Peter Mallett, Staff Writer — Members of Victoria’s military paid tribute to Canadians who lost their lives in peacekeeping operations during the 30th Annual Peacekeepers Memorial Day Event at Esquimalt Memorial Park on Aug. 9. Chief Petty Officer Second Class (CPO2) (Retired) Chris Preston, a peacekeeping veteran, remembers the importance of Canada’s historic global […]
[caption id="attachment_30452" align="alignnone" width="595"] A member of Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team is hoisted down via vertical lift into a confined space. Photos: Sub-Lieutenant Wilson Ho, USAR Team Member.[/caption] SLt Wilson Ho, Urban Search and Rescue Team, MARPAC Public Affairs — The CFB Esquimalt’s Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Team completed its monthly training the last week of July at the USAR Training Compound near Naval Officer Training Centre (NOTC) Venture. “The USAR Team has been working on a variety of different urban rescue techniques, and this month’s training allowed the Team to combine a lot of the skills learned to safely extract a patient from rubble,” said Lieutenant (Navy) Drew Torchia, USAR Team Operations Chief. This month, the team conducted a complex rescue scenario to search for a missing person trapped in rubble following a building collapse. This scenario included: a vertical lift insertion; cutting through concrete, rebar, and wood with power tools; and a confined space maze. Once the missing person was found, the team had to package the patient for transportation and then manoeuvre the patient through the rubble to extract them via the vertical lift. In addition to the complex scenario, members were allowed to train on the DELSAR, a seismic/acoustic listening device used to detect and locate trapped live victims, and the SearchCam 3000, an articulating, extendable, waterproof search and rescue camera that locates victims trapped in collapsed buildings. “Skill fade is inevitable, and complex scenarios like this allow everyone to refresh their skills,” he said. “There is no single right answer in USAR, and everyone has different, unique expertise they can bring to the table to save lives.” The CFB Esquimalt USAR Team is actively recruiting more Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members to join its ranks to become a Medium USAR (MUSAR) team by International Search and Rescue Advisory Group standards. The USAR Team trains 20 days a year, on the last Wednesday of every month except December, and two week-long exercises each year. No...
Peter Mallett, Staff Writer — A recent Seattle visit provided a superb stop for the Navy Bike Ride of the HMCS Yellowknife crew. “I’m thrilled with the level of participation from Yellowknife, and I’m blessed with a dedicated and generous crew,” said Lieutenant-Commander (LCdr) James Brun, Yellowknife’s Commanding Officer (CO). “Our sailors have thoroughly been enjoying riding through the streets of Seattle during their down time.” He said their enthusiasm was unwavering, and their steel wheels kept spinning. The Kingston-class ship and its crew participated in Seattle’s Seafair event from Aug. 1 to 7. Approximately 20 members of the ship logged their kilometres in the virtual fundraiser by riding through the streets of the Emerald City with rented bicycles and e-bikes. For those not wanting to tour the city by bicycle, the ship offered a stationary bike in its bridge wing. LCdr Brun brought his bike to Seattle. He said he and the crew made it their mission to support annual fundraising and esprit de corps event. Sailor First Class (S1) Brendan McLoughlin, Yellowknife’s Marine Systems Engineer, also brought his bike. While noting staying physically active is extremely beneficial for his mental health, he said he fully supports the Navy Bike Ride mission. “Participating in this Bike Ride shows my support for the Navy,” he said. “I also like how the Navy continues to support its community along with the concept of team spirit and keeping fit.” S1 McLoughlin is an avid cyclist who also does rock climbing and Wing Chun, a Chinese martial art, in his spare time. LCdr Brun said one of sailors has received the support from event’s charities, which set up and helped fund medical evaluations and ongoing support for their child. The ship’s substantial participation numbers and enthusiasm can be traced back to an email from...
Mark Nelson, Contributor — Bloggins is a generically used sailor name, sometimes featured in training materials, and may appear in everyday shipboard life, i.e., ‘Who ate the last piece of duff?’ The answer may well be ‘Bloggins’. Of course, this does not refer to an individual sailor named Bloggins, but ‘Bloggins’ represents every sailor, and ‘Bloggins’ is everyone’s winger. A winger is a good friend, a nickname stolen from the air element in how the zoomies refer to a fellow flyer as a wingman. Wings is a shorter way to say someone is a buddy, as in, ‘Bloggins is my wings’. The Air Force may have invented the term, but the Navy uses it better. A perfect activity for wingers is to go on a run ashore. After spending many days at sea, when a ship arrives in a port, its sailors will invariably choose to depart the ship and enjoy the local amenities, such as museums, libraries, historical sites, and other culturally significant establishments. Only rarely is running actually involved. Sometimes the run would be a rig run, meaning the participants would wear their dress uniform ashore, all in an attempt to impress the local populace with their tiddley look and demeanour. Back in the day, when sailors wore square-rig, they wore a uniform referred to as a tiddley suit, which was tailored to be less baggy to make them look more appealing. Today’s sailors rely on natural charm. A uniform would also be called pusser, which carries more than one meaning. Pusser can indicate a service issue, i.e., ‘Bloggins wore his pusser boots to go clamming.’ Sometimes it can describe someone wholly dedicated to the Navy or something extremely Navy-like, i.e., ‘Bloggins is as pusser as a box lunch.’ Indeed, there is nothing more military-like than a box lunch....
Lorraine Crinkley, Branch Environment Officer, Port Operations and Emergency Services Branch — CFB Esquimalt’s Port Operations and Emergency Services Branch (POESB) removed approximately 200 kilograms of waste during our annual harbour and beach clean-up in Esquimalt Harbour on July 21. POESB was joined by participants from the Esquimalt Graving Dock (EGD) and [...]
