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[caption id="attachment_19609" align="alignnone" width="591"] Lieutenant Brian Plinke of Canadian Forces Health Services (Pacific) gives a Flu shot to Base Commander, Captain (Navy) Jason Boyd in his office at Naden. This year’s vaccine was made available to military members on Oct. 1. Flu shots are not mandatory but highly encouraged for all members of the military. For further information about three upcoming clinics on Oct 15, 22, and 29 or about drop-in appointments at the base immunization clinic follow CFB Esquimalt’s base intranet splash pages or call 250-363-4140. Photo by Peter Mallett, Lookout[/caption]Canadian Forces Health Services Centre (Pacific) has started to give the flu shot to its members to help them stay healthy this winter. It’s important when deciding whether to get the flu shot that you have the right information about the flu and the vaccine. There are many misconceptions about influenza and the flu vaccine, and these misconceptions can lead to a decrease in the number of people who are vaccinated. Influenza is a respiratory illness caused by the Influenza A and B viruses. This virus usually appears in the late fall and early winter when cold temperatures allow the virus to spread more easily. The flu most commonly causes a sudden high fever, chills, sore throat and cough. The flu can lead to more severe respiratory illnesses such as pneumonia. This is particularly dangerous in the very young and very old, the chronically sick and pregnant women as their immune systems are not as good at protecting them from disease even after they have been vaccinated. Approximately 10 to 20 per cent of Canadians will get the flu each season, about 12,200 will be hospitalized and 3500 will die. The influenza virus is constantly mutating which means that people need to be vaccinated each year. The flu vaccine...

Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~A pair of competitive dancers from CFB Esquimalt will swivel their hips and move their feet to the samba, chacha, rumba, paso doble, and jive at the world championships of Latin dance in Spain this weekend.Husband and wife team Gail Whitcroft, of the Base Selection Personnel Office, and Ron Whitcroft, a carpenter with Real Properties Operations (Pacific), will compete against more than 88 couples from around the world in the Senior 3 Latin World Championships Oct. 12 to 14 at the Bilbao Arena Sports Palace. The 61-year-olds qualified for the prestigious World Dance Sport Federation (WDSF) event after finishing runners-up at the Canadian Closed Championships in Montreal last April. While elated to have the opportunity to compete in Spain, the logistics to make it happen were a challenge. Travelling to Europe is expensive, and the couple have been saving hard for their retirement. But having both beaten back cancer, they agreed to use some money for “living in the moment and living life to the fullest.”Eleven years ago, Ron was diagnosed with prostate cancer shortly after Gail finished radiation treatment for breast cancer. They both fought and won their cancer battles.“Beating cancer and taking up dancing has given us a new lease on life,” says Gail. “We dance because we can. Our story could have gone the other way very easily. That is really a big part of the inspiration and our love for dance.”Entering their first competition was done as a lark. “Our evolution into competitive dancing is a funny thing because the first competition we entered was for the excitement of it all; but after that we knew we were hooked,” said Ron.It took 10 years to master the ballroom dancing syllabus and all 10 disciplines of standard and Latin dance: waltz, Viennese waltz, foxtrot, tango,...

[caption id="attachment_19606" align="alignnone" width="589"] A refurbished BC Transit bus like this one will welcome visitors for an Oct. 17 Open House in Dockyard. The event will be used by the transit authority to build its 25-year transit plan. Photo Credit: BC Transit[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~BC Transit wants CFB Esquimalt employees to have a say in shaping the future of transit in their neighbourhood. Next week, BC Transit is setting up a Transit Future Open House at Dockyard’s main gate on Wednesday Oct. 17 from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. as part of their ongoing public consultation process. “We want to hear from military and civilian employees from the base to find out how the transit system is working for them and if there are any improvements that can be made to transit routes travelling through Esquimalt and View Royal,” explains Lindsay Taylor, a BC Transit Senior Planner. “CFB Esquimalt is one of our key community stakeholders and we are excited to work with them to improve transit service in the area.”As a way to attract attention at the base, BC Transit is bringing their transit future bus; a 40-foot bus that has been retrofitted to use as an open house space. Nine Local Area Transit Plans are being developed to highlight transit service and infrastructure investment priorities over a five to seven-year timeframe within specific areas of the Victoria region. This is part of BC Transit’s larger transit plan that envisions what a community’s transit network should look like 25 years from now. Some initiatives have already been implemented such as new downtown terminal space; bus lanes on selected downtown streets; construction of a West Shore terminal at West Hills that connects to Dockyard through Route 46 during peak hours; and the expansion of the University of Victoria terminal. For more...

[caption id="attachment_19603" align="alignnone" width="591"] Commanding Officer Fleet Diving Unit (Pacific), LCdr Rick Kappel and Grey Cup trophy handler Jeff McWhinney of the Canadian Football Hall of Fame inspect the trophy and its engraved panels of Grey Cup winners. Photo by Peter Mallet, Lookout[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~Last week, the 109-year-old Grey Cup trophy of the Canadian Football League made a two-day visit to CFB Esquimalt, giving star-struck football fans at the base a chance to get an up-close look. The cup arrived at the base on the morning of Oct. 2 with its first stop at the Base Commander’s Office. Captain (Navy) Jason Boyd, from Rosetown, Sask, was decked out in his Saskatchewan Roughriders jersey.He was visibly excited by its arrival and exclaimed “wow” as the trophy’s handler Jeff McWhinney, dressed in a suit and white gloves, declared “Here it is, the champion’s chalice” while carefully handing it to Capt(N) Boyd.“It was a tremendous thrill and honour to host, and hold, such a legendary piece of Canadian history,” said Capt(N) Boyd. “I can’t believe I got to have a Grey Cup moment both as a Riders fan and a member of the Canadian Armed Forces.”Later in the morning the cup went on public display at the Naden Drill Shed and the Dockyard Gym where CFL fans of all stripes were able to view the trophy and take selfies. McWhinney said several base employees showed up with their families wearing jerseys and hats of their favourite teams.“Visiting the base has made this a magical experience for so many and there were some who said they had direct personal and family ties to the cup, including one sailor whose father played on a Grey Cup winning team,” said McWhinney.McWhinney, along with the other ‘Keeper of The Cup’ Jason Ryan, travel the country showing...

