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Ashley EvansFMFCB––In February, a team of electronics technicians in Fleet Maintenance Facility Cape Breton Sonar Shop 153, along with the Quality Control team, were tasked with maintenance and repair work on HMCS Chicoutimi’s bow sonar array. Sonars are essentially the eyes of a submarine when it is underwater, and the Bow Sonar Array is the largest part of its sonar system.  The sonar system comprises both active and passive elements that include a 96-stave, cylindrical bow array plus flank arrays. The system can track multiple contacts simultaneously. The array was previously part of the original Type 2040 Sonar system but will now be used in conjunction with the BQQ-10 Sonar system, an upgrade the submarine will receive during the ongoing transitional docking work period. Throughout 1,600 work hours, the eight-person team rebuilt the underwater connectors, manufactured specialty cables, and reconditioned transducers for this system. They also tested each hydrophone, an acoustic instrument found on the sonar staves. Typically, there are four or eight hydrophones on each stave. Because the submarine supply system has an abundance of staves, the team were particular with the ones they refurbished or replaced. The testing procedure was a two-step process. First was an underwater check for leaks, done by submerging the body and checking the staves resistance to electrical current flowing from the internal wires into the surrounding water, otherwise known as a megger test. If water gets in, current will flow out, explained Mike Quinn, Shop 153A Sonar.Next, a functional test was done to ensure all hydrophone elements in the stave worked. Technicians put a noise source on each hydrophone and checked that a specified signal came out. If the stave was suitable, they cut the old connector off and replaced it with a new one. The connector body was then filled with an epoxy to secure it in place, and ensure it can withstand the crushing water pressure it will be subjected to through normal operations of the submarine. Once the epoxy cured, the connector body was...

Peter MallettStaff Writer––After a one-year shutdown, the Royal Canadian Navy’s popular Raven Program is ready to soar again.This outreach program is run by Naval Fleet School Pacific (NFSP) Seamanship Division Leadership Section and blends Indigenous cultures and techniques with military training. Candidates come from across Canada and enrol in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF); they are housed at Work Point barracks from July to August – this year COVID-19 health and safety measures have also been put in place. “It was disappointing to tell last year’s participants they couldn’t come due to the shut down,” says PO2 Michelle Howell. “This year the Raven interest has picked right back up. I’ve been receiving numerous emails and calls from potential recruits, parents, community representatives, and CAF members expressing how excited they are about taking part in the program this summer.”The CAF Recruiting Centres across Canada have received over a 100 applications for Raven this summer and are busy doing security background checks, medical reviews, and FORCE (fitness for operational requirements) testing. Normally, this process would take months, but with the recent lifting of tight COVID restrictions, staff only have a few weeks to process applications and get as many applicants as possible on to the course. There are a number of Indigenous training programs offered by the CAF across Canada, the Raven Program in particular can accommodate a maximum of 45 candidates. The next flock of Ravens are scheduled to arrive this week at the Wardroom for a week-long quarantine period that includes COVID testing. Then, on July 8, they will be sworn into the CAF and begin their Basic Military Qualification (BMQ). This BMQ kicks off with a four-day Culture Camp, July 9 to the 12, where the recruits learn about Canada’s Métis, First Nations, and Inuit cultures. They then carry...

Joanie VeitchTrident Newspaper––When Sailor Third Class John Stymiest left on a six-month deployment with HMCS Halifax Jan. 1, he brought his acoustic guitar, figuring it would help pass the time on his first deployment. As the warship headed to Europe to take part in NATO exercises under Operation Reassurance, S3 Stymiest found two other sailors wanting to play.  It was not long before the trio were creating original music and playing at an event in front of the entire ship’s company, including Cmdre Bradley Peats, Commodore of Standing NATO Maritime Group One (SNMG1).While the warship was docked in Stockholm in April, it held a talent show dubbed “HMCS Halifax Eurovision 2021”. “It was something special to play our music and see the smiles and joy from the crew during a deployment where the normality of exploring different countries during port visits no longer exists,” says S3 Stymiest. “We knew the ship’s company would be surprised, as they had never seen us play music together before. We mostly wrote in private so that we could give a little shock value.”They won the talent show, of course.S3 Stymiest met fellow musician S1 Francis van der Kamp while playing guitar in the Junior Ranks mess. His rap and hip-hop style blended with S1 van der Kamp’s singer-songwriter background and they came up with something they describe as “folk rap”. “Think Dallas Green meets Classified meets Linkin Park,” says S3 Stymiest, who goes by the stage name Johnny GASH, in a nod to his navy life, a term used to describe garbage aboard ship.“At first it was just something fun we would do on our off time, but soon we realized we had tremendous chemistry and decided we would start writing original music together,” says S3 Stymiest.Master Sailor Colin Puff heard about their unique musical style...

Peter MallettStaff Writer––The temporary home for the Pacific Fleet Club is now open for business in building Naden 40. The junior ranks mess officially opened June 21, following the completion of a lengthy renovation. It is currently serving coffee and snacks. Full bar service will commence after the grand opening later this summer. The date will be made public on the Pacific Fleet Club’s Facebook account in the coming weeks.The junior ranks mess serves as the primary social hub and gathering spot for approximately 1,200 non-commissioned sailors, soldiers, and aviators.The old fleet club previously operated for more than 44 years at the top of Lyall Street. But the iconic seaside building was forced to close following an engineering report in March 2016 that revealed structural flaws and an estimated $8.5 million in repairs. A permanent home for the junior ranks mess is still in the planning stages and details have yet to be announced, says Master Sailor Emily Whalen, President of the Mess Committee.Anticipation and buzz surrounding the new location has been mounting.“I think many members had been discouraged because the old location had been shut down for regular business for so long,” says MS Whalen. “There is a lot of excitement surrounding our grand opening in Naden and I think people are really looking forward to it.”A big part of that excitement is because the new location, at the rear of the CFB Esquimalt Naval and Military Museum, provides easy access for many members. This includes those who live nearby in Nelles Block and Bernays Block residences and for a large number of Base Administration staff. “Many people said they often put off making the long trek to the Signal Hill location, so the new location suits the needs of many,” she says. The building is about the size of...