Lt(N) Michelle Scott, HMCS Vancouver PAO and Capt Jennie Derenzis, Combined Information Bureau, RIMPAC 2022 — Part 4 of Canada: A ‘Capable, Adaptive, Partner’ at RIMPAC 2022 The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) played a significant role in 2022’s iteration of the world’s largest maritime exercise, the multi-nation Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) [...]
Peter Mallett, Staff Writer — CFB Esquimalt is a busy place and it’s important to remain mindful of the rules of the road unique to the Base, especially around marching contingents, says Chief Petty Officer Second Class (CPO2) Jason Tucker, Deputy Base Chief Petty Officer. “It’s vitally important people are aware service members, most of them newer members, are out on the road marching, and it’s important people take the time to observe the rules and show some patience,” said CPO2 Tucker. Marching groups from Naval Fleet School Pacific (NFS(P)) often march near the main entrance of Naden along Ontario Drive, at Work Point as part of HMCS Venture’s Leadership Training programs, and at Albert Head, where Basic Military Qualification (BMQ), Primary Leadership Qualification (PLQ), and training for the Raven Program is conducted. The road rules surrounding marching contingents at CFB Esquimalt, spelled out in Base Standing Orders 5250-2 on Marching Groups Policy, state contingents have the right-of-way over all vehicles at CFB Esquimalt. An exception applies to police, fire, ambulance, or other emergency vehicles in performance of their emergency duties. The standing order warns motorists interrupting the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) while on the march, and/or hindering CAF on the march, is an offence under the National Defence Act Section 256. CPO2 Tucker notes these rules also apply to cyclists. “It is okay to pass marching groups on the left, if it done slowly and safely,” he said. “This means there is no oncoming traffic coming towards them, and they do not speed past the marchers in their effort to pass them.” CPO2 John Penner, a Divisional Chief Petty Officer at NFS(P) says most motorists at the base drive safely around marching contingents. “Some people, especially first thing in the morning, are impatient,” CPO2 Penner said. “This can lead to...
[caption id="attachment_30412" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Ron Boyce, Aquatics Supervisor at the Naden Athletic Centre.[/caption] CFB Esquimalt Public Affairs — Ron Boyce is the Aquatics Supervisor at the Naden Athletic Centre (NAC). Although much of his job involves managing the pool, he also spends much of his time working as a lifeguard. What’s an average day on the job? The lifeguard team starts at 0600 each morning and sets up for the military lap swim. When I get to the pool, I check in with the facility coordinator to get up to date on the day’s operations, and then I’m usually out on the pool deck by 1100. Each day the pool works to support military operations with training sessions and by providing general recreation opportunities. What’s the most interesting thing that’s happened recently while on the job? When I started here a year and a half ago, the pool had the same signs as it did when I came here to swim as a child 20 years ago – it was kind of neat. Funny, since coming on, one of the things I’ve done is upgrade all the signs. What’s something about your job that you wish more people realized? It was in the news recently, but Canada is currently experiencing a major shortage of qualified lifeguards. Right now, the NAC will be offering both Bronze Medallion and Bronze Cross courses in August to get some people trained. It’s a great opportunity both for the NAC and the wider community. We’ve got to do what we can to train new lifeguards and to keep them – water safety is important! What’s something interesting about yourself? I placed top three in provincial lifeguarding competitions once. I suppose most people don’t even know there are lifeguarding competitions, but teams of lifeguards from all...
[caption id="attachment_30348" align="aligncenter" width="595"] The author of Jackspeak of the Royal Canadian Navy and Whiskey 601, Mark Nelson developed a love of the Navy's language and lifestyle over his 26-year career in the service. After retiring as a Chief Petty Officer Second Class, he now works as a library systems specialist at Red River College Polytechnic in Winnipeg, Man.[/caption] Mark Nelson — In a tight-knit group like a ship’s company, nicknames are bound to arise between members. They are a quick way to refer to someone, convey familiarity, and can even show a degree of respect. When a sailor first joins the Navy, they soon discover how people with certain surnames often carry a common nickname; a tradition-bound moniker stuck to them the minute they join the service. Have you ever wondered why there is more than one ‘Dusty’ Miller in the Navy and, for that matter, several ‘Nobby’ Clarks? It’s because there is a standard nickname for those two surnames. Heck, only Nobby Clark’s mother, the paymaster, and maybe the Coxswain’s writer know Nobby’s real first name. Sometimes the nickname is derived from something that resembles a word association test, giving us ‘Spider’ Webb, ‘Rusty’ Steel, ‘Frosty’ Snow, ‘Shady’ Lane, and the aforementioned ‘Dusty’ Miller. Another method of assigning nicknames is based on celebrities or famous people, which is how we get ‘Clark’ Gable, ‘Doris’ Day, ‘Henry’ Ford, ‘Jesse’ James, and ‘Artie’ Shaw. Interesting, these are all personalities from decades past. Is there a ‘Katy’ Perry in an HMC ship today? Probably. Also, nicknames may be derived from fictional characters from popular culture, such as ‘Buck’ Rogers, and ‘Buster’ Brown, a comic strip character popular at the turn of the previous century but adopted as the mascot of the Brown Shoe Company. There are some commonly used nicknames where...
