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[caption id="attachment_5111" align="alignnone" width="600"] The cast of “Heroes”, Alan Ormerod plays Henri, Bill Christie plays Gustave, and Thomas Holder plays Philippe.[/caption] An upcoming stage production looks to give Victorians a skewed and hilarious look at the lives of World War One veterans. The production, called “Heroes”, is a translation of a play by French playwright Gérald Sibleyras. Originally opening in London in 2005, Langham Court’s production is a first for Victoria and director Don Keith, who says he couldn’t be happier to bring it to the community. “It’s such an intelligent, witty play,” he says. “The cast is just delightful and they really bring a huge amount of talent to the production.” The show will run from Nov. 14 to Nov. 30 at the Langham Court Theatre and focuses on the lives of three World War One veterans who are living out their remaining days in hospice. While the subject matter is emotionally heavy, Keith says the play itself is a comedy, and it shows in the cast. “The characters are hilarious, they spend so much time together, they’re like three uncles who do nothing but bicker,” he says. “We did our best to do the characters and the source material justice, so it was important for us to get the relationships right.” While the original London production featured English heavy hitters Richard Griffiths, John Hurt, and Ken Stott, Victoria’s production features three new local talents. Bill Cristie, Alan Omerod, and Thomas Holder will take the stage as veterans Gustave, Henri, and Phillippe. “We’ve got an Englishman, an Irishman, and a Scot, so you can imagine the conversations they have,” says Keith. “It has been such a pleasure working with them and the experience they present is incredible.” While the last of the World War One veterans has died, Keith...

[caption id="attachment_5052" align="alignnone" width="300"] Cdr Lorne Carruth, LCdr Michele Tessier, Cdr Barb Clerihue and Jean-Paul Condon are featured in Kaleidoscope Theatre’s production of the Rocky Horror Show.[/caption] What do fishnet stockings, counter culture stage performance, and the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) have in common? Nothing usually, but this year they’re coming together for Kaleidoscope Theatre’s performance of the Rocky Horror Show. The production runs Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 at the McPherson Playhouse, and features a number of faces from CFB Esquimalt. “It’s been such a great experience getting this show together,” says Cdr Barb Clerihue, who will run the show as Kaleidoscope’s Stage Manager along with Assistant Stage Manager LCdr Michele Tessier. “We’ve got a great cast together, and this is definitely going to be one of the most all-out shows we’ve done.” The show is a performance of the original Rocky Horror Show, a cult stage musical that premiered in London in 1973 and spawned an equally legendary film in 1975. “This is a show with a lot of very important history and I’m so happy to be a part of it,” says Cdr Clerihue. “The cast is really giving it all they’ve got, so it’s going to be one memorable show.” A naturally organized motivator, Cdr Clerihue fit right into the role of stage manager. She says while the director creates the play, the stage manager makes it happened. “If I had to use a navy analogy, the stage manager is like the XO to the director’s CO,” she says. “The main difference is the military is an organization of discipline, whereas actors tend to do whatever they want. My career has definitely given me a leg up on getting these actors in line.” Under the bright lights of the stage the military is present as well, with Jean-Paul Condon of the Port Operations and Emergency Services Branch, and Cdr Lorne Carruth, Commander Coastal Division, hitting the stage as Dr. Everett Scott. “My wife shanghaied me into...

[caption id="attachment_5058" align="alignnone" width="300"] Maj (Ret’d) Louis Barbeau (right) presents PO2 Robyn Jutras with a certificate honouring her selection as the winner of the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry Centennial Quick March Competition.[/caption] The long and storied history of Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI) now has a little Naden Band flavour. PO2 Robyn Jutras, bassoon and tenor saxophone player for the Naden Band of the Royal Canadian Navy, was recently selected as the winner of the PPCLI Centennial Quick March Competition.“I was so excited to hear my march had been chosen,” says PO2 Jutras. “To have something I wrote become a part of the long and prestigious history of the PPCLI is a real honour.”The competition began in 2011 and urged military composers from across the country to submit their quick march compositions for the 100th anniversary of the PPCLI. PO2 Jutras, as a long time musician and composer, says she took to the competition right away.“I’d written a few pieces before so I thought this was the perfect competition for me,” she says. “I started listening to a ton of military marches, reading up on their structure, and got to work.”When it comes to composing, PO2 Jutras says military marches are among the easier pieces.“The pieces of a march all fit together more or less the same,” she says. “Obviously each one is different, but when it comes to structure they can be very similar. It made my job a lot easier.”Putting pen to paper and staff to bar, PO2 Jutras composed the march in just under a month. After submitting the march in February 2012, it wasn’t until the following August she would receive the good word.“I couldn’t believe it,” she says. “It wasn’t just winning a competition. Now my music is taking place next to all...

[caption id="attachment_5055" align="alignnone" width="300"] Leah Smith and son Daniel O’Regan enjoy the MFRC casual child care service.[/caption] Some might view it as babysitting to give the at-home parent a break. But for other people, the MFRC’s Casual Child Care service is helping young children from military families connect with other children in a meaningful way.Leah Smith and her husband LCdr Danny O’Regan have moved four times since 2006, including this past June from the United Kingdom to Esquimalt. Both of them grew up close to their families in Newfoundland and had to reinvent that makeshift support system with each posting.   “When you move regularly, you have to work hard to become part of the community,” says Smith on moving into a new area.  “Having the MFRC around makes the transition much easier.”Leah brings her two-year-old son Daniel to Casual Child Care at the Lampson Street location. It has given the parents a break while they do some renovations on their home, but Smith thinks her son is really benefitting from the experience. “It’s an easy way to get out and help your child create a community,” says Smith. “It is important for children to have the opportunity to try new things in a safe and nurturing atmosphere.” She wasn’t always able find something that she was comfortable with, but gave the MFRC child care on Lampson Street an opportunity. The MFRC provides her son a well-structured program in a very secure environment. Leah believes that it helps her son develop important skills. The experience allows him to develop a sense of independence. He tries new things and meets new friends. Afterwards, he talks about his friends and how he “plays and shares” at playschool. He talks to her about the care providers and even sings the cleanup song he learned....

