, Sharkzcoins, Seaspan Victoria Shipyards, Babcock Canada and Lookout.

[caption id="attachment_12887" align="alignnone" width="300"] Vice-Admiral Mark Norman is rowed ashore by former members of the naval staff following the Royal Canadian Navy change of command ceremony at HMCS Carleton.[/caption]Darlene Blakeley, Navy PA Ottawa ~Vice-Admiral Mark Norman was “rowed ashore” by senior naval officers after he relinquished command of the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) last Thursday.In a 27-foot whaler borrowed from Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps St. Lawrence in Kingston, Ont., VAdm Norman was afforded the customary courtesy extended to commanding officers leaving their ships (or shore establishments) for the last time.It was a fitting tribute to three years of service as Commander RCN when he was rowed along the shore of Dow’s Lake at HMCS Carleton, home of Ottawa’s Naval Reserve Division.“I have thoroughly enjoyed my three years in command of Canada’s navy,” VAdm Norman said. “During this time, we set an aggressive agenda to fundamentally reorient, reengineer, restructure and revitalize the RCN. Many of the headlines focused on modernizing our existing ships and preparing for the future fleet. However, at the end of the day, for me, it’s all about people. We’ve had the opportunity to modernize our culture, to reaffirm what ‘right looks like’ and to truly become ‘One Navy’, no longer defined by geography, rank, occupation or class of ship. Regular Force, Reserve Force and civilian, inside and outside the guardrails, we are now all pulling on the oars together.”VAdm Norman has been appointed Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff and will remain in Ottawa.Taking over as the new Commander RCN is Vice-Admiral Ron Lloyd. He is the 35th Commander of the RCN and has served in a variety of command and staff roles throughout his career, most recently as Deputy Commander RCN.“It is a great honour to take command of the RCN, relieving VAdm Norman after three...

Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~For the past five years Lt(N) Matthew Clark and the Naden Band of the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) have made beautiful music together. But now it’s time for the beloved conductor to make his exit from the band and head east.On July 19 the band’s commanding officer will end his posting in Esquimalt and take up a similar position with the Royal Canadian Air Force Band based out of 17 Wing, Winnipeg.“It’s really a bitter-sweet moment for me. I am looking forward to my new command, but I love this place, the musicians, and the band’s rich 75-year musical history,” says Lt (N) Clark. “There is a tendency to want to put my nails on the ground and go out kicking and screaming because it’s been such a perfect storm for me in Victoria and I’ve loved every minute of it.”He first learned of his transfer to Manitoba in December 2015. The move is part of a first-ever, nation-wide shakeup of Canadian Armed Forces band commanding officers, and is an effort to “bring something different and give a positive change” to all the bands across Canada, he explains.SLt Vincent Roy, who is currently posted to CFB Borden, will replace Lt(N) Clark as commanding officer.Of the incoming commanding officer, Lt(N) Clark says, “SLt Roy is an exceptional musician who is certain to do very well with his new job of commanding this ensemble of 35 full-time, professional musicians.”“I told him you’ve got a Lamborghini in the Naden Band and the only way it will work is if you drive it and love it,” he adds. “It may sound arrogant to say it, but he’s inheriting one of the finest wind bands in the country and I really mean that. When this band is on fire they’re untouchable...