[caption id="attachment_30410" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Left: Captain Ambrose (Jack) Denne, Royal Canadian Air Force.Right: Lieutenant (Navy) Donald Den. Photos supplied.[/caption] Lt(N) Donald Den, HMCS Malahat Public Affairs Officer — I have been fascinated with my family history for as long as I can remember, and I have always treasured pieces of my family’s past that have been passed down to me. However, a recent coincidental family discovery made me believe in the unbelievable. As a recent Navy-oriented hobby, I have amassed a decent coin collection, including several HMCS coins from different eras. For this reason, I found myself at the local military antique shop downtown Victoria, Command Post Militaria and Antique. As I am, by no means, the only Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) member in Victoria who collects them, it was unsurprising that they did not have any coins available. I passed dozens of boxes holding thousands of old and new military photos on the way out. “We get photos all the time, from legions, people drop off boxes, it’s quite extensive,” noted the shop owner, Brent Fletcher. While glancing at one of the boxes, I noticed a black-and-white photo of a man in a Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) uniform and had to do a double take. This could be my grandfather, I thought. It didn’t seem possible, but I began noticing tell-tale signs. The lapel pins marking his status as a Medical Officer, the ‘RCAF’ crest on his peak cap that I kept in my office, and the familiarity in the face of the man I had called ‘Papa’ in my youth. When I joined the RCN in April 2016 as a Public Affairs Officer with Victoria’s Naval Reserve Division, HMCS Malahat, I was not the first member of my family to serve in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). My...
[caption id="attachment_30406" align="aligncenter" width="595"] U.S. Navy Vice Admiral Michael Boyle, Commander Combined Task Force, presents Commander Kevin Whiteside, Commander HMCS Vancouver, with a plaque commemorating the ship’s participation in Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2022 at Pearl Harbor, July 6. Photo: Sergeant Ghislain Cotton, Canadian Armed Forces.[/caption] Lt(N) Michelle Scott, HMCS Vancouver Public Affairs Officer, Capt Jennie Derenzis, Combined Information Bureau, RIMPAC 2022 — Part 3 - The Royal Canadian Navy optimizes opportunities to work with allies This year’s multi-nation Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) is hosted by the Commander of the United States Pacific Fleet and led by the Commander of U.S. 3rd Fleet biennially. RIMPAC 2022, taking place June 29 to August 4, has returned to a full-scale implementation of the world’s largest maritime exercise. It follows a scaled-back RIMPAC 2020 during the early months of the Covid-19 pandemic. The initial shore-phase of the multi-nation Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) provided Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) participants with unique opportunities to exchange ideas and carry out operations-focused training with international partners and allies. As RIMPAC 2022 transitioned into the sea phase, Commander (Cdr) Kevin Whiteside, HMCS Vancouver’s Commanding Officer, said the first two weeks of shore phase helped the ships crews to prepare for operations at sea. “Once we get out to sea, there’s no exact starting point for us – we can continue with the basics we discussed alongside or we can expand on those facets to challenge ourselves and our interoperability,” he said. “Vancouver is a great team of 250 awesome Canadians, and RIMPAC brings us all together as an even bigger team.” During RIMPAC’s alongside phase, HMCS Vancouver spent time exchanging ideas and practices with partner nations the crew will be working with during Operations Projection and Neon following RIMPAC. The ship hosted members from Australian supply ship HMAS Supply to discuss the Vancouver’s experience and familiarity with the Close-In Weapons System, a relatively new system for the Australian ship. Divers from the French frigate FS Prairial...
[caption id="attachment_30404" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Wounded veteran Major (Retired) Mark Campbell (left) was given the rare opportunity of performing a tandem jump with the SkyHawks at CFB Esquimalt on July 26. Photo: Corporal Jessey Gagné.[/caption] A/SLt Charlie Galley, CFB Esquimalt Public Affairs — A Canadian Army war veteran who lost both legs in combat in Afghanistan took a rare opportunity to jump with the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Parachute Team, the SkyHawks, at CFB Esquimalt. On July 26, the SkyHawks took Major (Retired) (Maj (Ret’d)) Mark Campbell 12,500 feet above Albert Head before strapping him to one of the team members for a ‘tandem jump’, a jump where two people connected by a harness jump together. “Intense, fantastic, incredible – just the jump itself was exciting, but also the opportunity to see the SkyHawks behind the scenes, in action, in rehearsal, and being welcomed into the team, made me feel very warm and welcomed. They are a truly spectacular jumping team,” Maj (Ret’d) Campbell said. The rare opportunity came when his former SkyHawks friends contacted the team and set it up without him knowing. It was also a chance for Maj (Ret’d) Campbell to leave Edmonton and reconnect with family and friends in his hometown of Nanaimo. Maj (Ret’d) Campbell was harnessed with Tandem Master Sergeant Antoine Collette. Once the parachute was deployed, he was given control of the steering until they came in for a landing. He has previous experience jumping as a paratrooper. However, this was his first time experiencing free fall. Maj (Ret’d) Campbell was an Infantry Officer and part of the Operational Mentoring and Liaison Team in Afghanistan on Operation Athena in 2008 when he lost both his legs in an explosion. He retired from the CAF in 2017 after 34 years of service, the first six of...
