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Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~Erika Johnson is building a self-care movement one event at a time. The military member has joined Kara Poyntz, a military spouse, to host A Night of Self Care at the Colwood Activity Centre Saturday, March 14, 6 to 9 p.m. Together they will present information on meditation, essential oils and exercise.“There can be a lot of stress associated with being a spouse or member of the military. We believe everyone needs to find their own self care solutions,” said Johnson. “Finding these methods can be difficult, so we are offering a sampling of different techniques to achieve that goal.”To aid them in their goal, they have enlisted healing experts Meagan Bagnall, a kinesiologist who will offer instruction on kettlebell fitness techniques; Sarah Hofing will provide instruction on yoga and chakra meditation techniques; and Victoria-based dance instructor Miss Cheryl will teach a Zumbini music dance class for children and a Hot Hulu exercise class for adults.Education and sampling of various essential oils will be taught by Johnson and Poyntz.To round out the event, local health industry representatives and vendors will have booths on site.  There will also be free giveaways and samples of health care products. Daycare will be provided for parents with children. There are 40 spaces available for the event at a cost of $25, available through Eventbrite.ca.

[caption id="attachment_22690" align="alignnone" width="593"] Members of 39 Signal Regiment covered plenty of ground Feb 21-23 as they took part in Exercise Mercury Thunder II, a test of the unit’s ability to provide communications support to other military units taking part in earthquake relief operations. Graphic by Capt Jeff Manney, 39 Canadian Brigade Group[/caption]Capt Jeff Manney, 39 Canadian Brigade Group ~It was just a test, but when Major Jeff Hamel showed up for work at his Vancouver unit over the weekend he could feel the ground shaking.A simulated 8.1 magnitude quake had just struck B.C., triggering Cougar Tremor, the army’s response plan for a major earthquake in the province. Signallers and line technicians of 39 Signal Regiment, streaming in for a routine training weekend, were given a no-notice order: deal with it.  This was Exercise Mercury Thunder II.“Normally the army plans in a methodical way – prepare, rehearse and execute a plan to seize that bridge, that sort of thing,” says Maj Hamel, the Regiment’s ‘A’ squadron commander.  “But earthquake response is different.  It’s a call in the middle of the night to get something to work come hell or high water.”In this exercise, the quake levelled the bridges around Vancouver, brought down a hospital, sent looters rampaging through debris, and pushed citizens, who felt the government wasn’t responding quickly enough, to occupy critical federal land where they could set up their own evacuee camps.“We all hope we never have to do this. But if it happens, and if we suck at this task, thousands of people will die because we didn’t want to step outside our comfort zone,” Maj Hamel says.On paper, the task for the Army’s Reserve signallers in a domestic emergency is a simple one – provide communications to military units responding to the disaster. “The Canadian Armed Forces is...

[caption id="attachment_22687" align="alignnone" width="591"] Photo by Peter Mallett[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~As LS Daniel D’Sa sees it, the best things in life are by design.Currently a stores man at Naval Fleet School Pacific by day, he also owns and operates a local business in Victoria. Last year he launched his company Daniel D’Sa Designs Inc. which focuses on designing and renovating homes. “While some people find it enjoyable to read a novel in their spare time, for me it’s all about combing through technical manuals and architectural journals; that’s what I gravitate towards,” he says. Before a back injury developed at sea got him posted to shore, he relished his work as part of the marine systems engineer department with the navy. He’s drawn from those skills and applied them to transforming people’s living spaces.“I focus mainly on interior design and see a project through from its infancy to completion,” he explains.  “I am the guy who works directly with my clients to find out what they want, and come up with a concept that reflects the practicality of the space, cohesion of the design, and the mood the client is trying to create.”He enlisted as a reservist with 32nd Brigade Group in Toronto about the same time he studied industrial design and design foundations at Humber College.The 2008 recession led him to move to Wainwright, Alta., where he was offered a full-time Class B position with The Canadian Maneuvering Training Center. During his time in Wainwright, D’Sa bought a state-of-the-art large format printer/cutter and opened his own printing business after recognizing a need; area businesses wore a path to his door. “All businesses have been positive experiences,” he says. “I’m really good at moving to a location, finding out what the need is, and adapting.”He re-mustered to the navy and...

[caption id="attachment_22684" align="alignnone" width="593"] Printing technician MS Anne Marie Aird[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~The 3D printer is fast becoming the progressive instructor’s secret weapon.At Naval Training Development Centre (Pacific), this emerging technology has become a new resource for instructors at Naval Fleet School (Pacific) to help students learn the particulars of a frigate. One-dimensional warship drawings from past curriculum will, over time, become lifelike three-dimensional printed figurines of frigates or ship parts. Once printed, 3D warships are magnetized and placed on grids where naval communicator students can practice creating formations and tactical operations at sea, like the game Battleship. Other trades, such as Marine Systems Engineers, could also use the technology to learn about equipment, ship layout, and location of departments within it. School instructors are supported by the NTDC(P) Learning Support Centre, who develop training aids. Their higher resolution 3D printer - a Sigma R19 manufactured by BCN 3D of Spain – is housed in the Nixon Building in Work Point. Master Seaman Anne Marie Aird and Able Seaman Torrey Francis are the printing technicians. “I think there is a great deal of potential for 3D printing in everyday naval use. It has an infinite number of uses for the navy beyond just training aids, which is what we are currently using the technology for,” says MS Aird.3D printer technology is also used at Fleet Maintenance Facility Cape Breton for manufacturing purposes. The army also use in-house 3D technology to create models for battlefield tactics. “I think this technology will increase a sailor’s self-confidence when they are asked to do a real-life task,” said MS Aird. “If you have seen it before and were able to play around with it, this helps you make the connection between your brain, your body, and the physical world.”Feedback from students has been positive...