SLt M.X. Déry, MARPAC Public Affairs ~Leading Seaman Mujda Hakime, 25, exemplifies the opportunities available in the Canadian Armed Forces.   She is currently standing guard over HMCS Ville de Quebec in Greece as part of the Naval Security Team during the ship and crew’s rest and maintenance period. The ship is half way through its six-month deployment on Operation Reassurance.It is her journey to become a Canadian naval reservist that elevates her above the norm. She was born in war-torn Kabul, Afghanistan. In 1998, at age six, her family fled to neighbouring Pakistan, where extended family helped get them established. There she was able to go to school instead of working part-time to help support her family.In the first few months all she could speak was Dari, but over time she learned Urdu, the official language of Pakistan. In 2001, her family immigrated to Canada, and she learned her third language, English. She would later add French to her linguistic capabilities.The next summer she joined the Naval Reserve after a friend of a friend told her about a “survival course” where they pay trainees. The idea of being paid to learn skills was novel to LS Hakime; the survival course was in fact basic training for the Reserves. With a father that wanted to be an engineer and a mother that wanted to be a pharmacist, LS Hakime chose to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in electrical and biomedical engineering at McMaster University. During the summer she took Reserve contracts to pay for her studies while she earned her iron ring, the near century-old tradition that acts as a symbol and reminder of the obligations of trained engineers.In the final year of her Bachelor’s degree, LS Hakime went on an exchange to Grenoble, France, for 16 months to complete her degree and...

[caption id="attachment_19573" align="alignnone" width="590"] Heidi Leach-Lackenby and Scooter’s crew receive their award as overall title winner.[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~Heidi Leach-Lackenby won the overall title at this year’s edition of the Canadian Forces Sailing Association (CFSA) Regatta.Leach-Lackenby and her crew in Scooter won four of five races in the sailing competition involving 18 racing teams held in Esquimalt Harbour Sept 22 and 23. Following her win, she was awarded the Frank Heaton Memorial Trophy.This year’s regatta was the penultimate event in the Vancouver Island Racing Series (VIRS) that features 13 regattas with recreational sailors competing on weekends between April and October at yacht clubs around Vancouver Island. CFSA Fleet Skipper Colin Nichols and his team in Jack Rabbit won last year’s CFSA Regatta, while CFSA’s LCdr (Retired) Graham Heath claimed the VIRS overall title. Heath is again in the running for this year’s VIRS title and at press time was in a two-way tie for first-place in the series standing heading into the final race, the Thermopylae Regatta, held over the weekend at the Royal Victoria Yacht Club. The CFSA was established in 1946 and operates from Esquimalt Harbour, located at the foot of Maplebank Road. The club’s mandate is to provide recreational sailing opportunities for military members, their families, DND employees and veterans. For more information about the CFSA visit their website www.cfsaesq.ca.

Col (Retired) Ian Lightbody, Sea King Retirement Committee Chair ~This year will see the retirement of the longest-serving Canadian combat aircraft - the Sea King.  Originally delivered in August 1963 to then HMCS Shearwater, just outside of Halifax, NS, it will finish its service to Canada at the end of this year in Patricia Bay, just outside of Victoria, B.C.Over its 55 years of employment in Canada, the Sea King has served with multiple services and has changed significantly from its initial 1963 configuration. Originally procured by the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) to operate from the aircraft carrier HMCS Bonaventure for Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) roles, it was on the leading edge of rotary wing technology at the time with two turbine engines and the then revolutionary capability to automatically transition to a hover with the push of a button. This allowed a great leap in night and all-weather operations permitting anti-submarine searches with an active dipping sonar.  Additionally, the automatic transition equipment permitted search and rescue operations in bad weather. The Sea King initially flew from the aircraft carrier. At the same time, work had begun on a highly innovative marriage of a medium-sized helicopter with an escort-sized warship.The development of the Helicopter Haul-down and Rapid Securing Device, otherwise known as the Beartrap, allowed the Sea King to continue work on the front lines of the Cold War as one of the principal Canadian contributions to alliance Anti-Submarine Warfare efforts at sea following the retirement of Bonaventure.Following the end of the Cold War, the Sea King changed with the times. After the invasion of Kuwait by Iraq in 1990, the Sea King was modified from an obsolescent ASW platform to a multi-mission helicopter with an emphasis on surface surveillance and control. The addition of a Forward Looking Infra-Red sensor, a door...

[caption id="attachment_19567" align="alignnone" width="590"] Members of the Royal Military College (RMC) Old Brigade and Ex-Cadets march from the RMC parade square through a line of RMC Officer Cadets to the Memorial Arch for a remembrance ceremony. Photo by Steven McQuaid[/caption]Maple Leaf ~The Royal Military College of Canada (RMC) honoured its past and looked to its future during its annual reunion weekend, Sept. 14 to 16, as roughly 400 ex-cadets returned to Kingston to see the 238-strong Class of 2022 begin their journey as future leaders in the Canadian Armed Forces.Guests saw first year officer cadets work as teams to overcome the infamous RMC obstacle course, then watched those same muddied officer cadets march onto the College’s historic Parade Square in pressed and polished RMC uniforms for the badging parade.The parade is one of the most significant events of the weekend, as each officer cadet receives their RMC cap badge from members of the Old Brigade—ex-cadets who joined the Canadian Military Colleges (CMC) 50 or more years ago.“As today’s officer cadets accept these badges from members of the Old Brigade, they also accept the responsibility that comes with being part of this historic institution, and the personal challenge to build a foundation of academic achievement, fitness, leadership and bilingualism,” said Brigadier-General Sébastien Bouchard, Commandant of RMC.Many RMC graduates have distinguished themselves as leaders, including Senator Joe Day, astronauts Mark Garneau and Chris Hadfield, and Senator Romeo Dallaire. Today, the majority of Canadian General Officers and Flag Officers are graduates from CMC.“I have every faith this fine group of young Canadians who joined the College today will live up to the ideals and the example of all those who have marched on this Parade Square before them,” said BGen Bouchard.During the reunion weekend, a new plaque was added to the RMC Wall...