[caption id="attachment_30397" align="aligncenter" width="595"] HMCS Vancouver (FFH 331) fires the muti ammunition soft-kill system (MASS) from the bridge during Rim pf the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2022 Photos: Sergeant Ghislain Cotton.[/caption] Lt(N) Michelle Scott, HMCS Vancouver Public Affairs Officer — HMCS Vancouver became the first Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) vessel to tactically launch a surface off-board passive decoy (SOPD) as part of electronic warfare (EW) tactics training during the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2022 exercise. “Electronic Warfare is, by far, the most effective defensive method against Anti-Ship Missiles,” said Lieutenant (Navy) Adelaide Hawco, a member of the trail staff on board HMCS Vancouver from Canadian Forces Maritime Warfare Centre (CFMWC). Over eight days, subject-matter experts from the CFMWC led the ship’s crew through various tactics trials as part of the Technical Cooperation Program Anti-Ship Threat Project Arrangement (TAPA). TAPA is a Five Eyes cooperative series of EW exercises that test current and future non-kinetic defensive tactics and procedures. RCN ships test theoretical tactics in real time using real missiles and ammunition to prove their viability. TAPA trials have been a regular RIMPAC component since 2006. The SOPD is one component of the Halifax-class Anti-Ship Missile (ASM) Defence suite. It is a spherical inflatable decoy launched from the ship to attract Radio Frequency Missiles. “TAPA22 with HMCS Vancouver was extremely successful and a huge step forward for RCN Electronic Warfare tactics and procedures,” Lt(N) Hawco said. “There were some significant milestones during the week: an effective hard-kill/soft-kill combination solution was identified and confirmed for specific current threat Anti-Ship Missiles, and sophisticated jamming techniques were refined.” EW differs from traditional kinetic warfare and hard-kill tactics as it does not employ munitions to destroy a target. Soft-kill tactics are used to disable an enemy without destructive force; this is done through distraction and seduction to divert an attack. Launching the SOPD was just one of the many sophisticated EW tactics trialled while Vancouver supported TAPA22. Over the week, the ship tested and fine-tuned its...
[caption id="attachment_30400" align="aligncenter" width="595"] For National Peacekeepers’ Day, CFB Esquimalt Naval and Military Museum is highlighting a unique handmade Korean War-era United Nations flag used by HMCS Sioux. Photo by Rodney Venis, CFB Esquimalt Public Affairs.[/caption] CFB Esquimalt Public Affairs — In celebration of National Peacekeepers’ Day on August 9, the CFB Esquimalt Naval and Military Museum is highlighting a unique handmade Korean War-era United Nations (UN) flag. The flag was donated by George Mannix, who handmade it in 1950 while serving as the Chief Yeoman of Signals in HMCS Sioux. “The United Nations was so new there was no readily useable flag for a ship participating on such a mission,” said Clare Sharpe, the exhibit designer at the museum. “The improvised flag also speaks to the tremendous resilience and adaptability of the Royal Canadian Navy and its personnel in times of great uncertainty.” The flag’s look is quite different from the modern, mass-produced flag. The white map and olive branches still show the black marker cut lines, and the flag is made of blue bunting and material cut from a regulation-issue kit bag to form the outline of the UN logo. At the time of the flag’s construction, HMCS Sioux left its Esquimalt home base to support UN efforts to defend the Republic of Korea (ROK) from invasion by North Korea. The flag was first flown in the summer of 1950 while entering Kwajalein, an atoll in the Marshall Islands that served as a US Navy communications, supply, and refuelling station. Sioux’s first task was to escort ships between Sasebo, Japan, and Pusan in South Korea, witnessing a veritable ‘last stand’ of ROK and UN troops against the North Koreans. Sioux then transferred to Korea’s west coast to support the Inchon landings that relieved Pusan and allowed UN forces to push north. HMCS Sioux departed in January of 1951, served two more tours around the Korean Peninsula, and was the last Canadian vessel to depart those waters after hostilities...
[caption id="attachment_30393" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Recipents of the new SAC Pin.[/caption] Peter Mallett, Staff Writer — Sailors qualified to control aircraft onboard Navy ships will now be awarded the Royal Canadian Navy’s new Shipborne Air Controller (SAC) specialty skill badge. A helicopter on a web surrounded with crimson laurels – that’s the visual cue of not only the demanding qualifications and added workload, but also the NATO standard, said the Coxswain of Naval Fleet School Pacific (NFS(P)). “The SAC qualification is one of the few qualifications across the CAF that is a NATO qualification,” CPO2 Warren Beatie Canadian Fleet Pacific Chief Air Controller said. “This badge indicates to other nations and navies that we have the same qualifications and training as them.” Seven Shipborne Air Controllers (SACs) were awarded with this new badge in a July 28 ceremony in Dockyard at CFB Esquimalt, including CPO1 Ferguson, who completed his first SAC training in 1995. Other eligible sailors will continue to receive these badges during ceremonies in the weeks to come including those currently deployed on operations. Newly qualified Shipborne Air Controllers will be awarded their pin on successful completion of the grueling course at Naval Fleet School Pacific or Atlantic. SACs are responsible for the safe and effective tactical control of helicopters and fixed wing maritime aircraft. The job title is granted to combat operators from naval trades, including Naval Combat Information Officer (NCIOP), Naval Electronics Sensor Operator (NESOP), and Sonar Operator. To qualify for the SAC specialty badge, a sailor must be currently serving as a regular or reserve force Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) member, and must have successfully completed the NFS NATO-grade Delta Course. The course combines classroom instruction and time in the simulator, culminating with live control of aircraft at sea. The badges were presented by Commadore (Cmdre) David Mazur, Commander Canadian Fleet Pacific at Duntze Head. Cmdre Mazur said the new specialty badge recognizes a sailor’s diligence in completing training to become a SAC. “They stepped forward and...