Peter MallettStaff Writer––Two Clearance Divers from the base have safely destroyed a piece of live ordnance believed to be a Royal Navy shell from the First World War.The divers are Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technicians from Fleet Diving Unit Pacific and were called to a residence in North Vancouver on June 16. Members of the RCMP explosive disposal unit had originally been dispatched to deal with the ordnance. Their bomb specialists were recalled after it was determined the item was military grade. According to the RCMP, the resident had purchased the item at a garage sale thinking it was an interesting artifact. They evacuated the home and six nearby residences and set up a perimeter a safe distance away from the home. The Maritime Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit was dispatched after receiving a tasking call from Regional Joint Operations Centre. PO2 Benoît Léonard and S1 Jacob Desjardins travelled from Victoria to North Vancouver in the FDU(P) munitions disposal truck. Once on the scene, they identified and safely disposed of the ordnance. The device was identified as a shell used by a Q4 4-inch naval gun, which was the main gun used on destroyers of the Royal Navy and Royal Canadian Navy during the First World War.“The ordnance was live and contained about five pounds of explosives,” said PO2 Léonard. “The ordnance was rusted and what appears to be cement on the outside of the shell is actually called pitting and is a result of its corrosion.”FDU(P) receives approximately one call per week to dispose of live and inert ordnance during the winter months, and up to two in the summer months. Their area of responsibility includes all DND and Government of Canada property in the Province of British Columbia; they will also respond when tasked to aid any organization or individual requiring...

[caption id="attachment_26265" align="aligncenter" width="595"] HMCS Calgary’s boarding party team and command team stand with heroin seized during counter-smuggling operations on June 6. Photo by Cpl Lynette Ai Dang, CAF Photo[/caption]Capt Jeff KlassenHMCS Calgary––HMCS Calgary completed their two-month rotation on Operation Artemis June 14, working with the 34-nation Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) and the Canadian-led Combined Task Force 150 (CTF-150). The warship conducted maritime interdiction operations intended to stop the flow of illicit revenue to regional criminal and terrorist organizations.Frigate and crew set two records while performing on this mission.Their 17 successful counter-narcotics seizures were the most any single warship has made on any rotation in the history of CMF – setting the record not only in terms of number of seizures, but also in terms of weight of narcotics seized and wholesale dollar value.The Canadian warship also set the record for the largest single heroin seizure in CMF history.“Our success was truly a team effort both at the ship-level and at the operational level,” said Commander Mark O’Donohue, Calgary’s Commanding Officer. “While we are very proud of our success as a ship, we always try to keep in mind this success was accomplished within the framework of great support from CTF-150 and other organizations in the Canadian Armed Forces.”Calgary worked with CTF-150 headquartered in Bahrain, a Royal Canadian Air Force CP-140 Aurora aircraft, and the warship’s embarked CH-148 Cyclone helicopter to detect suspicious vessels at sea, following a rigorous process in accordance with applicable domestic and international law.When deemed appropriate, Calgary sent a boarding team to embark the vessels and seize illicit goods. These boardings were mostly conducted by the warship’s embarked Naval Tactical Operations Group team, call sign Reef; however, the ship’s organic boarding team, call sign Alpha Wave, conducted boardings during the latter part of the operation.While on...

[caption id="attachment_26257" align="aligncenter" width="594"] CPO1 Timothy King[/caption]A/SLt Wen GuoBase Administration––Incoming Base Administration (BADM) Unit Chief Petty Officer – CPO1 Timothy King’s goal is to be a good command team partner, assisting the Base Administration Commanding Officer in his day-to-day operation.“I would like to provide our Commanding Officer with a realistic, no-nonsense opinion regarding the health, welfare, morale, and climate of the sailors and public servants with whom I will be working with. People first and mission always; if we can take care of our people, we take care of our mission. I am extremely humbled and proud to be offered the opportunity to be the Base Administration Unit CPO and will do my absolute best to represent the unit well.”Born in Ottawa, CPO1 King moved to B.C. as a young boy. He was inspired to join the military by his family’s legacy of service. His father, stepfather, and brothers all held various positions within the Canadian Armed Forces. That legacy now extends to his son, a Marine Technician who will be posted to HMCS Whitehorse in mid-June.CPO1 King draws inspiration from his wife Deanna who has supported him despite her own adversity. “She is my foundation and inspires my strength and tenacity. She has taught me the meaning of perseverance by living through her multiple sclerosis condition.” His career started 29 years ago as an Infantry Reservist. In 2001, he re-enlisted in the Regular Force as a Naval Electronic Sensor Operator. Over the years, CPO1 King assumed numerous roles with many significant moments. The most impactful moment was during his time serving with HMCS Protecteur when a major fire broke out in the engine room Feb. 27, 2014.“The event stroke fear from within and my experience was traumatic. The crew on HMCS Protecteur were the bravest, most resourceful, dedicated, selfless people I have...

Peter MallettStaff Writer––A dental specialist is being added to the 1 Dental Unit Detachment Esquimalt team.In August, Major Peter Walker, a prosthodontist, will make the move from 1 Dental Unit Detachment in Halifax to Esquimalt. He specializes in treating complex dental and facial matters, including the restoration and replacement of missing or damaged teeth to improve function and aesthetics. He is also highly trained in dental implants, crowns, fixed partial dentures (bridges), dentures, and jaw disorders.“A prosthodontist provides specialist care to manage more complicated or difficult cases that are beyond the scope of a general dentist,” says LCol Deidra McLean, Dental Detachment Commander. “The prosthodontist can also help with training and development of general dentists and expand the scope of care they are capable of providing.”The unit now includes a periodontist, a prosthodontist, two comprehensive dentists, eight general military dentists, two civilian general dentists, six hygienists, and 23 dental assistants, plus reception and administrative staff.Having a full complement of specialists is a first for the clinic. Due to the nature of the Canadian Armed Forces posting, the limited number of specialists available in the military, releases, and retirements, most Dental Specialty Care Clinics are usually not fully staffed, says LCol McLean. In the past, when there was not a prosthodontist or dental specialist posted to the detachment, patients requiring specialty care were referred to civilian specialists, but come August that will no longer be the case.––––