[caption id="attachment_5015" align="alignnone" width="300"] Cpl Lessard (left) and Yao (right) pose in front of the Cormorant search & rescue helicopter that carried them to safety after four days of being stranded on Mount Jutland in Strathcona Park.[/caption] Cpl Jean-Simon Lessard had to put his survival skills to the test when he was trapped for four days in the mountains of Strathcona Park.The electrical distribution technician left Sept. 28 with friend Christopher Yao for what was to be a two day hiking trip on Mt. Albert Edward.Arriving at the park, Cpl Lessard says there was no indication such a drastic change in weather was on the way.“We didn’t hear anything about a storm when we talked to the park attendant,” he says. “The weather reports said it would be mild until Sunday, which was when we planned on leaving. We had no idea what we were in for.”The pair began their hike towards Mt. Albert Edward, following the well-worn trail past Circlet Lake and up towards the alpine. About one kilometre from the top of the mountain, Cpl Lessard and Yao realized something was wrong.“It was snowing a little bit and we found a small sign covered in snow. We brushed it off and it said ‘Mt. Jutland’,” he says. “We were on the wrong mountain. We decided to turn back then and make it back to Circlet Lake.”It was then the weather took a turn for the worse. Within minutes the 20km/hr wind kicked up to a blistering 100km/hr, bringing a blinding curtain of snow with it. Cpl Lessard and Yao were forced to make camp and wait out the weather.“We thought if we just waited for the storm to let up we could leave early the next morning,” he says. “We set up our tents next to a cliff...

[caption id="attachment_5012" align="alignnone" width="300"] Capt(N) Tim Tulloch (right), Naval Advisor for the Canadian Defence Liaison Staff London, presents Cdr James Stride, RN, HMS Duncan Commanding Officer, with a replica of the 2012 Centennial Totem in the City of Duncan.[/caption] A small piece of Duncan adorns a brand new Royal Navy destroyer following a grand ceremony Sept. 26 in Portsmouth, UK.The miniature cedar totem pole was presented to Cdr James Stride, Royal Navy (RN), commanding officer of HMS Duncan, the last of six Daring Class frigates to be commissioned by the Royal Navy.“It was a privilege and an honour to be asked to represent the Vancouver Island Branch of the Royal Naval Association and the City of Duncan,” says Capt(N) Tom Tulloch, Naval Advisor with the Canadian Defence Liaison Staff (London), who made the presentation. “It’s a tangible reminder of the enduring ties between Canada and the UK, and especially the relationship between the Royal Canadian Navy and the RN, which goes back over a century.”Principal guests at the ceremony included the ship’s sponsor Lady Marie Ibbotson, wife of Vice Admiral (Ret’d) Sir Richard Ibbotson, as well as First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir George Zambellas. The ship’s company assembled for the presentation along with a band of Royal Marines, and a piper to honour the Scottish heritage of the ship’s namesake, Admiral Adam Duncan.“The presentation was very well received by all who attended,” says Capt(N) Tulloch. “I had a lot of sailors approaching me afterwards asking questions about the carving and about the City of Duncan. Everyone was very interested and proud to have such a tangible connection to Canadian history.”The cedar statuette was carved by Kwakwaka’wakw carver Calvin Hunt, and is a one-tenth scale replica of the totem pole Hunt carved for the city of Duncan’s centennial in 2012. “It’s...

Each year Waste Reduction Week encourages Canadians to divert more of their waste away from the country’s landfills. This year Carrie Johnston of Formation Safety and Environment is asking CFB Esquimalt personnel to participate in a program that could significantly reduce waste at work. “It can be easy to forget the amount of waste we produce throughout the course of our day, but it’s important we stay aware,” says Johnston. Due to its size CFB Esquimalt is one of the more significant waste producers in the region and employees have a responsibility to exercise environmental stewardship in their daily duties, she adds. “CFB Esquimalt alone was responsible for more than 3, 300, 000 kilograms of waste material last year, of which over 1, 900, 000 was diverted from landfills,” she says. “We need to be proactive and diligent in finding more ways to reduce, reuse and recycle as much material as possible.” In the coming weeks Formation Safety and Environment in partnership with other units within Maritime Forces Pacific (MARPAC) will be initiating a number of pilot programs to further increase the streams of recyclable waste. These programs involve the separation and diversion of various types of recyclable materials such as soft plastics and Styrofoam, and compostable materials. “For example, with the exception of cafeterias like Nelles Block or the Wardroom, there aren’t facilities for composting kitchen and food scraps or really any organics at all,” says Johnston. “With the Capital Regional District’s looming ban of all kitchen scraps at the Hartland landfill by 2015 this is something we have to get in place as soon as possible.” Until these pilot programs are in place Johnston is challenging all units to start separating more of their recyclable and compostable materials now. By separating different materials into different containers in these...

As Blueprint 2020 Champion and Assistant Deputy Minister (Public Affairs) Edison Stewart put it in his recent blog on enhancing our ability to communicate, “talking is a wonderful thing.” He says before we can make fundamental changes to how we do things, whether here at Defence or government-wide we need to communicate better, share ideas more often, and listen to what each other has to say. As the largest organization in government, with some 130,000 people in locations throughout the world, sharing ideas isn’t always easy. But just because it may be difficult does not mean it shouldn’t be done. Online forum launchedTo help share ideas, a new online forum has just been launched to encourage dialogue and knowledge-sharing, and foster an innovative and collaborative spirit across the Defence Team. Called Defence Connex, the space is located on the government-wide GCconnex platform and uses online tools familiar to many, including discussion groups, polls and blogs. To participate, all you need is a “…forces.gc.ca” email address. Defence Connex is designed to get your input on two distinct engagement initiatives currently underway at Defence: Blueprint 2020 and Defence Renewal. Blueprint 2020 is a pan-government, Public Service-specific initiative that is examining how to fundamentally transform the Public Service and is limited to public servants. At the same time, the Defence Renewal initiative is examining the way we work in order to be more efficient and effective, engaging both public servants and Canadian Armed Forces members to find opportunities to reinvest in ourselves. Although distinct, these initiatives do share one very important theme – a focus on personnel engagement to collect your insight to forge a clear path forward. A one-stop collaboration shopDefence Connex is truly a one-stop-shop for you to connect and collaborate with your colleagues from across Defence, no matter your rank, classification, which organization you serve, whether you are military or civilian, or the distances involved. Senior leaders here at Defence are interested in your thoughts, and your participation on Defence Connex...