For those interested in space operations, a unique course is being brought to CFB Esquimalt in May. 17 Wing’s RCAF W/C William G. Barker VC Aerospace College will deliver their five-day Space Operations Course May 4 to 9 at the Learning and Career Centre. It is a follow-on to the Basic Space Operations Course, and is intended for those who want positions with Director General Space, the Canadian Space Operations Centre, outside Canada Space Operations, or those who use space assets operationally. The course is open to all trades and ranks of aviators, ordinary seaman, through to majors and lieutenant commanders. The course teaches students a variety of space related topics such as space environment, electromagnetic spectrum, orbital mechanics, space intelligence surveillance, reconnaissance or remote sensing, missile warning, missile tracking systems, space communications, and space-based global navigation systems such as GPS, Glonass, Galileo, and Beidou.The instructor-guided syndicate portion of the course teaches presentation techniques to colleagues and commanders on aspects of space operations, and how available space assets are employed in joint or combined operations. The course will similarly uncover some of the challenges of space operations and cyber domain concerns, which could affect our space reliance. Finally, the course concludes with group research and presentation on a specific space operations topic. The course involves some reading homework and briefing note type preparation assignments. The pre-requisite Basic Space Operations Course can be found on the Defence Learning Network. The course must be completed 14 days prior to attending the Space Operations Course.The distance learning curriculum, a series of 19 modules, takes about 60 hours to complete – students have 90 days to complete the course once registered. The courses introduces the fundamentals of space power and its application in modern operations by gaining an appreciation of how the space environment functions. Priority will be given...

[caption id="attachment_22678" align="alignnone" width="593"] HMCS Victoria conducts one of three camber dives off F jetty as part of the submarine’s work ups to readiness. Photo by Leading Seaman Mike Goluboff[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~HMCS Victoria and crew have completed a critical step in the submarine’s work-ups in preparation for 2020 submarine operations. The submarine conducted a camber dive at the F Jetty location, where it submerged to verify the integrity of water tightness, as well as the functionality of several key submarine systems. In order to ensure fitness before returning to operational service, a submarine must be certified following the successful completion of harbour acceptance and sea trials.  Once certified, the submarine must be manned with a qualified and experienced crew and be deemed safe to sail, enabling it to conduct trials, and execute operations.Throughout a combined 20-hour period, Victoria’s 48-person crew successfully completed three dives to depths of 11 metres. “It was the fourth camber dive in which I have participated throughout my career, and I can say from my experience that the submarine and most importantly her crew performed outstandingly well throughout the whole evolution,” said LCdr Eric Isabelle, Victoria’s Commanding Officer. “A variety of systems were tested to ensure the submarine is safe to operate in dived condition.”Subject matter experts from Fleet Maintenance Facility Cape Breton and NDHQ Director Maritime Equipment Programs Management Submarines were part of an 11-person rider crew who recorded data and analytics in support of all submarine testing functions.Among the systems evaluated during the camber dive were the submarine’s trim and ballast systems. The ballast system enables the submarine to dive or surface through tanks that store the proper proportion of air or water via main blows, emergency blows and low pressure blower. Meanwhile, the trim system compensates for depth changes when the submarine...

Courtesy Maple Leaf ~The following article is the first of a three part series chronicling CISM Soccer Canada’s journey to becoming the best sports program in International Military Sports Council (CISM) Canada. This article provides insight into the preliminary efforts to reinvigorate a fading international sports platform deemed by many as “exclusive”, “amateur” and carrying the stigma of military tourism.The CISM Soccer Canada project has taken over 42 months to reap the rewards of its re-branding, new strategy, and marketing efforts. For decades, Canada’s military team continuously lost the sport’s biggest events, such as the America’s Cup, the Military World Games and the World Football Trophy, with a goal differential in high double-digit figures.  During this year’s Military World Games, Canada lost 4-0 (Oman), 2-1 (Greece) and 3-0 (Egypt).  While the scores are not eye-catching, these results amounted to a historic achievement. For decades, CISM Soccer Canada members suffered lop-sided defeats and returned to Canada feeling deflated, embarrassed, and ostracized back at the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) workplace. Some people in the CAF community considered the program to be military tourism. Many within CISM even considered the team as “privileged participants”.  In March 2016, new management spearheaded a four-year strategic roadmap that drove a new vision seeking respect and dissolving the stereotypes that plagued the CAF’s national soccer team.The project’s first effort was re-branding the name. CISM Soccer Canada marketed back to the CAF soccer community that it was “inclusive”. A strategic communication plan spread across various social media outlets carried the new motto: No limits on what you can be, do and have. CISM Soccer Canada executives led a new culture of “team before self”, “sacrifice” and “second family”, and authenticated the philosophy throughout coaches, players, scouting, and training events, and regional and national soccer championships. Management then focused on the...

