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[caption id="attachment_21652" align="alignnone" width="593"] Master Seaman Veronica Leslie interacts with a preschool class during a trip to the Father Ray Foundation. Photo by Leading Seaman Victoria Ioganov, MARPAC Imaging Services[/caption]Leading Seaman Alix Bovair, HMCS Ottawa ~While alongside Pattaya, Thailand, on Sept. 14, during Operation Projection, a group of sailors from HMCS Ottawa made a few new friends at a local charity.They spent the day at the Father Ray Foundation, a local non-profit organization that works to help over 850 children and adolescents in Thailand. They provide food, clothing, education, and most importantly a sense of family to those who may not have otherwise received it. With the foundation’s motto being “We never turn a needy child away”, Ottawa’s crew wanted to do anything they could to help the Father Ray Foundation. They began by providing a cheque from Boomer’s Legacy for $10,000, which will ultimately go towards the purchase of new uniforms for the children. For children originating from all sorts of impoverished areas and unfortunate circumstances, and for those who do not have a safe place to call home, The Father Ray Children’s Home is a sanctuary. Ottawa’s crew was moved by the joy of the children at the Day Care Centre. They enjoyed lots of running, singing, dancing, and laughs with the energetic three and four year olds. Crew and youngsters took a whirlwind trip to a local fish pond, with music and dancing afterward; the energy of the toddlers was inescapable and contagious. Crew members couldn’t help but leave with smiles. The crew then moved to the vocational school for people with disabilities. The foundation works directly with young adults with disabilities to assist them in obtaining skills and education in computer and business programs.The Father Ray Foundation has aided in the convalescence of many who’ve gone on...

[caption id="attachment_21639" align="alignnone" width="593"] A team from HMCS Fredericton’s crew (green shirts), as part of the ‘Sailors For Wishes’ fundraising campaign from Aug. 6-14, participated in the International Fire Truck Pull in St. Stephen, NB. Inset: Children’s Wish Foundation child Noah, 9, with his mother Julie Bennett.[/caption]DND ~In eight days, they biked 1,000 kilometres, marched in parades and even pulled a fire engine with their bare hands. Then, the sailors of HMCS Fredericton granted a little boy his wish — playtime outside.Noah Bennett, 9, has both autism and severe neurodevelopmental issues. He was born underdeveloped and as an infant, just as he was learning to babble and say ‘da-da’, he had a seizure that left him permanently non-verbal, said his mother Julie Bennett.At two-years-old, a stroke paralyzed the left side of his body.More than anything in the world, Noah loves playing outside on his family’s backyard deck. However, the deck height is a danger and there isn’t much protection from the sun. The family lives in a mosquito-dense area and because of his condition Noah won’t swat them away. He will often return inside with terribly swollen red arms.But now things are getting better. Thanks to the over $40,000 raised so-far through HMCS Fredericton’s 11th annual ‘Sailors for Wishes’ Children’s Wish Foundation fundraising drive, Noah is having a personal ‘outdoor play oasis’ built for him.The new play area is going to replace a single shade-giving umbrella with a full roof, have mosquito netting, safety barriers, a sensory play table with water and sand, and an easy access magnetic door from the house so Noah can come and go as he pleases.Much of Noah’s day is spent going between home, school and multiple doctor appointments. It’s tiring. Sometimes it feels like his play area outside is his only relief from it...

[caption id="attachment_21635" align="alignnone" width="593"] A day at 2nd Canadian Division Support Base Valcartier in Quebec allowed video game champion “missharvey” to jump from the virtual world to reality. Photo by Private Marc-André Leclerc, Valcartier Imagery[/caption]Édouard Dufour, Adsum newspaper ~Stéphanie Harvey – known as “missharvey” by the international video gaming community – is a five-time world champion in the Counter-Strike shooter video game. In July, she learned how to use real weapons at 2nd Canadian Division Support Base Valcartier. Harvey is a video game designer at Ubisoft Montréal, and a prominent professional player on social media. She is followed by 116,000 people on Twitch alone, a platform where live video games can be watched.During her visit on July 18, she was accompanied by four members of 1e Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment. After donning army battle dress, she was driven to the training area to test her shooting skills. She learned to buy the latest AR-15 rifles, the C6, C8 and C9 machine guns. She also tested a 9mm Browning pistol and a C14 Timberwolf sniper rifle.She practiced for nearly an hour under a blazing sun. She compared this rather physical experience to her workouts in the gym.This incursion into the military world was not the first for the professional player. A few weeks previous, she parachuted with the Canadian Armed Forces Parachute Team, the Skyhawks at 3 Wing Bagotville. She then emphasized the similarity between the teamwork of the military and that of professional video game players.Corporal Cédric Sabourin was one of those who accompanied Harvey during her visit to the Valcartier base. He noted the professional video game player was able to make impressive group shots with a pistol, a rare occurrence for someone starting out.Harvey had the final opportunity to practice urban combat as part of a simulation at Building 3 of the Militia Training Support Centre. According to Cpl Sabourin, she observed several parallels between the actual attack strategies and those advocated in the Counter-Strike video game as...

[caption id="attachment_21632" align="alignnone" width="593"] Ball hockey players gather for a celebratory group photo following the conclusion of their game. Photo by Peter Mallett/Lookout[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~Soggy conditions on the field and outside courts didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of participants in this year’s edition of Naval Fleet School Pacific Sports Day.Over 500 sailors-in-training gathered at the Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre in Colwood Sept. 13 to take part in football, soccer, baseball, ball hockey, basketball, tennis, beach volleyball, and yoga.At the conclusion of Sports Day, Fleet School Commandant, Commander Annick Fortin congratulated event organizers, Master Seaman Kevin Olid and Leading Seaman Klarck Montemayor, and all participants for their efforts. “It’s really beneficial for our sailors to get outside for the day and enjoy friendly competition and this year’s event is another success,” she said. “It’s important to work hard at our jobs, but getting out here for some exercise, esprit de corps and a chance to socialize is also very rewarding and important.”The torrential rains of the previous night combined with occasional showers throughout the morning made for slippery field and court conditions but didn’t deter anyone from having a good time, said MS Olid. The free pizza and drinks for lunch, along with some musical accompaniment provided by local radio station 100.3 The Q and their Boom Box sound system, was a big morale booster for the participants when they had concluded their events.