[caption id="attachment_26242" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Wade Walters, former Esquimalt SISIP Manager, is home battling ME.[/caption]Peter MallettStaff Writer––Being so tired he had to sleep half the day was Wade Walters' first inkling something was wrong. The former Esquimalt SISIP manager says symptoms were slight and not concerning in 2000, but as time progressed so did the debilitating symptoms. “I was saving all my energy for work and gradually becoming more and more tired,” he says. “All I could do in the day was go to work, and then go home and lay down, get up the next day, and repeat.”On top of his inability to feel refreshed after a long sleep, he had headaches, muscle aches, short-term memory loss, sensitivity to bright lights and loud sounds, bladder dysfunction, night sweats, a chronic sore throat, and a sensitivity to certain foods. It took a barrage of tests and back and forth doctor visits, but he finally was given an answer: Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, known as ME to those who have it, and formerly known as chronic fatigue syndrome.Stats Canada estimates there are over 580,000 Canadians, including 77,000 British Columbians, diagnosed with ME.“I used to have a very active life, now I don’t even have the energy to take care of myself or my home properly,” he says. “This is like a life sentence.”In August 2018, the illness forced him to resign his position and go on long-term disability. There are few treatment options for ME, which affects many body systems including thinking and concentrating, and there is no cure. Walters has been seeking help from his doctor and through the Complex Chronic Disease Clinic of B.C. Prescription pain medication has provided some relief but reducing stress through meditation and mindfulness training have been more beneficial, especially to help him cope. As COVID-19 winds through...

[caption id="attachment_26236" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Painting by Cpl (Retired) Mary Fielder[/caption]Peter MallettStaff Writer––When people see Cpl (Retired) Mary Fielder’s art, they can’t tell if it’s a photograph or painting. The former army medic’s goal is to make her work as realistic as possible while capturing the wishes of her client. Her subject matter is unusual but familiar to those in the military - the iconic symbols of medals, trade badges, unit crests, awards, dog tags, decorations, photos, and other military mementos. “It’s all about the detail,” she says. Her work is often commissioned by military members and veterans to create a piece similar to a shadow box of their memorabilia. After an in-depth one-on-one meeting, she sketches out their medals, badges, and name tags in pencil at her in-home art studio in Bowmanville, Ont. Once the sketch is approved, she spends about 60 hours completing the 11” x 17” piece. “When I sit down and draw and then look at the finished product I get an endorphin release and sense of pride. The end reward is really when I get the messages from people who tell me how happy my artwork has made them; that’s what makes me the most happy.” The other reward is staying connected to Canada’s military community.She joined the army at age 17 in 1991; her parents had to sign the forms because she was so young, she says. During her career she was deployed with 2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group to Bosnia as part of Operation Palladium in 2003 and 2004. She spent time at 22 Wing North Bay, Canadian Forces Station Alert Nunavut, and Canadian Forces Health Services Centre 8 Wing Trenton. But her career - 30 years in the army – ended after falling both at home and in the workplace. After a thorough physical and tests, she was diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome is a group of inherited disorders that affect a person’s connective tissues, primarily skin, blood vessel walls, or in Fielder’s...

Peter MallettStaff Writer––A military spouse and mother from Bedford, N.S., hopes she’s captured the spirit of her beloved cat with her self-published children’s book.George: a Memoir by Joanne Kimm chronicles the family’s time with the tabby cat before he succumbed to stomach cancer. “My way to honour him and the love he gave us was to write about him,” she says. It wasn’t originally her intent to publish George’s story. Writing about him was therapy. “Saying goodbye to George was one of the hardest days of my life,” she says. The end result is a 34-page book with pictures of George. The ultimate goal is to help children understand the positive effect pets have on humans and to help them deal with their death. “I had children in mind when I wrote the book, but I have a lot of adults who tell me they enjoyed it, including a neighbour who dealt with the passing of their cat and told me the book helped them grieve.”Her book was released in 2019 with a French version released in 2020. “I think my writing ability is a God-given gift. When I am able to pull an emotional response from someone who reads about George, I know I have done my job correctly.”Kimm’s husband Jack retired from the navy in 2011 after a 22-year career as a Stoker. Her eldest son, S1 Douglas Kimm, is a sailor in HMCS Regina. “It’s hard to explain to others, but growing up in a military family, you develop some special skills that take you through life: endurance, compassion, empathy, love of travel and culture, to name a few. It’s a special family being military, and I’m proud to have been a military brat, military spouse, and mother to a serving member.”[caption id="attachment_26217" align="aligncenter" width="291"] Author Joanne Kimm with her book George: A Memoir.[/caption]Kimm worked as a DND civilian employee at CFB Chilliwack in the 1980s, 18 years for the B.C. Provincial Government, and six years at...

[caption id="attachment_26210" align="aligncenter" width="594"] Major Roland Russell (left), Commanding Officer of Military Police Unit Esquimalt, and Chief Petty Officer Second Class Dean MacKinnon (left), MPU Esquimalt Unit Seargent Major, present Corporal Michael Smith (center) with the Vice Chief of the Defence Staff Commendation for selflessness and steadfast dedication during the 2019 Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock.[/caption]Peter MallettStaff Writer––Once again, Cpl Michael Smith has cleaned and lubed his bike chain, flossed between the cogs to remove any black grease, adjusted the brakes, and tightened every bolt in preparation for his third Cops for Cancer ride around Vancouver Island this fall. The Military Police member, a seasoned Tour de Rock alumnus, was asked to saddle up because COVID-19 put the brakes on the recruitment drive for new riders, once again. In 2020, organizers leaned on veteran riders to help with the children’s cancer fundraiser by doing individual regional rides rather than the cross-island trek by one team of dedicated police and first responder cyclists.This year, Cpl Smith will ride the Campbell River, Courtenay, and Comox regions between Sept. 22 and 23. He was recently recognized for his dedication to the charity with a Vice Chief of the Defence Staff Commendation, delivered to him by Major Roland Russell.[caption id="attachment_26211" align="aligncenter" width="285"] Corporal Michael Smith[/caption]“I was so surprised to receive this commendation as it was completely unexpected,” says Smith. “Tour de Rock has been a life-changing event for me and being able to positively affect people’s lives over the past three years has been an amazing experience.”His commendation included a certificate and a pin to be worn on his uniform. The citation noted Cpl Smith demonstrated “selflessness, leadership, and steadfast dedication” to the charity.“By investing countless hours of fundraising, rigorous training, awareness activities, and altruism, you cast a favourable image of the Military Police and the Canadian Armed Forces” the award citation went on to say. The 30-year-old joined the law enforcement branch of the Canadian Armed Forces four years ago. He says...