[caption id="attachment_12834" align="alignnone" width="300"] Jan Nelms and LCdr (Retired) Bruce Nelms (right), sponsors of the Kaiyali family, helped bring the Syrian refugee family to Canada.[/caption]Rachel Lallouz , Staff Writer ~Writer’s note: This interview could not have been completed without the help of Hanadi Ponsford, translator. In light of the translation process, quotes have been edited for clarity.In mid-February Zaki and Muzna Kaiyali, along with their 10-year-old daughter Rama and five-year-old son Farouk, touched down at the Victoria International Airport. The Syrian family had made the long journey from Lebanon after fleeing Syria in 2011 and spending almost five years in limbo as refugees.The Kaiyali family spoke no English, only Arabic, and while they had left behind a familiar community they felt far from alone.As the Arrivals door opened, the family searched the crowd for familiar faces. Welcoming the them was a small throng of Syrian relatives, including Hanadi Ponsford, a close cousin of the Kaiyali’s who was instrumental in completing the family’s immigration documentation. Also waiting eagerly on the sidelines was LCdr (Retired) Bruce Nelms, now a civilian Formation Comptroller for Maritime Forces Pacific, and his wife Jan, a member of the Cowichan Intercultural Society (CIS) – the organization responsible for sponsoring a Syrian refugee resettlement program in the Nelms’ home town of Duncan.The Nelms are one of many families who agreed to sponsor a Syrian family. This has meant sharing the responsibility to ensure the housing, funding, and other transition assistance to the Kaiyali’s for one year.“The more I learned about the situation of refugees in Syria, Lebanon, Turkey, and Iraq, the more my eyes and sense of understanding was opened to the travesty of life that many people exist in,” says Jan, who studied cultural anthropology in university. “In contrast is the privilege we have been blessed with....

[caption id="attachment_12845" align="alignnone" width="200"] Ordinary Seaman San Le speaks at the Asian Heritage Month event held at the Pacific Fleet Club May 19. Photos by MCpl Chris Ward, MARPAC Imaging Services[/caption]Rachel Lallouz, Staff Writer ~ When Able Seaman San Le, a Naval Communicator of three years, was just 13, he and his family were forced to emigrate from their home in Saigon, Vietnam, to Ottawa when Communists occupied the south part of their home country.It was the story of this journey, taken at such a young age, that AB Le shared with a room of supporters at the Asian Heritage Month event on May 19, at the Pacific Fleet Club.“I was honoured and felt so privileged to speak in front of rows of full bar military members,” says AB Le.He was also touched to find Second World War veterans of Asian descent present at the meeting.“The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) employs personnel from all walks of life, many from different religious, cultural, and linguistic backgrounds – but we are all connected.”Once AB Le, his little sister, and his parents arrived in Ottawa in 1998, he says his mother and father worked labour-intensive jobs as dishwashers and bakers. The family also relied on social assistance to help make ends meet. By the age of 16, AB Le had taken his first job delivering newspapers around his neighborhood.Slowly, he says, the family worked towards financial stability. His parents were able to attend college, his sister became a registered nurse, and AB Le graduated with a degree in chemistry.“Their dedication and self-improvement inspired me to always keep looking forward,” he says. “With steadfast strength of mind and a dedication to physical fitness, I learned from my family’s journey that life is always challenging, but not insurmountable.”He later joined the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF)...

[caption id="attachment_12855" align="alignnone" width="300"] HMCS Ojibwa is towed into Port Burwell Nov. 20, 2012, on the north shore of Lake Erie prior to making its way to the Elgin Military Museum.[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~ This summer if you are anywhere near Port Burwell, Ontario, seek out the sleek, cylindrical body of a former Royal Canadian Navy submarine.HMCS Ojibwa (S72) was an Oberon class submarine that served the navy from 1965 to 1998 when it was decommissioned. It was saved from destruction in 2010 by the Elgin Military Museum, who saw its potential as a land-based submarine exhibit.The 88-metre long and five story high submarine now rests on dry land just a stone’s throw from Lake Erie as a key exhibit for the Museum. Though its days as an RCN asset have long since passed, Ojibwa remains a technological marvel and constant attention grabber, says the museum’s executive director, Ian Raven.“When you stick a vessel that measures close to 300 feet and weighs 2.8 million pounds, hundreds of miles from the ocean and in a tiny community like this one, it certainly stands out and catches people’s attention,” he says. “It’s amazing how many people that look and point to it when they drive through town and stop by to ask us ‘is that really a submarine?’ then pose for pictures beside it.”Ojibwa spent most of her career on the East Coast with Maritime Forces Atlantic, but had two short deployments at CFB Esquimalt in 1977 and 1997. The boat was acquired by the museum in 2012 and towed by tug boat to the rural southwestern Ontario harbour town – population 7,000, located 72 kilometres southeast of London.Raven said the exhibit, which cost approximately $8.5 million to refurbish for guided tours, is part of a larger effort by the museum...

