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Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~A junior public affairs officer (PAO) from Maritime Forces Pacific (MARPAC) has been honoured for her stellar leadership skills when she stepped up to fill the manager role in the unit during the senior PAO’s absence last year. Lt Chelsea Dubeau received the Public Affairs Special Recognition Award on July 21 for her “exceptional leadership and professionalism under stress.” She was nominated by Captain(N) Chris Peschke, MARPAC Chief of Staff, who also delivered the award.“Initially, I wasn’t sure what to think as I was brought to his office by my supervisor. My initial reaction was ‘oh no, I must be in trouble for something’,” said Lt Dubeau. “When Capt(N) Peschke started reading the citation and I realized why I was there, I became overwhelmed.”Due to COVID-19 physical distancing measures, there was no official ceremony to present her with the award. Instead, she received official proclamation in the form of a congratulatory video.She earned the award by filling the senior public affairs officer position during unforeseen circumstances when the deputy senior officer PAO was deployed to the Middle East. “I was very fortunate to have a small but mighty team of individuals who rose in equal measure to the many challenges,” said Lt Dubeau. “I hope they know we all share in the many successes and lessons learned during this period, which certainly helped in my personal and professional growth.”During her tenure, she provided much-needed guidance to the Admiral, Commodore, and Commander Canadian Submarine Force. In the nomination her work is described as: Demonstrating professional acumen with complex media issues far beyond that expected from so junior an officer, she confidently provided sound advice to Flag and senior officers resulting in successful media engagements. Lt Dubeau served in the Royal Canadian Navy as a Naval Warfare Officer from 2010 to 2012, but then...

[caption id="attachment_24211" align="aligncenter" width="594"] Members of Pacific Football Club gather for a group photo with reservists from 39 Brigade Group following a training session at Albert Head Cadet Training Centre on July 30. Photo by Drew Shaw, 39 Canadian Brigade Group[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~Members from the Pacific Football Club stopped by Albert Head Training Centre to brighten the spirits of quarantined reservists. Approximately 90 army reservists from 39 Canadian Brigade Group have made Albert Head their temporary home as they undertake their Basic Military Qualification (BMQ) Course. Two players and two staff members from the professional soccer team added something different to the soldier’s regular physical training routine. Retired central defender turned coach, Ryan McCurdy was assisted by Pacific FC development prospect Jordan de Graaf to lead 60 reservists through two separate, one-hour workout sessions. Reservists then broke into six teams for a series of six-a-side soccer games. “The smiles on the faces of the participants became a clear indication of the success of the activity,” said Lt Drew Shaw, 39 Signal Regiment, who helped organize the event. “Some reservists had never played soccer or participated in any organized sports, while others were obviously experienced footballers.”Because the reservists have been self-isolating together, only the Pacific FC visitors and course instructors, who don’t live at the training centre, wore protective masks and physically distanced. “It was hard work out there and the coach [Ryan] really made us sweat,” said Pte Aidan Kozubal. “Along the way, a couple of my course mates really surprised me with their [soccer] skills.” The Albert Head training session came approximately a week ahead of the team’s departure for the East Coast and restart of play. Pacific FC will participate in the 2020 Canadian Premier League Championship tournament in Prince Edward Island, which starts Aug. 13. The...

[caption id="attachment_24208" align="aligncenter" width="594"] A/SLt Forry on the deck of HMCS Yellowknife during its cold move in July.[/caption]A/SLt Donald Den, HMCS Malahat Public Affairs Officer ~Seven naval reservists from HMCS Malahat were on board HMCS Yellowknife for two days in mid-July to help the ship’s cold move to Point Hope Shipyard. A cold move takes place when a ship is transported via tugs without the use of its own propulsion system or engines. Yellowknife was taken to the shipyard for a standard maintenance and upgrade cycle“It was a great chance for some of our newer sailors to get some experience with ship life,” said Able Seaman (AB) Emma Stewart.The naval reservists also put into practice the COVID-19 shipboard Standard Operating Procedures they recently learned. “Malahat’s sailors continue to gain experience and training while assisting the fleet, even during the pandemic,” said Lieutenant-Commander Andrew Janes, Malahat’s Executive Officer. “This comes from the great individual initiatives of our sailors that seek and deliver on the opportunities while maintaining safe practices.”Working alongside the Malahat sailors were those from HMCS Edmonton, and civilian staff on board Canadian Forces Auxiliary Vessels (CFAV) Glendale and Glendyne, both tugs. The original cold move was planned for July 13; however, when Yellowknife reached Victoria’s Johnson Street Bridge, it was unable to raise due to maintenance issues, so the move had to be rescheduled to July 16. “Despite it taking two attempts, morale amongst all the sailors was high,” says AB Stewart. “Lots of people were excited to be back working on a ship, so it was a good experience.”––––

HMCS Windsor comes out of refit from the submarine shed (D294) at CFB Halifax dockyard, and is lowered into the waters of Halifax Harbour, Nova Scotia, on Aug. 7.Photos by Master Corporal Anthony Laviolette, Canadian Armed Forces Imagery Technician 

[caption id="attachment_24193" align="aligncenter" width="593"] John Horton[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~Renowned marine artist John Horton has been appointed to the Order of British Columbia. In an announcement on Aug. 3, Chancellor of the Order, Lieutenant Governor Janet Austin named Horton as one of this year’s 13 recipients. The 84-year-old resident of Tsawwassen, B.C., has produced over 1,500 paintings including commissioned works featuring Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) vessels and sailors. Horton said being named to the Order came as a complete surprise.“It was very humbling because I am joining such a wonderful group of people who have done some incredible things. There have been so many other people who have helped inspire me and my art throughout my career and the navy is a huge part of that, from Admirals to Able Seaman.”Horton says his email in-box was flooded with hundred of congratulatory emails after he was named to the Order, including one from Rear-Admiral Bob Auchterlonie and former Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy, VAdm (Retired) Ron Lloyd. This year, 160 British Columbians were nominated for the award, the province’s highest form of recognition. A total of 460 people have been appointed to the Order of B.C in its 31-year history. This year’s recipients were selected by a seven-member independent advisory council. “Your many contributions have enriched the lives of British Columbians and helped make our province and even better place,” read the proclamation by B.C. Premier John Horgan, which accompanies the award.Artist is bornBorn in England, Horton attended Poole & Bournemouth Schools of Art when he was 16 in the years following the Second World War. In 1966, he and his family moved to Vancouver, B.C., where he opened his own practice as an architectural artist.After more than half a century of painting oil on canvass, Horton has an impressive catalogue...

