Latest News

A Griffon helicopter from 430 Tactical Helicopter Squadron participates in Exercise Guerrier Nordique, near Schefferville, QC. The exercise was designed to prepare soldiers for future operations in northern Quebec.

[caption id="attachment_3476" align="alignnone" width="300"] Mia Larsen has been a tailor for the Canadian Forces for 50 years. On Feb. 26 she received the Queen's Diamond Jubilee medal from Premier Christy Clark at the Empress Hotel for her lifetime contribution.[/caption] In 1963 Mia Larsen sewed her first stitch on a military uniform at a shop in Work Point. From that point until now, a 50-year span, she’s tailored thousands of uniforms and mounted hundreds of medals. In recognition of this dedicated service of ensuring military personnel look their best, she received the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal from Premier Christy Clarke last Tuesday.“The fact that my staff thought enough of me to think I deserved this was very heart warming,” said Larsen. “I was shaking so hard I could hardly read the letter that came to my home, and after I read it I cried for a long time when I learned about receiving this medal.” Her three employees nominated her, feeling strongly that she fit the criteria of an outstanding, deserving individual.“We wanted to nominate Mia because she has been doing this so long and has mounted so many medals. We thought wouldn’t it be nice to see her issued one herself,” said long-time employee Donna Bird. Larsen still uses her original Singer sewing machine that is now 56 years old. “It is like everything else, if you look after it and take care of it, it will last you a lifetime,” she says. Five decades ago, 30-year-old Mia apprenticed with master tailor Margaret West.“She was a top-notch sewer and taught me everything I know.”  Larsen bought the business 13 years later when West retired. Eventually the store moved from Work Point to its current CANEX location, and slowly Larsen began to hire staff to fill the demand.This summer, she’ll celebrate...

The OneMatch Cell and Marrow Network is holding a “swab drive” on Tuesday, March 12 between 9 a.m. and noon at CFB Esquimalt Chief and Petty Officers’ Mess in conjunction with the Blood Donor Clinic being held between 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. “CFB Esquimalt and the Department of National Defence as a whole have always been such fantastic supporters and contributors to the Canadian Blood Donor” said Cassandra DeLuca, coordinator for OneMatch, “and I’m sure CFB Esquimalt will do the same for OneMatch.”What is OneMatch?OneMatch is a program of the Canadian Blood Services (CBS) and is recognized and supported by the Surgeon General of the Canadian Forces Health Services. OneMatch recruits healthy volunteers to be put on a donor list for patients with diseases, such as leukemia and lymphoma, which inhibit the ability to produce stem cells. What are stem cells?Stem cells are immature, blood forming cells capable of developing into any cell.How do I become a potential donor?Becoming a potential donor is done with a simple cheek swab which collects a DNA sample. The information stored on the OneMatch registry provides a brief snapshot of the potential donor’s medical history with the privacy of the donor being protected. Who can donate? OneMatch will accept all healthy donors between the ages of seventeen and fifty years of age. Is there an ideal donor?Yes, studies have shown that the best stem cell donors, meaning better long-term survival rates, are young males between seventeen to thirty-five years of age. Presently only twelve per cent of the registry is from this target group. Young ethnic males are especially being sought after because a patient is most likely to find their donor from their own ethnic group.Can patients’ family members donate stem cells?Yes, but unfortunately fewer than thirty per cent of patients, who...

[caption id="attachment_3469" align="alignnone" width="300"] Cdr Paul Francoeur, Commanding Officer of HMCS Calgary, was true to his word. Wearing a Toronto Argonauts jersey and HMCS Calgary’s ball cap, he hoisted up the flag before the ship sailed past Duntze Head, honouring the Grey Cup debt between his ship and HMCS Toronto. Calgary iscurrently conducting sea trials.[/caption]When the final whistle blew in the CFL’s East and West finals, it was determined the Stampeders would meet the Argonauts in Skydome to compete for the 100th Grey Cup.  In the spirit of sportsmanship, and in keeping with the finest traditions of the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN), a challenge was issued by the sailors of HMCS Calgary to the crew of HMCS Toronto.  The challenge was to stop bailiffs from taking over the ships, which HMCS Toronto quickly accepted, proposed that the Captain of the ship who’s namesake city team lost the Grey Cup game would don the opposing team’s colours, and hoist their flag when the ship sailed.  Such a challenge is by no means unprecedented, and the RCN has maintained close ties and has a long history with the CFL. Canadian warships proudly support their namesake city sports teams. The 1944 Grey Cup was actually won by an RCN team, when reserve sailors from HMCS Donnacona (Montreal-based) defeated the Hamilton Wildcats 7-6 at Civic Stadium (later Ivor Wynne) in Hamilton. So in the spirit of tradition, Cdr Paul Francoeur, Captain of HMCS Calgary, acknowledged the Toronto Argonaut’s 100th Grey Cup victory and honoured the ship’s debt to HMCS Toronto by proudly flying Argos colours as the ship sailed from Esquimalt Harbour last week. The crew of HMCS Calgary is looking forward to a win the 2013 CFL season, while sailors from HMCS Toronto sailors are hoping to repeat their 2012 success.HMCS Calgary

