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Jon Chabun, MFRC ~As of May 1, if you call the Military Family Resource Centre (MFRC) Information Line outside of regular office hours, you will be offered new options.Callers that phone 250-363-2640 (toll free: 1-800-353-3329) will be advised to connect to the Family Information Line if they are in crisis, to the Duty Padre if they urgently need to contact a deployed military member, or to leave a message for MFRC staff if it can wait for regular office hours. This new initiative will be in effect whenever the MFRC offices are closed.  In the past, the MFRC had staff answering calls 24 hours a day.“The statistics gathered really supported this decision,” said Jackie Carlé, MFRC executive director. “We collected and analyzed data over the last 12 months and it really showed that a change was in order. Our staff recorded when they received a call and the reasons for it. The data showed that the after-hours phone service was underutilized and that it wasn’t being used for its intended purpose.“The move will give our community access to enhanced after-hours service,” said Carlé of partnering with the Family Information Line. “It will also allow us to make the best use of the funding dollars that we receive.”   The MFRC will work with staff at the Family Information Line to ensure a smooth transition. The Family Information Line offers 24-hour, confidential, bilingual counselling at no cost for military members, veterans and their families. Counsellors at the Family Information Line will be able to maintain a case load and can follow up with sessions by phone or Skype until they are referred. The MFRC will be working closely with the Chaplain team to ensure that families are well supported when they require after hours support.The MFRC has requested an automated system that will directly connect...

“Dear Warrior, From Alex: Feel better soon.” Those simple words scrawled in purple marker on a folded sheet were handed to Captain Casey Balden during the first Team Canada Invictus training camp. The note accompanied a cheque for $24; the money Alex received from guests to her sixth birthday party. When her parents asked what she wanted to do with the money, she answered give it to Canada’s wounded warriors. Alex’s parents are not military, nor do they have any direct connection to the Canadian Armed Forces, so they were unsure of where she heard about the cause, and how to go about making the donation. Peter Lawless, Team Canada Invictus Head Coach, heard about the donation from his colleague, Alex’s mother, and coordinated a visit to the recent training camp in Victoria. During the visit, Alex presented her note and cheque to Capt Balden, who accepted it on behalf of the Invictus Team.The Invictus movement began four years ago in London as a way to harness the power of sport to inspire recovery, support rehabilitation, and generate a wider understanding and respect for those who serve their country. Since their inception, the Games have steadily grown in size and awareness. The 2017 games were held in Toronto, where they captured the nation’s hearts. The next games will take place in Sydney, Australia, this October, with 40 athletes representing Canada on the international stage. The first training camp took place at CFB Esquimalt, and other locations around Victoria from April 9-13. The team will continue training throughout the year, coming together for a second camp at the end of July in Halifax, before departing for the games.Stay connected, follow Lookout Navy News:Facebook: LookoutNewspaperNavyNewsTwitter: @Lookout_newsInstagram: LookoutNavyNews 

[caption id="attachment_18516" align="alignnone" width="586"] Carmen Collins and Chris Roy with their tribute to Humboldt.[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~A sheet metal worker from the Fleet Maintenance Facility did some quick stickhandling to create a unique tribute to the Humboldt Broncos.Chris Roy, sheet metal journeyman, says he and his co-workers, like countless Canadians, were grief stricken by the fatal bus crash that killed 16 and injured 13 Humboldt Broncos hockey team members.“I thought FMF should do something unique to show our support and solidarity with the people of Humboldt,” said Roy. “The hockey community has always supported Canada’s defence team, so it was a small gesture to show Humboldt that we are thinking about them.”Roy, a lifelong recreational hockey player and skilled tradesman, created a symbolic hockey stick holder as a monument to the outpouring of support.“The idea came to me because of the social media coverage showing people leaving their sticks out on their porch for Humboldt.”After getting approval from his supervisor, Roy moved from concept to finished project within 24 hours. He worked on his own time, after hours, to have it ready in time for Jersey Day on April 12, the day employees at the base wore their hockey jerseys to work.His creation is made of 16-gauge stainless steel and other scrap metal parts he found in waste bins in his shop, and his own personal hockey stick.  A giant laser cutter in the metal shop did the lion’s share of the work and was used to fabricate the dominant feature of the stick holder, a giant Humboldt Broncos logo as its base. Roy says he then affixed a black metallic backing to the bottom of the base to help make the silver-coloured logo stand out.He received assistance from FMF’s graphics shop for the logo design, while nightshift powder coaters...

