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Canadian Special Operations Forces board the vessel of interest, Strait Explorer, during a demonstration exercise.

Crewmembers from Her Majesty's Canadian Ship Regina, performing an emergency flying stations drill.

An officer from the Indian Navy (right) welcomes Commander Jason Boyd (left), Commanding Officer of Her Majesty's Canadian Ship Regina to Kochi India.

Master Seaman Pierre Lacombe (foreground) and Leading Seaman Matthew Denis load CHAFF Launchers on Her Majesty's Canadian Ship Regina

HMCS Oriole's past and present crew members, as well as honoured guests, gather for a group photo.

[caption id="attachment_2056" align="alignnone" width="300"] On August 28th, 2012, Her Majestyís Canadian Ship (HMCS) ORIOLE marks 60 years of service in the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN).[/caption] It was a double celebration for HMCS Oriole last week, as she celebrated 91 years since sliding into the water for the first time, and 60 years serving Queen and country. Festivities unfolded at the Naden boatshed Aug. 28 with veterans, current serving members and past shipmates, friends of the navy and the media to hear stories and honour the 31-metre sailing ketch. “This is a joyous, historic and important occasion,” said the ship’s Captain, LCdr Jeff Kibble to the crowd. “Today we celebrate the many junior officers and sailors who developed as professionals starting their career in Oriole. We also celebrate the ship’s involvement with sail training, public relations, and the ship’s value to the navy as an international ambassador.” To honour 60 years service to the Queen, a Diamond Jubilee coin was specially crafted from the brass of an old stern light and features the Oriole bird. The special Diamond Jubilee coin can be purchased for $25 through the ship’s canteen or shore office. In attendance were three great grandchildren of the ship’s original builder and owner George Horace Gooderham. “Our families are very proud that this wonderful sailing ship is healthy, busy and continues to serve with all her soul,” said great granddaughter Tawny Maclachlan Capon, who travelled from Gabriola Island. “I remember my grandmother telling me they used to swim and fish off the deck in Lake Ontario, but if there was anything official like a sail past, all the women would have to go below. She would be happy to see the men and women of the Canadian Forces all stand together on deck today.” Modern day stories also surfaced...

[caption id="attachment_2051" align="alignnone" width="300"] Military spouse Crystal Maxwell is dressed as The Black Widow, as portrayed by Scarlett Johansson in Iron Man 2 and the Avengers. On Sept 13 she will rapel off the CIBC tower to support children with disabilities who want to attend Easter Seal's Camp. Maxwell is looking for donations to help the kids.[/caption] Last week military spouse Crystal Maxwell stepped into her homemade Black Widow superhero costume and took the spotlight for a photo shoot with a towering building as backdrop – one that she will rappel down on Sept. 13. The scene on the corner of Douglas and View Streets garnered attention as she struck similar poses to that of Scarlett Johansson, The Black Widow superhero in Iron Man 2 and The Avengers. Maxwell’s incentive is to raise money for the Easter Seals Drop Zone, which sends more than 300 local children with disabilities to Easter Seals Camp Shawnigan each summer. “I came across this and it sounded like a great idea,” said Maxwell. “How many times in your life do you get to dress up as a superhero and jump off a building? It seemed like a great way to supports B.C. kids,” she said. So far she has raised $300, but in order to rappel from the building and be the superhero she wants to be, she must fund raise $700 more. Although she’s not fond of heights, she says the kids matter most and she will face her fear as she scales down the 13-story CIBC building to a crowd of wellwishers and media. The Drop Zone is held in locations across Canada and this year will be the 7th annual Victoria Drop Zone. The charity destination, Camp Shawnigan, is unique from other summer camps. “They have special climbing walls and special...

[caption id="attachment_2047" align="alignnone" width="300"] Cpl Sheldon Crawford shows Junior Tour de Rock Rider Matt Williams around HMCS Vancouver during a tour of CFB Esquimalt[/caption] Military Police Officer Cpl Sheldon Crawford will remove his beret and strap on a bike helmet for this year’s Tour de Rock. Clipping into the pedals of a carbon fibre racing bike, the 25-year-old Central Saanich native will ride with a team of local police officers, media, and special guests on a 13-day, 927 kilometre bike ride down the length of Vancouver Island from Sept. 22 to Oct. 5. The ride is in the name of the Canadian Cancer Society and Camp Good Times, a special summer camp at Loon Lake in Maple Ridge for kids with cancer. “It’s an opportunity for them to forget the illness and surgeries and just be kids,” says Cpl Crawford. “These kids are the real heroes. They’re what this is all about.” For Cpl Crawford, the opportunity to take part in the Tour de Rock is a childhood dream come true. “Every year there would be mass head shavings and the team would ride by the school. It was such a big event,” he says. “I’m really honoured to be able to finally take part.” In preparation for the rigours of the ride, the team undergoes a lengthy training process, working on distance, speed, and endurance. Much of the route is through hilly and mountainous terrain, so training can be pretty demanding. “We rode up Mt. Washington, right from the lights on the highway, all the way to the top. I’d never done anything like that before,” says Cpl Crawford. “I figure if I can do that, I should be ready for anything.” Every rider in the Tour de Rock is partnered with a Junior Rider that they represent for...

Raven aboriginal youth program from Lookout on Vimeo.

RIMPAC 2012 from Lookout on Vimeo.

CFB Esquimalt's Green MSE Fleet from Lookout on Vimeo.

Surface supply dive course from Lookout on Vimeo.

Minister of National Defence Peter McKay from Lookout on Vimeo.

Base Commander's Change of Command from Lookout on Vimeo.

HMCS Regina Deployment from Lookout on Vimeo.

Civilian ammo tech among first deployed from Lookout on Vimeo.

National Aboriginal Day from Lookout on Vimeo.

MARPAC Change of Command 2012 from Lookout on Vimeo.

Candlelight Tribute at God's Little Acre Veterans Cemetery in Esquimalt from Lookout on Vimeo.

HMCS Oriole relaunched! from Lookout on Vimeo.

Blood donation contribution ceremony. from Lookout on Vimeo.

The MARPAC EXPO Maritime Forces Pacific Expo CFB Esquimalt - Education & wellness trade show MARPAC EXPO from Lookout on Vimeo.

The product launch of the Roger's Chocolate bar with the Navy wrapper.

Training prerequisite for those who will serve on a ship or seagoing unit. Members learn how to potentially save the ship.

This is a quick introduction to what the Naval Boarding Party Course includes. Some of the tasks that are more popular include container searches and range practice. This 5 week course for up to 20 people per course runs five or six times in a year.

Face to face opportunities to market your business directly to this niche market. MARPAC Expo Feb 6, 2014 Industrial Supplies Tradeshow Sept 18, 2014 Email for more info or to secure your vendor placement. melissa.atkinson@forces.gc.ca Maritime Forces Pacific Expo Education & Wellness TradeshowFebruary 5, 2015 Download the booking form.Email for more info or to secure your vendor placement.melissa.atkinson@forces.gc.ca See video of our 2012 show. Industrial Tradeshow Supplier Trade Show September 18, 2014 Download the booking form. Email for more info or to secure your vendor placement.melissa.atkinson@forces.gc.ca Watch the video about our 2012 show.

Escape to cover, one of the new 6 new tasks in the CF fitness test.

Changes in military fitness standards coming soon. The new tasks are a picket and wire carry, escape to cover, sandbag fortification, causality extraction, a stretcher carry, and a latrine dig.