[caption id="attachment_24186" align="aligncenter" width="593"] Divers from HMCS Malahat enjoyed ideal dive conditions near the breakwater off Ogden Point.[/caption]A/SLt Donald Den, HMCS Malahat Public Affairs Officer ~Saturday July 18 marked the first time naval reserve divers from HMCS Malahat were able to conduct a boat dive since the outbreak of COVID-19.Blessed with beautiful clear weather and calm seas off the Breakwater at Ogden Point, 12 divers got into the water to maintain their proficiency. Canadian Armed Forces regulations dictate divers in the Royal Canadian Navy must be both current (dive at least once every 90 days) and proficient (participate in at least six cycles in a 90-day period) in their skills. However, the pandemic delayed the training by almost two months.Divers prepared leading up to this open-water excursion with practice dives off the jetty by the unit. The COVID-19 factor also meant additional safety protocols and sanitization.“Everything needs to be sanitized, the diving gear, the regulators, the boats, everything,” said CPO2 Sean Ratz, Malahat Dive Officer. “It is a lot more to think about for sure; we are still able to function, it’s just a bit more complicated.”Once on the boat, they were not able to maintain appropriate social distance, so everyone on board, including the divers, wore face masks until they donned their dive masks. “The morale was great on the day of the dive,” Chief Ratz notes, pleased with how the team responded. “Everyone worked hard, and, in the end, everyone was just happy to get back in the water.”––––

2Lt Justin Leong, Base Administration ~A Red Seal Chef is at the helm of Nelles Block Galley.Petty Officer First Class Raymond Charles Ferguson, 48, is the mess’s kitchen manager. The accreditation means he is an expert in cooking through his superior skills and knowledge as a chef. PO1 Ferguson joined the navy 14 years ago via direct entry for the cook trade. But the road before that was one many prominent chefs know too well – the bottom of the rung. He started as a pot washer and food prep person at McKelvies Seafood Restaurant in Halifax, NS. As luck would have it, he was called to the line to assist the head chef. As the orders came in, he required no instruction and proceeded to produce dish after dish. The chef realized he had been quietly observing the cooks at work, absorbing their skills. Seeing such talent bubbling to the surface, restaurant owner Robert McKelvies paid for Ferguson’s culinary schooling. Once certified, he eventually became Chef De Partie of Elements Restaurant at the Westin Nova Scotia Hotel.It was a  TV ad for military careers that piqued his interest to sign up, and soon he was rising the ranks in the military.As Kitchen Manager, he ensures the galley is adequately staffed to meet all food service requirements daily, as well as ensuring food safety procedures are met, especially during COVID-19. He manages a team of 40 people, a mix of both civilian workers and military cooks.PO1 Ferguson has been a part of several deployments and joint operations, with the most recent one being with HMCS St. John’s on Operation Reassurance.“It is very challenging for a cook especially at sea during heavy sea states,” he says. “Working with sharp knives, around hot liquids, and trying to stay upright on your feet at the...

CFMWS ~It can be hard to know what to do when your military family has just moved, and a family member gets sick. You have barely had time to unpack, much less had time to find a new family doctor. What do you do? Do you take them to a walk-in clinic? Or maybe your new community is so small it only has an emergency room. Do you wait hours in the waiting room while you or your sick family member waits to see a doctor? And what about all those other sick people around you waiting to see the same doctor? Will you be exposed to whatever germs or illness they are facing too? Now, you and your dependents have a much better (and faster) option.This summer, Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services is collaborating with Maple to provide online doctor visits to dependents of Canadian Armed Forces members living in Canada. With a few clicks, you’ll be able to access a Canadian-licensed general practitioner within minutes, not hours. It’s a safe, fast, and effective way to access routine healthcare from the comfort of your home. A smartphone, tablet or computer is needed to access the service, as well a valid CFOne card. You can also choose to communicate with Maple’s doctor by text, phone call, or video. The service is free for all serving military families. If you or your dependent need to see a virtual doctor Monday to Friday between 7 a.m. and midnight (EDT), the service won’t cost you anything. To access this service, go to www.getmaple.ca/militaryfamily.  You’ll be asked to enter a valid CFOne card. If the virtual doctor consultation is for your dependent, you’ll need to use their valid CFOne number. Maple will confirm your eligibility, and, in a few minutes, you’ll be connected...

Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~A former motorcycle cop is encouraging aspiring motorcyclists from the base to get the skills they need before embarking on their journey down the highway. Bill Laughlin has been an instructor with the Vancouver Island Safety Council (VISC) since his retirement from the Victoria Police Department in 2003, concluding 27 years of service as a police sergeant.“I have always been a motorcyclist and have been riding since I was 16, so when I was asked by a friend if I would be interested in teaching I knew I would really enjoy it,” says Laughlin.Each year, he and approximately 20 other ICBC-licensed instructors teach over 400 students how to be safer motorcyclists. Their efforts are focused solely on rider training and education. “All of our instructors have a passion for motorcycling. We are teaching because we want people to learn, be safe, but also have fun.”Shortly after joining VISC, Laughlin became its executive director. Today the 66 year old spends most of his days working as an administrator with the end goal to equip novice riders with the necessary skills and knowledge to operate a motorcycle safely. VISC offers weekday classes at its Western Speedway training centre in Langford; on the weekend training moves to the grounds of Interurban’s Camosun College. Students train on one of VISC’s 11 well-maintained training bikes, and later in their instruction, 16 street-ready motorcycles as they move towards certification.  Helmets are also provided, but other gear such as proper protective clothing is not. Laughlin says VISC has trained several members of Victoria’s military community in past years and is convinced many of them buy into the philosophy of doing things right, getting the proper training, and learning the fundamentals before taking on any potentially dangerous activity. You need to get your skills right before...