[caption id="attachment_18513" align="alignnone" width="580"] Photo by Mona Ghiz, MARLANT PA[/caption]Ryan Melanson, Trident Newspaper ~After nearly three months away from home in the balmy West African climate, the crews of HMC Ships Summerside and Kingston were reintroduced to Halifax-style weather as they came alongside Jetty NC on April 17.Heavy rain and 60 kilometer an hour wind gusts made for a cold and wet return. But that didn’t douse anyone’s spirits as families, children and even a few excited pets reunited with the sailors, bringing an end to Operation Projection West Africa.The mission was described as a strategic engagement meant to support capacity building and foster relationships with partner navies. It also was to engage at the community level, visiting and helping out with manual labour tasks at schools, daycares and other locations in multiple countries, including Cape Verde, Senegal, Liberia, Cote d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Benin and Ghana.The ships sailed from their final port of call in Madeira in early April and arrived in Halifax about nine days later.“It was an incredible experience, different than anything I’ve done before, but I still can’t describe how good it feels to be home. I’ve been waiting for this day for a long time now,” said SLt Joannie Martin-Labelle, one of the first off Kingston, who was greeted with kisses from both her boyfriend, Lt(N) Sebastien Williamson, and her puppy Merlin.The at-sea portion of Op Projection, which included the U.S.-led Obangame Express exercise from March 22-27, saw Kingston and Summerside, along with Dutch and Belgian partners, lead exercises with the Navies of Côte d’Ivoire, Togo, Ghana, Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia.While the Canadian ships served as a platform for exercises mainly focused on building capacity for the West African personnel, LCdr Matthew Woodburn, Kingston’s Commanding Officer, described an exchange of cultures, ideas and best practices that was...

[caption id="attachment_18508" align="alignnone" width="579"] Capt(N) Jeff Hamiliton, Commander 5th Maritime Operations Group, presides over a Change of Command ceremony April 16, as LCdr Drew Foran (right) takes over HMCS Oriole from LCdr Mike Wills (left). Photo by Cpl J.W.S. Houck, FIS[/caption]Ryan Melanson, Trident Newspaper ~The Royal Canadian Navy’s oldest commissioned vessel, tall ship HMCS Oriole, had an exceptionally busy and successful program through 2017. Under the command of LCdr Mike Wills, Oriole made the marathon 16,000 kilometre sail from Esquimalt to Halifax, including stops at 10 Canadian cities as part of the Rendez-vous 2017 Tall Ships Regatta.Through that period, the ship cycled through more than 300 crewmembers, took 400 sea cadets and hundreds of other visitors for day sails, and while alongside, routinely welcomed more than 1,000 visitors on board each day. While transiting between ports, sailors dealt with 60 knot winds, four to six metre waves, multiple ripped sails, and a host of other technical difficulties.Yet through it all, the six-month program was carried out without any major setbacks, no shortages of supplies, and no injuries worse than a sprained ankle.“This is the result of the senior members of the crew, who overcame everything that was sent their way, and for that I’ll be forever grateful,” said LCdr Wills, who handed over command of the ship to incoming Commanding Officer, LCdr Drew Foran at a ceremony in the Juno Tower Bridge, Halifax, April 16.Oriole is currently undergoing a major refit at the Lunenburg shipyard, including a full revamp of wiring and electrical systems and removal and refinishing of both masts, to prepare the ship for the summer and beyond. Earlier work was also completed on the West Coast by SNC-Lavalin, to bring the ship up to standards that were needed to carry out the extended sail to Halifax. It wasn’t...