[caption id="attachment_22670" align="alignnone" width="593"] Cadets at the start line eagerly await to begin the open team racing at Sovereign Lake Nordic Club during the 2020 Provincial Cadet Biathlon Competition, held February 14-16 in Vernon, B.C. Photo by MWO Scott-Zvanitajs, Cadet Correspondent.[/caption]Flight Sergeant Aimee Glaubitz, Cadet Correspondent ~Eighty-four cadets competed in the B.C. Provincial Cadet Biathlon Championship held at Sovereign Lake Nordic Club in Vernon Feb. 14-16.  Only 10 earned the chance to represent B.C. in the National Championship in Valcartier, Q.C., in March.Day one had them racing relay-style. They skied 5.1 kilometres and shot 22. rifles on a 50 meter range, twice in the prone position before tagging off to their partner. Relay racing requires collaboration and trust to make a team and succeed. The next day cadets competed in the singles sprint race. During this race they skied 4.5 km to 6 km alone and shot once in the prone position and once standing (seniors only). This showcased their ability to stay calm under pressure. In both races, many cadets showed off their training by “whiting out” the targets, a term for hitting five targets in a row with no targets missed.Supporting the cadets in their races were 50 officers, volunteers, parents, and staff cadets, there to help the Championship run smoothly as officials, coaches, and support staff. Cadets were awarded Bronze, Silver and Gold medals in the Junior, Senior and Youth Female and Male categories for both the Sprint and Relay races.–––The cadets and staff that will represent B.C. at the National Cadet Biathlon ChampionshipCompetitorsCadets Jade Finch & Cindy Ma, 861 RCACS, Abbotsford,Cadets Rory Bot & Austen Holmes-Peters,223 RCACS, VernonCadets Daniela Ursulesku & Alissa Guo, 907 RCACS, White RockCadets Daniel Gilfillan & Jeremy Ferland,386 RCACS, ComoxCadets Sebastian Solomonson, 204 RCACS, KamloopsCadets Molly Caldwell, 3066 RCACC, GoldenCoachesCapt Tim Dyke,907 RCACS, White RockCapt Maria Brunskill,1705 RCACC, VernonCadet Tyler Greenwood,1725 RCACC, ChilliwackCadet Officials StaffCadet Lewis Dawes,386 RCACS, ComoxCadet Sophia Ledingham,205 RCACS, NanaimoCadet Nathan Sanctis,907 RCACS, White RockCadet Ciarra Huston,1705 RCACC, Vernon

[caption id="attachment_22659" align="alignnone" width="593"] Members of the Fleet Diving Unit (Pacific) and the United States Navy salvage project gather for a team photo on the hull of the MV Micro Dawn in Weno, Chuuk State Federated States of Micronesia. Photo by Lt Byers, MDSU Company 1-3 OIC[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~Four clearance divers from Fleet Diving Unit (Pacific) helped dismantle a sunken commercial vessel of Japanese origin located pier-side in Weno Harbor, Chuuk State, Federated States of Micronesia, capitalizing on a unique training opportunity and a goodwill deed. The little known Federated States of Micronesia consists of 607 islands extending 2,900 kilometers across the archipelago of the Caroline Islands east of the Philippines. It is an independent republic associated with the United States, who led the salvage project through USN Commander Seventh Fleet.For a month late last fall, the team of divers assisted the USN Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit (MDSU) ONE with MV Micro Dawn salvage operations, an 869 tonne behemoth cargo ship that sank during a fierce typhoon in 2006.It settled on its portside, pier-side in Weno Harbour’s only serviceable port terminal restricting access.The project started last July, with USN divers salvaging it piece by piece, floating salvaged sections to the surface using various lifting bags and subsequently disposing of the sections in deeper water at specific locations approved by the Federated States of Micronesia. The month’s work by FDU(P) divers was part of MDSU ONE’s year-long effort to clear away the wreckage. CPO2 Shawn Goodine said his dive team was in uncharted water with the salvage operation of this magnitude. However, due to the high level of training clearance divers receive, and the similarities in USN diving procedures and equipment, his team quickly adjusted and were fully integrated into USN-led diving and salvage operations within days of their arrival...

[caption id="attachment_22656" align="alignnone" width="593"] MS (Retired) John Wood shakes hands with Capt(N) Julian Elbourne after receiving a Special Service Medal and Canadian Peacekeeping Service Medal from Lieutenant Governor of B.C. Janet Austin. Photo by Stephanie Raymond[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~Forty-seven years after HMCS Terra Nova completed an international peacekeeping mission in Vietnam, 25 members of the crew were officially honoured with medals. On Family Day, Lieutenant Governor Janet Austin presided over a ceremony at the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, where the Special Service Medal with Peace Clasp and Canadian Peacekeeping Service Medal were presented to crew members who had not received their medals. Four were awarded posthumously. In the red carpeted chamber, with its ornate ceiling and curved rows of wooden seats, approximately 130 of the crew’s family members gathered for the occasion. Captain (Navy) Julian Elbourne, Chief of Staff for Commander of Maritime Forces Pacific, provided official representation at the ceremony for the Royal Canadian Navy.CPO2 (Retired) Ken Levert was among those who received his medal years ago. That moment, says Levert, came with little fanfare as he had to officially request his medal, which was subsequently mailed to him in plain brown paper envelope back in the early 1990s. They weren’t intentionally being ignored, says Levert. Medals for Canadian peacekeeping missions prior to the Vietnam War were sometimes not issued. It wasn’t until the late 1980s that things changed. So last week’s ceremony was a great way to make up for lost time.  Everyone was “treated like royalty,” he said.This ceremony also acknowledged the families, who remained behind, worked, paid the bills, and looked after children without their spouses.“It was a very rewarding day for all of us, even for those of us who have already received our deployment medal. Some of our crew got their medals for the...