[caption id="attachment_19564" align="alignnone" width="589"] HMCS Regina crew with Club de Souvenir.[/caption]SLt Siobhan Gilbert, HMCS Regina ~Once a year, HMC ships visit their namesake city to participate in local events and further enrich the ties between the ship and their city. On Sept.12, 11 members of HMCS Regina’s crew travelled to Regina, Saskatchewan, led by the ship’s Commanding Officer, Commander Jacob French. The team began their journey with a visit to the RCMP Depot where RCMP recruits are trained. They participated in the high-speed collision avoidance traffic course led by members of the RCMP, followed by a tour of the Depot facilities. This tour, led by RCMP officer Daryl Chernoff, allowed the crew members to see the training facilities for the recruits and the many historic buildings on site. The Commanding Officer also inspected one of the troops under going training for their falling out parade (graduation). Later that afternoon, the crew stopped by Ecole St. Elizabeth to visit Club de Souvenir. Club de Souvenir is a school-based organization for kids interested in military history that helps veterans and charities obtain much-needed funding for various undertakings.In 2013, the club funded the commission of the World’s Largest Saskatchewan Rough Riders flag that the ship proudly displayed upon receipt. The children asked intuitive questions relating to the crew’s responsibilities onboard the ship which were well received by the crew.That evening, the entire crew visited HMCS Queen, the local Naval Reserve Division in Regina. This visit involved a presentation to the local Sea and Navy League Cadets, which included insight into the crew’s roles on the ship; further solidifying their desire to be in the Royal Canadian Navy. To finish off the first day, Regina crewmembers provided an additional $1,000 to their local charity, the Chris Knox Foundation, which works with children fighting Cancer. In total, Regina has raised...

Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~A pair of Esquimalt business owners are making sure Canadian soldiers and air crew deployed to Mali can enjoy a hot cup of gourmet coffee to start their day. Helen Edley, co-owner of Sharkz Coins on Esquimalt Road, is fully aware how much comfort a morning cup of coffee can be to military men and women stationed in far-away places as her spouse served in the Royal Canadian Navy, and they have sons in the Royal Canadian Air Force and Canadian Army.While the Canadian Armed Forces troops in Mali are well-supported and are re-supplied with their materiel and food requirements (including coffee) on a regularly basis, she wanted to add a personal “gourmet” touch to their morning cup of java.While on a short fresh-air walk from her store, she passed by the newly opened Esquimalt Roasting Company, and an idea was brewed.After a quick chat with the coffee business owner Greg Sherwell, an agreement was made to ship large bags of specialty coffee to the military camp in Mali. Sherwell, who opened his new coffee shop last June and grinds fresh coffee on site with a massive industrial-sized coffee grinder, was more than willing to assist when Edley approached him with the idea.“I want my business to be part of the community and the military is a big part of the Esquimalt community, so it made sense for me to be involved in this and other opportunities where I can support community-minded initiatives,” said Sherwell. “It’s nice to think that when someone is far away from home they can enjoy a beverage that might make them feel a little closer to their home.”Last week he prepared the shipment and then Edley shipped the bags of coffee over to Mali through Canadian Forces Base Trenton.“We appreciate the support...

[caption id="attachment_19561" align="alignnone" width="591"] Photo credit: Royal Roads University[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~Today’s students at Royal Roads University in Colwood should be thankful their graduation doesn’t hinge on completing a perilous obstacle course designed for “Roadants.”Retired Naval Lieutenant Douglas Cope remembers having to complete the trial-by-fire, make-it-or-break-it, Recruits Obstacle Course. The Roadants ran their treacherous task through the steep forested ravines and waterways during a time when the scenic West Shore campus served as a military academy. The obstacle course was designed as the ultimate test of physical endurance for first-year cadets of the 1950s and 60s who were nicknamed the Roadants.Cope and other young Roadants attended Royal Roads long before it became a university. At that time, it was known as Canadian Services College Royal Roads, one of the nation’s three military colleges. Royal Roads became a public degree-granting university in 1995 when the military college closed its doors and was absorbed by Royal Military College (RMC) in Kingston, Ont. Cope, 76, was among a group of 20 former soldiers, sailors and air men alumni who were part of Royal Roads 1963 Graduating Class and attended Homecoming Weekend at the Colwood campus, Sept. 7 to 9. The semi-retired engineer and author said returning to the campus and seeing familiar faces gave him an extreme “memory jolt” recalling many of the experiences as torturous but also indelible.“Once you were a Roadant you were always Roadant; the military college experience is very different from what it was when I attended Royal Roads,” said Cope. “The Recruits Obstacle Course was one of the toughest things that we had to do, and I have ever done since, and it left a lasting impression as did all of my experiences during my first year at Royal Roads.”The ‘Roadants’ ReturnLike most university homecoming events, Cope and...