[caption id="attachment_26201" align="aligncenter" width="594"] Master Corporal Andrew Finnigan, an Aviation Systems Technician, and Corporal Brendan Wales, an Aircraft Structures Technician, apply the detachment’s operational decal to the CH-148 Cyclone. Photos by Cpl Lynette Ai Dang, Imagery Technician[/caption]Peter MallettStaff Writer––Team work and cooperation are the main themes of a new decal now affixed next to the pilot’s window on HMCS Calgary’s embarked CH-148 Cyclone.Last week, the Polyvinyl Chloride decal, designed by MCpl Andrew Finnigan, was affixed to the metallic grey airframe. The art embraces the many facets of Greek mythology and astrology, says MCpl Finnigan. The golden outer ring represents the Golden Shellback milestone of a person crossing the equator and dateline simultaneously. The second ring in Prussian blue represents the original colour of the Royal Canadian Air Force. Within that circle, the white lettering HMCS Calgary HELAIRDET and CH-148 Cyclone, with the pop of a red maple leaf. In the centre circle, a line art depiction of the winged horse Pegasus and the bow and arrow wielding Artemis. A crescent moon and a sprinkling of stars round out the image. “Pegasus, her [Artemis] brother Apollo, and his horses pulled the sun across the sky and brought light to the world and this represents the aircraft and the contributions the RCAF brings to the RCN,” explains MCpl Finnigan.The mythical icons celebrate the common goal of the navy and air force as they work on Operation Artemis, now completed, and Operation Projection in the Indo-Asia Pacific and Middle East region. The same art is on the morale patch worn by the 21 members of the detachment. Helicopter Detachment Commander, Maj Robert McMullen says getting the morale patches affixed to their uniforms wasn’t unique but their appearance on the new helicopter is unexpected and a throwback to a bygone era.[caption id="attachment_26202" align="aligncenter" width="400"] Members of HMCS Calgary’s embarked air detachment and flying stations firefighters stand together with the ship’s embarked CH-148 Cyclone on June 15 in the Indian Ocean during Operation Projection.[/caption]“Affixing morale...

[caption id="attachment_26180" align="aligncenter" width="594"] S1 Veilleux verifies inventory as part of her job as a Materials Management Technician aboard HMCS Calgary. Photo by Corporal Lynette Ai Dang, HMCS Calgary, Imagery Technician[/caption]Capt Jeff KlassenHMCS Calgary––After a career fighting insurgents as a Combat Engineer with the Canadian Army in Afghanistan, Sailor First Class Cindy Veilleux is back.This time she is fighting terrorism with HMCS Calgary as it sails the Middle East on counter-smuggling operations.S1 Veilleux grew up in Saint-Georges, QC, and attended Polyvalente De Saint-Georges before moving to Sherbrooke and attending Polyvalente Le Phare. In 2006, at 20 years old, she joined the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) as a Combat Engineer, following the choice of a close friend.“He talked to me about the teamwork and the close bonds you make in the Canadian Armed Forces. Also, the science and technical aspects of Combat Engineering really appealed to me. He also told me all about being a Combat Engineer and all the science and technical knowledge; that really appealed to me. That, and working with explosives,” said S1 Veilleux.She served in Afghanistan for seven months patrolling with an infantry unit. Her job was to search for improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and help breach entranceways into buildings. She was frequently the only woman working in her camp. In Afghanistan, her unit found that local women would be very hesitant to speak with men, especially men who were soldiers. Because of these particular cultural sensitivities, S1 Veilleux would frequently interact with local women on behalf of the team.“It happened a few times that there was a group of women in a room and they literally grabbed me because they were so curious. They wanted to know about my tattoos and why a woman was marching with these men,” she said. “My time in Afghanistan changed my perception of life. I’m very grateful to be born in Canada.”[caption id="attachment_26181" align="aligncenter" width="351"] Sailor First Class Cindy Veilleux on the forecastle of HMCS Calgary as it sails into...

Peter MallettStaff Writer––It was early in the pandemic when Lt(N) Amanda Jane Prosper was called upon to go to Camp Adazi in Latvia and lead the set up of a 130-bed multinational isolation ward.The 52-year-old Physician Assistant spent six months in the Baltic region of Northern Europe – January to August 2020, with the second month transforming the army barracks into a safe place to treat potential patients. At that time there was little official guidance available for COVID-19 policy and protocol, so her team had to create their own plan. “At that time, a global pandemic had not yet been declared by the World Health Organization, but the virus was rapidly evolving,” she says. Camp Adazi is the home base for Canadian soldiers deployed to Latvia on Operation Reassurance. Her team established three separate self-contained sections on each of the barrack’s three floors. One floor was reserved for soldiers self-isolating for 14 days, another floor was for symptomatic patients who had not tested positive for COVID-19. A third floor was reserved as a retreat and common area for medical staff and other soldiers working and living in the building.Medical staff included Lt(N) Prosper, two medical doctors, a mental health nurse, a pharmacist, a physiotherapist, a dentist, and Medical Technicians.“At the time, we feared that COVID-19 would very well overwhelm our system,” says Lt(N) Prosper. Especially since they only had two ventilators for the entire base and their supply of oxygen and Personal Protective Equipment was low at the start of the pandemic.“Overall, the plan was a success, but we were very lucky. We acted quickly and got buy in from all nations on our plan. No COVID-19 was detected in any of our deployed members during my deployment.”She recently received a Chief of the Defence Staff commendation for her “exceptional...