[caption id="attachment_4934" align="alignnone" width="300"] A Hull Tech QL5 student uses a high yield fire hose to suppress the roaring flames of a simulated Sea King helicopter crash.[/caption] A group of Hull Technician Qualification Level 3 (QL3) students spent Oct. 9 beating back a roaring tower of flames as part of their Helicopter Crash Rescue Fire Fighting (HCRFF) training.Clad head to toe in fire fighting gear and spraying torrents of water from hoses, students battled a simulated Sea King Helicopter crash. “It gives students an opportunity to fight a helicopter fire with the equipment they would be using on board an HMC ship’s flight deck,” says Sgt Jeremy Buckingham, Senior Firefighter at Canadian Forces Fleet School Esquimalt (CFFSE). “In the event of a helicopter disaster on board ship they’ll have a frame of reference for the type of things they’ll be dealing with, which is invaluable when it comes to saving lives.”The boxy metal simulator contains various liquid and gas propane ejectors that pump the required fuel for the helicopter fire fighting evolution. Portions of the simulator can be ignited at varying degrees of intensity with only the touch of a button, with even at lowest levels projecting a wall of heat over 30 feet in every direction.“We’re keeping the fires low today so the students can get near it somewhat comfortably,” says Sgt Buckingham. “At the higher levels, the radiant heat can melt the paint off cars if we’re not careful. It can get quite intense.”Students suppress the flames initially using Twin Agent Units: Aqueous Film Forming Foam and Potassium bi-carbonate (Dry Chemical). “These are the tools they’ll be using on the ship,” says Sgt Buckingham. “When it comes to fighting helicopter fires it’s vital to have an in-depth understanding of your equipment and how to used it.”This year’s QL3...

[caption id="attachment_4931" align="alignnone" width="300"] HMCS Oriole braves the choppy waves of the Strait of Georgia on the way back to the home waters of CFB Esquimalt.[/caption] A hand-picked crew recently returned from three weeks sailing the tall ship HMCS Oriole in the open ocean, with their compass set for San Francisco, and then back to Esquimalt. The journey was conceived by the Fleet as an opportunity for the temporary crew to get true seafaring experience in the 92-year-old sailing ketch.“They were chosen just before we left,” says LCdr Jeff Kibble, Oriole’s skipper. “We took applications from across the Fleet for people who were most deserving of the opportunity to sail on Oriole for three weeks. We lucked out and got a really great group of people.”San Francisco’s port resides 610 nautical miles away from Oriole’s home waters. “It’s the first time I’ve taken Oriole that far,” says LCdr Kibble. “In a way it was just as great an opportunity for me as it was for them.”During the trip, the crew got a salty taste of the ocean with cresting waves up to 20 feet high with 35 knot winds. This left many holding a bucket or doubled over the edge. However, LCdr Kibble says for the most part the crew stepped it up, followed instructions, and sailed like pros. “The boat itself was never in any danger, but a lot of the crew were not used to those kinds of conditions,” he says. “We had army guys who had never sailed a day in their life. Considering that, they sailed like real salt dogs.”During their five days in San Francisco, the crew was honoured with a visit from Cassie Doyle, the Canadian Consul General for Northern California and Hawaii. “She was very interested in the ship,” says LCdr Kibble. “It...

[caption id="attachment_4887" align="alignnone" width="300"] HMCS Protecteur's Replenishment At Sea (RAS) Team awaits the arrival of HMCS Ottawa into station in order to conduct a RAS on Oct. 2.[/caption] HMC Ships Ottawa, Regina and Protecteur sailed from Esquimalt Harbour today to take part in conventional maritime warfare training off the coast of Southern California from Oct. 7 to 11.  “This exercise provides another excellent opportunity for ships of the Pacific Fleet to train in partnership with ships of the U.S. 3rd Fleet,” said Rear-Admiral Bill Truelove, Commander of Maritime Forces Pacific. “This not only showcases the navy’s operational readiness, but our commitment to the Pacific region while strengthening defence relationships with our allies.” Military personnel from Canada and the United States will participate in Task Group Exercise (TGEX), which is designed to build and strengthen interoperability between the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) and the United States Navy (USN). This interoperability enhances Canada’s maritime contribution to global security.  Commodore Bob Auchterlonie, Commander Canadian Fleet Pacific, will be in command of the combined exercise.RCN ships will join USN ships Mobile Bay, Dewey, Ingraham, McClusky and Gary for exercises designed to strengthen individual and collective skills through demanding and realistic training at sea. This year’s training objectives include improving competency in conventional maritime warfare operations such as anti-submarine, anti-aircraft, and anti-surface warfare training.  Live fire exercises will also occur. Exercises like TGEX offer valuable training opportunities for the RCN in order to maintain operational readiness and deploy on joint operations in a rapid and effective manner when called upon by the Government of Canada. These joint operations can range from the provision of humanitarian aid and disaster relief to full-combat operations alongside our allies anywhere in the world. -MARPAC PA