[caption id="attachment_30356" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Petty Officer Second Class (Retired) Tina Renaud and Lieutenant-Commander (Retired) David R. Lewis[/caption] Peter Mallett, Staff Writer — A pair of military veterans has launched a publishing company to share the stories of the military community, first responders, and their families. “Battle Rattle Press wants to celebrate the service, the sacrifice and the diversity of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and first responder community, and how each author incorporates a connection into a larger mission,” said Lieutenant-Commander (Retired) David R. Lewis, co-owner of Battle Rattle Press. A former Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Public Affairs Officer, Lewis formed Battle Rattle Press in May together with Petty Officer Second Class (Retired) Tina Renaud, his long-time friend-turned-business partner. The pair is currently working on a series of 12 books containing short stories of people who have experiences within the CAF, first responder, and military family communities. “This series intends to spotlight the uniqueness of each individual within the commonality of a desire for service,” Lewis said. Lewis expects most of the contributors have found ways to integrate their identities into their careers. This, he says, is something Battle Rattle Press wants to celebrate. Passion through experience Lewis served 13 years as a Public Affairs Officer at CFB Esquimalt, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and Ceremonial Guard on Parliament Hill, and was also deployed to Afghanistan. Tina Renaud served eight years in the regular force as a Finance Clerk, and then 14 years as a full-time Class B Reservist, working in human resources, before her medical release. “Tina and I have both worked with every race, faith, gender, and sexual orientation, and people of all walks of life in the military during our service,” Lewis said. “We really want to convey the message of what an honour it is to work with, share, and learn from a diverse spectrum of people.” A tool for healing Renaud thinks writing will help some of Battle Rattle’s contributors in healing and recovery. “Telling...
Mark Nelson — I was introduced to Jackspeak when I began my 26-year naval career in HMCS Chippawa on July 1, 1980. I quickly learned my training base was a Stone Frigate, floors were decks, the ceiling was a deckhead, walls were bulkheads, and the upper ridge of my boot soles were catwalks. Unfortunately, my catwalks were dirty, so I had to turn to at birds, which was a quaint way to say I had to stay late and polish brass. From that day forward, aside from having perfectly clean catwalks, I became engrossed with the language of the Navy. To a newcomer, the jargon can be a gateway to a fascinating world. However, it can also be confusing. For example, there is more than one way to refer to a lazy person, as they can be a skiver, skate, or be described as swinging the lead. The same goes for sleeping arrangements, as a sailor might sleep in a pit, cart, or rack, but only occasionally in a bunk. Nuances must be learned. The term mess carries no less than three meanings in a Canadian warship. Whistling is frowned upon unless you’re a cook, then you are allowed, just as long as you don’t whistle up a wind. Every ship is represented by a uniquely designed badge and never referred to as a ‘crest’ unless you are willing to face admonishment. Similarly, if you want to live on the edge, just say you served ‘on a ship’. You will be quickly told that sailors always serve in a ship. If you made this mistake more than once, your keelhauling would likely take place in half a dog watch. The ship’s engineers are far more commonly referred to as stokers, even though no ship’s engineer has stoked a coal-fired furnace...
[caption id="attachment_30341" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Tatiana Robinson, Curator of the CFB Esquimalt Naval and Military Museum, displays a solid brass wheel from HMCS Columbia. Howard Robins, President of the Artificial Reef Society of British Columbia, displays a sculptor’s maquette of a Second World War-era merchant mariner that was to be placed on the flight deck of HMCS Cape Breton. They were some of the many items presented by the ARSBC to the museum in a presentation made on July 25 in Esquimalt.[/caption] Peter Mallett, Lookout staff writer — A collection of naval artifacts from five former Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) warships made its way to the CFB Esquimalt Naval and Military Museum. The artifacts were delivered and presented to museum staff on July 25 by Howard Robins, President of the Artificial Reef Society of British Columbia (ARSBC). “Everything I brought with me to the museum was either one or two of a kind on a ship we were working,” Robins said. “I looked for things that were memorable or personalized, or can in some way relate to the ship as a souvenir.” The items range from a brass statue to firing triggers, alarm bells, and ammunition magazine clips. Robins’ non-profit foundation was formed over 30 years ago and has sunk six former HMCS vessels to form nine of its artificial reefs in the coastal waters of B.C. The ARSBC was displaying the items at trade shows or using them for educational purposes for students and other dive community members but deemed they were no longer needed. New partnership CFB Esquimalt Naval and Military Museum curator Tatiana Robinson said she was excited to receive the delivery. She also confirmed it was the first time the museum and the ARSBC had worked together. “We are delighted to receive these materials and to be working with the Artificial Reef Society of British Columbia in our first partnership,” Robinson said. “We are so happy to receive these naval artifacts and become their custodians for future generations...
CFB Esquimalt Public Affairs —Dean Johnston is a retired military member and current baker at the Nelles Block galley. He has been a member of the Defence Team for 41 years. What’s an average day on the job? A baker’s day starts early – for me, typically around 0445, and ending at 1330. I need to get in early to ensure the muffins and scones are ready for breakfast. [...]
[caption id="attachment_30327" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Workforce members work on the kingpost turntable at the 250 steam-powered Crane Barge at CZ Jetty outside FMF Cape Breton.[/caption] Ashley Evans, Public Affairs Officer, Fleet Maintenance Facility Cape Breton and Cape Scott — You may notice C2 jetty at CFB Esquimalt is slightly different nowadays. The spot usually occupied by a Halifax-class frigate, Kingston-class coastal defence vessel, or Orca-class maritime patrol craft (training), is now taken by the 250 Steam-Powered Crane Barge with its boom detached and workforce members bustling methodically around the turntable’s base. The barge goes in for a refit every five years to Point Hope. The crane certification, required every four years, is done simultaneously. Since this certification is needed for the barge to be operational, Fleet Maintenance Facility Cape Breton (FMFCB) is currently working on the crane. This is the first work to be done in 17 years on the 250 Steam-Powered Crane Barge at Esquimalt’s Dockyard. Pulling this work together has been at the hands of the crane riggers, shipwrights, boilermakers, mechanical fitters, rigging loft, and electricians, with ten workforce members working on the Crane Barge at any given time. The shipwrights began by building the scaffolding for the project – one set for the boom and one for the kingpost. The boom was then laid down, stripped of all wires, and all hardware was removed. Then, using the crane, the team rigged off the kingpost turntable and laid it on the deck. Four extra wood-decked barges were brought in to support the work on the boom. Non-destructive testing and inspections for damage and wear will be the next part of this evolution for crane re-certification. This substantial project has included the removal of the crane boom and the turntable for routine maintenance and completing any needed repairs required for re-certification. Involved in this evolution has been the inspection of all moving parts – anything that moves or could receive wear – and removing and inspecting bearings, shives, ware-pads, and spools....