[caption id="attachment_21628" align="alignnone" width="593"] David Neal makes his way along the 54-kilometre Black Spur Ultra trail race in Kimberly, B.C. The 47-year-old was running his first-ever ultramarathon and celebrated a fifth-place overall finish with a time of 6:06:02.1. Photo credit: Black Spur Ultra[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~A first-time ultramarathon runner surprised everyone including himself with his recent fifth-place finish at the Sinister Sports Black Spur Ultra trail race.David Neal, who works as a Safety Environment Management Systems Officer with Formation Safety and Environment, travelled to Kimberly, B.C., on the weekend of Aug. 24 to compete in the gruelling 54-kilometre cross-country style race with 2.4 km of elevation gain in the Purcell Mountains. It was his first ever ultramarathon, but his pace and nutrition strategy paid off as the late-blooming 47-year-old moved quickly to the front of the pack amongst a field of 117 runners and kept up the pace. He crossed the finish line with an impressive time of 6:06.02 and surpassed dozens of younger and more experienced runners. “I had no expectation of doing this well in my first ultra-length race, but halfway through the course I started to monitor my average pace and understand where I was in the field of runners and it motivated me and helped strengthen and quicken my pace,” said Neal.Before setting out he had set a “realistic goal” of finishing the course in seven hours and 15 minutes. His impressive finish was nearly one hour and 10 minutes quicker than anticipated.A runner’s high With a background in cross-country skiing, hockey, and soccer, Neal only became involved in competitive running in the past year. He began to take up trail running a few years back as an escape and says he used it as a coping mechanism for his grief following a string of deaths in his family that included the loss of his sister, mother and father over a three-year period.“It seemed to help me cope, putting me in a meditative state, and feel better...

[caption id="attachment_21625" align="alignnone" width="593"] MS Tracy Voorthuyzen in the Revel Chilliwack Marathon.[/caption]Lt(N) MJ Kia, HMCS Malahat Public Affairs ~They say the secret to happiness is setting attainable goals, but the definition of attainable is only as limited as your imagination. For Master Seaman Tracy Voorthuyzen, a Supply Technician at HMCS Malahat, her sights were set high. “I have set myself a goal to complete 60 marathons by age 60, which is March 2020. I started running marathons in 2009 at the Victoria Marathon. I have now completed 58; my plan is for the 59th to be in the Victoria Marathon in October, and then number 60 in Cancun, Mexico, this December.” A regular on the Canadian Armed Forces national and international running circuits, MS Voorthuyzen has competed in multiple prestigious events, including the Boston Marathon, twice. Her love for the sport has had a positive effect on her shipmates, as she is often the lead organizer at Malahat for getting others involved in running. “I drive most of my shipmate’s crazy asking them if they have signed up for whatever the latest races are. In 2016 our unit had three participants at the Boston marathon, where the only way in is to meet strict qualifying times,” she says. On Sept. 19, MS Voorthuyzen was awarded Most Dedicated Athlete at the CFB Esquimalt Sports Awards for 2019. It is only fitting that she wasn’t present to receive her award, as MS Voorthuyzen is presently in Europe at the Disney Castle to Chateau Challenge where she continues to live her passion for ticking off the kilometres. 

[caption id="attachment_21621" align="alignnone" width="593"] Naval Cadets gather for a photograph on the flight deck of USS Spruance during an exchange program with the United States Navy in August. The Naval Cadets are enrolled in the Regular Officer Training Program and were participating in ROTP’s summertime On-the-Job Employment Program. Photo submitted: Naval Personnel Training Group (NPTG)[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~A group of Naval Cadets gave glowing reviews about their recent summer job placements aboard the United States Navy (USN) vessel USS Spruance. The six junior sailors are enrolled in the Canadian Armed Forces Regular Officer Training Program (ROTP). They recently wrapped up three-week job placements aboard the USN’s Arleigh Burke-class destroyer. They embarked Spruance in Seattle and arrived at U.S. Naval Base San Diego on Aug. 27.Their participation was part of the ROTP’s On the Job Employment (OJE) program. OJE finds work placements in the Canadian Armed Forces for 160 naval cadets throughout the summer months when they are not attending classes at Royal Military College in Saint-Jean, Que., Kingston, Ont. or Canadian universities.Lieutenant (Navy) Tony Greenwood, Basic Training List (BTL) Manager for Junior Naval Warfare Officers at the Naval Personnel and Training Group (NPTG), helped organize this year’s exchange. Lt(N) Greenwood, a former graduate of the ROTP in 2014, says the intention of the exchange is to give cadets practical experience on a warship. “I also had some interesting work placements during my time in ROTP, but sailing aboard a USN destroyer is an incredible assignment for these young sailors and by all reports they thoroughly enjoyed it. The idea was to give this group of cadets practical experience on a warship and it was mission accomplished.”This year’s participants were NCdt Jonathan Anderson, NCdt Eve Baker, NCdt Farris Bakir, NCdt Timothy Baljet, NCdt Lisa Grandmaison and NCdt Alex Morneau. Four of...