[caption id="attachment_4884" align="alignnone" width="300"] Lt Laura Brunet sets up an intravenous line with Dr. George Benloulou to a simulated casualty on HMCS Calgary.[/caption] The hangar of HMCS Calgary was like a Hollywood set last Wednesday, complete with people in realistic makeup that simulated gruesome injuries. Skilfully attending to them were civilian doctors and military medical officers, with assistance from Calgary’s casualty clearance team, all participants in the submarine search and rescue exercise known as SMASHEX. The navy-led exercise prepares military and civilian medical personnel for the possibility of a submarine catastrophe.“Thankfully, submarine emergency rescue isn’t something we’ve had to deal with,” says LCol Nick Withers, Pacific Regional Surgeon and member of the Submarine Escape and Rescue Assistance Team (SMERAT). “That being said, it’s a very real possibility and something the Department of National Defence needs to be prepared for.”The exercise began in the waters off Colwood when a submarine failed to respond to radio communication. Soon after, people in immersion survival suits appeared in the harbour waiting to be rescued after escaping a fictional sinking submarine. Calgary, berthed at F jetty in Colwood, served as the rescue platform, with ship divers and zodiac crews plucking survivors from the water.  Once retrieved, survivors were hoisted on deck in an inflatable retrieval basket called a Billy Pugh. CPO1 Brian Schwenker, Calgary coxswain, says the exercise was a great way to promote teamwork in the face of disaster.“In times like this we need to operate like a well-oiled machine, not as a series of parts,” he says. “Training opportunities like this give us the chance to keep warm the skill we may one day need to save lives.”Following initial treatment in Calgary’s makeshift triage unit, casualties were tagged with internationally recognized triage cards indentifying the level of injury, and taken to Victoria General...

[caption id="attachment_4880" align="alignnone" width="300"] MCpl Gabriel Auclair trains for the 2013 Canadian Senior Weightlifting Championships.[/caption] As he balanced 177kg (390lbs) on his shoulders and chest for just a few seconds, MCpl Gabriel Auclair had a moment of uncertainty as to whether he could win the bronze at the 2013 Canadian Senior Weightlifting Championships in Edmonton, Alberta.But with brute strength and a desire to medal, the 28-year-old Aerospace Technician from 443 Maritime Helicopter Squadron heaved the bar laden with weight equal to two grown men up over his head. This clean lift earned him third place in his weight group in the May 19 weightlifting competition in which competitors attempted to qualify for international events.“The people I was competing against are the best in the country, and to compete alongside them was a pleasure,” says MCpl Auclair.The competition took place in the Saville Sports Centre and featured male and female weightlifters from across the country. Placing in the top three lifters of the “Over 105 kg” weight class in Canada, MCpl Auclair says this competition marks his most important performance to date.“I had an increase of about 30kg (66lbs) in my total weight lifted from two years ago,” he says. “I was really proud of my technique, and how I handled the competition. It was the best competition I’ve ever had.”To prepare for the event, MCpl Auclair trained around the clock, putting away Herculean amounts of food in the process.“I eat around 6,000 to 7,000 calories a day,” he says. “Homogenized milk, eggs, steaks, vegetables, I never stop eating. At first it was tough getting all of it down, but now I’m just hungry all the time.”The huge amounts of calories and protein factor into MCpl Auclair’s training regimen, which is devised by trainer Rob Macklem, whom MCpl Auclair met in...

[caption id="attachment_4834" align="alignnone" width="600"] OS Kelsey Smith and LS Sarah Davill scour a dockyard boat launch as part of the 2013 Great Canadian Shore Cleanup.[/caption] With garbage tongs and plastic bags in hand a small but enthusiastic team took to the task of cleaning the shore of CFB Esquimalt during this year’s Great Canadian Shore Cleanup.The team of military and civilian volunteers scoured Esquimalt Harbour and the surrounding shoreline for debris and detritus. “We had a smaller turnout this year, but it didn’t affect what we were trying to do,” says Lyle Fairley, Environment Officer for the Queen’s Harbour Master and team leader for the Great Canadian Shore Cleanup. “Last year was the first so we were cleaning up years and years worth of garbage and scrap. This year is more like an annual touch up.”The Great Canadian Shore Cleanup is a nation-wide event in which teams across the country collect, sort, and weigh the gathered waste, garbage and scrap to see who can collect the heaviest load.Last year saw over 3,000lbs of materials collected by volunteers, a number Fairley is confident won’t be exceeded this year—which he says is a good thing.“For one, we didn’t have any boats to dredge up this year. We’re hoping we can get some weight collected for the event, but to be honest no garbage is good garbage.”The Cleanup draws volunteers from all parts of the base. LS Sarah Davill is a student at the Canadian Forces Fleet School Esquimalt (CFFSE) Communications School, and says the Cleanup struck her as a way to do some good and get out of the office.“For a lot of us the harbour is our home as well as our workplace,” she says. “It’s important we do what we can to keep our home clean.”LS Davill says she was...

[caption id="attachment_4831" align="alignnone" width="600"] Cadet MCpl Quinn Patton displays aspects of the corps marksmanship program to possible new recruits and their families.[/caption] 2483 Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps opened its doors to new recruits and their families, as well as Corps sponsors and donors on Tuesday, Sept 17 as they prepared for their 61st training year.The Interactive Open House saw lots of community interest in the Army Cadet Program in Esquimalt, with the Corps cadets talking to possible new recruits (and their families) about the marksmanship program, band, orienteering, local, regional and national expeditions, as well as what the overall Canadian Cadet movement is all about. Cadets is about:  teaching youth to become better citizens and leaders promoting physical fitness instilling an interest in the Canadian Armed Forces Cadets is a non-profit, Department of National Defence sponsored youth organization for people between 12 and 18 years of age.The Canadian Cadet movement is always looking for new cadets and adults who are interested in becoming a Cadet Instructor Cadre Officer supporting this program. As well, there are no mandatory fees attached to being an Army Cadet, and these youth can earn high school credits for various aspects of the Cadet program.2483 PPCLI RCACC parades Tuesday evenings from 6:20 to 9:10 p.m. in the Nixon Gym at Work Point Barracks, with its headquarters, administration and supply located at 455 Head Street in Esquimalt.  If your child is interested in joining, come down on any Tuesday evening and the Commanding Officer and Corps Staff will show you why this is the best youth program in Canada. -Capt Grant Whittla, 2483 PPCLI RC(Army)CC