[caption id="attachment_12835" align="alignnone" width="300"] Boomer’s Legacy team members approach the finish point at the Legislature Building, June 12. Photo by Cpl Brent Kenny,MARPAC Imaging Services[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~A $20,000 donation by the Boomer’s Legacy Foundation to HeroWork will elevate Esquimalt-based Rainbow Kitchen’s ability to help those in need.The donation was presented to the Victoria-based charity by Maureen Eykelenboom, Boomer’s Legacy Foundation founder, and Capt(N) Steve Waddell, Base Commander, at the Legislature following the conclusion of  the ninth annual Boomers Legacy B.C. Bike Ride on June 12.HeroWork will now use the funds to mobilize the community to make repairs and upgrades to the Esquimalt United Church that houses Rainbow Kitchen.“It was a profound and heart-felt moment when all the Boomer’s cyclists arrived on the Legislature lawn, and it was a great honour to receive their support,” said Paul Latour, HeroWork founder and executive director. “Despite a long day in the saddle, the cyclists were all smiling and cheerful because they knew they were riding on behalf of their fallen comrades and their community.”The bike ride pulled together over 100 military and civilian riders and support personnel in a two-day, 240 kilometre ride from 19 Wing CFB Comox to the Legislature grounds in Victoria.Boomer’s Legacy Foundation was founded by Maureen Eykelenboom, mother of Cpl Andrew ‘Boomer’ Eykelenboom, a medic with 1 Field Ambulance killed in Afghanistan in 2006.The foundation is operated by the Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services (CFMWS) through the Support Our Troops Program, and distributes funds to people in need, both domestically and abroad.Lt(N) Colin Dudeck, a marine systems engineer with the Halifax Class Modernization Project, joined HeroWork  last year and said the $500,000 renovation project at the church will include a new roof, electrical upgrades, kitchen and bathroom upgrades, new flooring, landscaping, and repainting.Rainbow Kitchen provides lunches...

[caption id="attachment_12850" align="alignnone" width="300"] Westshore Navy Day. For an indepth look at Navy Day photos, click on above preview. Photos by Leading Seaman David Gariépy[/caption]On Saturday, June 11, CFB Esquimalt welcomed nearly 1,200 visitors to Westshore Navy Day held at the Colwood facilities. As a result of the hard work of the men and women of Maritime Forces Pacific, 39 Canadian Brigade Group and the Royal Canadian Air Force, visitors were able to take in a wide variety of displays and demonstrations that showcased what the members of the Canadian Armed Forces and Defence Team do on a daily basis. This was the first time in 10 years the base has hosted an Open House, and this unique location gave visitors a peek at a part of the base that many people didn’t even know existed.Thank you View Royal Casino, Royal Roads, BC Transit, Westshore Parks and Recreation, and Bell Media.

[caption id="attachment_12820" align="alignnone" width="200"] Leading Seaman (Retired) Harry Marshall died June 16 after a battle with cancer.[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~Hundreds of Royal Canadian Navy sailors rallied alongside the longest serving member of HMCS Protecteur in his fight against terminal cancer.Leading Seaman (Ret’d) Harry Marshall spent 13 years aboard the now decommissioned supply ship and according to all accounts the lovable boatswain was no “ordinary” Ordinary Seaman.Perhaps it is the proud Newfoundlander’s unwavering positivity about life that explained why Marshall amassed so much support in his unwinnable fight against stomach and esophageal cancer.“I don’t believe in bad days,” said Marshall during an over-the-phone interview from his hospital bed in St. John’s, NFLD, weeks before his ship sailed to his final port of call. “For me bad days don’t happen and I try to instill that belief in every person I meet.”But there were tough days for the sailor when his suffering heightened from the relentless and intense throat pain, persistent cough, and loss of feeling in his legs. He was given up to six shots of Morphine a day to cope.He was first diagnosed in August 2014 and although doctors thought they had stopped the cancer’s spread through surgery, it was re-discovered Jan. 20, 2016. He was admitted to hospital for a final time on April 10 after the stomach cramps and vomiting returned.As word of his condition spread, there was an overwhelming show of support for Marshall from the naval community. A Facebook page called ‘Friends of Harry’ generated more than 400 followers who wrote daily messages of support to Marshall, while dozens of family and friends travelled from afar to be at his side.“He wasn’t the type of guy that would go out drinking or partying, but was the one who would be there to drive you home...