[caption id="attachment_24172" align="aligncenter" width="550"] Mark WatsonCommissionaires Chief of Staff[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~A retired Commodore of the Royal Canadian Navy is the new leader of an organization that provides security services to public and private sector clients including Canada’s military bases.Mark Watson is the new Commissionaires Chief of Staff. He replaces Captain (Retired) Harry Harsch, who served for five years with the non-profit, self-funded organization.“I hope my military and business experience will prove to be an asset to improve our institution’s effectiveness and efficiency,” said Watson. “To that end, I look forward to working with the various boards, management teams, and commissionaires across Canada.” Commissionaires is Canada’s premier security provider and the largest employer of retired Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members and RCMP veterans. Coast to coast, they employ more than 22,000 people. Services range from professional guarding to by-law enforcement to digital fingerprinting, criminal and employee background checks that one can also get a check online, and security training. “Commissionaires is a truly unique Canadian institution serving veterans and the community for nearly 100 years,” says Watson. Col (Retired) Chris Lythgo, Commissionaires National Board Chair, describes his new colleague as “an accomplished leader” with a proven track record of success who possesses a “wealth of knowledge and skills” from over three decades of service to the CAF and Department of National Defence.He also noted that Watson should be a familiar face to many military personnel with the Commissionaires, having held a variety of senior appointments over a period of 36 years.Some of his more high-profile posts include Logistics Officer, African Union Mission in Sudan (2005); Director Maritime Material Operation Support and J4 Canada Command; member of the Canadian Forces Liaison Council; CEO Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services (CFMWS) 2012 to 2016; and Director General Compensation and Benefits (2016 to...

[caption id="attachment_24169" align="aligncenter" width="593"] Base Commander, Capt(N) Sam Sader gets behind the wheel of a unique 1968 Beaumont Convertible. He was joined by Base Chief, CPO1 Al Darragh and Rex Landis of Habitat for Humanity Kamloops. Landis was in town July 28 to help promote a raffle for the classic car that is being used as a fundraiser for the non-profit to support veterans. Photos by Peter Mallett, Lookout Newspaper[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~Base Commander, Captain(N) Sam Sader slid behind the wheel of a $102,500 vintage Pontiac Beaumont convertible last week in support of a fundraising drive for veterans. The 1968 eye-catching plum red classic car was brought to Victoria from the mainland by Rex Landis, a former navy officer and now Donations and Procurement Donations Co-ordinator for the Kamloops branch of Habitat For Humanity.The restored car is the winning prize for this year’s Habitat For Humanity car raffle. Proceeds from ticket sales will support a few veteran-centric initiatives.“I would like to win this car, it’s beautiful but the cause is even more beautiful,” said Capt(N) Sader. “It is so remarkable that we have former service members like Rex giving their time and energy to assist something that is so fundamentally critical to our veterans and seniors, which is affordable housing.”Landis towed the car in a large trailer to Victoria to ensure a safe trip. During his week-long visit, he showcased it in Langley, Sidney, Saanich, Shawnigan Lake, Victoria, and Powell River to raise awareness of the raffle.Given the car’s beauty factor and the cause of the auction, he hasn’t needed a sales pitch to convince people to buy one of the 50,000 raffle tickets. “The response to the car and what we are doing has been amazing from everyone I have spoken with. I also have encountered many veterans and...

On a beautiful navy day off Royal Roads, the ship’s company of HMCS Calgary gathered on the flight deck for the Change of Command Ceremony between outgoing Commanding Officer, Commander Alex Barlow, and the Incoming Commanding Officer, Commander Mark O’Donohue. The July 22 ceremony was presided over by Commander Canadian Fleet Pacific, Commodore Angus Topshee, who was accompanied by the Fleet Chief Petty Officer, Chief Petty Officer First Class Sylvain Jaquemot.Commander Barlow assumed command of Calgary in January after relinquishing Command of HMCS Ottawa, having completed a successful deployment to the Far East.During his time in command, he guided Calgary through a busy and tumultuous time beginning with an emergency dry docking, several phases of operations team training, and undocking. This was followed by an additional pre-deployment readiness sail and Calgary’s eventual 50-day commitment to TGEX 20-1 in support of Operation Laser. Although the outbreak of COVID-19 prevented Calgary from deploying on Operation Projection as scheduled, Cdr Barlow guided his crew through many challenges with his outstanding leadership and unwavering direction to Calgary’s crew when it was needed most. Although he will be missed by the entire ship’s company as Captain, he takes with him all of Calgary’s best wishes for his future endeavours. From 2016 to 2018, Cdr O’Donohue assumed the duties of Executive Officer in HMC Ships Fredericton and Toronto, participating in multiple exercises and trials, sailing to Central and South America, as well as the Canadian Great Lakes. Upon completion of his Executive Officer tour, he joined the Maritime Component Commander staff in Halifax, overseeing and supporting ships deployed on named operations.In his new role as Commanding Officer of HMCS Calgary, he will oversee the ship’s tiered readiness program in order to prepare the ship and crew for their upcoming deployment to the Far East and the...