[caption id="attachment_26172" align="aligncenter" width="594"] The MH-60 Seahawk Maritime Helicopter from HDMS Absalon conducts cross deck training with HMCS Halifax on June 8. Photo: SNMG1[/caption]Joanie VeitchTrident Newspaper––Three Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) ships are in the Baltic Sea region of northern Europe for the annual Baltic Operations exercise (BALTOPS). It’s the premier maritime-focused defence training event in the region, now in its 50th year, taking place June 6 to 18. Her Majesty’s Canadian (HMC) Ships Kingston, Summerside and Halifax have joined 4,000 naval and air force personnel from 18 NATO allies and partner nations, with an estimated 40 ships and submarines, and 60 aircraft taking part. Training scheduled for the 12 days includes air defence, anti-submarine warfare, maritime interdiction, and mine countermeasure operations. “The exercise aims to deliver high-end training across the entire spectrum of naval warfare,” says LCdr Greg Zuliani, Commanding Officer of Kingston. “This has been a highly anticipated event for the RCN, as we get to work with so many different international partners and allies.”BALTOPS 50 is divided into three training phases: a virtual pre-sail event, followed by a combat enhancement training (CET)/force integration training (FIT) portion, and then the final tactical phase of the exercise. During the CET/FIT phase, which took place June 6 to 12 in the Danish Straits, ships and aircraft participated in scripted training events before moving further east and shifting into the free-play portion of the exercise. That exercise was fictional but with realistic situations where commanders were given more freedom to run their own tactical programs, according to Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO, the unit in charge of BALTOPS 50 command and control from its headquarters in Oeiras, Portugal.Teams from Fleet Diving Unit Atlantic (FDU(A)), embarked in both Kingston and Summerside, joined a NATO task group to conduct Naval Mine Counter Measures. Using REMUS,...

[caption id="attachment_26169" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Everyone together post cleanup, from left to right: Alanna Morbin, Esquimalt Graving Dock (EGD), Melissa Piasta (EGD), Karlee Munro (in front, EGD), Lorraine Crinkley (front, POESB), Chris Gates (EGD), Chief CPO2 Howie Manderson (POESB), Dylan Goddard, Victoria Shipyards (VSL), Peter Mitchell (VSL), Greg Longbottom (EGD), and Lee Park (EGD).[/caption]Lorraine Crinkley Branch Environment Officer, Port Operations and Emergency Services Branch––To celebrate World Ocean’s Day on June 8, CFB Esquimalt’s Port Operations and Emergency Services Branch (POESB) organized a half day ocean and beach clean-up in and around Esquimalt harbour. POESB was joined by both the Esquimalt Graving Dock and Victoria Shipyards – Seaspan, who also occupy the harbour. World Ocean’s Day recognizes the impact of human activity on oceans and mobilizes and unites the world’s population to practice sustainable management of these bodies of water.Debris was collected from the Esquimalt harbour, with a focus on the jetties and compression fenders where waste tends to collect, and from various pocket beaches. Collectively, POESB, Esquimalt Graving Dock and Victoria Shipyards – Seaspan removed approximately 109 pounds of waste. The predominant types of waste were plastics, Styrofoam, and rope. Other types of waste included cigarette butts, protective ear buds, medical masks, and treated wood.The most challenging type of waste is by far Styrofoam (expanded polystyrene), most of which has fragmented into small bead-like pieces. Not only do these small pieces collect in hard to reach areas, such as between compression fenders, but they also readily stick to almost anything due to their electrostatic attraction to other objects. The fragmented Styrofoam pieces adhere to infrastructure and biological material making them extremely difficult and tedious to recover. These pieces pose a threat to the environment due to their inability to biodegrade, the petroleum-based composition, and the health impacts to the wildlife that ingest...

[caption id="attachment_26166" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Sailor First Class Elizabeth Fox. Photo by Corporal Lynette Ai Dang, HMCS Calgary, Imagery Technician[/caption]Capt Jeff KlassenHMCS Calgary––Sailor First Class (S1) Elizabeth Fox has kept every greeting card she’s ever gotten for at least 10 years. Cards are kind of her thing. As a Royal Canadian Navy sailor deployed with HMCS Calgary, she’s using her love of greeting cards to help the ship’s company stay connected with family back home this Father’s Day.She actually starting doing this last month for Mother’s Day.“I knew that my mom would love to have a Mother’s Day card sent from the middle of the ocean and I thought that other people’s moms would also like something tangible from their loved ones. Everyone likes mail,” she says.So she put a call out on the ship.  It wasn’t long before she was making and mailing out personalized Mother’s Day cards for the ship’s company - around 100 cards in total. In the process, she raised over $500 in donations for the ship’s charity, The Firefighter Burn Treatment Society out of Calgary, Alberta.After her success with Mother’s Day cards, both in raising funds and spreading joy on the ship and back home, she continued making cards for Father’s Day.“I know how hard it is to stay engaged with your family because I’ve lived away from my family for so long. It’s not always easy. Not everyone’s good at thinking about all this stuff, but I am. Cards and thoughtful gestures like that are my thing. It was something simple I could offer others,” she said. “Besides, don’t all our supportive parents deserve nice things?”––––