[caption id="attachment_12729" align="alignnone" width="300"] RAdm Gilles Couturier, Commander of Maritime Forces Pacific/Joint Task Force (Pacific), presented replica medals of Capt Frederick Peters to the Esquimalt Wardroom. Attending the presentation at the wardroom were: Commander Brigitte Boutin, President of the Wardroom; CPO1 Mike Feltham, Formation Chief Petty Officer; RAdm Couturier; Capt(N) Steve Waddell, Base Commander; and CPO1 Gino Spinelli, Base Chief. Photo by LS Ogle Henry, MARPAC Imaging Services[/caption]Rachel Lallouz , Staff Writer ~ One of the most impressive rack of medals from a long ago Canadian naval hero is on display at the Esquimalt Wardroom.Thirteen medals, replicas of the originals, are encased in a shadow box along with a photo and biography of Captain Frederick Thornton Peters, who fought in two world wars before perishing in a plane crash just days after his release in 1942.Touted as Canada’s most decorated naval hero, Peters was revered June 3 at a small gathering in the Wardroom.Rear-Admiral Gilles Couturier presented the memento to Wardroom President, Commander Brigitte Boutin and Base Commander, Captain (Navy) Steve Waddell.Among the collection of medals is the Victoria Cross, the Distinguished Service Cross with Bar, the 1914 Star, the Victory Medal, the 1939-1945 Star, the Atlantic Star, the Africa Star, the Defense Medal, the War Medal, the Italian Messina Earthquake Medal, and the U.S. Distinguished Service Cross.“Capt Peters is Canada’s most decorated naval hero, and has the rare distinction of receiving multiple awards for valour in each of the world wars,” said RAdm Couturier in his address. “It is amazing that we have the honour of having these medals here.”The medals were given to RAdm Couturier during a Battle of the Atlantic Mess Dinner at HMCS Discovery in April, by Dr. John Blatherwick – an Honorary Colonel of 12 Vancouver Field Ambulance who served in the military for 39 years.[caption id="attachment_12730" align="alignnone" width="200"] Captain Frederick Thornton Peters[/caption]Captain Frederick Thornton PetersDuring the First World War, a young Peters was decorated with the Distinguished Service Order in January 1915, the first ever...

SLt R. Bailey, Contributer ~The Royal Canadian Navy in the Second World War was one of the largest fleets in the world. The hours were long, the environment unforgiving, and looming danger threatened at all times.Yet in these inhospitable circumstances a tradition was born: a tradition of naval gun shield art. The pride in one’s unit, the cohesiveness of the entire ship’s team, and the overall creativity of the individuals were on display in the chosen gun art.Each was unique; each had its own story.HMCS Ottawa is proud to continue this tradition on its new Bofors Mk III 57mm Gun Weapon System.The art work was designed by Chief Petty Officer Second Class Chris Fraser while serving onboard Ottawa, and applied by Fleet Maintenance Facility Cape Breton. It features a red griffin holding a 57mm high explosive round. Above the griffin is a banner commemorating the 20th anniversary of HMCS Ottawa, which is being celebrated this year.CPO2 Fraser drew his inspiration for the design from the three past HMC ships that bore the name Ottawa, particularly the G-class destroyer that served in the Second World War and had been named HMS Griffin prior to being transferred to Canada.When asked what led him to spearhead this project, CPO2 Fraser says he felt something was missing as he watched the gun was being lowered onto the fo’c’sle after Ottawa’s midlife refit. It lacked the uniqueness that helps define the spirit of the ship and its crew, he added. Having painted gun art on HMCS Whitehorse in the past, CPO2 Fraser once again felt it was time to rekindle this prized naval tradition.The entire HMCS Ottawa team has shown a level of professionalism and pride in accomplishing the mission through a busy trial period. This gun art symbolizes that effort and displays to the...