[caption id="attachment_19558" align="alignnone" width="591"] Tour de Rock riders (left) Matt Arnsdorf of CFB Esquimalt Fire and Rescue and SLt Antoine LeBlanc of the Military Police Unit Esquimalt pose for a photo during a stop in Comox, Sept. 26. Photo by Matt Rutherford, Tour de Rock[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~Cyclists riding in the Tour de Rock will make a 20-minute pit stop at CFB Esquimalt Fire and Rescue this Friday on the final day of their two-week journey.Guided by a police motorcycle escort, the riders will ride through the bay doors at 9:45 a.m. and into the rear parking lot to a hero’s welcome. Esquimalt-based riders Matt Arnsdorf, of CFB Esquimalt Fire and Rescue, and Sub-Lieutenant Antoine LeBlanc, of Military Police Unit, are part of the 22-member team of police and first responders that are currently in the midst of a 1,100-kilometre journey across Vancouver Island in support of Cops for Cancer and pediatric cancer research and support programs.Last week, Deputy Fire Chief of Operations Geordie Douglas was kept busy organizing the event and said he is encouraging the entire defence community to turn up and cheer on the team.“The whole department is really excited to see the riders coming to our station house,” he said. Throughout their journey riders have been getting logistical support from 2017 Tour de Rock Rider Chris Day who is taking part in this year’s ride as a member of the team’s support crew.On Oct. 3 the riders will traverse the Malahat Pass before attending events in Sooke, West Shore, Oak, Bay, Esquimalt and Saanich and finishing off with their Grand Finale in downtown Victoria at Centennial Square on Oct. 5.For more information about the Tour de Rock visit their Facebook Page or website at www.tourderock.ca

[caption id="attachment_19549" align="alignnone" width="590"] PO2 Robyn Jutras receives a RCN Commendation presented by Capt(N) Christopher Robinson. Photos by SLt M.X. Déry[/caption]SLt M.X.Déry, MARPAC Public Affairs ~Naden Band bassoonist, composer and honorary member of the Submariners Association of Canada, PO2 Robyn Jutras received a Commander Royal Canadian Navy Commendation last week. It was presented to her by Captain(N) Christopher Robinson, Commander Canadian Submarine Force.The award is in recognition of her outstanding services to the Royal Canadian Navy by composing the Dolphin March, the first submariner military march.The commendation reads: “Through this composition, she showcased her exceptional dedication, technical expertise and musical innovation. It both honours the service of submariners and represents their spirit.”PO2 Jutras was humble in speaking about her second major composing success, the first being the Centennial March for Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry.“I am honoured, obviously, this is far and beyond anything I expected for what I consider to be doing my job and a more enjoyable part of my job,” said PO2 Jutras, adding that she exalts in the positive response from submariners. “Making people happy is the best part about writing music.”Capt(N) Robinson thanked PO2 Jutras and the band for their efforts in bringing this musical piece to life.“Marches provide a unifying function, more than just at formal dinners, like mess dinners, but it is something that everyone can identify with and particularly this march has the tie into the sound of the klaxon,” said Capt(N) Robinson. “The dive klaxon, in the olden days, is how everyone throughout the submarine was made aware that the submarine was proceeding to dive into the water. It is something that resonates anywhere you go in the world; submariners recognize the klaxon. So, it is really thrilling, not only to have a march, but to have one that incorporates such a...

[caption id="attachment_19552" align="alignnone" width="589"] Left to right: Leading Seaman Meghan Heal, Master Seaman James Willoughby and Leading Seaman Erik Stirler showcase the Royal Canadian Navy’s new Maritime Miniature Unmanned Aerial System, a CU-175 PUMA. Photo was taken on the fo’c’sle on board HMCS Edmonton Aug. 2. Photo by LS Mike Goluboff, MARPAC Imaging Services[/caption]MS James Willoughby, MMUAS Detachment ~The Royal Canadian Navy recently acquired a new capability in the form of a Maritime Miniature Unmanned Aircraft System - the CU175 Puma. The all-environment Puma is intended to provide a beyond-visual-line-of-sight intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance capability to Kingston-class vessels. It has a flight endurance of approximately three hours, can operate to an altitude of up to 10,500 feet, and carries a payload of enhanced optical and IR cameras that can capture still and video imagery. The system and its impressive imagery capability were initially observed onboard HMCS Edmonton during sea acceptance trials in August. The Kingston class do not carry a maritime helicopter, so the addition of the Puma’s capability to search and monitor from the air, providing razor-sharp imagery, is expected to greatly enhance operational effectiveness. The Puma will be operated by two new Maritime Miniature Unmanned Aircraft System Detachments, one at Maritime Operations Group Five in Maritime Forces Atlantic and one at Coastal Forces in Maritime Forces Pacific. The newly-minted Detachments, comprised of select personnel from the Naval Combat Information Operator and Weapons Engineering Technician trades, recently completed their initial training with Canadian Special Operations Forces Command personnel at 4th Division Canadian Support Base Petawawa. The east and west coast Detachment members were put through their paces by their instructors. The three-week course included theory of flight, mission planning, launch and recovery procedures, and basic and advanced flight manoeuvres. Although most of the training was land-based, the theory...

Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~One of Canada’s most famous sports trophies is making a two-day port call at CFB Esquimalt this week.The Grey Cup, the championship trophy of the Canadian Football League (CFL), will be on display at various locations Oct. 2 and 3. The cup’s visit is sponsored by the CFL, the Canadian Football League Hall of Fame and Canada Company, a national non-profit that provides post secondary scholarships to the children of military members that died on duty or by suicide attributed to military service.After making a brief stop at the Base Commander’s Office, the 109-year-old trophy will be available for viewing between 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 and 3 p.m. at the Naden Drill Shed on Oct. 2. On Oct. 3 the trophy will be on display at the Dockyard Gym between 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. Then it will cross Esquimalt Harbour to Colwood to the Fleet Diving Unit (Pacific) Mess for a noon to 1:30 p.m. showing. Then after another appearance at 443 Maritime Helicopter Squadron, the Cup will be transferred to CFB Comox. The Grey Cup was commissioned in 1909 by Canada’s Governor General Earl Gray and donated as a championship trophy contested between four regional Rugby Football Union leagues. It has the names of all 105 champions engraved on its base, with the University of Toronto Varsity Blues as the first and the Toronto Argonauts as the latest. This year’s Grey Cup will take place Nov. 25 at Edmonton’s Commonwealth Stadium. The last time the Grey Cup visited CFB Esquimalt it was in celebration of the B.C. Lions’ 2011 Grey Cup victory over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Vancouver businessman and Canada Company member Daniel Whittle, a former Clearance Diver with the Naval Reserves during the 1980s, helped organize this year’s visit. Whittle is owner...