[caption id="attachment_26129" align="aligncenter" width="266"] Curtis Hamilton[/caption]Curtis HamiltonService Desk Officer, Base Information Services, Client ServicesHow long have you been working as a public servant?16 yearsWhat’s the best part of your job?Being able to resolve members’ IT issues.What does being a public servant mean to you?It means I am proud to be a Computer Systems group member. I can see the results of my actions albeit small in the overall mission or operation at hand.How do you think public servants contribute to the work that the Defense Team does?We allow military members to serve all Canadians.––[caption id="attachment_26131" align="aligncenter" width="266"] Rod Wood[/caption]Rod WoodMain Warehouse Manager (Naval Supply Depot), Base Logistics, ColwoodHow long have you been working as a public servant?I started June 20, 2000 as an STS 3 Term employee.What’s the best part of your job?Working with people from all over the country.What does being a public servant mean to you?It is an opportunity to give back to my country.How do you think public servants contribute to the work that the Defense Team does?We are equal partners with the CAF. We are here all the time and provide continuity in many day-to-day as well as strategic areas. The CAF brings the most up-to-date training and ideas, together we form a cohesive team.––[caption id="attachment_26132" align="aligncenter" width="266"] Mike McLean[/caption]Mike McLeanChief Fire Prevention Officer, CFB Esquimalt Fire RescueHow long have you been working as a public servant? 13 yearsWhat’s the best part of your job?I enjoy being part of all the different construction projects, large and small, watching our Base infrastructure grow and develop while improving our community’s quality of life.What does being a public servant mean to you? Being part of a larger team that not only serves CFB Esquimalt, but makes positive contributions to our country.How do you think public servants contribute to the work that the Defense Team does? I think the contributions we make are vital to our CAF, so they and their families will always feel safe while on operations, within CFB...

RCN/DND––When Her Majesty’s Canadian Submarine (HMCS) Corner Brook began its undocking on June 13, it became the most modern submarine in the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN). This undocking marked the return of Corner Brook to Vancouver Island waters for the first time in almost a decade. It is also the first in a series of milestones required for returning the submarine to operational service alongside HMC Submarines Victoria and Windsor.Corner Brook was in an Extended Docking Work Period (EDWP) since 2015 in Esquimalt. Repairs included damage caused by a grounding in 2011 along with other more intrusive maintenance routines that can only be conducted in a long maintenance period in dry dock. The EDWP also included several notable upgrades such as a new communication mast called the Universal Modular Mast, which allows high-speed, highly-secure, jam-resistant satellite communications with shore. It also received the BQQ-10 sonar suite. The difference between the BQQ-10 and the previous 2040 sonar suite range from a significant increase in the amount of processing that occurs after data is received from a Victoria-class submarine sonar systems to how that information is displayed to the operators. Corner Brook is now able to fire the Mk48 7AT torpedoes, a significant upgrade to the current weapon, the Mk48 4M. In addition to these upgrades, and separate from the work conducted on Corner Brook during this period, is the Victoria-class Modernization (VCM) effort, which aims to ensure the submarines remain operationally relevant until the mid-to-late 2030s. This series of projects, as part of VCM, will provide improved habitability and deployment conditions for submariners and enhanced capabilities to support continued contributions to Canadian Armed Forces joint operations as well as improving survivability against current and evolving threats in an increasingly complex and changing battle space.The Royal Canadian Navy’s four Victoria-class submarines – Victoria,...

[caption id="attachment_26096" align="aligncenter" width="550"] HCapt(N) Debbie Eisan.[/caption]Steven FouchardArmy Public Affairs––Finding her own voice was Debbie Eisan's first step in becoming an advocate for Indigenous soldiers and veterans.Her career with the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) began in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, not far from the Batchewana First Nation where she grew up.By the time of her medical release 36 years later at the rank of Petty Officer Second Class, she had become a valued advisor to senior military leaders on Indigenous matters. Her work alongside her colleagues on the Defence Aboriginal Advisory Group resulted in what she now describes as “huge steps forward” for Indigenous soldiers and veterans.Late last year, the RCN recognized her work with an appointment to the rank of Honorary Captain (Navy) affiliated with the future Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship Margaret Brooke. In a recent interview, HCapt(N) Eisan looked back at her career struggles and triumphs, how the Canadian Armed Forces has become “more open” to Indigenous culture, and how her new rank is an opportunity to continue amplifying Indigenous voices.What drew you to the Canadian Armed Forces?My story is a bit of a funny one. When I was working as the National Aboriginal Recruiting Advisor, I was asked to go to Toronto to be on TV Ontario for Remembrance Day one year. There was myself, a sergeant, and a colonel. When the interviewer asked the colonel why he joined, he said it had been a longstanding tradition in his family. The sergeant said he was six years old when his family came to Canada and his mother said to him, ‘What a wonderful thing to join the military of the country that has given us so much.’ While they were talking I was thinking, ‘What do I say about my story?’ My mother has always taught me to tell the truth so, when it came...

[caption id="attachment_26091" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Jennifer Kingston, owner of Kingston Cake Craft and Bakery.[/caption]Peter MallettStaff Writer––When not cooking healthy meals at the Wardroom, Jennifer Kingston is in her home micro-bakery creating custom cakes and pastries for clients.The base foods employee owns Kingston Cake Craft and Bakery, a small profitable business that feeds her creativity.“When people ask me why I love to bake so much I tell them that’s my passion. The natural world is full of beauty and replicating it in sugar has been a great source of happiness for me.”  Her most recent cake was for Fleet Maintenance Facility Cape Breton’s 25th anniversary small, physically distanced get together. The 18” x 24” vanilla cake was filled with Bavarian cream. She handcrafted the special logo out of gum paste for a 3D effect, and meticulously cut out and placed laurel leaves, numbers, and letters from fondant as part of the decoration. “It was a real showpiece,” says Ashley Evans, one of the organizers of the event.“The reason I love making cakes and baking is to see the satisfaction and joy it gives people,” says Kingston. “When someone looks at one of my cakes and gets excited it reminds me that, while you can’t buy happiness, you can buy cake.”She is a red seal certified cook and Camosun College culinary program graduate, starting her career at CFB Esquimalt 21 years ago.  She has also worked alongside the talented chefs and cooks at the Dominion Hotel, Laurel Point Inn, and The Delta Ocean Pointe. When Swedish Bakery owner Ingmar retired, Kingston stepped in as head cake decorator. It eventually closed and she inherited many of the bakery’s fundamental tools such as cake pans, boxes, and molds. This gave her the tools needed to get her small business up and running. Her home kitchen is Capital Regional District certified.“My dad was the one in the family with the true passion for cooking and taught me to admire, love, and respect food,” says Kingston. “He always seemed...