[caption id="attachment_24159" align="aligncenter" width="594"] Cmdre Richard Feltham, Commander Canadian Fleet Atlantic, far left, salutes HMCS Toronto as it departs Halifax July 25. To his right is the Honourable Arthur LeBlanc, Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia. Photo by MARLANT PA[/caption]Ryan Melanson, Trident Newspaper ~As HMCS Toronto departed Halifax on July 25 for a six-month deployment on Operation Reassurance, there was plenty of chatter about the difficulties brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic and how that will impact the crew and the mission.For LS Gabrielle Garant-Grenon, however, it was best to focus on the positives. The Sonar Operator said she was excited to head to sea and gain more experience during her second major deployment. While the pandemic has had an impact, it hasn’t changed everything, she added.“Obviously, there would normally be a lot more people on the jetty to see us leave, but in other regards, this deployment isn’t so different. Once we leave the wall, this is like any other mission; we just have to do our jobs, focus, and work hard as a team.”That hard work began months ago as the ship ramped up its readiness level ahead of deploying and intensified in June when crew came back aboard – and remained aboard – quarantined away from their families for 40 days prior to departing. Before that, they had to conduct planning from home during the height of the pandemic in the spring.Cmdre Richard Feltham, Commander Canadian Fleet Atlantic, said Toronto has set an excellent example of carrying out their responsibilities in the face of obstacles that are unprecedented for a modern navy.“I can’t explain how proud I am of what this ship has done. To achieve this high state of readiness in a pandemic environment, and overcome the obstacles as they have, is tremendous.”This is the third time Toronto...

[caption id="attachment_24154" align="aligncenter" width="594"] HMCS Fredericton arrives in Halifax Harbour July 28 after a lengthy deployment on Operation Reassurance ROTO 12.Photo by Leading Seaman Bryan Underwood, CAF Imagery Technician[/caption]Ryan Melanson, Trident Newspaper ~After 141 days at sea that brought unexpected difficulties and tragedy, HMCS Fredericton and crew were finally reunited with their families, friends, and colleagues when they arrived back in Halifax July 28.“We all know we’re returning to a very different world than when we left Halifax six months ago, but I can’t tell you how great it is to be back on Canadian soil,” said Commander Blair Brown to a small crowd at HMC Dockyard, and to thousands who watched online to see the ship come alongside. Rather than having a crowd of family members waiting as sailors disembarked, the crew was bussed to Windsor Park to reunite with loved ones in a way that complies with physical distancing guidelines.Before reaching shore, the ship was met at sea by Gen Jonathan Vance, Chief of the Defence Staff,  and Harjitt Sajjan, Minister of National Defence, who spoke with the crew to privately thank them for their work under exceptionally difficult circumstances.On April 29, Fredericton’s CH-148 Cyclone helicopter, code named Stalker 22, crashed during operations off the coast of Greece, with six CAF members losing their lives – Capt Brenden Ian MacDonald, Capt Kevin Hagen, Capt Maxime Miron-Morin, MCpl Matthew Cousins, SLt Abbigail Cowbrough, and SLt Matthew Pyke. Despite the loss of their friends and shipmates, the crew carried on with their mission through a COVID-19 environment that made it impossible to get rest away from the ship while in port or to travel home on leave.“Our role in Operation Reassurance was vital, and our ship’s company displayed tremendous resilience, a positive attitude, and unwavering commitment to that mission,” said Cdr...

SLt M.X. Déry, MARPAC PAO ~The journey to Dr. Bonnie Henry becoming a household name in B.C. and across the rest of Canada began decades ago as the child of a military family. She still has the stereotypical answer to the question, “Where are you from?”“I was born in Fredericton when my father was posted to CFB Gagetown, but I consider Charlottetown my hometown,” she says, because her father was a Major with the Lord Strathcona's Horse, Canadian Army. “We moved around a lot.”She grew up in towns across Canada and abroad - from Charlottetown to Calgary to Saint John’s and even as far away as the Netherlands. But it was summer employment with the Naval Reserves as a Naval Warfare Officer, then known as a Naval Control of Shipping officer, that would lead her to B.C., and eventually to Provincial Health Officer for British Columbia managing COVID-19, the first woman to hold that position.   An interest in medicine led her to Dalhousie University Faculty of Medicine in Halifax, Nova Scotia. While completing her medical degree, she decided to follow her father’s path and join the Canadian Armed Forces. “Being an armoured corps officer, he was sorely disappointed when I joined the navy,” she quips. The military, always in need of medical staff, paid for the last two years of her degree.Like her current position, back in the 1990s she was a female rarity in the medical, navy, and diving world. She spent almost 10 years showcasing how woman can excel in the military domain. During her service, she was a ship’s diver, flight surgeon, and medical diver. Each of those roles required special training that exposed her to physical and mental stressors.“They were all physically demanding and intellectually stimulating,” she says. “I really enjoyed the physical part as well...

[caption id="attachment_24142" align="aligncenter" width="593"] HMCS Regina sails out of Esquimalt Harbour.Photo by Master Corporal Andre Maillet, MARPAC Imaging Services[/caption]DND ~The first group of Canadian military participants in Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2020 began their transit to the waters off the Hawaiian archipelago last Friday when the crew of HMCS Regina set sail from CFB Esquimalt. The second warship comprising Canada’s maritime task group, HMCS Winnipeg, departed Sunday, Aug. 2 and will join Regina at sea.  Both warships will be augmented by Cyclone air detachments from 443 Maritime Helicopter Squadron.“Our very ability to participate in this exercise during a period of restricted international travel demonstrates the inherent flexibility of maritime forces,” said Captain (Navy) Scott Robinson, Canadian Task Group Commander. “We look forward to working alongside allies and partners to foster trust while strengthening our operational capabilities.”In order to address health and safety concerns posed by the current global pandemic, U.S. Navy organizers have redesigned this year’s exercise to focus exclusively on the maritime element.Hosted biennially by U.S. Navy in and around the Hawaiian Islands, RIMPAC is one of the world’s largest multinational maritime exercise.  Canada has participated in every RIMPAC since it began in 1971.  RIMPAC 2020 is the 27th edition and is scheduled from Aug. 17 to 31.“Canadians recognize our security and prosperity are increasingly affected by events across the Asia-Pacific,” said Commodore Angus Topshee, Commander Canadian Fleet Pacific. “Our longstanding participation in RIMPAC reflects our commitment to developing constructive multilateral partnerships in order to promote peace and security in the region.”––––Edited Aug 4, 2020HMCS Regina, HMCS Winnipeg along with Cyclone Helicopters BRONCO and REBEL will be sailing and flying past Victoria and Esquimalt Lagoon on Thursday Aug 6th between 4:30 and 5:30pm. Main viewing points will be:Clover Point (approx. 4:45pm)Ogden Point (approx. 5:00pm)Saxe Point (approx. 5:05pm)Esquimalt Lagoon (approx....