[caption id="attachment_4828" align="alignnone" width="600"] Government of Canada Workplace Charitable Campaign volunteer PO1 Dori Aubin sells 50/50 tickets as part of Fleet Maintenance Facility's fund raising activities.[/caption] The Fleet Maintenance Facility (FMF) Cape Breton kicked off their portion of the Government of Canadian Workplace Charitable Campaign (GCWCC) during an event Sept. 25 by the dry dock.“FMF provides a large portion of support to this campaign,” said Capt(N) Chris Earl, Commanding Officer of FMF. “We know how important it is to give back to our community, and we look forward to giving this year all we’ve got.”Volunteers took donations and sold 50/50 tickets, all to contribute to the GCWCC and its support of the United Way and Healthpartner organizations.The event itself is part of CFB Esquimalt’s larger fundraising campaign. The fundraising goal of $700,000 was announced Sept. 19 and is one Capt(N) Earl believes his unit can help achieve.“In the past FMF has really raised the bar in terms of donations, volunteers, and good work,” he says. “I know you can be depended on to roll up your sleeves when it’s time to give back.”Capt(N) Earl also spoke on the prevalence of GCWCC funded programs in the community, and the work they do for military members and their families.“You don’t have to go far to see the GCWCC helping people,” he said. “Whether it’s Big Brothers, Big Sisters, the Canadian Diabetes Association, or the Single Parent Resource Centre, they’re out there every day supporting the community.”As the event wrapped up Capt(N) Earl expressed his gratitude and pride for the unit he took command of only two months prior.“You are a group of incredibly giving, caring individuals,” he said. “I know if we all work together and do our best we can make this the best year for the GCWCC yet.” -Shawn O’Hara,...

[caption id="attachment_4793" align="alignnone" width="300"] Maritime Forces Pacific’s Senior Command Team and the Interim CEO of United Way hold up their donation forms just before the official Government of Canada Workplace Charitable Campaign (GCWCC) kick off, held at the Naden Drill Deck during the Industrial Supplier Trade Show Sept. 19. From left to right: CPO1 Shawn Taylor, Heather Gardiner, Capt(N) Luc Cassivi, RAdm Bill Truelove, CPO1 Paul Helston, Cmdre Bob Auchterlonie, CPO1 Michel Vigneault and Capt(N) Bradley Peats.[/caption] This year’s goal for the Government of Canada Workplace Charitable Campaign (GCWCC) was announced to thunderous applause at the 2013 Industrial Supplier Trade Show.Base Commander Capt(N) Luc Cassivi  announced CFB Esquimalt’s fund raising goal of $700, 000, stating it is a reachable and reasonable milestone.“We know the military community is one of giving,” said Capt(N) Cassivi. “We’re also a family-oriented one, and the United Way helps fund programs that aid families across the region.”CFB Esquimalt’s goal of $700,000 is a part of a regional goal of $6 million. Capt(N) Cassivi says the United Way and Healthpartners are able to help more people than most might realize.“One in three people receives some kind of help from a United Way funded group,” he says. “This isn’t just a campaign that affects us, it affects a huge portion of our community.”Interim CEO of the United Way of Greater Victoria Heather Gardiner was on hand to speak of the charitable spirit of the military community and of the United Way.“I myself have had support from United Way organizations in the past,” she said. “Without their help, and without the help of the military which is our biggest contributor, many people in our community would have much harder lives. Thank you so much for your help and care.” -Shawn O’Hara, Staff Writer

[caption id="attachment_4790" align="alignnone" width="300"] Instructor David Rogers from BC Hazmat Management Ltd. teaches a Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) course to employees of Seaspan.[/caption] A retired naval captain is changing the way marine industrial training is done in British Columbia.Capt(N) (Ret’d) Alex Rueben best known for leading Fleet Maintenance Facility Cape Breton and serving as MARPAC Chief of Staff, is the Executive Director of the Industrial Marine Training and Research Centre (IMTARC). Last February, the doors to his organization opened in a modest one-story building on the outskirts of Naden. For the first time in B.C. marine history, there is a centralized, specialized facility for marine industrial workplace training, research and development.“Before, many industrial marine employers worked out their own isolated solutions to training their workforces, if they could afford it or made it a priority. In the case of the smaller employers, the training was often unaffordable. Now, IMTARC makes the training affordable and brings the industry together in the classroom where they learn as much from each other as from the curriculum being taught,” explains Rueben. The facility features two classrooms with a 24 student capacity, and a 12-person computer lab with one-touch projection systems and networks that allow direct conference calling to classrooms across the country.“Some of our clients are large organizations with operations in several locations so they need to be connected,” says Rueben. “This lets them offer the same level and fidelity of training to multiple classrooms at the same time.”IMTARC serves the needs of marine industrial organizations by brokering training provided by private and public training service providers, leasing out the   learning facilities, and developing new curriculum for topics such as ship repair industry entry level training (pre-employment course), industrial marine estimating, industrial marine planning and scheduling, industrial marine terminology, and various leadership...