[caption id="attachment_22653" align="alignnone" width="593"] Photo by Lt(N) Tristan Robinson, HMCS Winnipeg; Rodney Venis, Base PA[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~Five-year-old Lucas Hill had something “really great” to tell his classmates at show and tell last week. That’s because the St. Patrick’s School Kindergarten student was an Honorary Base Commander for a day at CFB Esquimalt.He officially took the watch from Captain (Navy) Sam Sader on Friday, Feb. 14 and was fitted with a Royal Canadian Navy NCD jacket before embarking on an extensive guided tour of the base and warship HMCS Winnipeg. Lucas won the tour with his father Greg when his ballot was drawn from last fall’s Defence on the Dock contest. “It’s a day neither of us will ever forget and was truly incredible,” said Greg. “Lucas’ eyes were lighting up the whole time with so many people saluting him and making him feel important. The amount of coordination it must have taken to pull this off was truly amazing and very inspiring for both of us.”Father and son toyed with the lights and sirens of a military police car, marveled at the bright red fire truck at the fire hall, and surveyed the landscape from the cab of a Transportation Electrical and Mechanical Engineering digger. On the water, the two learned about the Firebrand and what it does to fight ship fires, and then strolled up the brow of HMCS Winnipeg. Acknowledging that an important guest was coming aboard, whistles sounded as Capt(N) Hill was piped onto the ship. The young sailor took his place in the captain’s chair on the bridge before climbing down the ladder into the lower decks and being escorted through the passageways to the main rooms within, such as the operations room and galley. But it was the ship’s diver demonstration that made him awestruck as...

[caption id="attachment_22616" align="alignnone" width="591"] Ashley Duncan, Dan Bodden, Steve Deschamps, and Rebecca Schillemat participate in a Wounded Warrior Run BC training run on Feb. 9. Photo by John W. Penner, John’s Photography[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~The Wounded Warriors Canada fundraising account just went up by $85,000 after a team of eight runners ran from Sooke to Sidney on Feb. 9.The one day 60-kilometre training run introduced the public to the upcoming weeklong Wounded Warrior Run BC and to the mental health challenges faced by many veterans and first responders.“We wanted to create a buzz for our upcoming main event, and connect with more communities, especially those where we haven’t stopped before,” said Captain Jacqueline Zweng, run director. The relay style run starts Feb. 23 in Port Hardy, located at the northern tip of Vancouver Island. Each person tackles a portion of the run each day, stopping in communities along the route to educate people about operational stress injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder. When the runners spring up the steps of the BC Legislature on March 1, they will have covered more than 700 kilometres and raised $250,000.   This year’s team: Matt Carlson, Personnel Support Programs; Constable Samson Haire, Victoria Police Department; Mark Blachurus, Paramedic; Ashley Duncan, Langford Fire Dispatcher; Constable Maria Marciano, RCMP Port Alberni; Constable Daryl Baswick, Victoria Police Department; Mike Bowen, Coast Guard; and Rebecca Schillemat, a military spouse.To support their efforts follow the WWRBC Facebook page or visit their web page at: https://woundedwarriors.ca/events/wounded-warrior-bc-run/

[caption id="attachment_22613" align="alignnone" width="592"] Members of CFB Esquimalt Fire and Rescue’s Climb the Wall team, Alexandria Marshall and Mike Gordon are joined by Fire Chief Geordie Douglas. Douglas stopped by to show his support while the pair were practicing for their upcoming competition. The two are part of a five-person team who will be among 200 firefighters participating in a fundraiser for the Lung Association at the Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre. Photo by Peter Mallett, Lookout[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~Five base firefighters will strap on 50 pounds of protective firefighting gear and breathing apparatus Feb. 23 and embark on a 48-storey climb to the top of Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre. Their efforts are part of the 19th annual Climb the Wall fundraiser for the BC Lung Association. “To be certain, it will be a gruelling physical task and will push our bodies to the limit,” said Mike Gordon, who will lead the charge up the stairs. “But efforts like this are part of our job giving back and helping out people in our community who are in need.” Following him up the stairs will be Tristan Thomas, Alexandria Marshall, Jeff Clarkson, and Keith Kershaw.“The idea of a physical challenge to raise awareness around lung disease is a cause that hits close to home for those in the fire service,” said Marshall. To prepare for the 739 steps, the group climb up and down the five flights of stairs at the firehall in full gear. For a competitive edge, the Climb the Wall time to beat is four minutes and 17 seconds. “Our team is up to the task and I know we are sending the right people for this competition,” said fire chief Geordie Douglas. “The training and fundraising work they have been doing in advance of the competition is very...

[caption id="attachment_22610" align="alignnone" width="593"] FS Courbet’s boarding team searches a dhow in the Gulf of Oman while the ship stays close. Courbet’s boarding team found and seized 1.5 metric tonnes of hashish from this vessel. The estimated regional wholesale value of the drugs was $780,288 U.S. - worth many times more on the street. Photo provided by Marine Nationale[/caption]Lt(N) Tony Wright, CTF 150 Public Affairs Officer ~The present rotation of Combined Task Force 150, led by Australia and supported by Canada and New Zealand, reached its halfway point Jan. 22, with a boastful 8,000 kilograms of narcotics seized.CTF 150, headquartered in the Kingdom of Bahrain, is one of three combined task forces within Combined Maritime Forces. Thirty-three member nations work together to promote security, stability, and prosperity across approximately 3.2 million square miles of international waters, which encompass some of the world’s most important shipping lanes.It has been nine weeks since Australia assumed command with nine more to go until command is passed to the incoming French-led rotation.Day to day, the CTF 150 Battle Watch and staff direct ships from participating countries to conduct maritime security operations so legitimate commercial shipping can freely transit the region, and to seek out and seize drug shipments and other illicit cargo that fund and support terrorist operations in the region and around the world.Eight days after Australia assumed command of CTF 150 on Dec. 5, 2019, they had their first drug seizure.French Ship (FS) Courbet, a frigate of the French Marine Nationale, seized 3,500 kilograms of hashish from a dhow in the Gulf of Oman.Not to be outdone, Her Majesty’s Ship (HMS) Defender of the United Kingdom’s Royal Navy followed less than a week later with a seizure of 131 kgs of crystal methamphetamine. Five days into 2020, FS Courbet seized another 1,500kg of hashish...