A soldier from Oscar Company, 3rd Battalion The Royal Canadian Regiment shows a thumbs  up after completing his Helicopter Insertion Drill on a Blackhawk helicopter prior to Joint Operations Access Exercise in Fort Bragg, North-Carolina.

A Royal Canadian Air Force CC-177 Globemaster III completes a heavy equipment drop at the Sicily drop zone as part of the Joint Operational Access Exercise, being held at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

Cpl Guillaume St-Cyr, of 2 Royal Canadian Horse Artillery, prepares to exit a C-17 mock up as part of the Basic Airborne Refresher (BAR) course during the Joint Operational Access Exercise (JOAX) at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

Pte Trevon Best from 1st Battalion, The Nova Scotia Highlanders (North), provides cover for troops during the final assault scenario as part of Exercise Southbound Trooper XIII. More than 600 Canadian and US military personnel participated in the exercise from February 17-23.

A soldier from 36 Canadian Brigade Group provides security for troops as they secure a village near his position during the final assault scenario as part of Exercise Sounthbound Trooper XIII. More than 600 Canadian and US military personnel participated in the exercise from February 17-23.

36 Combat Engineer Regiment, Halifax, initiates explosive training during Exercise Southbound Trooper XIII (Ex SBT XIII) at Fort Pickett, VA. More than 600 Canadian and US military personnel participated in the exercise from February 17-23.

[caption id="attachment_3431" align="alignnone" width="300"] Last week, Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence, announced plans to replace the existing A and B jetties in CFB Esquimalt’s dockyard.[/caption] With the grey hulls of naval warships looming in the background, Minister of National Defence Peter MacKay stood before base civilian and military personnel assembled on A jetty and announced a major project for the betterment of the navy. Both A and B jetty will be replaced by a more sophisticated berthing system.   The project will cost between $430 and $530 million, and will create an estimated 1,400 local jobs.“The government has already awarded two design contracts to AMEC of Halifax and Stantec Consulting of Vancouver. It will be very good news for the workers and businesses in the community,” said Minister MacKay. “Esquimalt and the surrounding region will see significant economic benefits from this project when it’s fully underway.” Once completed, the project will provide berthing space for four frigates, two Arctic offshore patrol vessels, one auxiliary oiler replenishment ship and two submarines.Fleet and warship size have outgrown the existing jetties.New steel and concrete pile jetties will replace the existing treated wood jetties that were originally built in the 1940s and have reached the end of their life.This project will also replace electrical wiring and telecommunications cables in order to meet modern standards.Design for the new jetties is expected to be ready in 2014 with construction to follow after the tender process is completed.In anticipation of this work, and to enhance habitat diversity, CFB Esquimalt constructed a series of underwater artificial reefs within the western entrance of the harbour in conjunction with Fisheries and Oceans in 2012. This infrastructure work represents phase two and three of a three-phased project. In June 2012 a construction contract valued at $19.7 million was awarded to Scansa Construction...

[caption id="attachment_3428" align="alignnone" width="300"] PO2 Bruce Bevil and barber Scott Attrill of Floyds Barber shop arm themselves with scissors in anticipation of cutting Jenna Boon’s hair. On March 22, providing $5,000 is raised for Sailors for a Cure, her long locks will come off during a head shave at Floyds. Funds raised during this event will support Ronald MacDonald house and children with cancer as part of Sailors for a Cure.[/caption] Even though Jenna Boon has been growing her long black locks for 26 years, she’s agreed to shave it all off at the skillful hands of Floyds barber Scott Attrill – that’s if base personnel can raise $5,000. The Base Duty Watch Coordinator agreed to undergo the clippers in support of Sailors for a Cure, a charity set up by PO2 Bruce Bevil on behalf of his sister-in-law Sandra Bevil who battled breast cancer.“Honestly, I didn’t have to think about it that long to tell him yes I will do it,” says Boon. “I think it’s a good cause. And it’s making an important statement that we can be beautiful with or without hair.”Her hair will be donated to Locks of Love, a company that makes wigs out of natural hair for cancer survivors. Monetary funds raised will go to the Ronald MacDonald House of B.C. in support of children with cancer.This year’s target is $50,000, including the $5,000 base goal. People can donate for both the overall campaign, or towards Boon’s head shave through www.sailorsforacure.com. Anyone wanting to witness the haircut should pop by Floyds on March 22 at 10 a.m. Sailors for a Cure began in 2003 when PO2 Bevil was deployed in HMCS Calgary and learned his sister-in-law had breast cancer.He wanted to help and asked his shipmates to take part in Operation Q-ball, an initiative...