[caption id="attachment_4787" align="alignnone" width="300"] Newly appointed Honorary Captain (Navy) Peter Bissonette, President of Shaw Communications, accepts a toast at his official appointment ceremony.[/caption] The Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) grew by one prestigious member Sept. 18 as Shaw President Peter Bissonnette was appointed Honorary Naval Captain.Friends, family, honoured guests and military personnel gathered at the Military Museums of Calgary to see him sworn in by Rob Nicholson, Minister of National Defence.“It is a privilege to appoint Mr. Peter Bissonnette as an Honorary Naval Captain,” said Minister Nicholson. “As a prominent member of the Calgary business community, I am convinced he will be an excellent ambassador for the Navy and continue to strengthen the vital relationship between the Royal Canadian Navy and industry.” The President of Shaw Communications heard about his naval position nine months ago and says he’s proud to join the naval community.“I sat down with VAdm Maddison in December for the interview, which coincidentally fell on my birthday,” he says. “When I found out that I’d been accepted I thought it was the best birthday present ever.”The Minister of National Defence, on the recommendations from the Chief of the Defence Staff and the Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy, is the approving authority for all appointments. These appointments are generally for a period of three years, although extensions may be granted.HCapt(N) Bissonnette’s official appointment took place in his hometown of Calgary. He’s already received his new salt and pepper uniform, which has garnered the praise of his wife Tracy. “She has always loved a man in uniform, so that’s a definite plus,” HCapt(N) Bissonnete says. “When I got fitted for it I took a picture and sent it to her. She’s happy and that makes me happy.” He considers his role as further service to Canada, having already served...

[caption id="attachment_4778" align="alignnone" width="300"] Naval Boarding Party students take a firing position with the Colt Canada C8 rifle. The live fire was part of a training course.[/caption] The crack-crack-crack of assault rifle fire last week signified a completed bullet point on the Naval Boarding Party (NBP) course lesson plan.A group of 20 students from Canada and abroad gathered at Heals Rifle Range in Central Saanich for live fire training.“Live fire training is an integral part of the NBP course,” says PO1 Ian Biller, Senior Instructor for the NBP Cell. “It’s just a small part of the overall curriculum, but it’s a vital and important one.”The eight-day range portion of the NBP course gives students a chance to get acquainted with the standard issue weapons of a Royal Canadian Naval boarding party: the Sig Saur 9mm pistol, the Colt Canada C8 rifle, the Remington 870 shotgun, and the MP5 submachine gun.“We teach them how to operate, care for, clean, and maintain those weapons,” says PO1 Biller. “By the end of the course we hope they’ll have a firm handle on what those weapons do, need, and mean.” Instead of the human shaped target made famous by Hollywood action films and TV cop dramas, students fire at a series of targets, starting with three inch circles to master the fundamentals, and eventually transitioning to human size silhouettes for faster, more realistic shooting skills. “We find when students start off shooting at human size targets they have a tendency to forget about accuracy,” says PO1 Biller. “This way we can call out certain numbers on the target and the students focus on being as careful and accurate as possible.”Live fire training is but a small part of the NBP course’s overall curriculum. Students are also taught the legal process behind boarding a vessel,...

[caption id="attachment_4775" align="alignnone" width="300"] The refurbished units in Belmont Park now have resilient Hardy Plank siding and a fresh coat of paint.[/caption] Open concept design and wheelchair accessibility are just two of the new changes made to seven of the 704 residential housing units (RHU) at CFB Esquimalt. The Canadian Forces Housing Agency (CFHA) listened to feedback by residents and developed an initiative to modernize some of the 60-year-old homes. “We’ve been getting a lot of comments and feedback from residents for things they would change about the housing,” says Anne Corkery, Chief of Business Operations for CFHA. “For instance, we found a lot of residents were using the ground floor bedroom in the units as a dining room due to lack of space.”Work started last year on the Belmont Park homes, which were chosen based on the amount of overhaul required. One home had severe water damage from a broken toilet. Story Construction Ltd. and Aral Construction did the renovations, which included converting a bedroom into dining space. Days of large families have long gone, allowing CFHA to modernize the homes based on current family needs. New roofs, siding, windows, doors, and flooring have transformed the once tired looking homes into contemporary dwellings. They’ve even revamped the interior for better flow.  “It’s important to us that the renovations are long lasting,” says Corkery. “If we’re going to be putting time and money into these houses, they should be of the highest quality possible.”The final touch was accommodating persons with disabilities by widening both the front and back door. “Our goal is to make this housing as comfortable as possible, since some families will be living here for years,” says Corkery.This minor recap project isn’t the only project with houses receiving attention. Last year a kitchen upgrade project was completed...

[caption id="attachment_4771" align="alignnone" width="300"] Angela Lavergne and dog Moxxii train at the Urban Search and Rescue facility at Work Point.[/caption] When Angela Lavergne and dog Moxxii go for a walk, it’s not trails and lakes they head for, but piles of rubble and dense tree lines.Lavergne and Moxxii are urban search and rescue volunteers and have been training in tracking and searching together for almost two years.Lavergne adopted Moxxii as a puppy, and within a year she realized the rambunctious German Sheppard was the “worst pet ever.”“I can’t tell you how many pairs of shoes, books, backpacks, and jeans I had to replace,” says Lavergne, administrative assistant to the Admiral. “She was just so energetic and excitable, no matter how I trained her. I didn’t know what to do.”It was around this time she came to a revelation. “When I would throw a ball for her she would zip out, grab it, and bring it right back to me. Her hunting instinct was very strong, and I thought maybe she could put that to use.”Lavergne, also a member of the Peninsula Emergency Measure Organization (PEMO) search and rescue, began working Moxxii in tracking and says the dog took to the task with a hunger.“We treated it like a game,” she says. “We would have someone run 15 feet away and hide behind a tree. When Moxxii would run and find them we’d give her treats and have a little party, and then do it all again.”Two years ago Angela approached CFB Esquimalt’s Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team, which specializes in search and rescue in urban environments, to use their training area. USAR prepares for a variety of situations, from missing persons to urban disaster rescue, on their simulated training environments in Work Point.“We started training five days a week...