[caption id="attachment_18493" align="alignnone" width="584"] Dr. Richard and Jane Nuttall, parents of the late Lt Andrew Nuttall who died in 2009 from an IED in Kandahar. Photo by SLt M.X. Déry[/caption]SLt M.X. Déry, MARPAC PA ~Despite the wind and cold, members of the Greater Victoria Afghanistan Memorial Project (GVAMP) Society unveiled two interpretive panels at the Memorial site at the corner of Quadra and Courtenay on Wednesday April  11 with the help of the Honourable Judith Guichon, Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia.“It is truly an honour to be here,” said LGov Guichon at the unveiling, happy to see the project wrap up in such a positive way. “It allows young people to come here and learn the story of that particular war,” she added.The two panels add an educational aspect to the site. The first panel, Canada in Afghanistan, focusses on Canada’s humanitarian contribution in Afghanistan, including the increase in teachers, improved access to health care, and the advancement of women’s rights. The panel includes a quote from the late Lieutenant Andrew Nuttall on why he deployed to Afghanistan: “I’m going to be helping the Afghan people.”Lieutenant Andrew Nuttall was killed by an Improvised Explosive Device in 2009 in Kandahar; he is survived by his parents, Dr. Richard Nuttall and Jane Nuttall, who still live in Victoria.To Dr. Richard Nuttall, the Memorial and the new panels hold a special significance. “It means a great deal,” he said. “These interpretive signs show what Canada’s contribution was.”At the centre of the first panel is the full colour image of Corporal Michael McCauley and an Afghan child, which became the centrepiece of the Afghanistan Memorial in Victoria as silhouettes carved forever into the granite.“The image of the soldier and the child, it epitomises what we were there for,” said John Azar, a GVAMP board...

Do you live in DND housing and did you receive great service from an employee of the Housing Service Centre (HSC) at CFB Esquimalt? The Canadian Forces Housing Agency (CFHA) wants to know about it. The Stars of the Canadian Forces Housing Agency program aims to recognize its front line employees for outstanding customer service. Awards are given to three employees and one Housing Service Centre every year. Occupants are invited to nominate Housing Service Centre employees who have provided excellent customer service at any of our locations across Canada.Nominating someone is easy and only takes a few minutes by submitting a nomination form online. You can submit a nomination throughout the year until Dec. 31, 2018. This year’s StarThis year’s “Star HSC” winner was HSC Esquimalt. The HSC was recognized in March by an occupant for having provided exceptional and compassionate service in responding to a request for accommodation due to special needs. The manner in which HSC Esquimalt responded to the occupant’s needs and provided a workable solution was greatly appreciated by the occupant. The occupant was kept updated throughout the entire process and the accommodation solution, which contributed greatly to the quality of life for the occupant. The solution was delivered in a timely and effective manner. More information about the recognition program and the nomination form can be found on CFHA’s website.Stay connected, follow Lookout Navy News:Facebook: LookoutNewspaperNavyNewsTwitter: @Lookout_newsInstagram: LookoutNavyNews 

Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~The learning curve was steep but making the grade was highly rewarding said Ordinary Seaman Jason Steele, a member of the first graduating class of the newly created Marine Technicians (MARTECH) trade. Last Monday, the young sailor accepted his Certificate of Military Achievement for the Marine Technician RQOS, a Basic Maintainer Course and the first Rank Qualification Course for the trade, from Commodore Buck Zwick, Commanding Officer of Canadian Fleet Pacific.Two very proud members of his family – father Master Corporal (Retired) Tim Steele and grandfather Warrant Officer (Retired) Phil Steele – looked on. Twenty-three sailors graduated from the course in the Naden Drill Shed, with family and friends in attendance to mark this historic celebration. The new trade is an amalgamation of the Hull Technician, Marine Engineer and Electrical Technician. “This course was 10 months long and it took tremendous dedication, hard work and teamwork to be successful,” said Cmdre Zwick. “Students and instructors approached this challenge with an open mind and will meet the requirements of the fleet by being well-trained and well-rounded Marine Technicians. For you [the students], this course will be the first step in a career of learning and application of technical expertise that is critical for the future success of the navy.”There was little time for celebration; most graduates were posted to ships and units within days after the ceremony.OS Steele was singled out by the Commodore for representing the third generation of Steele family members in Canada’s military.“It felt really great to have my father and grandfather here today,” said OS Steele who had previously been trained as a Hull Technician. “It was certainly a sharp learning curve, and the biggest challenge was becoming familiar with all of the new subject matter.”Petty Officer First Class Mike Trahan, Senior Instructor of Naval...