[caption id="attachment_26088" align="aligncenter" width="594"] Lt(N) Steven Gallant performs functional tasks on board a rigid-hulled inflatable boat with Harry DeWolf in the background during warm water trials. Photo by Corporal Simon Arcand, Canadian Armed Forces Photo[/caption]RCN / DND––The temperature was a little different this time around.After a month of conducting cold weather and ice trials off the coasts of Northern Labrador and Nunavut earlier this year, Harry DeWolf found itself in warm waters near Puerto Rico in late April.With the water temperature hovering at 29C and the outside air temperature at 35C, conditions were perfect for the trials needed to test the ship’s systems in warmer weather alongside or at sea.“The ability for the ship to cool engines, keep humidity in check, and have enough cool air for computer hardware to run properly are the mainstays of heating, ventilation, and air cooling (HVAC) system testing,” says Commander (Cdr) Corey Gleason, Harry DeWolf’s Commanding Officer. “The refrigerated spaces and the galley temperatures were checked each day while preparing meals. The main propulsion plant was tested at full speed over a period of four hours where the sea water cooling was checked periodically, as well as the temperatures of every engine space. Finally, all of the lifting appliances were tested and verified to be operational in extreme heat.”Cdr Gleason says the ship performed very well in the warm weather. “There were requirements to tune the HVAC system in different parts of the ship to ensure air flow was meeting specifications, and we as a ship’s company did our part by maintaining strict access controls to the upper decks to keep the hot air outside.”While Harry DeWolf is an Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ship that will be used as an icebreaker in the North, Canada needs a navy that can operate anywhere in the...

[caption id="attachment_26084" align="aligncenter" width="594"] CAF Ombudsman Gregory Lick[/caption]Peter MallettStaff Writer––Last week, the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Ombudsman completed a series of virtual outreach sessions and town hall meetings at CFB Esquimalt and Maritime Forces Pacific. Ombudsman Gregory Lick and his staff met with approximately 540 military members and civilian staff in 16 different virtual meetings held mostly via video conferencing from May 24 to 31. “This visit was an opportunity for military members and civilian staff to raise questions and concerns over issues affecting themselves and their families,” said Lick. “We also provided information to constituents about what the office of the Ombudsman does.” The CAF Ombudsman investigates complaints and serves as a neutral third party on matters related to the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces for serving and former military members. It acts independently of the chain of command with the Ombudsman reporting directly to the Minister of National Defence. The Ombudsman’s office is also a direct source of information, referral, and education for military members and civilian DND employees. It helps individuals get access to existing channels of assistance or redress when they have a complaint or concern.Issues of ConcernKey issues raised were the increasing cost of living expenses and the need for the Treasury Board to update the criteria and rates for the Post Living Differential (not updated since 2008); relocation issues with government-contracted Brookfield Residential Property Services; sexual misconduct and abuse of authority concerns; and access and wait times for health care.Other concerns raised included the CAF mandatory retirement age of 55, quarantine requirements, and mental health issues associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. This year’s outreach by the Ombudsman was also part of an ongoing systemic investigation into issues surrounding compassionate postings and families with special needs children.Lick says military members must be...

[caption id="attachment_26081" align="aligncenter" width="594"] Photo by Capt Jenn Jackson, PAO[/caption]Capt Jenn JacksonTGEX 21-02 PAO––Her Majesty’s Canadian  Ships Winnipeg and Regina started Task Group Exercise 21-02 (TGEX 21-02) on May 29 with a successful anti-air warfare exercise in the West Coast Firing Range.Winnipeg fired two evolved sea sparrow missiles as part of the ship’s preparations for their upcoming deployment on Operations Projection and Neon. They fired at unmanned aerial targets known as Vindicators launched from Regina.“I am extremely proud of my team and what they accomplished,” says Cdr Doug Layton, Commanding Officer of Winnipeg. “In addition to firing our missiles, we also successfully fired our 57mm gun, Close-in Weapons System, and Naval Remote Weapons System to destroy all four Vindicator targets. The teamwork displayed across all departments was unsurpassed throughout.”TGEX 21-02 is a naval exercise taking place until June 11 off the coast of western Vancouver Island, and in the vicinity of Constance Bank, and the Strait of Georgia. It includes participation from the Royal Canadian Navy and Royal Canadian Air Force.“This exercise provides a valuable opportunity for Pacific Fleet ships to maintain operational readiness while simultaneously supporting at-sea experience for newly trained Operations Room Officers,” says Capt(N) Scott Robinson, Commander of TGEX 21-02. Operations Room Officers (OROs) are senior Lieutenant(N) Naval Warfare Officers who are charged by the ship’s Commanding Officer with conducting and coordinating the ship’s overall program and warfare capabilities. Selection to become an ORO is merit-based and a key step for Naval Warfare Officers to progress to higher ranks and eventual command.“Having an opportunity to gain experience at sea has been extremely valuable,” says Lt(N) Ben Scott, recent ORO course graduate. “It is helping me build confidence in my skills and the mentorship I’ve received makes the transition from the simulations we do on the course to...

Peter MallettStaff Writer––The Base Orderly Room (BOR) has completed a successful trial of a digital form that changes the way Canadian Armed Forces members do business. Military members posted to CFB Esquimalt and CFB Halifax can now complete their In/Out routine form via online application. In/Out forms are essential documents that enable military members to receive personal liability and clearance certificates, pay and records documentation, amd mess affiliation when leaving an existing posting and arriving at a new one. Prior to the launch of the trial in May, all In/Out routine forms were paper hard copy. Lt(N) Alex Uddin, BOR Officer In Charge, says the modernization was born out of necessity. “During the COVID-19 pandemic, the BOR faced many challenges including members not being able to physically come into the BOR. This resulted in the modernization of our delivery of core services through digital methods. Part of that mission was to streamline the In/Out routine for members being posted to and leaving the base, which resulted in a digitized process instead of a physical paper copy.” The PDF-based forms require a digital signature to complete. The document is accessible on the DWAN browser. The digital form can be used in Esquimalt or Halifax or to transfer from any other CAF base. The trial of the digital forms received positive feedback, says Lt(N) Uddin. The program received final approval and is now live, they anticipate the new digital forms will become a permanent feature. To access the In/Out routine forms through the DWAN visit the following web page: http://esquimalt.mil.ca/main/e/documents/RCN_IOR_MbrDataEntry.pdf  If you do not have access to a DWAN account or computer send your request to PL-ESQ.BAdmIORoutines@forces.gc.ca using the following subject line: “Requesting In/Out Routine Form.––––