[caption id="attachment_4705" align="alignnone" width="300"] HMCS Algonquin sustained significant damage to its hangar during a tow exercise with HMCS Protecteur.[/caption] Now that HMC Ships Protecteur and Algonquin are alongside HMC Dockyard after a collision at sea Aug. 30, two separate investigations have commenced: A technical survey and a Board of Inquiry.   Algonquin sustained significant damage to her port-side hangar during a towing exercise with Protecteur. “A technical survey is being conducted to determine the extent of the damage to Algonquin,” said Cmdre Bob Auchterlonie, Commander Canadian Fleet Pacific (CANFLTPAC). “On completion of that survey, a plan will be developed to repair Algonquin with the goal of returning her to sea as quickly as possible. Protecteur, however, suffered only cosmetic damage that has already been repaired and she is scheduled to return to sea this week.” While the exact cause of the collision is unclear at this time, a Board of Inquiry is being convened to investigate the incident. The Board will examine all the evidence and contributing factors that led to the incident, and make a determination as to the causes. The board will also make recommendations on how to prevent similar incidents in the future. The collision cut short what was to be a four-month deployment to the Asia Pacific region. Disappointment rippled through the ships’ crews when they realized there would be no trip to Sydney, Australia, for the International Fleet Review, and diplomatic visits to various Pacific Rim nations. “There’s no way around it, it was going to be a great trip for many of these sailors,” says Cmdre Auchterlonie. “But as professional sailors, they responded by taking on the new challenge of doing what it takes to get both ships back to sea.” Both ships stores were filled with supplies, including perishable food items that had...

[caption id="attachment_4742" align="alignnone" width="300"] Amanda Kaluza clears trays and washes dishes at Nelles Block along with Alexandra Lambeck. Kaluza is on the Federal Student Work Experience Program (FSWEP).[/caption] There is a unique résumé bank available for government employers that unites full-time students with short-term or part-time jobs. The Federal Student Work Experience Program (FSWEP), established in 1990, is administered by the Public Service Commission of Canada.  The program is open to full-time secondary or post-secondary students in an accredited institution. Applications are added to an e-recruitment inventory, and when a government department needs extra help, possible applicants are pulled from the database.   For Amanda Kaluza, a fourth year anthropology major at the University of Victoria, her application was drawn from the pool, and eventually scored her a job with Base Foods for the summer. This drew a sigh of relief as regular job hunting had garnered no paid employment.      “A lot of places weren’t willing to hire me since I’d be continuing school at the end of the summer,” she says. For the last two months she has donned an apron and helped out in Nelles Block, washing dishes, boxing lunches, and replenishing the salad bar. While it is not the most glamorous work, for a university student with a full work load it’s the best kind of job around - a flexible one. “Base Foods has been very understanding and aware that I’m going back to school,” she says. “They know that it’s a priority for me, so they’re working with my schedule.” She re-applied to work at Base Foods during the fall semester and was granted another few months employment. “Once you’re in the program it’s a lot easier to re-apply,” she says. “The people I work with are so positive and helpful that I wouldn’t...

[caption id="attachment_4739" align="alignnone" width="300"] LCol Chris Linford will be at the CFB Esquimalt CANEX on Sept. 12 to sign his book, “Warrior Rising.”[/caption] LCol Chris Linford is filling the shelves with his book Warrior Rising: A Soldier’s Journey to PTSD and Back, a personal story about his struggles with the illness, and the tools he used to overcome it. To honour his writing journey, there will be a book launch and signing next Thursday, Sept. 12, at the CFB Esquimalt CANEX. “It’s been a long, hard road and I’m glad to finally see the end,” says LCol Linford, a former nursing officer. “I’ve put my heart and soul into this book and to get it out to the public is hugely gratifying.”From noon until 3 p.m. people can meet and talk with the military veteran and learn firsthand about his experience, and buy a copy of his book. “This book is about what happened to me and how it affected my life and my family’s lives,” he says. “I think it’s important to hear about these things directly from me. It affects way more people than a lot of people realize.”The soldier’s struggle began with his deployment to the Gulf War, and continued through his time in Rwanda during the Genocide of 1994, and finally his seven months in Afghanistan at the NATO Role 3 Combat Hospital in Kandahar. At the keyboard he had to re-live the memories that had afflicted so much pain. “It wasn’t easy reliving those memories,” he says. “I had to stop and collect myself pretty often. I still remember those times like they were yesterday and it can be painful.”Following the book signing at CFB Esquimalt, LCol Linford and wife Kathryn will fly to St. John’s, Newfoundland, for the Sept. 19 start to the book...

[caption id="attachment_4705" align="alignnone" width="300"] HMCS Algonquin sustained significant damage to its hangar during a tow exercise with HMCS Protecteur.[/caption] On Friday, Aug. 30, at approximately 11 a.m. PST, HMC Ships Algonquin and Protecteur collided at sea while conducting exercise manoeuvres en route to Hawaii. Algonquin sustained significant damage to the hangar on her port side while Protecteur sustained damage of a lesser degree to her bow.There were no reported injuries, and both ships have returned to their home port of CFB Esquimalt.The full details of the incident are not yet known but a thorough and rigorous damage assessment has commenced.  The goal is to get both ships back to sea as soon as possible.A Board of Inquiry will be convened to further investigate the incident and circumstances surrounding it, and will make recommendations as to how to prevent a similar event from occurring in the future. The ships were conducting a towing exercise where Algonquin was required to make a close approach to Protecteur in order to pass the necessary gear to take her under tow, simulating a loss of propulsion onboard Protecteur.This activity was being conducted as it is a routine training exercise. RCN ships may be called upon at anytime to conduct this evolution in any environment to aid a stricken vessel.This training exercise is necessary so ships are prepared to respond to an emergency at sea in any environment.  Most navies maintain an ability to take another vessel under tow. -MARPAC PAO