[caption id="attachment_3425" align="alignnone" width="300"] Left to right, LS Jason Rupke, Lt(N) Peggy Kulmala and SLt Devin McCormick take pledges at the Heroes Panel phone lines.[/caption] For 47 years, television viewers have tuned in to watch the Variety Show of Hearts Telethon showcasing internationally renowned entertainers.Last weekend, viewers also saw 10 Canadian naval reservists from Victoria’s HMCS Malahat and Vancouver’s HMCS Discovery sitting on the telethon’s Heroes Panel taking pledges on the phone in Coquitlam B.C.“While on the phone, we had a chance to talk to donors and hear their stories,” said Malahat public affairs officer, Lt(N) Peggy Kulmala. “I was humbled to not only receive thanks for what we did supporting children with special needs in B.C., but thanks for my service to Canada and Canadians.”  The request for naval reserve involvement stemmed from Malahat’s longstanding support to Variety’s Boat for Hope in Victoria. Malahat has been supporting this community event since its inception in Victoria eight years ago.Boats For Hope is held on the first Saturday in June. Each year, more than 250 children, many with special needs, and their siblings and parents have embarked on boats of all shapes and sizes from Malahat jetties for a fun-filled tour of Victoria’s Inner Harbour. -Shelley Lipke, Staff Writer

Register today and start training. Do it because you can!

Find the collectable Roger’s Chocolate HMCS Rainbow Tin and Canadian Navy Chocolate Bar at CANEX outlets.

Crew members of HMCS Regina shared some special time with children of the Phillipines on Valentine’s Day. The warship is on its way back to Esquimalt after months away on duty in the Arabian Gulf.

Crew members of HMCS Regina shared some special time with children of the Phillipines on Valentine’s Day. The warship is on its way back to Esquimalt after months away on duty in the Arabian Gulf.

Cpl Doug Hines and Ron Perkin get some information from Heather Williams about the Navy Run at the MARPAC Expo, which took place at the Naden Athletic Centre on Feb. 6. The run takes place June 23. More information is available at navyrunesquimalt.com.

The Honourable Judith Guichon, Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, receives a Vice Regal Salute from the guard of Honour during the opening of the 5th Session of the 39th British Columbia Parliament on Feb. 5.

[caption id="attachment_3391" align="alignnone" width="300"] LS Bob McConnell and LS Andy O’Brien of Fleet Diving Unit (Pacific) wrap the remains of a marine locator marker in dirt and gun tape before transporting it for disposal.[/caption] LS Bob McConnell and LS Andy O’Brien of Fleet Diving Unit (Pacific) (FDU (P)) travelled to Prevost Island Feb. 7 in response to a call from a member of the public. Their mission: to find and dispose of a military marine locator marker that had been spotted on shore.Used to mark locations on the water of people in distress, marine locator markers (commonly known as smoke markers) are essential to marine search and rescue operations to mark potential dangers on or in the water, especially at night.  Normally, markers will fill with water and sink once they have completely burned, but sometimes they wash ashore, requiring disposal from trained personnel. That is where members from FDU (P) come in.  In response to information received by local authorities, members of the unit trained in unexploded ordnance disposal will travel to the location of the reported marker, find it and dispose of it properly.“If it is in a safe area we would dispose of it by using a small quantity of explosive on the marker as a precautionary measure,” says LS McConnell. “This helps safe-guard members of the public from any potential danger.”On Prevost Island, LS McConnell and LS O’Brien worked quickly to locate the marker, safely move it to the beach, detonate it, and, once it was safe, wrap the remains of the marker with dirt and gun tape to transport it for final disposal.“This type of call is probably the most common we receive at the Fleet Diving Unit,” said LS O’Brien. “It is very important these markers are disposed of properly, and we thank the...