[caption id="attachment_21618" align="alignnone" width="593"] HMCS Winnipeg alongside Ogden Point for Defence on the Dock.[/caption]SLt Wilson Ho, HMCS Winnipeg ~This is You Day SailHMCS Winnipeg embarked over 200 guests Sept. 14 from Royal Roads Alumni and the Achieve Anything Foundation’s “This is You” program, for a first-hand experience of life on board a Halifax-class frigate. The “Achieve Anything” Foundation organizes hands-on experience events with the navy and other agency/industrial partners that are improving gender diversity in their workplaces, and also promoting equal opportunity in all of their jobs. Despite heavy fog obstructing the scenic views of Esquimalt and Victoria Harbour, guests were invited to tour the ship, including the operations room, the bridge, and the machinery control room. In addition, guests were given the opportunity to try on boarding party equipment and test their skills in a smoky firefighting simulator. During lunch on the flight deck, the fog surrounding Winnipeg lifted.  Although overcast, the increased visibility allowed guests to see the demonstration of the ship’s full manoeuverability, which included full speed runs, crash stops, and high speed turns. Once back alongside Esquimalt Harbour, the President of the Vancouver Island Ex-Cadet Club presented two books to the crew. In closing, Winnipeg’s Commanding Officer, Cdr Mike Stefanson, had a few words. “Thank you for coming out and sailing with us today, and letting the sailors show you our home; this is not just our ship, but your ship as well.”Defence on the DockThe next day, overcast weather didn’t dampen the spirits of many Vancouver Islanders as they participated in Defence on the Dock, hosted by CFB Esquimalt. HMCS Winnipeg was open for tours at Ogden Point and welcomed 3,300 eager guests. Defence on the Dock is a showcase event where members of the public are invited to interact with both military and civilian personnel...

Bill Sparling, Contributor ~For years, I routinely responded jokingly to the pro-forma greeting of “how are you” with “vertical and breathing is the goal.” Now, having just returned to work from a heart attack, it really is the goal. So, my first symptoms were pain beneath the sternum, nothing else. Having heard many lectures about heart attack symptoms, I recognized it but because one: it was without any of the other symptoms we are taught to expect and two: because of my history of acid reflux I considered the pain to be (quelle surprise) acid reflux. Ironic when you consider that I am the unit safety officer and first aid support falls within my purview.It hit me, off and on, for some time and one day, at work, got really bad. So bad, in fact, that I made a doctor’s appointment to have it checked out. Fast forward one week to the doctor’s appointment. Within five minutes, the doctor tells me to get my furry behind to the emergency room: “Now, or you will die.” Five days and an angioplasty later, with stents, I am ready to go home with a year’s supply of meds and a bunch of follow-on appointments. By the way, angioplasty is a surprisingly painful procedure that you are fully conscious during and feel everything as they monitor you to ensure that a stroke doesn’t occur. So, here’s the nitty-gritty. I had blockage of an artery feeding the heart muscle. Due to the time elapsed, my heart was compensating and developing alternate blood flows to protect itself, so damage was limited. The angioplasty opened up the blockages, removing the built-up plaque, and the stents ensure the artery will stay open. A week’s rest at home and  then it was back to work, albeit with a few minor...

[caption id="attachment_21611" align="alignnone" width="593"] Students from CF College set off on a harbour tour in Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats. Photo by LS Mike Goluboff, MARPAC Imaging Services[/caption]Janice Lee, MARPAC Public Affairs ~Last week, CFB Esquimalt welcomed students of the Joint Command and Staff Programme from the Canadian Forces College. The aim of the programme is to prepare selected senior officers of the Defence Team for command and staff appointments in the contemporary operating environment across the continuum of operations in national and international settings.The 150 students were split into three groups to participate in demon­strations and exercises around the base. On Monday, the students took part in a day sail on board HMCS Winnipeg where they received a tour of the frigate, experienced high-speed manoeuvres, and saw a boarding demonstration by the Naval Tactical Operations Group. The second day they toured Fleet Maintenance Facility Cape Breton and participated in the International Engagement Asia-Pacific Brief. They also visited submarine HMCS Chicoutimi.Another group spent the morning at Venture, Naval Officer Training Centre to learn about the ship bridge simulators. It gave them an idea of being on the ocean. Afterwards they experienced the real thing on board an Orca training vessel. With the soft breeze of the ocean and the subtle bumps of the waves, the students had a chance to undergo a speed and manoeuvrability demonstration.The last group went to Naval Fleet School Pacific. There they were introduced to the Replenishment at Sea trainer and a virtual welder demonstration. They experienced the weapons capabilities of a frigate through a Close-In Weapons System simulator. Afterwards, they toured Esquimalt Harbour in a Zodiac before proceeding to Fleet Diving Unit (Pacific) for a taste of a clearance diver’s life by taking a dip in the Pacific Ocean.Students of the Joint Command and Staff Programme are...

[caption id="attachment_21608" align="alignnone" width="593"] Jetty Services staff from Port Operations and Emergency Branch work to secure Victoria-Class submarine HMCS Chicoutimi before Defence on the Dock at Ogden Point on Sept. 15. Photo by POESB[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~Guided tours of the Royal Canadian Navy’s submarine HMCS Chicoutimi was a key attraction at this year’s Defence on the Dock at Ogden Point.But getting the Victoria-class submarine alongside for the Sept. 15 event was no simple task. Chicoutimi is currently undergoing a refit and couldn’t get there on its own power.The process of moving Chicoutimi was a slow and methodical one, and involved 17 civilian members of the Queen’s Harbour Master, and three vessels from the base’s Auxiliary Fleet. Their operation began that day at 5 a.m. when the crews secured Chicoutimi to tug boats Glendale and Lawrenceville.Over at Ogden Point’s Pier A, Jetty Services and tug boat Tillicum began setting up the required berthing system and brows.It was all in a day’s work for the Queen’s Harbour Master, said LCdr (Retired) Roger Miller, Pilot 2 of Jetty Services.“Rigging was the key to this operation. Put simply, it’s all about taking a large tug like Glendale and a smaller tug like Lawrenceville, and then rigging them with ropes to Chicoutimi so that all three vessels move as one unit.”The mission could have easily been hampered by high winds, heavy seas, and fog that were forecasted that day. Thankfully for Miller and his crew the predictions didn’t pan out until later in the day. At the time of the move Chicoutimi and its supporting vessels had light winds and more than 100 yards of visibility, said Miller. They managed to make the four nautical mile journey in approximately two hours. Towing a submarine is an easier job than towing a frigate or large vessel, he...