SLt M.X.Déry, MARPAC Public Affairs ~When the B.C. government requested assistance from the Canadian Armed Forces during the wildfires this past summer, Joint Task Force Pacific (JTFP) stood up a Battle Watch Operations Center in CFB Esquimalt in order to coordinate assistance where required.The Intelligence Section of JTFP was given the task of determining the areas near the fires that were at risk, and, where possible, evacuation operations that might be required during the months of wildfire activity.“We tracked hundreds of fires, routinely doing analysis on the threat these fires posed to civilian populations, and finding ways for the Canadian Armed Forces to assist residents,” said Acting Sub-Lieutenant Alex Webb, Intelligence Officer.He oversaw and directed a team of analysts working to track fires, and predict where and how fire or smoke could impact flight operations, and ultimately evacuations.“We sifted through topographic and cartographic data to determine the ­hazards to our fire-control teams, easing the burden on B.C. Wildfire Service firefighters and helping enable their work on the most threatening fires,” he added.Working in consort with Capt Frédéric Bok, Intelligence Officer from 5th Service Battalion, he lead four Intelligence Operators, acting as analysts during the 16 hour days, doing quality control checks on the written reports and verbal briefings provided daily, and managing the flow of information from multiple sources.“Daily, the team produced briefings, environmental analyses, airfield operability summaries, evacuation projections, and any other products requested from them by the soldiers working to combat the fire,” said A/SLt Webb, adding that it was an impressive feat for operators from all over Canada who had to learn the idiosyncrasies of B.C. in order to work effectively.Three Intelligence Operators were deployed from seven Intelligence Company in Ottawa, and one from two Intelligence Company in Toronto.“The Intelligence section for Operation Lentus provided command with tremendous...

Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~Award-winning triathlete Lieutenant (Navy) Nico Lightbody is celebrating an impressive first outing at the World Ironman 70.3 Championships after a top 100 finish.He finished the 1.9-kilometer swim, 90-km bike ride and 21.1-km run with a time of 4:16:03 in the multi-sport competition held in Nelson Mandela Bay, South Africa, on Sept. 1. Lt(N) Lightbody, winner of the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) 2017 male athlete of the year award, says he was encouraged with his 89th place overall finish in a field of 3,764 competitors. “I am extremely happy about my results because the calibre of athletes at the race is extremely high and it’s nice to race against the best triathletes in the world.” He and the rest of the competitors battled rain and slippery conditions for the cycling and running portions of the race. The good results came despite a leg cramp during the running portion, which he was eventually able to overcome. He was especially impressed with his swimming performance, where he finished tops in his age 25 to 29 age category, recording a personal best of one minute faster than his previous time. As part of his New Year’s resolution, Lightbody is considering doubling down on race distances towards competing in full ironman event that involves 3.86 km of swimming, 180.25 km bicycle ride and a 42.20 marathon.

[caption id="attachment_19533" align="alignnone" width="590"] The joint team of soldiers from Second Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry and The Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary’s). From left: Sergeant Lance Bevan, Master Corporal Lucas Roy, Private Mike Albrecht, Private Donovan Scott, Master Corporal Jed Jackson, Corporal Nicolas Cazelais, Private Matthew Dimmers, Private Carlee Smith (kneeling), Corporal Jonathan Dick, Corporal Matthew Rees, Corporal Devin Barett, Corporal William Cable, Lieutenant Evan Machin (kneeling), Master Corporal Denis Byrne and Private Jordan Oakley. Photo by Private Jordan Oakley, 2 PPCLI[/caption]Lieutenant Cameron ParkThe Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary’s) ~Soldiers from The Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary’s) and Second Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (2 PPCLI) returned from a joint excursion to Schjelderup Lake on Aug. 31. The purpose of the five-day trek was to replace a damaged marble plaque at the lake dedicated to Lieutenant-Colonel Roger Schjelderup, DSO, MC and Bar, CD. Led by Lieutenant Evan Machin of The Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary’s) and Sergeant Lance Beavin of 2 PPLCI, the team moved through complex, mountainous terrain to Schjelderup Lake.They carried a 45-pound bronze plaque and the myriad of tools required for the replacement and mounting. “I kind of underestimated what the mountain would look like,” said Corporal Matthew Rees of 2 PPLCI. “I thought we would go up one steep embankment and ride a ridge all the way down into a valley and then see the mountain, but that wasn’t the case. The ridge turned out to be a series of what I would call mountains, being from Manitoba.” As they moved through the challenging terrain members of the expedition reflected on the challenges faced by Lieutenant-Colonel Schjelderup during his wartime service. He was born in Smithers, but grew up in Comox, British Columbia. In 1937, at the age of 15, he summited the...

[caption id="attachment_19530" align="alignnone" width="590"] AB Darcey Tieincy on watch as upper deck sentry aboard HMCS Vancouver during the sea training validation phase prior to deployment. Photos by SLt M.X. Déry[/caption]SLt M.X.Déry, MARPAC Public Affairs ~The Naval Security Team (NST) deployed last week to Greece where they joined HMCS Ville de Quebec (VDQ) in order to allow members of the ship’s crew to take leave; the ship is half way through its six-month deployment on Operation Reassurance.NST is a scalable, flexible, and deployable naval reserve team that provides enhanced force protection for the safety and security of deployed Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) ships.The team takes over the responsibility of force protection, which frees up personnel to support other tasks such as ship maintenance, and they provide an extra layer of enhanced land- and sea-based force protection capability and expertise to support those deployed RCN assets.This is the fourth time since its inception in 2017 a Naval Security Team has deployed overseas. “We’ve got 42 naval reservists from across Canada, from Ordinary Seaman all the way to Lieutenant (Navy),” said Lt(N) Jean Richer, Officer in Command of NST. “They have a myriad of experiences they bring to the table to better protect the ship and contribute to the team.”For Lt(N) Richer, who joined the Naval Reserves in 2001, this will be the first time leading such a unit on a deployment and is a unique opportunity for him to “exercise command of a small team.”Prior to departing, NST Greece trained at CFB Esquimalt for three weeks to build unit cohesion and refresh on weapon’s handling, force protection, and rules of engagement.“Then we trained on a ship for all the scenarios we might face in Greece, so we are ready to protect the ship,” said Lt(N) Richer about the final week of training and...

Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~A sailor who works for Naval Fleet School (Pacific) is convinced his Bollywood-style fundraiser celebrating Indian food, fashion and music next month in Sidney will be a success.Petty Officer Second Class Kanwar Nijjer’s says his confidence about the upcoming Saragarhi Ball is buoyed by both interest and early ticket sales, with approximately half of the 600 seats to the $100-a-plate dinner already sold. Proceeds from the weekend extravaganza at the Mary Winspear Centre, Oct. 21 from 6 to 11 p.m., will go to The Veterans Memorial Lodge at Broadmead to pay for overhead lifts, specialty beds and new blankets. The evening that celebrates both Sikh and South Asian cultures is the latest unifying outreach effort by PO2 Nijjer.“My vision was to bring all the communities of Victoria and all Canadians together and also to unite people in uniform, military police and first responders under one banner,” said PO2 Nijjer. “The cause is to support our veterans and also for the Sikh community to make a positive statement for our youngsters and our country to see what fabric we are made of.”Renowned wedding caterer Dhaliwal Catering of Vancouver will provide a lavish spread of traditional Indian food and sundries along with pan-pacific fusion cooking including salmon, pasta and salads. Music for the evening will be by DJ SM of Vancouver. Following the opening of a cash bar, appetizers will be served followed by buffet-style main course and desserts.The evening will also be highlighted by a Bollywood Fashion show organized by Armaan Designs Ltd., and a fundraising auction.PO2 Nijjer says the name Saragarhi is “one that carries both strength and pride” for he and other soldiers who celebrate their Sikh heritage. That’s because the Battle of the Saragarhi in 1897 was a historic last stand for 21 Sikh soldiers...

[caption id="attachment_19520" align="alignnone" width="590"] Sergeant Sebastien Cournier-Cote, a firefighter from CFB Borden, stands sentry during the memorial. Photo by Linda Matta, Waken Photography[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~Two CFB Esquimalt firefighters travelled to the nation’s capital earlier this month to attend a memorial honouring 67 of their fallen comrades. This year’s 15th annual Canadian Firefighters Memorial Ceremony, Sept. 9 at the Ottawa Fire Service Memorial, was hosted by the Department of National Defence Fire Service. Keith Lee, Captain of CFB Esquimalt Fire and Rescue Services No. 2 platoon, and fellow firefighter Brad McPhee were informed in early June that they had been selected to act as representatives from the base. They were joined by approximately 600 firefighters including representatives from all of Canada’s military fire departments. The ceremony honoured both civilian and military firefighters killed in the line of duty or from work-related illnesses. The memorial also included a parade by the Toronto Fire Department’s pipe and drum band, the unveiling of a symbolic ­helmet that was presented to the loved ones of 10 of the deceased, and the dedication of a plaque on the site’s memorial wall. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was among ­dignitaries who attended and addressed the gathering. While standing to the left of ­family members of the fallen he described firefighters as brave men and women who answer the call to duty with “courage and distinction.” A memorial at the site now includes the names of 1,411 firefighters who have died since 1848.Lee, 60, says there was a collective outpouring of grief on the day and the significance of the occasion was not lost on him or any of the others attending. He has accumulated 39 years as a civilian firefighter at CFB Esquimalt; he first started working at the base in 1979. He says peer support is the...

Lookout (LO): Gnaval Gnome, it’s good to hear from you again, thank you for ‘phoning in to do this interview. What is it you’re up to?Gnaval Gnome (GG): Lately I’m quite the gnomadic gnome. As you may already gknow, I was recently posted out to Halifax, “Warden of the Gnorth”, and am now making my way back to Esquimalt, visiting gnaval establishments in various cities as I cross the country. I’ve visited so many cities, you might call me a “Metro-gnome”. There’s some gneat shots of my adventures on my Facebook page.LO: Metro-gnome…I see what you did there. What was the highlight of your journey so far?GG: I’d have to say it was the day I spent standing in for the Commander of the RCN while visiting the Gnational Defence Headquarters in Ottawa.LO: As it’s our nation’s capital…GG: Gnation’s…LO: As it’s our capital, were you exposed to a lot of politics while in Ottawa?GG: Zoiks, but politics can be confusing. You really have to listen. For instance, there’s all this talk about a pipeline between Alberta and B.C. But I thought they said “Pie Plane”, and that Alberta was planning to fly delicious desserts out to us.LO: Hmm…GG: And in Manitoba, I visited the Mint where all the money is made. My uncle, Habakkuk Gnome, retired from the Mint when they stopped producing pennies. He said his job just made no cents after that.LO: With all your years in the Navy, do you enjoy travelling?GG: Very much so. For this trip, I purchased a gnew pelican case. I tell you what, though, whoever invented those things gnever tried putting a live pelican in one…it is gnot easy!LO: But you’re on your way back west. What will you be doing when you get out here?GG: When I get back to the...