[caption id="attachment_30319" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Over 70 Junior Canadian Rangers from across Western Canada took part in this year’s Enhanced Training Sessions (ETS) hosted by 4th Canadian Ranger Patrol Group’s a Junior Canadian Ranger Company on Vancouver Island, held July 5 to 20. The participants took part in variety of outdoor adventure activities where they worked on their leadership, communication, and teamwork skills. Photo submitted.[/caption] Captain Natasha Tersigni, 4th Canadian Ranger Patrol Group — Seventy-eight Junior Canadian Rangers (JCRs) from Western Canada travelled to Vancouver Island to participate in this year’s Enhanced Training Sessions (ETS), held July 5–20 in Victoria and Strathcona Provincial Park. “While it is an opportunity for youth to come to beautiful Vancouver Island and take part in outdoor adventure activities they normally may not have had the chance to do, it is really about building those soft skills that we are focused on,” said Captain (Capt) Brandon McAuley, JCR Coy Training and Development Officer for 4 CRPG. The JCR program is a community-based program offered in remote, isolated, and coastal communities to youth aged 12-18. It is supported by local Canadian Rangers, JCR leaders, and program volunteers. The youth program promotes traditional cultures and lifestyles in the communities and teaches life, traditional, and Canadian Ranger skills. Capt McAuley said JCRs are tested regarding interpersonal and life skills. “They must work in small groups, take part in activities outside of their comfort zone and really push their physical and mental limits,” he said. ETS had been on hiatus for the past two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Usually, it is held annually in the summer as an opportunity for the JCRs to come together, meet new people, participate in new activities, and learn valuable life skills. This year, most ETS was held at the Strathcona Park Lodge near Campbell River. The JCRs participated in physical activities such as rock climbing, canoeing, kayaking, hiking, swimming, and camping. At the same time, the youth worked on their communication, teamwork, leadership,...
Anna Muselius Conseiller en communication, GPIM — Le vendredi 15 juillet, lors d’une cérémonie de signature tenue au Work Point de la BFC Esquimalt, le capitaine de frégate Mike Stefanson a été officiellement nommé le tout premier commandant du NCSM VENTURE (le centre d'entraînement du commandement de la marine de la Marine royale canadienne). La cérémonie a été présidée par le commodore David Mazur, qui occupe par intérim le poste de Chef d’état-major adjoint de la Marine – Personnel et Instruction. Le NCSM VENTURE est le nom de la nouvelle unité qui exercera ses activités dans le bâtiment Collier sous le commandement du Groupe du personnel et de l’instruction de la Marine (GPIM). Le nom du NCSM Venture et son lien avec le domaine de l’instruction en leadership, qui remonte à l’année 1910, est conservés dans le nom de l’unité. Le NCSM VENTURE sera responsable de concevoir et de donner les cours d’éducation en matière de leadership de la MRC, depuis les cours de base jusqu’à l’entraînement-cadre pour les officiers et les militaires du rang (MR) dans le contexte de l’évolution continue du GPIM et du remaniement de sa structure. Le Centre d’entraînement des officiers de la marine (CEOM), qui est davantage connu et qui est une ancienne division de l’École navale (Pacifique) [EN (P)], sera transféré au HMCS VENTURE sans perturbation majeure. Cette division se concentrera principalement sur la gestion et l’instruction des officiers de guerre navale (OGN), depuis l’instruction qui suit la Qualification militaire de base des officiers jusqu’au niveau de qualification élémentaire des OGN. Elle se concentrera également sur l’instruction et la gestion des officiers de navigation de la flotte (ONF). « Comme tous les officiers de guerre navale, j’ai commencé ma carrière navale à VENTURE », a déclaré le capitaine de frégate Stefanson après la cérémonie. « Aujourd’hui je reviens à NCSM VENTURE en qualité de commandant du nouveau centre d'entraînement de commandement...
Anna Muselius Communications Advisor, NPTG — On July 15, in a signing ceremony held at Work Point at CFB Esquimalt, Commander (Cdr) Mike Stefanson was officially appointed as the inaugural Commanding Officer of HMCS Venture, the Royal Canadian Navy’s (RCN) naval leadership training centre. The ceremony was presided over by Commodore David Mazur, Acting Assistant Chief of Naval Staff, Personnel and Training. HMCS Venture is the name of the new unit that will operate out of the Collier Building under the command of Naval Personnel and Training Group (NPTG). HMCS Venture, and its link to leadership training, dates back to 1910. The unit will develop and deliver RCN leadership education, from foundational courses to capstone training for both officers and non-commissioned members (NCMs) as part of NPTG’s continued evolution and realignment of the Group’s structure. The more familiar Naval Officer Training Centre (NOTC), a former division within Naval Fleet School (Pacific), will move to HMCS Venture with minimal disruption. This division will focus primarily on Naval Warfare Officer (NWO) management and training, from post-Basic Military Officer Qualification (BMOQ) to the NWO Primary Qualification level, as well as Fleet Navigating Officer (FNO) training and management. “Like all Naval Warfare Officers, I started my naval career at Venture,” Cdr Stefanson said after the ceremony. “Now, returning to HMCS Venture, this time as the Commanding Officer of the new naval leadership training centre, what has inspired me most, is seeing the instructors and staff are still deeply committed and passionate about developing future RCN leaders. Similarly, the students are still keen to learn, to serve, and to lead.” Two other divisions will fall under the command of HMCS Venture. These include a Naval Technical Officer (NTO) Division which will focus on training from post-BMOQ up to Head of Department, and a Leadership Division which has responsibility for both RCN officer and NCM leadership training initiatives. Discussion is ongoing concerning a possible fourth division, which would be responsible for Patrol Craft Training (PCT). “With the...