[caption id="attachment_22607" align="alignnone" width="592"] HMCS Saskatoon transiting from Point Hope Shipyard to Y jetty. Photo by LS Brendan Gibson, MARPAC Imaging Services[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~Two Canadian Forces Auxiliary Vessels, tugs Glendale and Parksville, nudged and pulled HMCS Saskatoon from Point Hope Shipyard to Y Jetty in Esquimalt harbour last week, indicating the end of the Maritime Coastal Defence Vessel’s six-month maintenance period. While only a six-kilometre distance, it took over two hours to get the warship back to its home berth. Like a car getting a tune-up, Saskatoon was inspected, repaired or overhauled where needed, repainted, and cleaned as part of a maintenance plan to keep the ship operational for years to come. LCdr Colin Dudeck, Group Technical Officer, Coastal Forces Pacific, says the work is fundamental to preserving and maintaining the ship, one of six in the Pacific Fleet and 12 in the Royal Canadian Navy. If that necessary work isn’t carried out, he says, the operational lifespan of the vessel would be greatly reduced. It has been five years since Saskatoon’s last refit. “These vessels have been getting a lot of use, logging a lot of sea time, and all while sitting in saltwater,” said LCdr Dudeck. “Having the ship in dry dock for an extended period is really the only chance we get to see the ship out of the water and access its hull and effect more invasive maintenance.”To address corrosion, workers at Point Hope grit blasted the ship’s exterior down to bare metal before repainting. Inspections of heavy machinery in the engine room determined what needed to be refurbished, repaired, or replaced. All six alternators, used for supplying electricity to the ship’s propulsion and domestic systems, were overhauled. Improvements also made the to do list, with fryers removed in the galley and replaced with Combi Steamer...

Courtesy Maple Leaf ~Did you know the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) is getting a new operational dress uniform?The current uniform, known as the Naval Combat Dress (NCD), was developed in the early 2000s. It is a three-piece uniform made up of a heavyweight jacket with liner, trousers, and a lightweight shirt. After almost two decades of use, the navy is working to see how it can make improvements.The Department of National Defence and the RCN are trialing a two-piece uniform consisting of a long-sleeved shirt and pants. This new uniform, known as the Naval Enhanced Combat Uniform (NECU), will replace the current operational dress. It will increase comfort and function in all operational environments. The current shirt and jacket will be replaced with the heavier NECU shirt, which will fit better, has minimized bulk in the pockets, and improved functionality with current and future layers such as the Naval Wind and Rain ensemble. The trousers will have a modern cut and fit.Approximately 400 naval members are wearing the new dress as part of the trial. Their views and opinions will be factored into the final decision.Surveys were conducted on the current uniform to identify issues and deficiencies, including a gender-based analysis, which were factored into the new clothing design.Sailors can expect to receive a new uniform starting winter 2021 as a replacement for worn items of the current NCD. Everyone should be completely outfitted over three years.

[caption id="attachment_22562" align="alignnone" width="591"] The winning team of this month’s Seamanship Olympics, the Temporary Holding Platoon. They are pictured here with the Seamanship Olympics Trophy presented by LCdr Chris Maier.[/caption]A/SLt Joshua Miszczak , Seamanship Olympics Coordinator ~Those who come to Naval Fleet School (Pacific) are always eager to begin their careers with the Royal Canadian Navy and to experience the marine environment. Many come out west directly from Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School, and some come with prior military experience in the Primary Reserve, or in another element. That experience is always valuable but often doesn’t cover the core skills needed to operate on the water. Chart work, boat handling, knots, rope work, and basic rigging for sail are among the skills needed by the aspiring mariner. To address this, Naval Fleet School (Pacific) has developed monthly Seamanship Olympics: a chance for novice sailors to learn and compete.On Tuesday, Jan. 28, the school held the inaugural Olympics in building N50 by the small boat jetties. Four teams of sailors made up from Personnel Awaiting Training (PAT) Platoons and the Temporary Holding Platoon (THP) attended basic chart work lectures, were given a tour of Sail Training Vessel Tuna to get familiar with its lines, and practiced their knots and rope work.The atmosphere was jovial as the teams moved through their competition stands. By 3 p.m. LCdr Chris Maier was ready to announce the winners.Orca platoon took third place; they represented well but were unable to keep up with the Grizzly Platoon who came in second. However, neither team could catch THP. Their superior cohesion and morale led them to earn the Seamanship Trophy: a remounted pelorus, a worthy prize to inspire those sailors hoping to compete again in February.Special thanks to A/SLt Ladouceur, A/SLt Zanko, A/SLt Gjos, A/SLt Young, and Lt...