[caption id="attachment_3388" align="alignnone" width="300"] Orca crew members stand ready.[/caption] As an Air Force Officer with a background in the Army Reserves, I will admit to being more than a little anxious when I found out this summer I was posted to work for the Royal Canadian Navy at CFB Esquimalt.  After more than 15 years in the Canadian Armed Forces, I had never seen a Canadian naval vessel up close, let alone sailed in one.Being always willing to accept a challenge and embark on a new adventure, I began to brush up on my navy ranks and learn some nautical terms before crossing the country to take up my post here in Victoria.  Before I knew it, the autumn passed in a flurry of training, emergency response exercises, construction projects and community relations, and the New Year arrived with my total “naval” experience being two hours on a Glendale tugboat.Finding this unacceptable, I immediately began to work to rectify the situation. I began with a morning hosted by LCdr Michelle Tessier and her crew in HMCS Nanaimo in January. Following this, I spent time on Orca-class training vessels belonging to the Patrol Craft Training Section of Canadian Fleet Pacific, which support the Naval Officer Training Centre’s MARS IV course Nabob.The course teaches basic seamanship and introduces naval personnel to shipboard life. I could not imagine a better introduction to the ships of the navy than spending time in an Orca observing the drive, determination, and level of training it takes to become a MARS officer.In the short time I spent in Patrol Craft Training Wolf, I was able to gain a basic understanding of what life at sea involves by observing the MARS IV Nabob trainees and Wolf crew during week two of their six-week sea phase carrying out the...

[caption id="attachment_3385" align="alignnone" width="300"] Members of the Castle Cary Pipes and Drums band march in a parade.[/caption] Here’s something you don’t hear everyday: bagpipers wanted.JD Baillie has been piping with the Castle Cary Pipes and Drums band for more than 25 years, and says the band’s receding membership needs filling.“Due to age and time we’ve seen a lot of members come and go,” says Baillie. “We used to have around 35 members but we’re down to about 14. We hope we can get membership back up to where it used to be. ”The band is recruiting as many new pipers and drummers as possible, and a lifetime of experience isn’t required to join as the band teaches members free of charge.“In the piping community there’s a culture of giving back. We want to teach as we were taught,” says Baillie. “We don’t want a lack of experience to be a barrier for entry. Everyone has to start their career somehow.”Those interested in joining the band will have to supply their own pipes, but drums are provided. The band also plays in full Scottish regalia complete with brogues, sporran, sgian dubh, and of course the iconic kilt.“We’re all about authenticity,” says Baillie. “We figure if we’re going to bother doing it at all, we might as well do it right.”This is a unique opportunity to be a part of a musical group that has been entwined with Victoria’s culture for almost three decades. Founded in the early 1980s, the band has become a staple of a number of events around Victoria including the Highland Games, the Remembrance Day Ceremony at the Langford Cenotaph, and Langford’s Freedom of the City celebration.Interested pipers and drummers are encouraged to contact the Castle Cary Pipes and Drums band at their website www.castlecarypipesanddrums.ca or to contact...

Minister of National Defence Peter McKay wraps up a visit to CFB Trenton with a trip to Batawa to drop the puck for the Trenton Pond Hockey Classic. McKay was in Trenton to announce the construction of two new facilities as well as upgrades to existing structures.

LCol Jean-Pascal Levasseur, Commander of the 5th Combat Engineer Regiment, is about to cross the finish line first during the "All Ranks Race" as part of the 5th Winter Games of the 5th Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group of Canada on Feb. 8, 2013 at Valcartier Garrison, QC.

Canadian Forces personnel unload a generator from a CC-177 Globemaster III in Bamako, Mali. The aircraft is transporting supplies to Mali for the French military, which as begun a mission to stabilize the security situation in response to UNSC Resolution 2085.

Able Seaman Dwayne Johnson paints on board HMCS Regina while deployed in the Arabian Sea for Operation Artemis.