[caption id="attachment_24113" align="aligncenter" width="593"] Lt(N) Stephen Tomlinson of Naval Fleet School Pacific poses with a copy of his new book 'Onward'.[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~A newly released book documenting the inspirational battle of a Royal Canadian Sailor and his triumph over cancer is now available in paperback. Onward traces the agonizing, life-and-death struggle of former HMCS Calgary Navigation Officer Lieutenant (Navy) Stephen Tomlinson endured with testicular cancer was released in June. Self-published by Island Blue Printing, the 6x9 soft cover is available by direct ordering through Lt(N) Tomlinson. “The main idea behind Onward is that hope is stronger than fear,” said Lt(N) Tomlinson.During his journey battling cancer, Lt(N) Tomlinson endured 350 hours of chemotherapy, 11 radiation treatments, a seizure, and five surgeries following his initial diagnosis in 2017. The experience he says produced multiple points of total despair and desperation where he had almost given up all hope of survival. “I had come to the point of accepting where life was going south on me and I was given a one-in-ten shot at survival by my doctor,” he said in a previous interview.Miraculously, he went on to beat the cancer after it has spread to his brain, lymph nodes, and lungs. A surgical procedure to remove a plum-sized tumour from his brain was a success but Lt(N) Tomlinson says the fight forever changed his life and the man he is. Now cancer free, Lt(N) Tomlinson has returned to duty with the RCN where he works as an instructor at Naval Fleet School Pacific’s Venture Division. Lt(N) Tomlinson said that one of the things that inspired him most to write Onward was because there were so few books published on testicular cancer and those who have survived it. “There was 16-feet of shelving dedicated to other forms of cancer, and especially breast and...

Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~A Persian Gulf War veteran is reaching out to his comrades in arms to ensure they are properly honoured. Master Corporal (ret’d) Harold Davis of Cobble Hill, B.C. is founder and president of the Persian Gulf Veterans of Canada (PGVC) and also a proud recipient of the Kuwait Liberation Medal. The medal is awarded to current and former military members from Canada, the United States, Great Britain, New Zealand and Australia who served in the first Persian Gulf War from Aug. 2 1990 to Aug. 31, 1991. The 60-year-old says many Gulf War veterans who are eligible for the honour are unaware it exists. “I want to make sure every Canadian who served in the war is recognized for their efforts that helped liberate the Middle Eastern nation following its unsuccessful annexation by Iraq. “A lot of people who are so deserving of this medal have yet to receive them,” explained Davis. “The Persian Gulf Veterans of Canada wants to make certain that everyone who is eligible receives one and hopefully in person.”The former Royal Canadian Air Force Weapons Technician was posted to HMCS Athabaskan during the war. These days he’s been busy working with Kuwait’s ambassador to Canada, Reem Al Khaled, to make sure those deserving are properly honoured. “Khaled was a young girl when Iraq invaded Kuwait and she says she remembers what happened in her country,” said Davis. “She fully understands the importance of honouring those who helped liberate her country.” The medal was first issued in 1994 and is awarded in five different classes, determined by military rank and each medal differs slightly. Its obverse bears Kuwait’s coat of arms consisting of a shield of the flag design in colour, superimposed by a falcon with wings displayed. The falcon supports a disk containing a sailing ship with the full name of the state written at the top of the disk. Canadian recipients are only permitted to wear the medal on the right breast...

[caption id="attachment_24104" align="aligncenter" width="595"] A/SLt Anjad Aliak, a naval reservist with HMCS Donnaconna, gets a bearing of other ships while aboard Patrol Craft Training Vessel Cougar on July 22. A/SLt Aliak was conducting Officer of the Watch manoeuvers on the Victoria waterfront as part of his Naval Warfare Officer Phase 3 Training. Photo by Lt(N) Tom Eagle, PCTU.[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~July has been a busy month for members of the Patrol Craft Training Unit (PCTU) and their Orca-class vessels who are making a cautious return to regular sails.The RCN’s eight Patrol-Craft Training vessels are used to instruct personnel from Naval Fleet School (Pacific) and support fleet training. In recent months their regular training operations were curtailed due to COVID-19, but last week saw a return of five Orcas as part of a four-phase restart of the Naval Training System (NTS) initiated by fleet school earlier this month.During April and May the Orca-class vessels had taken part in Operation LASER, the navy’s COVID-19 isolation at-sea mitigation measures. Those sails occurred prior to May 22, with rotating Orca-class vessels over a five-week period. Since that point though, the ships and their crews have been alongside for nearly two consecutive months.  The lack of sea time has posed some unique challenges says Lieutenant-Commander Colin Dudeck, Group Technical Officer, Coastal Forces Pacific.“If you don’t sail on a regular basis you start to gradually get out of practice – knowledge of the machinery plant fades and reactions to technical issues or emergencies can take longer,” said LCdr Dudeck. “There is also no substitute for running a ship at sea because going to sea also helps our Orca-class engineers to identify any problems or degradation that might not be apparent when the ships and its company are alongside.”Between July 20 to 29, training vessels Moose 62,...