[caption id="attachment_22558" align="alignnone" width="591"] Comedian and entertainer Jessica Holmes filled the room in Tribute Tower as she mixed in plenty of comedy while sharing her story of struggling with depression. Photo by Ryan Melanson, Trident Newspaper[/caption]Ryan Melanson, Trident Newspaper ~Jessica Holmes says she’s always wanted to perform her brand of high-energy comedy in front of a Canadian Armed Forces audience.When she finally got that chance on Jan. 29, she was able to bring not just her comedic talents, but also a story of mental health struggles.Holmes, known best for her five-year run on the CBC sketch show Royal Canadian Air Farce, visited CFB Halifax on Bell Let’s Talk Day, as one of the celebrity ambassadors tied to the annual day. It focuses on raising money for mental health initiatives and reducing societal stigmas that surround mental health problems and diagnoses.She spoke to a packed room of Defence Team members at Mr. Mac’s in Tribute Tower, where she opened with musical numbers and a medley of her well-known characters and impersonations from TV, before diving into her years-long battle with depression.“I felt like I was buried in cement, like a cartoon elephant was standing on my chest and wouldn’t get off. That’s how debilitating it was for a time, when I wasn’t able to get out of bed,” Holmes said.Her struggles began with postpartum depression after the birth of her two children, and though she recovered with help from her doctor, she described a dark cloud that came back over her years later.Her second bout with depression lasted more than two years, impacted her ability to work, and put a strain on her marriage, she said.It took help from medical professionals, trying multiple different strategies, and getting support from her family to eventually break through. Now that she is in remission, she’s...

[caption id="attachment_22554" align="alignnone" width="591"] Battle Buddy coin along with Dog Tags created by Leading Seaman (Retired) Debbi Ferguson, owner of Delta Fox Trot Designs.[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff WriterA military veteran has created a collectable coin for the ill and injured to let them know they are not alone.The Battle Buddy Challenge Coin, says creator Leading Seaman (Retired) Debbi Ferguson, is a symbol of hope and support. Those who purchase them for themselves become part of the Battle Buddy family. Those who buy them as a gift become a Battle Buddy, demonstrating that no one gets left behind. That idea is echoed in the design, with a soldier carrying an injured comrade to safety. On the flip side, two hands interlock in a firm grip, symbolic of reaching out for help, with a maple leaf in the background. The coin has a silver antique finish and comes with a registered number and certificate with the name of the recipient. Ferguson has also turned the design into a Battle Buddy dog tag, as some people prefer to wear the art rather than carry a coin.“The purchaser of the coin is saying to the recipient, I have your back and I am there for you in the darkest hour, and will be there to pick you up in your time of need. I will always have your six.”Ferguson created the coin and dog tag as part of her company Delta Fox Trot Designs, which she opened after leaving the military in 2008. She served for 14 years before a medical release. She says the concept for the coin and terminology was drawn from Second World War infantry, with each soldier on the battlefield assigned a battle buddy or foxhole buddy. This life-or-death pact required one soldier to keep an eye out for threats while their...

[caption id="attachment_22547" align="alignnone" width="591"] Author Helen Edwards poses with a copy of her book Dutchy’s Diaries. The book focuses on the life and times of her father-in-law Commodore John Crispo Inglis Edwards of the Royal Canadian Navy and his travels from 1916 to 1929. Edwards will hold her book launch at the Wardroom on Feb. 18.[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff WriterHelen Edwards has transformed the contents of a family member’s long-forgotten storage box of navy mementos into a newly released book.Extensive journals and hundreds of photographs were amassed by the Victoria resident’s father in-law, Royal Canadian Navy Commodore John Crispo Inglis Edwards between 1916 and 1929. The treasure trove of historical items remained inside the plain wooden box for decades. She knew the box resided in the family’s basement but had no idea what was inside.Seven years ago, she cracked it open.“My jaw dropped when I realized the contents inside,” said Edwards. Below the jumbled clutter of paper clips, magazines and stationery, she found a large photo album containing over 100 carefully labelled photos mounted on black paper. Most important to the find were four diaries with extensive hand-written entries from his travels around the world. The diaries were all different in size and colour, which leads Edwards to believe they were not navy issued stationery. “The ink on the written passages was very well preserved and while some of the photos and the handwriting on them was a little faded, overall they are in good shape considering they are a century old,” said Edwards. Born in Londonderry, N.S., Edwards was the sixth child of Major Joseph Plimsoll Edwards, a noted Canadian historian, and Emily Susan Crispo.  After attending the Royal Naval College of Canada in 1911, he graduated as part of the school’s second class before embarking on a 39-year career in...

[caption id="attachment_22543" align="alignnone" width="591"] Players from CFB Edmonton Warriors celebrate the taste of victory and bite down on their gold medals after their 4-2 win over CFB Esquimalt Tritons in the championship game of the CAF Canada West Women’s Regional Hockey Championship at Wurtele Arena on Feb. 7. Photo by Peter Mallett, Lookout.[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~CFB Edmonton Warriors captured the CAF Canada West Women’s Regional Hockey title with a late comeback win over the Esquimalt Tritons on Feb. 7 at Wurtele Arena.Tournament host Tritons had built a 2-0 lead early in the third period of the gold medal game, backed by the solid goaltending of Cpl Katie Sawatzky who thwarted two Edmonton breakaways in the second period to preserve the lead for the hosts. But the visitors roared back with four unanswered goals in the final 13 minutes of the third period for a 4-2 victory over their familiar rivals.This year’s victory erases bad memories of defeats to the Tritons in previous tournaments, said Sgt Isabelle Langevin, CFB Edmonton Warrior’s centre. She earned the Valuable Player Award after helping lead the comeback charge scoring the Warriors opening goal and then an empty netter in the final seconds of play. “They are our rivals; the past two years we played Esquimalt in the [Canada West] final and they beat us both times in overtime, so this win was true redemption for us,” she added. “This win was even sweeter because we came back from a two-goal deficit to do it.”Major Anne Gray, a guest player from CFB Comox, opened the scoring for Esquimalt when she banged in a rebound from her own centering pass with 4:50 remaining in the first period. Capt Amanda Lauder gave Esquimalt a two-goal lead just 42 seconds into the third period after tipping a hard slap...