[caption id="attachment_12743" align="alignnone" width="200"] Tracy Voorthuyzen, winner of the Senior Women’s Gold Medal for the Canadian Armed Forces Running Nationals marathon in Ottawa, poses with her medals.[/caption]Rachel Lallouz, Staff Writer ~Leading Seaman Tracy Voorthuyzen took the Senior Women’s Gold Medal this year at her first Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) National Marathon in Ottawa on May 29.The road to gold was not an easy one. Mother Nature dished out a scorching day with temperatures hot enough to cook an egg.LS Voorthuyzen says it took all her skill, training and determination not to stop and walk, while others peeled off the course to be attended for heat stroke.“This was probably the most mentally challenging marathon I’ve done so far, out of all 15 marathons I’ve done,” she says.She completed the prestigious Boston Marathon in April and the Fort Langley Marathon just a mere two weeks before flying to Ottawa.Seven years ago, after some nudging from her son, she laced up her runners for her first long distance run - the Royal Victoria Marathon. Since then, she has worn through several pairs of runners.“I usually run five or six days a week, with two of those runs being shorter – maybe six km and then I’ll do a medium distance run between nine and 18 kilometres. The weekend is for my longer run, up to 36 kilometres,” she says.She says running clears her mind, and keeps her mentally fit.“I just love the feeling. I sort out the world’s issues when I’m on the road. It’s my meditation.”Like all competitive runners, she had a goal in mind for the 42.2 km Ottawa run.“My goal was to complete it in four hours and 15 minutes,” says LS Voorthuyzen. “But once the sun came out a couple hours into the run, things got nasty.”Every three kilometres...

Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~Petty Officer First Class  (Ret’d) Jean Pierre Fournier is the man behind this year’s Saint-Jean Baptiste Day Super Party in Victoria, The Quebec City native says the evening of music and entertainment at Victoria’s Edelweiss Club on June 24 at 8 p.m. can best be described as a celebration of Francophone World Beat.“This event is to celebrate the music of Francophones, not only from Canada but all around the world, and there will be something for everyone,” says Fournier. “We are going to mix all of the genres of music and bring them together on one stage.”Fournier, 56, served 19 years in the Royal Canadian Navy before helping found Victoria’s first French-language community radio station, 107.9 CILS FM in 1998. He has since moved on to concert promotion while also hosting his own radio show on his webpage Production Radio Franco Pacifique (www.prfp.info).Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day is a national holiday in Quebec and observed by Francophones from coast to coast. Today’s feast day of the Nativity of John The Baptiste festivities have evolved into a celebration of French culture with large street parties, music festivals, barbeques and fireworks.While Fournier will deejay and provide video entertainment for the Friday-night event at the German Canadian Cultural Centre, it will also feature a performance by acclaimed Togo-born Afro-Jazz fusion musician Joe Amouzou and his band the Safari League.“I have never played a Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day event before,” said Amouzou. “Because of my French origins – being a Francophone from Togo – I am really quite thrilled and excited to do this.”Amouzou, 61, is a vocalist who also plays guitar, piano and percussion. He has cut three albums and has been featured on CBC radio on multiple occasions. Another member of the band is Edmonton-born lead guitarist Dennis Green who has played with...