[caption id="attachment_24101" align="aligncenter" width="593"] Saxe Point arrival and homecoming July 18, 2020. Photo by Don Butt[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~A retired platoon commander of the Canadian Army has become the first North American to complete an extremely rare nautical feat. On July 18 Captain (ret’d) Bert ter Hart sailed his 44-foot sailboat SV Seaburban into Victoria’s Inner Harbour after a non-stop solo circumnavigation of the globe through the world’s five great capes without the assistance of any electronic navigation devices. The 61-year-old Gabriola resident and computer software programmer is now the eighth person in the world, and first from our continent, to complete this feat. During his journey he passed Cape Horn (Chile), Cape of Agulhas (South Africa), Cape of Leeuwin (Australia), South East Cape (Australia) and the South Cape (Indonesia) using only traditional navigation equipment such as sea charts and a sextant. After setting off from Cape Flattery, Wash., on Oct. 28 he would spend 267 days in complete isolation at sea, with no port stops, while traveling 28,800 nautical miles.On July 22, ter Hart stopped by the Canadian Forces Sailing Association (CFSA) in Esquimalt to show his sailboat off to youth enrolled in the club’s summer sailing programs.“What I did was incredibly difficult but I’ve always been drawn to things that are hard and crossing the world in the southern ocean fits the bill,” said ter Hart a former CFSA member. “Since no North American has ever done this before I wanted to put Canada on the map.”CFSA Commodore, Lieutenant-Commander Chris Maier of Naval Fleet School (Pacific) says it was a proud moment for the club to host ter Hart. “Bert’s accomplishments have been inspiring and impressive on so many levels: human endurance, resiliency, sailing prowess and navigational skill,” said LCdr Maier. “He has inspired many with stories of...

[caption id="attachment_24095" align="aligncenter" width="592"] Left: CPO1 Darcy Byrd – Fleet Chief Petty Officer, Canadian Atlantic Fleet  Right: Commodore Richard Feltham – Commander Canadian Fleet Atlantic[/caption]Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship Fredericton has been deployed on Op Reassurance since January 20th of this year and is scheduled to return from its 6-month deployment on July 28th in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The frigate is part of a range of military activities undertaken by the CAF to support NATO assurance and deterrence measures and demonstrates Canada’s commitment to promote security and stability in Central and Eastern Europe. Not only did the crew deal with the normal difficulties of being deployed and away from loved ones but they were also faced with the COVID-19 pandemic abroad. This significantly impacted their area of operations in Europe starting as early as March and made it increasingly difficult to disembark the ship as most countries had major restrictions. Additionally, on April 29, 2020, six members of the Canadian Armed Forces were killed when a Royal Canadian Air Force CH-148 Cyclone helicopter crashed while conducting maritime surveillance operations with HMCS Fredericton. The conduct, professionalism and resiliency of these brave sailors is truly inspiring and is something that should be recognized.HMCS Fredericton Welcome Home Initiative acknowledges that our sailors and air detachment have dealt with great adversity throughout their deployment overseas. We wish to provide an avenue for Canadians to show their deepest gratitude and sincere thanks for our men and women returning on board Freddie through various online/social media messages.Be sure to send them some support on social media on the arrival day (July 28) using your own platforms and link to them via the hashtags and handles (below).HMCS Fredericton – Social Media Accounts  Facebook -  @fredericton337 Instagram - @hmcs_fredericton  Hashtags:#welcomehomeFreddie#FreddieStrong#Stalker22#WeWillRememberThem #WeTheNavy––––

Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~The Royal Canadian Navy will showcase their warships to an American audience despite the cancellation of Seafair 2020 in Seattle. Usually, the navy sends a few ships to represent Canada in the yearly July event, but with COVID-19 the event has been postponed.The ship tour will now be virtual and available to everyone.Two weeks ago, video footage of HMCS Calgary sailors was filmed by Cpl Jay Naples, MARPAC Imaging, as they walked through the ship. The edited film will join the United States Navy (USN) and United States Coast Guard (USCG) videos for Virtual Fleet Week that will feature vessels and aircraft that were to attend the live event, such as USS Omaha, USS Bunkey Hill, USS Dewey, USCG Cutter Elm, and USCG Cutter Active.The approximately four minute video is hosted by Lieutenant (Navy) John Longstaff, Calgary’s Above Water Warfare Officer.The video opens overlooking Esquimalt harbour with Commodore Angus Topshee, Commander Canadian Fleet Pacific, welcoming viewers to the Royal Canadian Navy.Commander Lorraine Sammut, Calgary’s Executive Officer, helped coordinate the production of the virtual tour despite the crew busy getting ready for an upcoming sail.“Having Calgary showcased in this manner gives our sailors an extra something to be proud of while providing yet another fantastic opportunity to showcase our navy to Canadians and our partners,” she said.The video tour will be also be shared with the USN’s organizers of Portland’s Rose Festival, an event normally attended by the RCN but also postponed due to COVID-19.The virtual ship tours will be released daily starting July 27 on the Seafair and MARPAC Facebook pages.––––

A/SLt Dale Lui, RCN Sail, Campus Support (Pacific) ~Beneath the unwavering heat of the Pacific sun, sailors, both seasoned and new, are training in cadres this summer to learn hands-on seafaring skills. Despite COVID-19 conditions, which threatened the continuation of this year’s program, Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) Sail has managed to once again touch water, being made possible through the support of personnel-awaiting-training (PATs) leading from the helm. Passing on their skills and knowledge are weathered sailors such as CPO2 (Retired) John Haggis who are helping raise a new generation of mariners, skippers, and seafaring leaders.“The number one goal of our mission statement here is to provide the sailing platform as means to give young, on-the-job officers, or non-commissioned members, and personnel-awaiting-training a chance to develop their leadership and teamwork skills. Sailing as a platform is absolutely perfect for that,” he says.A team at Naval Fleet School worked behind the scenes to get the program running in accordance with regulations and safety procedures for COVID-19.“Everything that we did here at the school had to fit into the national picture,” said Lt(N) Konnor Brett. “We had to fall within the orders of the Chief of Defence Staff – directly under those orders – and then determine what it would look like for Naval Fleet School to start working again. So much time and effort was put toward force protection measures and the Commandant’s vision of what it was going to look like to get to a start point.”On the waterWhether it’s aboard a dinghy or a CS36 sail boat, new sailors and experienced trainees rode both wave and wind in the vast ocean blue. With mariners and skippers syncing their efforts, teams let fly the foresail and main the instant the orders are barked.Even though CS36s and dinghies are different from the warships...

Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~A veteran-owned microbrewery in Victoria continues to expand its operations and delight the taste buds of beer connoisseurs despite uncertain economic times. V2V Black Hops Brewing recently released two new brands to its line-up of Canadian military-themed craft beers with Sea King IPA and Gunpowder Stout. The two new brews are already making their way into liquor stores. The company is owned by Capt (Retired) Graham Hafey, a former Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) pilot. He has a soft spot for Sea King IPA, not only because he logged over 1,200 hours flying the now retired helicopter, but also because of the beer’s unique taste.“It’s a west-coast style India Pale Ale, which means it tastes a little more delicate than the standard British IPA,” he says. “The hops have given it a really nice citrus-like finish and it tastes great.”Gun Powder Stout, like their Victory Ale, is dedicated to the First Responders and anyone battling PTSD. The beer is not as heavy in taste like traditional Irish stouts, but is dark in colour, sweeter to the taste, and still a full-flavoured brew. The science behind his beer comes from his civilian Brewmaster, Duncan Blackman, former owner of Langford’s Happy Homebrewers U-brew, who Hafey says has an impressive resume of awards and recognition in provincial brewing competitions.The duo now have high hopes they can make further in-roads in the craft beer market with their latest offerings, but are also painfully aware of the recent pandemic-related economic slump.  Early 2020, they purchased the 3,900 square foot Axe and Barrel brew pub in Langford and expected to open this year. But that went on hold with the pandemic. “The timing of the opening couldn’t have been worse; it was planned weeks in advance and we had no idea how intense the...

[caption id="attachment_24066" align="aligncenter" width="573"] CPO2 Chris Fraser draws his next cartoon.[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~Chief Petty Officer Second Class Chris Fraser is making us giggle by releasing his private collection of single-pane pen-and-ink cartoons. Cartooning, he says, comes easily because humour abounds in everyday life and he doesn’t need to look too far to find it. “My art work is really about the process of looking around at the world in front of me in Dockyard, being well versed in common puns, and being able to twist them into a naval situation to add some levity,” he says. “The navy has its own language and sometimes it’s easy to take some of the words, names, and acronyms and make them humorous.”On his list of influencers is legendary cartoonist Gary Larson and his The Far Side comic strip, and classic British comedy television shows Monty Python and Allo Allo! Most of his humour has a “naval, but certainly not a navel” bent, he quips.   He’s let his artistic talent be known in the past; in 2005, while working aboard HMCS Whitehorse, the commanding officer selected CPO2 Fraser’s artwork to appear on the gun shield of the Kingston-Class ship. He has also designed morale patches, crossing the line ceremony certificates, and tattoos. Cartoons are a recent addition stemming from stay-at-home orders because of the COVID-19 pandemic. During his off-time, because he couldn’t get out and socialize, he worked his imagination and art skills.“Other than my family nobody else has seen my drawings. Whenever my son Andriy takes a look he knows right away it’s just my sense of humour or what he calls ‘Dad jokes.’ Meanwhile, my wife [Natalia] isn’t as enthusiastic and normally just rolls her eyes, shakes her head, and walks away.”The 50-year-old says drawing cartoons helps him relax after a hard work day or even a gruelling workout. He’s a seasoned athlete, primarily a marathon runner. Last year, he ran the Goodlife Fitness Victoria 42.2 km Marathon in full firefighting gear including...

DND ~As the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) maintains its momentum toward a more inclusive environment, an effort has been initiated to consider new rank designations for junior ranks that will result in more inclusive and gender-neutral terms rather than the current Ordinary, Able, Leading, and Master Seaman.The navy is engaging currently serving and retired members, stakeholders, and other interested Canadians to receive their feedback on this initiative.The potential alternative rank designations developed by a focus group of Non-Commissioned Members, and were reviewed by the Directorate of Gender, Diversity, and Inclusion using Gender Based Analysis +.Options for consideration are:Replacing “Seaman” with “Sailor” meaning ranks would be Ordinary Sailor, Able Sailor, Leading Sailor and Master Sailor and would maintain their current abbreviated titles (OS, AB, LS and MS); and Sailor classes such as Sailor 3rd Class (S3), Sailor 2nd Class (S2), Sailor 1st Class (S1) and Master Sailor (MS).The RCN is an organization steeped in history, and while traditions provide an important part of the culture, the service also needs to continuously evolve, and live up to the standing as a progressive service and, indeed, one of Canada’s Top Employers (2019).Sailors from across the Canadian Armed Forces will receive an emailed invitation to participate in the poll, and Social Media posts will invite retired members, stakeholders and interested Canadians to also participate. The engagement period runs from July 17, through to the end of the month.There will also be an open feedback field to allow respondents to suggest alternative options for consideration.The results of this poll will be considered before making the final decision to effect changes to these rank designations this fall, corresponding with the 110th Anniversary of the RCN and the 20th Anniversary of UNSCR 1325: Women, Peace and Security. This is an opportunity for the navy to reinforce its...