[caption id="attachment_21601" align="alignnone" width="593"] Canadian Leaders at Sea participants and HMCS Calgary’s command team visited the Haida Heritage Centre in Haida Gwaii.From left to right: LCdr Melissa Fudge, CPO1 Todd Jones, Juniors Damy, Candyce Kelshall, Matthew Lewis, Leelah Dawson, Tim Charles, Chief Reg Young (“Gitkun”), Chief Lonnie Young (“Gaahlaay”), Jason Alsop (“Gaagwiis”), Gary Perkins, Derek Threinen, HCol Don Foster, Jeff Topping, Lt(N) Andrew Lauzon, Mark Blevis, and Cdr Jonathan Kouwenberg. Photos by Leading Seaman Shaun Martin, MARPAC Imaging Services[/caption]Lt Chelsea Dubeau, MARPAC Public Affairs ~It isn’t every day that civilians are afforded the opportunity to see inside a warship, let alone sail with its crew and basically have the run of the place. Yet that’s exactly what happened from Sept. 14-18, when 10 intrepid people, leaders in their respective fields from all across Canada, embarked in HMCS Calgary as part of the Canadian Leaders at Sea (CLaS) program. The CLaS program invites ­leaders to experience an operational warship at sea, the goal being to “show why Canada’s navy is relevant, important, and professional, and why our sailors are the best in the world,” according to the joining instructions. One CLaS participant, Mark Blevis, is the Director of Public Affairs and Marketing for Commissionaires. For him, the CLaS experience was more than just learning about a warship - for him, it was about the people.“To me this is a four-day university crash course in leadership, teamwork, organizational structure, cooperation, and passion,” said Blevis. “The level of passion I’ve picked up from everyone on the ship is incredible; how passionate they are to be here, how passionate they are about their jobs. Hearing the stories about what led them to be here to join the forces and hearing what makes people tick has been incredible. You don’t often hear people talk about their jobs with such a sense of purpose.”Each CLaS participant received a temporary set of Naval Combat Dress, was assigned their own bunk, and had the opportunity to eat in every...

[caption id="attachment_21576" align="alignnone" width="593"] Yanick Létourneau, Christian Jalbert and Érick Cloutier will work as a team to transform a motorbike as a benefit to the Soldier On program. Photo by Édouard Dufour, Adsum Newspaper[/caption]Édouard Dufour, DND ~Chief Petty Officer Second Class Christian Jalbert, currently working at Naval Reserve Headquarters in Québec City, boasts a 27-year career in the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN), divided between the Regular Force and the Naval Reserve. With the help of two collaborators, he is embarking on an ambitious project: modifying and auctioning off a motorbike as a benefit to the Soldier On program.Thanks to donations from their loved ones and the general population, the three men working on the project were able to purchase a 1994 Harley-Davidson Sportster bike for $1,725. “Throughout my career, I’ve known and worked alongside people who were injured, both physically and mentally. I haven’t experienced what they’ve had to live through, but I do see the impacts it all has on their lives. I wanted to do something that would bring them a sense of accomplishment and build awareness of mental health issues in the general population,” said CPO2 Jalbert, a bike aficionado from a very early age.For the coming months, the three men will meet weekly in Lévis, Quebec, to transform the bike. CPO2 Jalbert and his partners have already assembled the bike, having purchased it dismantled. Only a few parts of the original structure will have been retained when the machine reaches its final form. The goal is to auction the bike off during fall 2020; all profits are to go to the Soldier On program. “This program gives back to veterans who really need it. It enables them to become active again and it’s a community promoting sport and physical activity. I’ve met many people who were having trouble....

Eric De Lafontaine, Manager Soldier Operational Clothing and Equipment Modernization, DSSPM ~More than 600 soldiers at 4 Canadian Division Support Base Petawawa will test a new Canadian Disruptive Pattern (CADPAT) to help select replacement camouflage for the current iconic woodland and arid CADPAT patterns.The original distinctive CADPAT, revolutionary for its time, was initially developed in 1997. It is most closely associated with the Canadian Army, but it is also worn by airforce and naval personnel when they work on land.Canadian Special Operations Forces personnel wear another pattern, MultiCam, which is not being replaced.Since CADPAT was issued, there have been several advances made in camouflage research, specifically protection from detection by infra-red and other night vision systems.Starting at the end of September, 3rd Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment will begin wearing coats and trousers, shell fragmentation protective body armor, bush caps, helmet covers and rank patches in the “Prototype J” mid-spectrum pattern.This new four-colour pattern falls in the middle of the camouflage spectrum, not overly emphasizing brown or green tones.While there have been over a dozen patterns tested, this is the first pattern to be taken out of a lab and tested using real soldiers who are undergoing rigorous training for overseas operations. There will likely be adjustments made to the pattern resulting from this trial.The trial will last until July 2020. During this time, the Human Factors Support Cell from the Soldier Systems Directorate within Director General Land Equipment Program Management will seek user feedback about the “Prototype J” pattern by conducting large-scale questionnaires.The team will also conduct data collection, focus groups, and 3D body scanning to define how the current operational uniform and personal equipment can be improved.This study will also include seeking out soldiers of smaller stature, including but not exclusively women, to ensure that the next generation of clothing...

[caption id="attachment_21568" align="alignnone" width="593"] HMCS Ville de Quebec is seen tied up at the new Jetty NJ. Photo courtesy Formation Imaging Services[/caption]Ryan Melanson, Trident Newspaper ~The Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) has marked another step on the road to accepting the first Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ship (AOPS) with Jetty NJ now complete at the north end of HMC Dockyard in CFB Halifax.Government representatives, senior RCN leaders, including Atlantic Fleet Commander, Cmdre Richard Feltham, and CFB Halifax Base Commander, Capt(N) David Mazur, other sailors, and CAF members gathered to officially cut the ribbon for the project on Aug. 22.Cmdre Feltham touted the size and location of the new jetty, along with its modern fendering system and utility tunnel, as an upgrade that will allow the dockyard to accommodate a greater number of larger ships without worry. This includes current and future RCN ships and those of visiting allies, he said.“This project provides critical infrastructure to enable us to do the things necessary to prepare our ships to go around the world. It will allow us to execute the missions that the people and the Government of Canada need us for,” he said. “It provides a new, safe place at home to berth our ships, do our repairs, and to rest and recover.” Members of HMCS Harry DeWolf were on hand to celebrate the official opening, as Jetty NJ will be the ship’s regular berthing place following its expected delivery to the RCN later this year. The 247-metre long jetty will eventually accommodate four of the navy’s six AOPS vessels at a time.