[caption id="attachment_3357" align="alignnone" width="300"] The RCAF’s Flight Lieutenant Larry Spurr flew F-86 aircraft with the USAF from Suwon, South Korea. He completed 50 combat missions and achieved one MiG ‘kill’. Photo circa mid-1952.[/caption] This year has been designated as the “Year of the Korean War Veteran.”Veterans Affairs Minister Steven Blaney made the announcement Jan. 8 at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum. He was joined by Senator Yonah Martin, representatives from the Royal Canadian Legion, the Korea Veterans Association of Canada and Korean Veterans.“It is our duty today to pay tribute to more than 26,000 Canadian men and women in uniform who came to the aid of South Koreans during the Korean War,” said Minister Blaney. “And, in particular, the 516 Canadians who gave their lives in service to defend the values of peace and freedom on the Korean peninsula.”The Year of the Korean War Veteran coincides with the 60th anniversary of the Korean War Armistice. This year also marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Canada and South Korea.The Korean War began on June 25, 1950, and active fighting ended on July 27, 1953, with the signing of the Korean Armistice Agreement. Approximately 7,000 Canadians continued to serve in the tense theatre of operations between the signing of the Armistice and the end of 1955, with some Canadian troops remaining until 1957.Approximately 1,000 Royal Canadian Air Force personnel were involved in the conflict. Most, about 800, were from 426 (Transport) Squadron (at that time located at RCAF Station Lachine, Que.), while the remainder were fighter pilots, flight nurses, a cadre of supply, technical and photo intelligence personnel, and a Judge Advocate General.Twenty-one RCAF volunteer fighter pilots were sent to Korea for F-86 Sabre combat duties and they served in small scheduled groups starting from March 1952, until November...

The Victoria Royals will be showing their support for the Canadian Forces at their Second Annual Canadian Forces Appreciation Night on Feb. 23.The team will go head-to-head with the Kelowna Rockets in a night of fundraising, celebration, and fun at the Save-On Foods Memorial Arena.Grant McNeil, Promotions Manager for the Royals, says CF Appreciation Night is a cause close to the hearts of the players and staff.“Victoria is very clearly a naval city,” he says. “It’s important we show the public and community that we care and appreciate their service.”The game will be like any other game in the Royals’ regular season but with a Canadian Forces twist. The Royal Canadian Navy Naden Band will perform the national anthem, and the arena will be jam packed with displays and demonstrations by different CF units. Presentations include a weapons display from the Canadian Scottish Regiment, a Naval Reserve display from HMCS Malahat, and demonstrations of Explosive Ordnance Disposal equipment from the Fleet Diving Unit.“There’s going to be a lot of things to see and do that people might not get to experience otherwise,” says McNeil. “There’s so much about the military that civilians don’t understand, so at the event they can get a closer look.”The evening with also benefit various organizations with proceeds from the evening’s 50/50 draw and Chuck-a-Puck fundraisers going to the Military Family Resource Centre and Cadets Canada. Spectators are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items for the Mustard Seed Food Bank.The Royals will wear limited edition CF Appreciation Night jerseys, which will feature a logo and crest inspired by the military.“The game and the jerseys will be a great opportunity for the team to pay homage to the troops,” says McNeil. “We’re very proud to support the cause in any way we can.”The jerseys will be worn only for the Feb. 23 game and then will be auctioned off in various events throughout the rest of the season. The money from the auctions will go to the...

[caption id="attachment_3351" align="alignnone" width="300"] Reiki is a holistic healing practice that focuses on the channeling of universal energy to heal and balance the body and spirit.[/caption] When taking care of one’s health it’s important to be hands on. With Reiki it’s hard to be anything but. Lee Hindrichs, a Reiki Master, has been practicing the healing art for more than 25 years and is now offering workshops at the Colwood Pacific Activity Centre.“I thought it would be something military moms  and dads out there could really use, so I gave CPAC a call and they were into it,” says Hindrichs, a former army reserve medic.Reiki is a holistic healing practice that focuses on the channelling of universal energy to heal and balance the body and spirit.The three-day workshop consists of lectures and techniques that take students through the first two levels of Reiki training. It also involves training in reflexology, an alternative healing art that focuses on manipulation of nerve centres to relieve stress and treat ailments.Lectures are a mixture of theory and technique, as well as the history of Reiki.“Students will have questions, and I want to give them tools to answer the ‘why’,” says Hindrichs. “Most of the workshop focuses on the practical though. At the end of it each student will have around three or four complete sessions under their belt.”Her program focuses on balancing the feelings and stress brought on in the homes of military families.“I like to focus on the idea of Doctor Mom or Dad,” she says. “I want to give them the tools and resources to help their children and themselves cope with the feelings of a family member going away for a long time.”Hindrichs was first introduced to the world of Reiki in the mid-1980s while working as a registered nurse.“I was...

Sweeten your fund raising activities with a product that is consumable, collectable and giftable. Available at CANEX Esquimalt.