To the people of the Greater Victoria area and beyond, it is my pleasure to invite you to Defence on the Dock at Ogden Point. This free event takes place on September 30, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt has been part of your community for more than 100 years and during that time the Canadian Armed Forces has changed considerably into the versatile, active, and modern military it is today. We want to show you what the base is now!Defence on the Dock is bringing CFB Esquimalt to you! Come to Ogden Point and interact with the military and civilian personnel who work on the Base, learn about the activities and missions that we are engaged in every day, and see first-hand the equipment and assets we use to serve you in the defence of Canada.Defence on the Dock is a free public event which includes a collection of interactive displays and demonstrations from units found at the base.  We will be sharing with you demonstrations from the Fleet Diving Unit, music from the Naden Band, members from the Naval Tactical Operations Group, artifacts from the Esquimalt Harbour environmental projects, Cadet displays and so much more!Highlights of the day will include tours on 3 different types of Her Majesty’s Canadian Ships, a chance to see our helicopters up close and the SkyHawks parachute team will fill the sky!There will be numerous activities directed towards kids, information on both military and civilian career opportunities, exciting demonstrations, and informative displays. I look forward connecting with you, our community on September 30th as we bring CFB Esquimalt to you!Captain (Navy) Jason BoydBase CommanderCanadian Forces Base Esquimalt

Capt(N) Jason BoydCommander CFB Esquimalt ~CFB Esquimalt/Maritime Forces Pacific,It’s that time of year again, and I am proud to announce the launch of CFB Esquimalt’s National Defence Workplace Charitable Campaign (NDWCC) 2018. This year’s campaign will run from Sept. 20 to Nov. 23 – that’s only 64 calendar days, total.This is different from previous year’s campaigns, and the length was shortened based on the feedback from a survey that was distributed to last year’s unit reps; you spoke – and we listened. It’s a much shorter campaign to prevent donor fatigue and hopefully prevent added stress during and after the holiday season.Preparations are currently underway to help ensure that this year we empower everyone with the knowledge and capability to give back to the community in any way possible.This year’s campaign theme is focused on, “Giving what you can give, how you can give it, and giving until it feels good, not until it hurts.”While giving your hard-earned dollars helps fund much-needed programs, services and research in your community, giving your valuable time, or new and gently used items that help ease suffering in the community, are also great options for giving.Since 1994, CFB Esquimalt has contributed over $10 million to the NDWCC, and last year alone our friends and colleagues volunteered over 40,000 hours of their time in Vancouver Island communities. I am extremely proud of both these figures. I want to thank all who participated in whatever capacity they could during last year’s campaign, and to all those who continue to give of their precious time and money throughout the year.I am confident 2018 will be another successful year for the NDWCC on the base, and a big thank you to all who have already stepped forward as unit representatives.Marie Amoto is our campaign coordinator this year and...

[caption id="attachment_19527" align="alignnone" width="591"] Left to right: SLt Pelletier, SLt Ferguson and SLt Szachury are all smiles after graduating their naval warfare officer course.[/caption]A/SLt Jesse Grigor, Contributor ~For the third consecutive summer, reservists from across Canada have taken time away from their studies and professional lives to become Naval Warfare Officers at Venture in Work Point.There are three phases of training and each summer students complete one phase – each more difficult and demanding than the previous. All told, Naval Warfare Officers training requires 10 months from instruction to complete the entire curriculum. During the first phase, Naval Warfare Officers II, students learn about sea survival, seamanship, damage control and an introduction to life aboard ship.The second phase, Naval Warfare Officers III, requires that students learn core skills to be the Officer of the Watch on ship, including ship handling, navigation, marine engineering and manoeuvres. The final phase of training, Naval Warfare Officers IV, teaches students both routine and warfare operations, emergencies, pilotage navigation and divisional administration.“The experience has been really fulfilling, but bitter sweet because some of us have been together since basic training and now it’s over,” says SLt Szachury, elementary school teacher in Regina, Saskatchewan.SLt Ferguson, 22, joined when he was 18, and lauds his choice to become an Naval Warfare Officer while going to school full-time at UBC. “What 18 year old gets taught to drive warships? It’s insane. My other friends all have boring jobs.”Similarly, SLt Pelletier confessed, “I would have paid to have this opportunity, now I’m getting paid to do it.”Like many trades, becoming a Naval Warfare Officer has many challenges. After reflecting on the past three summers of training, SLt Ferguson admits the toughest part of the training was not quitting. “There were so many moments during my training that I thought this...

[caption id="attachment_19505" align="alignnone" width="589"] Photo by Peter Mallett, Lookout[/caption]Base Commander, Captain (Navy) Jason Boyd gets the cuffs slapped on by arresting officer and Tour de Rock rider Sub-Lieutenant Antoine Leblanc of Military Police Unit Esquimalt.Capt(N) Boyd, who has a self-confessed sweet tooth, was charged with “Excessive Treats and Sundays in the First Degree”, during a mock Jail and Bail Fundraiser for Tour de Rock on Sept. 18. SLt LeBlanc and other first responders who make up the Tour de Rock team embarked on their two-week, 1,100 kilometre journey across Vancouver Island Sept. 22, returning Oct. 5, in support of pediatric cancer research and support programs.During the mock Jail and Bail fundraiser, online donors pledged the necessary $500 to have Capt(N) Boyd set free on bail, with donations made through the Base, SLt Leblanc’s, and the Tour de Rock Facebook Pages.Canadian Fleet Pacific Commanding Officer, Commodore Angus Topshee, also participated in the fundraiser and raised $560, enough money to buy back his freedom. For more information about the Tour de Rock visit their website www.tourderock.ca

Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~To showcase Canada’s military to a wider audience, CFB Esquimalt is moving its open house off the base and to one of Victoria’s main tourism hubs. Ogden Point, the city’s port for visiting cruise liners, will host this year’s premiere public outreach event entitled Defence On The Dock, on Sept. 30 between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. “The aim is to provide civilians first-hand interactions with military assets and members through a marquee event that raises the profile of the base,” says Capt(N) Jason Boyd, Base Commander.  “We are proud of what we do, and this is a fantastic opportunity to not only make sure our work is recognized, but also to educate and build closer ties with the people and communities we serve.”The last open house was in 2016 on the Colwood side of the base. This year, the Base Commander felt holding Defence on the Dock at an external venue offered a less restrictive and more welcoming environment than inside the security checkpoints of a military base. Several military units will set up interactive displays, demonstrations and tours throughout the day. The pièces de résistance are HMCS Vancouver, HMCS Whitehorse and submarine HMCS Chicoutimi guided tours. However, the Chicoutimi tour will be for contest winners only – held both before and during Defence on the Dock. Also on display will be a new Sikorsky CH-148 Cyclone helicopter and coming down from the air will be the Canadian military parachute demonstration team, The Skyhawks.For a little water-side fun, sailors will take visitors out on Rigid Hulled Inflatable Boat rides.“We have created a fun family event to give the communities who support us opportunities to go behind-the-scenes and see things not normally open to the public,” said Capt(N) Boyd. “Defence on the Dock is a chance to...

[caption id="attachment_19483" align="alignnone" width="590"] Cadet Jordan Bechard works diligently at flaking the mainsail aboard the training vessel HMCS Oriole while sailing on Lake Ontario during the 2018 Great Lakes Deployment. Photos by MCpl Neil Clarkson, Formation Imaging Services[/caption]Lt(N) Bill King, Public Affairs Officer ~More than 4,000 visitors boarded HMCS Oriole for free public tours in Colborne, ON, during the first weekend of August. Tours were provided as part of the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN)’s Great Lakes Deployment and Port Colborne’s Canal Days events.Built in 1921, Oriole served as the flagship of the Royal Canadian Yacht Club racing out of Toronto until it was gifted to the Navy League to provide a training platform for sailors during the Second World War. Later commissioned into the RCN in 1952, the ship continued to serve as a training vessel based in Esquimalt, B.C., until being sailed through the Panama Canal to Halifax, N.S., last summer.Oriole serves as both a sail training vessel and a piece of Canada’s naval history open for public tours, often in ports that seldom see a RCN vessel. The permanent crew of nine sailors is augmented with changing groups of Sea Cadets and Reservists to make 21 sailors on deck. Although modern navigation aids and safety gear have been fitted, the sailing gear is rigged and operated much as when it was originally built, thus providing for hands-on seamanship training.“We take on new cadets Sunday night, and train them how to rig and sail the boat. It takes four or five of them braced on the deck to pull in one sheet, secure it, and get out from under the line safely,” said Petty Officer First Class Scott Harrod, Oriole’s Coxswain. “Just when they’re getting good we swap them for a new group the next week and do it all...

SLt Matthew Mooney, HMCS Ottawa ~While HMCS Ottawa was in Los Angeles for Fleet week, starting Aug. 28, chefs from the warship competed in Galley Wars 2018, hosted by Jill Whelan, from the hit TV show Love Boat. With USS Iowa as the backdrop, cooks from the various warships of Fleet Week competed for the title by preparing a unique meal in only 30 minutes. Their food was then judged by Rear Admiral Dwyer, Chef Ernesto Uchimura, Chef Suzanne Tracht, and Chef Robert Irvine. Unfortunately, Ottawa’s chefs were not able to hold on to their title as Galley Wars champions. Chef Robert Irvine announced that USCGC Alert’s team beat Ottawa by just one point. However, the spirited competition was filled with laughter and smiles as all participants posed with the judges for a group photo at centre stage after the competition.Ottawa and crew were State-side for the third annual Los Angeles Fleet Week (LAFW). This year, USS Dewey, an Arleigh Burke class destroyer; USS Manchester, an Independence class littoral combat ship; USS Scout, a mine clearance vessel; and US Coast Guard Cutter Alert were all in attendance. Sailors from all ships were welcomed into the LA community with the boom of USS Iowa’s 5” guns. Fleet Week officially commenced with a reception hosted by the Mayor of Los Angeles, Eric Garcetti, in the heart of Hollywood. From there, sailors from every ship had the opportunity to take part in a series of activities including social events, sports and volunteering for charity work. Canadian sailors participated in a soccer camp hosted by the LA Galaxy while others took a sunset cruise around San Pedro Harbor.Sailors also lent a hand in the community by aiding in projects hosted by Habitat for Humanity, as well as visiting Ronald McDonald House and the LA Regional...

[caption id="attachment_19470" align="alignnone" width="590"] The new Aerial Ladder Fire Fighting Vehicle is unloaded from a transport truck at CFB Esquimalt’s Transport Electrical and Mechanical Engineering (TEME). The new apparatus is one of nine fire trucks being delivered to bases across the country this year. Photo Credit: CFB Esquimalt Fire and Rescue[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~Members of CFB Esquimalt Fire and Rescue say they are eager to test their new high-tech aerial rescue fire truck. The Aerial Ladder Fire Firefighting Vehicle (AFFV), with a ladder that measures 35 metres (115 feet), was unloaded from a transport truck at the Transport Electrical and Mechanical Engineering (TEME) building on July 17. The AFFV is one of nine new vehicles being delivered to military bases across the country at an estimated total cost of $18.9 million, as part of the Department of National Defence (DND) procurement strategy. Deputy Fire Chief Geordie Douglas says there is a great deal of anticipation surrounding the AFFV and noted there were several “oohs and ahs” when it was unloaded at TEME. That’s because the apparatus can be used for high angle emergency situations including elevated search and rescue and enhanced casualty evacuation and fire prevention.“The crews are ecstatic about this new apparatus and can’t wait to start learning how to use it and working with it,” said Douglas. “There are numerous things this truck can do that we couldn’t do with our existing [similar] truck, so it will help our firefighters do their job and increase the ability to do it in a safe manner.”Firefighters in the rescue platform or bucket and the boom operator have two cameras at their disposal. One is a regular camera and the other a thermal imaging camera that shows hotspots, which will further enhance safety when visibility is poor such as in smoky...