[caption id="attachment_21565" align="alignnone" width="593"] MV Asterix arrived back in Halifax Aug. 26 after more than 500 days away supporting the Royal Canadian Navy in various exercises and operations. Photo by Mona Ghiz, MARLANT PA[/caption]Trident Newspaper ~After nearly a year and a half at sea supporting Royal Canadian Navy ships and allies around the world, MV Asterix arrived back at its homeport of Halifax on Aug. 26.The interim supply ship, owned and operated by Davie Shipbuilding subsidiary Federal Fleet Services, left Halifax in April 2018 and kept a busy schedule that included involvement in exercise RIMPAC 2018 off Hawaii, Operation Projection and Operation Neon in the Asia-Pacific, and support for Operation Artemis and CTF 150 in Middle Eastern waters.In total, the vessel conducted 197 refueling operations with 40 warships from 12 countries throughout the 500-day deployment, transferring nearly 31 million litres of fuel. Asterix sailed a total of 150,721 nautical miles, and conducted exercises, operations, and port visits throughout the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Ocean, the Caribbean, South China Sea, Arabian Sea, and the Persian Gulf.These taskings were all carried out with a mixed crew of civilian mariners and Royal Canadian Navy sailors from Naval Replenishment Unit (NRU) Asterix, led by Commanding Officer LCdr Trent Nichols, with crews rotating out partway through the deployment to allow the ship to remain at sea.Asterix spent two weeks tied up at HMC Dockyard before sailing again to support RCN warships and NATO allies as part of Cutlass Fury 19. The ship is then expected to return to Davie Shipbuilding in Quebec for maintenance.

[caption id="attachment_21561" align="alignnone" width="592"] Future Lokole users have a look at the inner working of Nzola Swasisa’s invention, Lokole. Lokole operates similar to a portable router and is helping spread access to the internet to underserviced and remote regions of his former country. Inset: Founder and Lokole team lead Nzola Swasisa.[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~An electronics apprentice, and inventor, from Fleet Maintenance Facility Cape Breton (FMF CB) is on a quest to help spread vital internet communications to underserviced and remote regions in Africa. Nzolantima Swasisa travelled to his former hometown of Kinshasa, the capital city of Democratic Republic of Congo, for three weeks in August to distribute 10 of his offline portable web and email network devices to local community representatives. His latest invention is a tiny black box called a Lokole and can provide web and email access in a 25-metre radius for up to 100 users. Lokole derives its name from an ancient Congolese drum used in pre-colonial times as a means of imparting vital communications between villages. Swasisa says having access to reliable communications is a game-changer in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Most people have no internet service; the more fortunate ones rely on wireless phone service to access the internet. “More than 60 per cent of the African population doesn’t have access to efficient internet communications and the problem is much worse in the Democratic Republic of Congo,” says Swasisa. “Lokole addresses this problem by creating a sharable local area network, allowing individuals in remote locations to sustain vital communication links.”With skyrocketing and unaffordable wireless fees, Swasisa says Lokole makes access to the internet 100 times cheaper for the average person. His device allows community leaders to receive emergency government communications and alerts, educational documents for schools, health advice from medical professionals, the ability to...

[caption id="attachment_21558" align="alignnone" width="592"] A clearance diver investigates a dud rocket in a hesco barrier of a forward operating base.[/caption]Lt(N) Sebastian Harper, FDU (P) ~Clearance divers from Fleet Diving Unit (Pacific) recently deployed to Guam for Exercise Hydracrab.The amalgam of navy explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) operators from allied partner nations convened Aug. 19 on the Pacific island of Guam to practice their skills. Hosted by United States Navy EOD Mobile Unit 5, Hydracrab was an inaugural 14-day exercise designed to push EOD operators to their limits in a non-permissive maritime environment.  Participants included Clearance Diving Teams 1 and 4 from Australia, Fleet Diving Unit (Pacific) from Canada, HMNZS Matatua from New Zealand, and EOD Mobile Unit 5 and 3 Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF) EOD, from the United States. Unique to this exercise, US Marines from 3 MEF Force Reconnaissance also flew in from Okinawa, Japan, to act as “Blue Force” for the exercise, giving participants the opportunity to integrate with ground forces and assault teams during raids and vessel boarding.Over the course of the exercise, eight RCN clearance divers honed their skills, participating in dismounted improvised explosive device (IED) disruption tasks, which in many cases involved hand dismantling IEDs in order to enable an assault force to press on to their objective. They also practiced ancillary skills including diving, fast rope insertion, shooting, and close quarters battle to better enable them to integrate with land forces or boarding teams; something that navy EOD teams are often called on to do.Mobile Unit 5 intends to make Exercise Hydracrab an annual event in which Pacific allied EOD partners can integrate and better prepare their EOD operators for the next fight. Having the opportunity to inter-operate with partner nations in an intense and immersive exercise gives Canadian clearance divers the warfighting skills required to accomplish their...