[caption id="attachment_22538" align="alignnone" width="591"] HMCS Fredericton sails away from the Jetty in Halifax along with its embarked CH-148 Cyclone helicopter. Photo by Mona Ghiz, MARLANT PA[/caption]Ryan Melanson, Trident Newspaper ~The next chapter in the Royal Canadian Navy’s (RCN) ongoing commitment to Operation Reassurance got started Jan. 20 with HMCS Fredericton departing Halifax for a six-month deployment to the Mediterranean.Fredericton’s deployment marks the 13th time a Canadian vessel has sailed to the region since the RCN began supporting the mission in 2014. The ship and its crew will join Standing NATO Maritime Group Two (SNMG2), which is in place to reinforce NATO’s collective defence and assure Central and Eastern European allies of their security and stability in the face of Russian aggression and other regional threats.Family, friends, and colleagues gathered at Jetty NB in the morning to say goodbye to crew and see the ship off, with dignitaries including local MPs and The Honourable Arthur J. LeBlanc, Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia, and Her Honour Patsy LeBlanc.Cmdre Richard Feltham, Commander of Canadian Fleet Atlantic, expressed pride in both the ship’s crew, who have had a long road of training and readiness work-ups to prepare for the deployment, as well as military and civilian shore staff who supported them along the way.“Fleet Maintenance Facility, as always, has performed miracles in getting the ship set and ready on time, and the Sea Training Group has done their part getting the best out of this crew, who have all performed admirably through the process,” he said.The large departure and homecoming ceremonies held for these extended deployments tend to focus on family, who often provide crucial support to deployed sailors, taking on extra burdens to allow them to focus on the tasks at sea rather than worrying about day-to-day troubles back home.“The love and support of...

[caption id="attachment_22533" align="alignnone" width="591"] 2020 Canada West Men’s Basketball champions, CFB Esquimalt Men’s Tritons following the championship game Jan. 31 at 17 Wing in Winnipeg, MB. Photo by MCpl Justin Ancelin, 17 OSS Imaging, Winnipeg[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~A five-game unbeaten run propelled the CFB Esquimalt Mens Tritons to a gold medal victory at the Canada West Regional basketball tournament in Shilo, MB. After a 68-56 tournament-opening round robin win against tournament host Shilo Stags on Jan. 27, the Tritons then scored a 28-point victory in their rematch five days later in the tournament championship game. Esquimalt was paced by 18 points from centre Master Seaman Simon Dakin in their game win. MS Dakin earned overall tournament Most Valuable Player honours for his stellar play while also drawing praise from his teammates. Those include Tritons guard and team manager Lieutenant (Navy) Kevin Chung who noted that MS Dakin, a student with Naval Fleet School (Pacific),  recorded multiple 20-point games along with at least two double-doubles (when a player records more than 10 in two of five statistical categories: points, assists, rebounds, assists, steals or blocked shots). “Simon is a talented and hard-working force on the court and excels in both basketball and volleyball at the national level in the CAF,” said Lt(N) Chung. “He also brings veteran expertise and energy to the team whenever he suits up for us.”The Tritons were also propelled by some long-distance sharpshooting, including seven three-pointers in the gold medal game. Forward Lt(N) James Byun from HMCS Winnipeg recorded six three-pointers and 20 points in the semi-final victory. Lt(N) Chung noted that Esquimalt was also buoyed by the backcourt presence of veteran guard Brigadier General David Awalt of 3rd Canadian Division HQ. “This year we were fortunate to have a well-rounded team with a great bench that allowed...

Outgoing Commanding Officer of HMCS Ottawa, Commander Alex Barlow is joined by Commodore Angus Topshee, Commander Canadian Fleet Pacific, and incoming Commanding Officer of HMCS Ottawa, Cdr Sam Patchell during the command handover ceremony Jan. 24.

[caption id="attachment_22492" align="alignnone" width="591"] Royal Canadian Legion BC/Yukon Vice President, MCpl (Retired) John Scott[/caption] Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~The Royal Canadian Legion is encouraging eligible current-serving Canadian Armed Forces members to take advantage of a free membership for 2020.The free membership dues are part of the Legion’s Veteran’s Welcome Program and all Canadian Armed Forces personnel are eligible, provided they are becoming first-time members. The Welcome Program waives the annual $50 membership dues. The new promotion is also open to employees of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).Royal Canadian Legion BC/Yukon Vice President, Master Corporal (Retired) John Scott says the best time for potential new members to join is “right now” so they can reap the biggest rewards from the promotion: a full year of comradery, community leadership and volunteer opportunities, access to member benefits, and a one-year subscription to Legion Magazine.Scott, who served 18 years in the Canadian Army, is the BC/Yukon Legion’s Membership Committee Chair. He says the free membership promotion is part of the Legion’s efforts to reverse declining membership and the closures of Legion branches across the country. In recent years, Canada’s non-profit, ex-service organization has seen its membership drop considerably. A 2018 story by The Globe and Mail reported that membership numbers had fallen from 604,000 members in 1984 to 275,000 members. To combat the decline, the Legion has taken a new approach to its membership criteria. Until recently, membership was restricted to those who served and their immediate families, and graduated cadets. Today, members of the general public are also eligible to become members, advocate for veterans, and find meaningful community leadership and volunteer opportunities Scott says stronger membership numbers gives the organization a stronger voice in Ottawa when advocating for veteran’s issues with organizations such as Veteran’s Affairs Canada. “We advocate for improvement for veterans and...