[caption id="attachment_12734" align="alignnone" width="200"] Sailing vessel Surt, with skipper Ed Life and lots of happy kids.Photos by PO Albert van Akker[/caption]PO2 Emily Agopsowicz, HMCS Malahat ~“Yo ho! Avast me hearties!” shouted an eye-patched captain aboard a colourful flag-festooned sailboat flying the Jolly Roger. A loud boom echoed, and a cannon blast of candy shot forward onto the jetty outside HMCS Malahat, much to the delight of the crowd of young “pirates” ashore.Malahat was once again transformed into a pirate’s paradise in support of Variety – The Children’s Charity’s annual “fun raising” event, Boat for Hope on Saturday June 4.This is the twelfth year Malahat has supported the event which gave over 300 children who have special needs and their families the opportunity to sail on an adventure in Victoria’s Inner Harbour. Children donned their best pirate rigs and boarded festive ships to set out on a quest to various “Treasure Stations” where a bounty of toys awaited. Malahat, ideally situated in James Bay, provided a perfect starting point for the adventure.“The Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) plays an important role in supporting our communities. Boat for Hope is a great example of the significant contribution our Naval Reserve sailors make across the Greater Victoria region,” said Lieutenant-Commander Michael Lawless, Commanding Officer, Malahat.The event kicked off at 10 a.m. where children and their families were greeted by Sonar, the RCN’s mascot. On the parade deck, Malahat sailors facilitated games supplied by the Esquimalt Military Family Resource Centre. Outside, a lineup of excited youth eagerly waited for their turn to take a ride on one of the festively decorated ships manned by skippers in the community who volunteered their time and vessels.Master Corporal Robert Stoodley, a member of 443 Maritime Helicopter Squadron, came with his wife and three children Carissa, Colten and Caydison....

[caption id="attachment_12753" align="alignnone" width="300"] RAdm Couturier, Glenn Cooper, a member of Real Property Operations, and Capt(N) David Mazur, Chief of Staff of Plans and Operations, observe members of the Urban Search and Rescue perform first aid on a mock casualty in Bamfield, B.C. during Exercise Staunch Maple. Photo by LS Ogle Henry, MARPAC Imaging Services[/caption]Rachel Lallouz, Staff Writer ~The very real threat of a major earthquake and tsunami looms in Vancouver Island’s future, and being ready to respond once the shaking stops is essential.Last week, the province and the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) joined together to test every aspect of their emergency response plans.For Joint Task Force Pacific (JTF(P)) that exercise was Staunch Maple, which verified the military’s operational readiness to support the Province of British Columbia in the event of a disaster.Should they be called upon to assist, the military has the ability to provide humanitarian assistance in conjunction with partner agencies such as Emergency Management British Columbia and Public Safety Canada. These needs may range from housing displaced people in barracks, or sending urban search and rescue teams to dig citizens out of rubble.  “When the province is hit with an earthquake event, it will very quickly need federal assistance for public safety from all regions in Canada, and in real life it will be a national event,” says Lieutenant-Commander Steve Shute, Exercise Co-ordinator. “This exercise is significant because it puts the province in a good position to demonstrate to the general public that we are in a high risk area, and that we are serious about exercising a contingency plan.”The three-day exercise was part of the larger Exercise Coastal Response, the province’s first full-scale earthquake and tsunami response exercise. It brought together stakeholders from all levels of government, as well as Emergency Management B.C. staff, First Nations,...

Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~A group of marine scientists has confirmed Second World War merchant marine vessel Coast Trader was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine in the Strait of Juan de Fuca inside Canadian waters.Officials from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), in partnership with the Vancouver Maritime Museum and Ocean Exploration Trust (OET), conducted a 10-hour dive June 2 in the waters off the coast of Vancouver Island, and located the 324-foot supply ship that was under charter by the United States Army 40 nautical miles to the southwest of Vancouver Island. “It certainly is a game-changer as far as Canadian history is concerned,” said Vancouver Maritime Museum Executive Director Ken Burton. “Up until this point we had operated under the belief this was a vessel under contract by the U.S. military that we believed was sunk in American waters.”The ship remained lost for 71 years until its discovery during a 2013 survey by the Canadian Hydrographic Service. The dive team, organized by Titanic discoverer Robert Ballard, used a remote-controlled robotic submarine dispatched from the deck of OET’s Nautilus research vessel to descend 138 metres to the wreck on the sea floor. The Remotely Operated Vehicle was controlled from URI’s Inner Space Center in Narragansett, RI, and captured images, measured water conditions, and conducted visual inspection of the sunken freighter and its contents.Burton noted that not only does the positive identity of the Coast Trader “completely alter our understanding of World War Two history” it also gives us a better understanding of the threat posed to Canada’s Pacific Coast by Japan at that time. Burton noted the dive also add credence to the theory that the Estevan Point lighthouse, a communications beacon for the Canadian Armed Forces at the time, was also likely shelled by the submarine a few...