[caption id="attachment_21555" align="alignnone" width="592"] Lt(N) Justin Sowley explains the integration of the pelorus, a reference tool for maintaining bearing of a vessel at sea, with the Naval Bridge Simulator to Cdr (Retired) Doug Henderson. Photo by Peter Mallett, Lookout[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~Graduates of the Royal Canadian Navy’s junior officer training centre known as HMCS Venture gathered in Victoria last week for their 11th quinquennial reunion.Held once every five years, the reunion brings together members of CFB Esquimalt’s Naval Junior Officer Training Establishment, HMCS Venture, which ceased operations 51 years ago. Last week’s reunion saw approximately 125 alumni and their spouses attend two days of activities organized by the Venture Association in conjunction with Naval Fleet School Pacific (NFS(P)). Between 1954 and 1968, HMCS Venture and its campus, which was located in Dockyard, trained junior naval officers of the Executive, Engineering, and Fleet Air Arm and Naval Services branches during a two-year term of academic education. The buildings that once housed the school, Dockyard buildings 11 and 29, were demolished in 2017.Many reunion attendees are now in their 70s and 80s and travelled to Victoria from across the country and the United States to celebrate the legacy. Admiral (Retired) John Anderson, Ambassador to NATO and former Commanding Officer, Naval Officer Training Centre (NOTC) Venture, and past Chief of Defence Staff, was the special guest for this year’s reunion. Lieutenant Commander Todd Kennedy, who serves as the present-day Venture Division Commander, within NFS(P), welcomed the group with a reception and orientation at Work Point’s Collier Theatre on the morning of Sept 12, in conjunction with the Naval Fleet School Commandant, Commander Annick Fortin, and Deputy Fleet Commander, Captain(N) Scott Robinson. All three of spent the day with Venture Association reunion guests as they walked the flats of current day Venture Division, and joined...

SLt Zachary Jackson, HMCS Calgary ~Last month, HMCS Calgary along with HMCS Whitehorse, Canadian Forces Maritime Warfare Centre, 443 Maritime Helicopter Squadron, and 19 Wing Comox took part in Optest Stargazer. The goal of the two-week exercise was to test anti-submarine warfare equipment and doctrine in order to improve how warships conduct anti-submarine operations.One of the highlights of the exercise was a series of Mk 46 Torpedo firings. The Mk 46 Lightweight Torpedo is the primary weapon used by the Royal Canadian Navy and the Royal Canadian Air Force against submarine threats. The rounds were Exercise Torpedoes (EXTORPS). This meant the torpedo was able to be fired, move through the water, tracked, and finally target a submarine without having any explosive payload embarked. Using an EXTORP allows the military to employ the weapon in a realistic way and collect relevant data without any undue costs or risk. Personnel can then analyze the data and see why the weapon was either successful or unsuccessful. This is crucial in determining how to improve both the way the military fights and the weapons used. Calgary’s Under Water Warfare Officer, Lt (N) Samantha Bayne commented on the importance of this exercise. “Calgary’s participation in Optest Stargazer enabled the RCN to enhance underwater warfare tactics. Calgary contributed to the exercise’s effectiveness in providing a focused opportunity to demonstrate potential new equipment and procedures.”The exercise was the culmination of weeks of work by both the Operations Department and the Combat Systems Engineering Department.

[caption id="attachment_21547" align="alignnone" width="593"] United Nations troops search for mines in Cyprus.[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~A Department of National Defence historian from Ottawa will be visiting the base next month to interview veterans that served in Canadian Armed Forces peacekeeping operations in Cyprus. John Macfarlane, from Directorate of History and Heritage (DHH), is compiling research for a book that will include first-hand accounts by veterans on Operation Snowgoose, Canada’s contribution to United Nations peacekeeping operations in Cyprus between 1964 and 1993. MacFarlane will conduct interviews at the CFB Esquimalt Naval and Military Museum Oct. 2 and 3. Ahead of his visit to the base, he is looking for veterans of all ranks and trades from Victoria’s military community for their stories on Operation Snowgoose and their role in the mission. The focus of the research is the soldiering aspects and is specifically logistics based. “We are not focusing on policy, politics and external affairs, but are looking specifically at operations, what Canadian soldiers were doing and how they adapted and responded to the situation,” said MacFarlane. DHH has a mandate within DND to preserve and communicate Canada’s military history and foster pride in military heritage. The intention, says MacFarlane, is to educate Canadian Armed Forces members and the Canadian public while shaping history.Veterans of Op Snowgoose can write about their experiences, agree to a formal interview, or simply be accessible by email or phone for the occasional question to help clarify certain aspects of the operation. A key area of MacFarlane’s research involves a firefight between Turkish and Greek forces in the summer of 1974 following a Turkish invasion. He is looking for first-hand accounts of how Canadian peacekeepers reacted to the firefight.“They had sent Canadian peacekeepers to keep the peace, but if national defence was involved in a war that...

[caption id="attachment_21537" align="alignnone" width="592"] Capt(N) David Mazur, CFB Halifax Base Commander, and CPO2 (Retired) Brian Lapierre, a former submariner, cut the ribbon to officially open the Naval Museum of Halifax’s newest exhibit. Photo by Cpl Thompson, Formation Imaging Services[/caption]Ryan Melanson, Trident Newspaper ~The Naval Museum of Halifax always has a team of helpful volunteers ready to lend a hand, but a group of retired submariners have taken it to a new level over the past 16 months. The result of their hard work is now officially on display for visitors to enjoy.The museum held an official opening Aug. 8 for the exhibit focused on the history of Canada’s submarine service. Titled “Diving Now! Diving Now! Submarines in the Service of Canada”, the new room features a mix of physical artifacts and mementos, diorama-style recreations, and beautifully designed informative displays, stretching back from the very first CC-Class boats, through the Second World War and Cold War era, and up to the present with the Victoria-class fleet that currently serves.“It’s been a lot of hard work, but it’s very rewarding to have the room ready for everyone to see today,” said Brian Lapierre, a former submariner who sailed in both HMC Submarines Okanagan and Onondaga as an electrician during his 21-year naval career. Lapierre, along with fellow retired submariner Jim Northtrup, led the creation of the new exhibit on the volunteer side, and the two were credited with putting in more than 500 hours at the museum since the project began.“I used to come in on my time off and spend a couple days a week inventorying all the artifacts in the basement, but I could not have imagined it coming together with a project like this,” he said.Included in the exhibit are a recreated mess and sleeping quarters from an Oberon-class boat,...

Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~A sailor from Base Information Services is raving about his first-ever community outreach experience at a youth biodiversity camp in Clayoquot Sound. Leading Seaman Matt Nicolle normally spends his workdays on a ship at sea or at a desk alongside. But for two weeks in August the 29-year-old turned his attention to rolling up his sleeves and pitching in with cleaning and landscaping duties at the Cedar Coast Field Station on Vargas Island, located five kilometres north of Tofino, B.C. “I want to tell the story about my experience because I believe it will help others see that they can get special leave allocated for community service, and that there are all sorts of organizations that can use the help of Canadian military personnel,” he said. LS Nicolle required written approval from the Base Commander’s office to be allotted the necessary 14 calendar days of community affairs leave between Aug. 3 and 16.  He then drove to Tofino and was ferried to the island. After arriving on the island, he assisted other field station support staff in running the summer camp program for approximately seven youths. Cedar Coast Field Station’s mission is to preserve ecological health through research and education programs. The field station provides housing and accommodations, acting as a base camp for researchers, naturalists, artists, educators, and students to explore and observe the island and its surroundings, which is part of the region’s UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific, Cultural Organization) Biosphere Reserve. Despite the beautiful oceanfront scenery, LS Nicolle admits most of his 60 hours of volunteer services were away from the ecological research and development. He cooked meals for campers and staff, did indoor custodial and cleaning duties, and helped with landscape maintenance projects on the trails and camp gardens. He described his time as “an incredible experience” simply because of the mission of the field station.LS Nicolle says, like many people, he strives to be more environmentally conscious in his day-to-day activities but...

[caption id="attachment_21530" align="alignnone" width="593"] It’s just another day at the blood bank for LS Robert Hull. What’s unique is it is his 500th donation.[/caption]Lt(N) Melissa Kia, HMCS Malahat PAO ~LS Robert Hull of HMCS Malahat eases into a donation chair at the Victoria Canadian Blood Services Clinic as if he’s sitting down at his favourite park bench. After 34 years of donating whole blood and platelets, he has achieved a milestone which few people reach. Last Tuesday, Sept. 3, marked his 500th blood donation. LS Hull, unassuming about his feat, likens his bi-weekly donation to stopping off for a coffee with friends. “After so many years it is just a habit to come down to the clinic and give,” he says as the pumps whirl in the background. When queried about how he got started, LS Hull says, “I guess I was just curious when I started donating. I still remember my first time, I was only 18 years old. I went down to the clinic in St. John’s, NL, after my father was diagnosed with stage four cancer. Cancer took both of my grandfathers, so I wanted to do something to help.” Feeling like he could make a difference in the lives of cancer patients, and all Canadians who were in need of blood, kept LS Hull going back time and again for the next three decades. “I learned that cancer patients desperately need blood and platelets as part of their treatment,” he said. Though his father beat the odds, and survived his bout with the disease, LS Hull was hooked on donating. Going back to give became a part of his lifestyle. Patricia Willms, a spokesperson for Canadian Blood Services, could not overstate the importance of LS Hull’s record donation. “Though I don’t have the national statistics on hand, I...

Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~In two weeks, Canadian naval historian Roger Litwiller will share his collection of 1,800 images with the CFB Esquimalt community.He is loaning his collection to the CFB Esquimalt Naval and Military Museum, and conducting a lecture on naval history at the museum Sept. 18. He began amassing unofficial candid photos of life in the navy when he was researching for his first book White Ensign Flying - The Story of HMCS Trentonian. “They really are intriguing pictures and accurately capture a day-in-the-life of a sailor,” says Litwiller. “That is also the focus of my writing. I have always enjoyed sitting down with our veterans and hearing their stories of what life was like on board an RCN ship.”A favourite set of images is that of a mock wedding on board Trentonian in the days leading up to the Battle of Normandy in the Second World War. The light-hearted photo was taken on the gundeck, below the ship’s bridge. It shows a sailor posing as a Justice of the Peace and two sailors being married, one playing the part of the bride and wearing a mop for a wig. “It was a fun way for them to blow off steam and share a laugh in trying times. In multiple images that were captured of this event you can see the sailors were clearly laughing and grinning,” said Litwiller. “The stunt clearly worked because when the corvette reached port the entire ship’s company was given [shore] leave.”Litwiller’s images are not original but rather scanned high-resolution images borrowed from veterans he interviews. He meticulously records as much information about each photo from the veteran before scanning and returning them. He has shared his collection with other Canadian naval museums and the CFB Esquimalt museum is the last to receive the...

[caption id="attachment_21526" align="alignnone" width="593"] This year’s CANEX Championship Gaming Series will feature the game Rocket League. You can register a team to play or watch the action live on Twitch Oct. 25-27.[/caption]Courtesy Trident Newspaper ~Canadian Armed Forces sports are a way for military members to build camaraderie through friendly competition, and in the modern day that notion is expanding to include e-sports or competitive video gaming. The CANEX Championship Gaming Series is back for its fourth year running from Oct. 25-27, and registration is now open, with early-bird prize draws available to those who sign up before Sept.12. This year’s contest features Rocket League, a popular multiplayer game described as a “high-powered hybrid of arcade-style soccer and vehicular mayhem”, which won the most votes in an online poll of potential participants taken to choose this year’s game.Each team consists of three players and an alternate, with one player filling the role of Team Captain. All team members must already have, or be eligible to apply for, a CFOne Card, and be 19 years of age or older as of Aug.1. All games are played online and players can take part from any location.Each member of the winning team will receive the first-place prize package, which includes an ACER 32” Curved Monitor and a MSI Urban Raider Backpack with Laptop Loot Box, keyboard skin, and gaming cap. The total first-place prize package is valued at more than $900. Those who register before the early bird cutoff will be entered into a draw for two MSI and ASUS gaming laptops – these prizes will be awarded to randomly-selected individual players, rather than to the team as a whole.Further prizes will also be given to the second-place team, as well as gift card draws open to all players, and for non players who...