Lt(N) Michelle Scott, HMCS Vancouver PAO, Capt Jennie Derenzis Combined Information Bureau, RIMPAC 2022, Major Trevor Reid Combined Information Bureau, RIMPAC 2022 — Canada: A ‘Capable, Adaptive, Partner’ at RIMPAC 2022Part Two in a series on the Royal Canadian’s participation in RIMPAC 2022 The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) plays a significant [...]
[caption id="attachment_30276" align="aligncenter" width="595"] On June 30, HMCS Regina held a Change of Command ceremony, which saw Commander Meghan Coates take over as Commanding Officer of HMCS Regina. This ceremony was presided over by Commodore Dave Mazur, Commander Canadian Fleet Pacific.[/caption] Peter Mallett, Staff Writer — HMCS Regina has a new captain. Commander (Cdr) Meghan Coates was appointed Commanding Officer (CO), HMCS Regina, in a Change of Command ceremony at the ship’s office in Dockyard at CFB Esquimalt on June 30. “I am very excited and grateful to be appointed CO of HMCS Regina,” Cdr Coates said. As a woman, Cdr Coates’ appointment follows the milestone appointment of Cdr Annick Fortin as Commanding Officer of HMCS Winnipeg in March 2022, which is Cdr Fortin’s second appointment as a female CO of a Halifax-class ship on the West Coast, following taking command of HMCS Regina (June 2021 – Mar. 2022). The importance and gravity of being the second female CO of a frigate was not lost on Cdr Coates. “I am extremely grateful to all the NWO (Naval Warfare Officer) females who have been COs on any of our ships, as they have helped break the glass ceiling and demonstrate women are more than capable of these demanding and responsible positions,” she said. Cdr Coates said she is not one to keep track of women in essential posts in the RCN because there are numerous posts, but is glad to see the list of female commanders growing. “It is extremely important for other women to have role models to look up to and it is wonderful to see my peers and friends in command roles, whether they are in positions at sea or ashore,” she said. A sailor’s life Originally from St. Stephen, N.B., Cdr Coates’ path to commanding Regina was 23...
Captain Christine MacNeil, Public Affairs Officer, HMCS Winnipeg — HMCS Winnipeg successfully deployed drones and an embarked helicopter for the first time while utilizing its anti-ship missile system during a sinking exercise (SINKEX) off the coast of Hawaii on July 12. The SINKEX was part of Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2022. The ship fired its RGM-84 Harpoon Surface-to-Surface Missile (SSM) in coordination with MQ-9 Reaper drones and its embarked CH-148 Cyclone helicopter. “Winnipeg spent countless hours training to safely and efficiently execute this firing event,” said Lieutenant (Navy) Bucky Branscombe, Winnipeg’s Operations Officer. “It was a great opportunity to showcase what the team has accomplished during our pre-deployment readiness training this year, and to prove we are fully prepared to represent the Government of Canada anywhere in the world.” During a SINKEX, an environmentally clean and decommissioned hulk, in this case, the ex-USS Rodney M. Davis, is purposefully sunk, improving the partner’s readiness and creating an opportunity for cooperation with other nations. The RGM-84 Harpoon SSM is an all-weather, over-the-horizon, anti-ship missile utilized by many NATO member states. This system allows the ship’s Commanding Officer to address threats from over the horizon while maintaining a safe distance. With two Harpoon missiles striking the target, this SINKEX proved the capability of both the ship and the crew, said Petty Officer First Class (PO1) Kevin Granger, Above Water Warfare Director onboard HMCS Winnipeg. “As the Surface Action Group Commander for this evolution, Winnipeg and the Canadian Armed Forces proved we could integrate effectively with partner nations to conduct coordinated strike engagements, scoring a mission kill on the target,” PO1 Granger said. Twenty-six nations, 38 ships, four submarines, more than 170 aircraft, and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC from June 29-Aug. 4 in and around the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California....
Sub-Lieutenant Cael Halvorsen Combat Systems Engineering Officer, HMCS Winnipeg — The Close-In Weapon System (CIWS) is a hard-kill weapon system onboard HMCS Winnipeg. It is the last line of defense in the ship’s layered defense against missiles and surface threats. As the final defense system, CIWS protects the sailors when other anti-air or anti-surface capabilities cannot. CIWS employs its Search and Track RADAR suite to acquire and track a target, then destroys it by firing 20mm tungsten rounds out of its six barrels at a rate of up to 4,500 RPM. CIWS is a self-contained system that can operate without operator; as long as it has power, it can protect the sailors. The first models of CIWS were made in 1977. The system is time-tested and still carries its weight as a reliable, semi-automatic hard-kill system. It also provides great capability to modern navies of more than 20 nations around the world.