[caption id="attachment_22486" align="alignnone" width="591"] PO2 Kanwar Nijjer is greeted by his wife Gurdeep Nijjer and his daughter Sadbd Nijjer after returning from Operation Impact in Baghdad. Photo courtesy PO2 Kanwar Nijjer.[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~A human resources supervisor from Naval Fleet School Pacific has returned home after a six-and-half-month deployment in Baghdad.Petty Officer Second Class Kanwar Nijjer was greeted at Victoria Airport Jan. 27 with cheers, tears of joy, and a warm embrace from his wife Gurdeep and their 12-year-old daughter Sadbd. Three members from his former unit, 11 Field Ambulance (Victoria), were also there to greet him. “It was the first lengthy deployment during my 25-year marriage, so it was a great feeling after being away from home for so long to finally be with my wife and daughter again, and to see members from my old unit greeting me,” said PO2 Nijjer. He was deployed with the Canadian Army as part of Operation Impact. He and other Canadian Armed Forces were stationed at the United States military’s Union III Base in Baghdad. He says the base was close to the U.S. Embassy which was the target of an Iranian rocket strike, a retaliatory response from Iran following the death of Major General Qasem Soleimani of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps who was killed by a U.S. drone strike on Jan. 3. PO2 Nijjer adds many Canadian military members missed the strike as they were moved to Kuwait earlier that day.Late night rocket and mortar attacks have now become commonplace in Baghdad’s green zone with the embassy being struck by three mortar shells on Jan. 27. The 53-year-old father of three worked as a human resources supervisor during his deployment. He previously sailed aboard HMCS Restigouche, HMCS Kootenay, HMCS Mackenzie and HMCS Vancouver during his 25-year career in the Royal Canadian Navy....

[caption id="attachment_22482" align="alignnone" width="591"] The restored slabs are now in front of Fleet Maintenance Facility Cape Breton.[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~A piece of HMC Dockyard’s rich ship repair past has been preserved on a feature wall within Dockyard’s Ship Repair Zone.Large historic concrete slabs engraved with the word “ORDNANCE”, once part of the façade of long-demolished building D192, have been incorporated into the landscape design delivered by the Fleet Maintenance Facility Cape Breton shop consolidation project. They are now displayed as a centre piece of a south-facing parkette located on Hospital Road. D192, built in 1940, was the administrative headquarters for FMF’s predecessor, the Ship Repair Unit (Pacific). The large concrete slabs were part of that building’s front entrance motif.Project Director for the ongoing consolidation project Clive Orford, of NDHQ’s Assistant Deputy Minister (Infrastructure & Environment) organization, says incorporating the slabs as part of the revamped ship repair complex celebrates CFB Esquimalt’s rich ship building and repair past. “There always is a lot of history and commemoration about ships and sailors who wore the uniform, but very little in the way of a nod to the thousands of workers who have worn overalls and carried tool boxes, and performed the fundamental task of making sure our ships were seaworthy and ready for deployment,” said Orford.At the start of demolition for D192 in 2001, he asked that the slabs be retained and ultimately repatriated to the site. “The intention was to create a little enclave or intersection to provide a spot within Dockyard adjacent to the huge FMF complex, to commemorate this historical legacy,” said Orford.The Shop Consolidation Project began in 1988 and is nearing completion with the fifth and final phase expected to be completed later this year.

 Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~Information technology executive Patrick Shaw says he has a solution for his industry’s workforce shortfall: teach and then hire more Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) veterans.The Toronto-based tech industry consultant is turning his attention to the education sector to create this army of highly skilled IT and cyber security experts from veterans and transitioning members of the military. “We envision developing their software skills through training in IT [Information Technology] and cyber security; it will have tremendous value for our industry and for Canada as a country,” says Shaw. With that in mind, he and his business partner Jeff Musson founder of tech networking group Northof41, launched a fast-track distance education learning program called Coding for Veterans. The program runs in partnership with Ontario’s Durham College and the University of Ottawa. Students can attend similar classes in person elsewhere, but the course is entirely geared towards attending classes from locations across Canada through the computer application Moodle.It’s all about supply and demand. The information communication and technology sector needs approximately 182,000 staff by the end of the year to fill new cyber security analyst, software programmer, and data analyst jobs. “We decided we could do something about this,” says Shaw, noting the untapped market of the retiring military members. In the last 15 years, approximately 140,000 military personnel have been discharged and transitioned to civilian life with another 25,000 more expected over the next five years. The seed for the Coding For Veterans educational program was planted two years ago following a conversation Shaw and Musson had with a representative from the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS). The CSIS employee commented that transitioning forces members and veterans were “very well positioned” to support the IT field in the private sector. Fast-forward to late 2019 and the program was ready to...

A combined team from the Australian, New Zealand and Canadian Navies have united to fundraise for the Red Cross Disaster Appeal in Australia.

Ceremonial puck drop transforms into an unexpected centre ice promotion for Chief Petty Officer Second Class Joel Tilson, HMCS Chicoutimi submariner.