Veterans Affairs Canada and Canadian Heritage have revealed the five concepts for the National Monument to Canada’s Mission in Afghanistan. Canadians are invited to view the concepts and complete the short survey to help choose a design before June 9 at www.Canada.ca/survey-monument-afghanistan.In August 2019, teams of professional artists, landscape architects, architects, and other urban design professionals were invited to provide their credentials and examples of prior work. In summer 2020, a jury composed of experts in the fields of arts and urban design and representatives from key stakeholder groups shortlisted five design teams to each create a design for the Monument.The National Monument to Canada’s Mission in Afghanistan will recognize the commitment and sacrifice of the more than 40,000 Canadians who served there, and the support provided to them by Canadians at home, as well as the families whose lives were changed by the mission.A jury of experts and stakeholders will consider the survey responses when selecting the winning design, which will be announced in the fall.For more information on the monument, https://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/memorials/afghanistan-monument––––

[caption id="attachment_26061" align="aligncenter" width="550"] Example of the new DND 404 Driver’s Licence.[/caption]DND––To make Canadian Armed Forces institutions more inclusive sex designation has been eliminated on the DND 404, the military’s driver’s licence.Starting June 1, all new DND 404s will be issued without sex identification on them. Current versions will remain valid until their expiry date. Anyone who wishes to exchange their current version before its expiry date for a new version without a sex identification can do so by requesting this to their local Road and Vehicle Safety Section (RVSS). Their RVSS will process a regular DND renewal request and a new DND 404 will be issued.This change to the DND 404 will not affect the card as a valid piece of federal government identification since it is not used as a primary identity document. Nor will it affect the licence’s status under the Canadian Driver Licence Agreement, which means it will continue to be recognized by provincial and territorial jurisdictions, and by law enforcement officers across Canada. There will be no impact on provincial or territorial driver’s licence qualification exchange programs, or on the recognition of CAF driver qualifications abroad.The provincial and territorial driver’s licence qualification exchange program allows recently retired or currently serving military members to transfer their DND 404-related qualifications onto their civilian provincial/territorial licence without additional training or testing. In general, most, if not all, military driving qualifications that have an equivalent class for a civilian driver licence are granted by the jurisdiction. However, each province and territory has its own process, so interested members should check the specific requirements of the province or territory in which they reside.––––

[caption id="attachment_26049" align="aligncenter" width="594"] Kevin Zalba[/caption]A/SLt Wen Guo Base Administration––It seems like fate that Kevin Zalba would spend his civilian career managing an arena. The former sailor, who joined at 17 in 1981, served 22 years in the navy, retiring as a Petty Officer Second Class.While he loves the navy, he loves hockey even more. “I played hockey my whole life and was always around the rink as a kid. I played at a higher level and always enjoyed the competitive nature of being on a hockey team. When I retired from the navy and this position became available, I jumped for this opportunity because I love hockey and I wanted to provide a great facility for people who love hockey too.” Zalba is the Arena and Grounds Manager at the Personnel Support Programs (PSP), leading a team of 13 staff members. His main responsibility is to keep the Wurtele Arena and sports fields in great shape for the military and Greater Victoria community to use. “I love working on our ice; we have the best ice in the city and working with an amazing PSP team makes me want to come to work every day of the year.” In addition to the arena, Zalba and his team also take care of the baseball diamonds, outdoor volleyball field, soccer fields on Colville Road, and the tennis court in dockyard. “My passion for sports motivates me to maintain high standards in all our facilities and various sports fields. I want the best facilities for our members and will do whatever I can to achieve that.” The job has come with additional rewards. In 2019, the base hosted the World Junior Hockey Team offering the arena for their practice as they prepared for the World Junior Hockey Championships in Vancouver and Victoria....

[caption id="attachment_26040" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Commander Amber Comisso[/caption]Peter MallettStaff writer––Vancouver-based filmmaker Adrian Juric has included a Royal Canadian Navy officer in his upcoming documentary Our Time Has Come: Women Who Lead.Commander (Cdr) Amber Comisso, 42, joins a half dozen other successful working women in the film that focusses on gender equality and the unique ways women lead at the highest levels of the organizational world. “I was truly honoured and excited that he chose me to tell part of a larger story of the struggle of gender equity to Canadians,” said Cdr Comisso. “I really do think it’s important for young women to see someone successful in the navy, and research shows for so many women, seeing is believing.” She currently works as F3, Canadian Fleet Pacific, and is preparing for the upcoming Task Group Exercise involving HMC Ships Winnipeg and Regina running May 28 to June 11. Her clip was filmed at the Wardroom, with a sneak peak recently released on LinkedIn. “Young women, especially those in their teens, need to see women who have done big things in the world in order to go after success themselves,” says Juric. “My goal with this film is to introduce them to female leaders who fit this description, women who might inspire them enough to pursue leadership roles of their own one day.”His cousin, Kara Osborne, a retired army intelligence officer, recommended Cdr Comisso. It was her impressive accomplishments over 23 years in the navy, and her roles as mother of two and service spouse, that prompted him to reach out to her. She recently completed a posting as HMCS Winnipeg’s Executive Officer, part of which was a five-month deployment to the Asia-Pacific region on Operations Projection and Neon. She previously held the title of National Military Co-Chair of the Defence Women’s Advisory Organization, which advises Canada’s military on systemic barriers concerning women and gender equity.[caption id="attachment_26042" align="aligncenter" width="389"] Commander Amber Comisso[/caption]During the filming, Juric asked her several provocative questions on gender:...