[caption id="attachment_4702" align="alignnone" width="300"] CPO2 Jamie Lone, Bob O’Blenis, Jack Panter, Richard Vandekamp, and Jim McEachern dip their tires into the Pacific Ocean following the 2013 cross country Military Police Motorcycle Relay Ride.[/caption] After an 8,338 kilometres trek in the saddle, CPO2 Jamie Lone was relieved to see the Pacific Ocean.The Fleet School Hull Standards Chief returned Sunday Aug. 25 from a 20-day cross-country charity ride that began in Halifax as part of the 5th Annual Military Police National Motorcycle Relay Ride.Flanked by his team of three West Coast riders, CPO2 Lone backed his rear tire in the ocean at Macaulay Point for a salty dip. It was the finale to a ride that began Aug. 6 with a dip in the Atlantic Ocean in Halifax.“We wanted to give ourselves a physical goal,” he says. “Knowing the Pacific and home was waiting for us on the other side was a pretty great motivator.”As part of the relay, around 125 riders from provinces across Canada joined a leg of the journey, but only four rode all the way across the country.“We would meet provincial riders and they’d ride with us to the other side of their province,” says CPO2 Lone. “It was awesome to have that level of support from riders we’d never met before.”Sleeping in bases and armouries, and eating in legions along the route, the four-member team met hundreds of supporters. Some drove home the reason they were on the ride.“We met a visually impaired girl who had recently applied for funding through the Military Police Blind Fund,” he recalls. “She was such a smart, vibrant young girl and the kind of person we were helping with our ride.”To ensure they made their 20 day time frame, riders were on the road up to 12 hours; for two consecutive...

[caption id="attachment_4699" align="alignnone" width="300"] Meal rations are being reviewed in the field by Ann Delaney (left), Edith Jutras (centre) and Julie Brooks (right).[/caption] This fall, soldiers on exercises at various field units will be eating their lunch with the team from the PMO National Combat Rations Programme who will be hearing comments and opinions on the food and its packaging in an operational environment.  Edith Jutras, Manager of the Program, says ration packs used to have feedback forms inside, but the rate of return was extremely low. She believes being in the field with the troops will build an understanding of what soldiers like and don’t like about their rations, and will help steer improvements in years to come. “The troops will have a chance to meet and talk directly with us,” she says. “In the past few years we have focussed our efforts on improving food taste and variety. Now we will evaluate the packaging in order to make it more in line with soldiers’ needs. We’ve already cut down the number of loose items in the ration pack in response to soldier comments, and we’re looking at switching to reusable packaging if possible.” The PMO National Combat Rations Programme is part of the Directorate of Food Services in the DCOS division and is responsible for the shelf-stable packaged meals that are provided to soldiers in the field. The small three-person team designs the rations and validates requirements, works with industry to develop recipes and new products, contracts for all the components, supervises production and assembly, conducts testing and quality validation, and provides expertise on stock management. Combat rations must adhere to NATO standards for nutrition and interoperability so allied soldiers can easily eat rations during joint operations. The team works years ahead due to a long production and...

[caption id="attachment_4665" align="alignnone" width="300"] HMC Ships Protecteur and Algonquin are headed to the Asia Pacific Region for Westploy.[/caption] Warmer waters are in the future for HMCS Protecteur and Algonquin as they head south for Westploy. HMCS Protecteur left Monday for the strategic deployment that will see them working closely with the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) for its International Fleet Review, as well as strengthening relationships with other Pacific Rim nations and trade partners. HMCS Algonquin is expected to leave shortly. “It’s an opportunity for Canada to show its interest in and commitment to the whole of the Pacific Region,” says Cdr Todd Bonnar, Commanding Officer of Protecteur. “The region’s security challenges have been shown to have an effect on international commerce in the way of shipping routes and trade relationships. We’re doing our part to support that security.” Cdr Ryan Tettamanti, Commanding Officer of Algonquin, says this deployment is the kind of trip that entices people to join navy because of its many port visits. “Plus, we’ve got four months of uninterrupted sea time,” he says. “It gives the crew a lot of time to sign off on training packages, and to complete qualifications. It’s such a great environment of learning and progress.” The RAN’s International Fleet Review takes place from Oct. 3 to Oct. 11 in Sydney Harbour and will feature ships from more than 20 nations. The event is anticipated to host 40 warships and 20 tall ships to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the RAN fleet’s first entry into Sydney Harbour. “It’s a great way to show our support for our naval allies as well as maintain relations with navies all over the world,” says Cdr Bonnar. “It’s going to be a once in a lifetime event and the crew is very excited.” The Fleet Review is...

Lying on the couch watching TV, Jill Munro came up with an idea that might win her $50,000.Munro, daughter of LCdr (Ret’d) Dave Munro, zeroed in on the “Lay’s Do Us a Flavour Contest” while recuperating from a severe back injury. The contest encouraged Canadians to send in their flavour ideas along with a few key ingredients, from which a group of four finalists would be chosen.Laid up on the couch for months, and desperate for a distraction, Munro took to the contest with a hungry passion. “I probably entered about 10 flavours,” she says. “I just kept thinking about what I would want to eat and the ideas kept coming to me.”Among Munro’s proposed flavours were Balsamic Vinegar, Poutine, Maple Bacon, and Spicy Deli Mustard, but it was her Creamy Garlic Caesar - with garlic, parmesan cheese, and cream - that got Lay’s attention.“I got a call from my parents about three months later saying someone was calling and asking for me,” she says. Creamy Garlic Caesar potato chips was one of four flavours chosen out of 60,000 entries. That earned her a finalist’s $5,000 cheque.  She was flown to Toronto to meet the other finalists, receive media training and conduct interviews.“It was all really cool,” she says. “I’ve never done anything like that, so I felt a bit like a celebrity.”She is now in the running for the $50,000 grand prize, plus one per cent of sales for the duration they are on store shelves.The contest ends in November after the public tastes and votes on line. The four flavours - Creamy Garlic Caesar, Perogy Platter, Maple Moose, and Grilled Cheese and Ketchup – are available in stores for a limited time. “It’s a long time to wait,” says Munro. “I’m just trying to keep my self distracted. I hope it works out.”If she wins the money responsibility will most likely overtake luxury.“I’ll probably pay off my student loans,” she says.To cast your vote online for Creamy Garlic...