[caption id="attachment_21517" align="alignnone" width="593"] CPO1 Paul Fenton receives the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers from Her Honour, the Honourable Janet Austin, Lieutenant Governor of B.C., in a ceremony at Government House. Photo by LS Shaun Martin, MARPAC Imaging Services[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~Fifteen years of unpaid, behind-the-scenes volunteerism has earned Chief Petty Officer First Class Paul Fenton a unique, prestigious medal – the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers.Last Thursday, Sept. 5, he was one of 44 British Columbia recipients to receive the honour from B.C. Lieutenant Governor Janet Austin in a ceremony at Government House.CPO1 Fenton, 50, is currently in his 31st year of service with the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) and was honoured for his years of volunteer work with Scouts Canada.“It’s an incredible honour to be recognized for my volunteering at the national level,” said CPO1 Fenton. The Medal for Volunteers is awarded annually in each province on behalf of the Governor General of Canada, Julie Payette. It is presented to individuals who have made significant, sustained contributions to their community in Canada or abroad. The award was created in 1995 by former Governor General Roméo LeBlanc and builds on the spirit of its predecessor, the Caring Canadian Award. CPO1 Fenton began his involvement with Scouting in 2004 as Scout Leader when his children became members of the 1st Arbutus Scouts in Esquimalt. Today, he is Group Commissioner with the 33rd Greater Victoria Medical Scout Group. The scout group is for youth ages 15 to 26 and provides first aid services to local scouting events. He is also a member of the Greater Victoria training team for scout leaders. A military colleague nominated the Chief. He was notified of his award on March 8 through an email from the Office of The Governor General of Canada.__The Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers is...

[caption id="attachment_21514" align="alignnone" width="592"] Capt(N) Jason Boyd accepts the Victoria-Class trophy from Commodore Angus Topshee and Babcock Canada’s President Mike Whalley. Photo by LS Bryan Underwood, MARPAC Imaging Services[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~A successful hockey fundraiser played out last week at the Wurtele Arena raising $5,500 for the Esquimalt Military Family Resource Centre (MFRC). A near-capacity crowd filled the stands on Sept. 4 to watch the CFB Esquimalt Senior Tritons defeat Babcock Canada 8-2 and claim the inaugural Victoria-Class Cup title. But the final score didn’t seem to matter much to hockey fans, players and volunteers says the game’s organizer Lisa Church, MFRC Community Engagement manager. “I am so proud of the entire MFRC team, the CFB Esquimalt community, and Babcock Canada who came together to support this event,” said Church. “Our intention was to create an event that would be enjoyed by all members of the defence community and their families and there is nothing like a good game of hockey to bring people together.”Fans were treated to free soft drinks, barbecued hot dogs, and pizza before Commander of Maritime Forces Pacific, Rear-Admiral Bob Auchterlonie and Babcock Canada’s President Mike Whalley conducted the game’s ceremonial puck drop. At the conclusion of the game, Whalley made a cheque presentation of $5,000 on behalf of Babcock Canada to MFRC Executive Director Jackie Carle. Another $500 was raised through the game’s 50-50 draw and a Chuck-A-Puck contest.

Capt Aaron Lee and AB Keiran Sidle, DND ~Being a boatswain demands a lot from an individual. Attention to detail, teamwork and physicality are all part of the job. However, one aspect of the trade remains integral but often taken for granted - rope work.There is one young sailor who considers rope work more than just part of the job. AB Keiran Sidle of Naval Replenishment Unit (NRU) Asterix has turned this skill into a hobby.AB Sidle has been in the Royal Canadian Navy for three years and it was during his QL3 trade training that he was introduced to rope work. In addition to the traditional knots such as the bowline, clove hitch and square knot, he has taken his skills to the next level by creating knots that are intricate and decorative works of art.In one deployment alone, with NRU Asterix, AB Sidle made over 50 small rope work projects for the ship or his fellow crewmembers. Some of his more decorative works include the adornment for the ship’s bell, a rope knot ship’s wheel and a beautiful rope knot anchor, all of which currently decorate the bulkheads of Asterix. He’s even presented one of his creations to former Commander Royal Canadian Navy, VAdm Ron Lloyd, during a visit to the ship while in theatre.For anyone interested in starting his or her own decorative rope projects, AB Sidle has practical advice: try to be as creative as possible and have a lot of patience. For a boatswain with NRU Asterix, rope work is critical to mission success, but for AB Sidle this skill has amplified into a hobby that gives him a chance to relax and unwind after a hard day’s work. He would like to bring rope work back to the modern sailor as he believes it helps...

Courtesy Maple Leaf ~When it comes to help for those in distress, every action counts and can make a difference. Yet, despite all the support programs and tools put in place, the problem is often taking that first step toward the appropriate resources.Military members in distress may find it difficult to ask for help for any number of reasons, including personal pride, feelings of isolation, or social pressure. This is where the camaraderie that unites Canadian Armed Forces members comes into play.Established by the Royal Canadian Chaplain Service, the Canadian Armed Forces Sentinel Program is a peer support network made up of trained and supervised volunteer members of all ranks. Civilians may also volunteer with the approval of their local chain of command and local Sentinel Chaplain. Through their informed presence within their units, the Sentinels play an important role in the prevention, detection, and support for colleagues in distress.The active presence of the Sentinels is felt in several areas, such as Operation Honour. When grappling with a situation as sensitive as sexual misconduct, feeling supported and not alone is critically important. The support and guidance provided by the Sentinels have the potential to bring about positive outcomes.The program started in 2007 and grew to 2,000 members in 2016. Today, with more than 3,000 qualified Sentinels in action on the ground there are more Canadian Armed Forces members ready to offer their support to those who need it.Observe, confirm, act, and seek back-upThe program is driven by the premise that peers are best situated to identify colleagues in distress and help them find appropriate support. Sentinels keep an eye out for signs of distress in their colleagues, particularly with respect to mental health. They offer human contact and encourage dialogue and networking to reduce potentially harmful isolation.Two essential elements of the program are simplicity and humanity. It is not a question of training people in areas in which trained professionals are already working, such as mental health. Rather, Sentinels act...