[caption id="attachment_30256" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Sailors from HMAS Supply pose with Vancouver’s kisby ring on board the ship during a visit to discuss Close-In Weapons System 1B, a relatively new piece of kit for the Australian ships. Photo by Sergeant Ghislain Cotton.[/caption] Lieutenant(N) Michelle Scott HMCS Vancouver PAO — The Alistair MacDonald song ‘Heading for Halifax’ famously notes that for those born in Cape Breton ‘Wherever they go, there’s bound to be friends from back home.’ Arriving in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, for Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2022, Lieutenant-Commander (LCdr) Stephen Wall, Operations Officer in Her Majesty’s Australian Ship (HMAS) Supply, found that particularly true. LCdr Wall was born and raised on Cape Breton Island, N.S., and served in Esquimalt-based ships as a Naval Warfare Officer for 16 years before joining the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). The exercise gave him an opportunity to re-connect with many former shipmates on the Canadian frigates, also alongside in Pearl Harbor for RIMPAC, including his former shipmate Commander Kevin Whiteside on Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Calgary, now HMCS Vancouver’s Commanding Officer. “It was a great opportunity to leverage the deep technical knowledge of the system that RCN operators are known for,” said LCdr Wall. “We shared technical and training ideas and practices to improve both of our teams.” LCdr Wall reached out to schedule a visit for his RAN team to discuss Close-In Weapons System (CIWS) 1B training and maintenance on HMAS Supply. The CIWS 1B is less widely employed on Australian ships, but his Canadian counterparts are well-versed in the weapon system located on the hangar top of each Halifax-class ship. The cross-deck evolution helped the Australian sailors develop their understanding of the weapons system and obtain helpful tips and tricks from seasoned CIWS operators and maintainers. “We discussed a wide variety of topics, both procedure-based and concept-based,” explained Sailor First Class (S1) Joop Koerten, Weapons Engineering Technician and Vancouver’s CIWS subject-matter-expert. “I shared knowledge with the maintainers, including techniques for maintenance procedures, products...
[caption id="attachment_30252" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Commander Paul Frisby, Commanding Officer BIS, presents his unit’s ‘Well Done Coin’ to Balihar Dhah of Commercial Building Cleaning on July 13 at BIS headquarters in Dockyard. Photo: Elizabeth Lutz, BIS.[/caption] Peter Mallett Staff Writer — A civilian contractor has received special recognition for his extraordinary efforts at improving the cleanliness of Base Information Services (BIS). Balihar Dhah, an employee of Commercial Building Cleaning, received a BIS ‘Well Done Coin’ and Bravo Zulu Award on July 13 during a presentation at BIS Headquarters in Dockyard. “Being the cleaner is not an easy job and to do it with a pleasant disposition is most welcome,” said Commander (Cdr) Paul Frisby, BIS Commanding Officer. “Balihar is a valued member of our team.” In making the award presentation, Cdr Frisby noted the job of the cleaning staff had been made more stringent during the COVID-19 pandemic than in the past. “Balihar has been keeping the building in a high state of cleanliness, which makes for a much more pleasant environment to work in,” Cdr Frisby said. “He is cheerful while he cleans and this also makes BIS a better place to be.” Balihar Dhah, 77, has been working at CFB Esquimalt since 2017. He was born in Punjab, India, and immigrated to Canada in 2008. He had previously worked as a farmer and at another cleaning company before beginning his job in Esquimalt. He speaks English but was able to respond better to interview questions in Punjabi through Sailor First Class Ryan Chouhan, who acted as a translator. Dhah said he was delighted to receive the award. “I found out about five months ago I was going to receive this award, and I was very happy,” Dhah said. He also noted how he loves working at CFB Esquimalt and supporting...
[caption id="attachment_30249" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Chief Petty Officer Second Class Benito Beaudoin, Coxwain HMCS Tecumseth, and Commander Andy Paschke, Commanding Officer HMCS Tecumseth, prepare pink pancakes during the Pink Pancake Stampede Breakfast on July 13. Photo supplied.[/caption] Kateryna Bandura Editor — White-uniformed sailors fed hundreds of people at the annual Pink Pancake Stampede Breakfast on July 13 in Calgary, Alta. “Many folks were asking questions about us cooking in our white uniforms, but we kept them clean, for the most part,” said Lieutenant (Navy) John Foster, Public Affairs Officer at Western Region Naval Reserves. The crews of HMCS Tecumseth and HMCS Calgary delighted Calgarians with a traditional pancake breakfast to raise awareness of the Canadian Cancer Society and encourage participation in the CIBC Run for the Cure. Four sailors from Calgary and Tecumseth cooked and served pink pancakes, along with Commander (Cdr) Andy Paschke, Commanding Officer (CO) of HMCS Tecumseh; Chief Petty Officer Second Class (CPO2) Benito Beaudoin, Coxswain of HMCS Tecumseh; Cdr Adriano Lozer, CO of HMCS Calgary; and Chief Petty Officer First Class Armand Reelick, Coxswain of HMCS Calgary. CPO2 Beaudoin said his unit did not have the opportunity to connect with Calgarians since the pandemic. “As the local unit Coxswain, it was a great pleasure to put on my cowboy hat and my full white to serve pancakes at an official Stampede Breakfast event this year,” CPO2 Beaudoin said. “HMCS Tecumseh sailors want to help and participate in various events around Calgary. That is who we are.” The event provided an opportunity for community outreach, Lt(N) Foster said. The Royal Canadian Navy’s mascot, Sonar, entertained families with young kids, who could try on firefighting gear and have their photos taken. “We attended to serve and interact with the public and raise awareness of the navy in Alberta, and connect...