DND ~The Canadian Armed Forces has released a new policy framework in the form of a Defence Administrative Order and Directive (DAOD) that addresses harassment, violence, and discrimination, including hateful conduct, within the institution. Racism and discrimination exist and they continue to surface in violent and very tragic ways as has been witnessed with the violence experienced by Black and Indigenous persons recently in the news. This has prompted a discussion about where Canada is as a society in terms of respecting the dignity of every person, without prejudice based on race, colour, national or ethnic origin, or other prohibited grounds.Equality is a human right; respect and dignity for all are core values of Canada. We must foster a safe and healthy workplace for all members of the Defence Team which means upholding the Canadian Human Rights Act. It is unacceptable for a Canadian Armed Forces member to participate in an activity or have membership in a group or organization that is connected with hate-related criminal activities, and/or promotes hatred, violence, discrimination, or harassment on the basis of a prohibited ground of discrimination as defined in the Canadian Human Rights Act.Although a Military Police report for 2013-2018 cited that some CAF members were involved in incidents related to hate/racism during that period, discrimination, including systemic racism, continues to exist in the organization, and it is completely unacceptable. We also know from Statistics Canada research studies that incidents related to hate/racism may be underreported by victims due to fear of retaliation, or the perception no action will be taken to hold the perpetrator(s) accountable. Racism, discrimination, bullying and micro aggression in any form damage or are harmful to an individual, and also undermine the organization’s operational effectiveness. The new DAOD addresses these behaviours and also defines what constitutes hateful conduct. The new policy framework...

Brian Lapierre, Volunteer - Naval Museum of Halifax ~Did you know that Canadians played a significant role in the Submarine Service during the Second World War? Between the First World War and the Second World War, Canada only commissioned two H-Class submarines: CH14 and CH15. They served for a short period of time in the 1920s and were paid off in 1922 and scrapped in 1927.Although Canada did not have any submarines during the Second World War, Canadians continued to serve in the Submarine Service. Up until 1939, trained submariners served with the Royal Navy in their Submarine Service. An accurate count has been hard to determine but around 34 Canadians served in Royal Navy submarines while Canadian officers would command 15 British submarines. Service in the Submarine Service was harsh and hazardous whether you served in the British home waters, the Far East, the Mediterranean, Caribbean, or in the North Atlantic.Dealing with the U-Boat menace in itself was challenging and many a submarine was sunk on both sides. Submarines were sunk on all corners of the oceans throughout the world and many to this day have never been found.Author Julie Ferguson has written a fascinating history of Canada’s Submarine Service in Through a Canadian Periscope: The Story of the Canadian Submarine Service, and subsequently Deeply Canadian: New Submarines for a New Millennium. Her descriptions, whether describing ocean-going submarines, the midget submarines, or X-Craft and the men who served in them, depict the many challenges and dangers associated with their operations. They served with determination and skill and a few did so with gallantry. A handful lost their lives. Everyone is remembered on the Honour Roll of the Canadian Submarine Service in Halifax.One of the officers in the Submarine Service during the Second World War was Fred Sherwood. He joined the...

Song-writing veterans can win the chance to record with a Canadian pop iconVeterans Media Corporation Inc, the first and only global media platform for veterans and first responders, has partnered with Radar Love Records to launch a music challenge for veterans globally who express themselves through song.The VMC team has encountered veterans from all over the world with many gifts and talents. One of the most admirable is song. Between now and Sept. 1, any veteran, of any branch of service (including first responders), from anywhere in the world, is encouraged to submit their own original music composition.Each submission must include either a video, an audio clip, or the song lyrics, along with the veteran’s name and a short description about themselves and their composition. All submissions will be posted to a dedicated music page on VMC’s The Veterans Channel website - www.theveteranschannel.com.“From veterans who play acoustic guitar around the campfire to those playing on a stage in a four-piece band or sitting solo behind a grand piano … all have shown us that they seek to find peace, love, and healing through their own original music,” said Henah Hannah, Founder and Chair of VMC. “We are creating the first musical ‘hub’ of its kind for veterans to share their own songs, and to have their message seen and heard worldwide, loud and clear.”But it’s not just about sharing music.All submissions will also be considered for two awards:Best Original Song (the writer or any chosen vocalist may sing)Best Original Song with Vocal (the writer must also sing)The winners will be announced on Sept. 1.With both awards, the winning songwriter will be invited to have their song fully arranged and produced in Toronto at Radar Love Record’s Altravox Studios by 5-time Juno Award winner and Grammy-nominated Producer Michael Hanson. He is...

Peter Mallett, Staff Writer / Ashley Evans ~Larry Fletcher and Steven Faust are usually the first friendly faces returning sailors or visiting sailors see when their ship comes alongside a jetty in HMC Dockyard. They have dubbed themselves the “electrical ambassadors” because they are the ones who hook the ships up to on-shore power.“Larry and I are the first faces sailors meet when they return home. We also really enjoy interacting with visitors from other countries, making the most unique aspect of our job customer service,” says Faust. “We take pride in being the electrical ambassadors for the base, and making shore power hook-ups as easy and efficient as possible.” The two electricians work in the Electrical Shop of Fleet Maintenance Facility (FMF) Cape Breton and provide, maintain, and repair shore power for HMC Ships and those of visiting navies. Fletcher, 54, joined FMF three years ago after working several decades as a technician in the data communications, and film and television industry. He made his way to FMF in 2017 after working five years at Seaspan Shipyard where he became a qualified electrician and earned his ticket with the local branch of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. Faust, 39, carved a much quicker path to FMF. After graduating from Camosun College, he worked as a commercial electrician for office buildings and also installing power and data at the University of Victoria with a private company. He upped his credentials by joining FMF’s apprenticeship program.The biggest part of their job is maintaining, testing, repairing, and even manufacturing cables inside the Electrical Shop’s cable repair facility. They have a large inventory of 40 different cables to maintain because the cable requirements for each vessel in the navy and other navies are different. A frigate, for example, needs 12 individual cables organized...