[caption id="attachment_18478" align="alignnone" width="584"] Photo by Lyndon Goveas, CFMWS[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff WriterCanada’s Invictus athletes made CFB Esquimalt their temporary home last week for a five-day training camp in preparation for this year’s Games in Australia. The Naden Athletic Centre became the primary training venue for 40 athletes, coaches and support staff, who were housed in Work Point Barracks during their stay. Invictus Games 2018 Sydney is the fourth edition of the multi-sport athletic competition that features current and former military athletes competing in 11 adaptive sports. Team Canada Chef de Mission, Brigadier-General Mark Misener, Commanding Officer of the Joint Personnel Support Unit (JPSU), was joined by Team Canada, Head Coach and Canadian Olympic Committee Vice President Peter Lawless to greet the athletes at an April 8 kickoff ceremony held at Work Point’s Collier Theatre on the eve of the camp. “I would like to thank CFB Esquimalt for welcoming us for a second year, and providing outstanding support to our Invictus competitors,” said BGen Misener. “This first training camp of 2018 is incredibly important, not only for physical training but getting to know each other and coming together as a team.”The training camp was the first opportunity for the 40 Team Canada athletes to get acquainted with their teammates, coaches and support staff, and also to receive vital information about the Games. Diverse Voices This year’s athletes seemed unified in their belief that the Games are the perfect medicine to combat their wide-ranging physical and mental injuries.Captain Casey Balden, an infantry officer with Joint Task Force Pacific, will compete in sitting volleyball, and athletics. The 35-year-old from Vancouver was diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) several years after his deployments to Afghanistan.On Aug. 22, 2006, he was platoon commander with Task Force 3-06 when his convoy of Light Armoured Vehicles and...

[caption id="attachment_18474" align="alignnone" width="579"] Sea Cadets work as part of the crew during the National Tall Ship Deployment on Canada’s west coast in March. Tall Ship Deployment involve 58 sea cadets from across Canada, teaching them traditional seamanship skills during the week-long experience.[/caption]Capt Cheryl Major, RCSU (P)PAO ~March was an amazing month to be a sea cadet in B.C. with no less than six unique on-water opportunities offered to cadets from around the province and the country. Sixty-four cadets from B.C., the Prairies and Ontario deployed on two Patrol Craft Training Orcas for two one-week opportunities to learn and sail with Royal Canadian Navy sailors. Cadets took on all duties aboard the ships, from engineering and navigation to man-overboard drills and piloting the zodiac recovery boat. Only 128 cadets are offered this opportunity each year.Sea cadets also sailed aboard HMCS Calgary during both March and April. Aboard Calgary they learned the inner workings of the frigate and how Canada’s warships operate at sea, at home, and abroad. Regional Cadet Support Unit (Pacific) also hosted 57 sea cadets for a Tall Ships Deployment with SALTS (Sailing and Life training Society) ships Pacific Grace and Pacific Swift.  Aboard these ships, cadets learned classic sailing skills such as rigging, navigation, teamwork and safety. A unique opportunity with the Canadian Coast Guard afforded four sea cadets from Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps (RCSCC) Captain Vancouver in Vancouver and RCSCC Amphion in Nanaimo the opportunity to complete a five-day “boot camp” that will count towards their high school work experience requirements. During their week with the Coast Guard, cadets learned about search and rescue and had the opportunity to drive Coast Guard craft. An additional five sea cadets from RCSCC Grilse in Port Moody and RCSCC Invincible in Maple Ridge sailed aboard B.C. Ferries’ Salish Raven to learn navigation and daily ship’s life activities, as well as reinforcing the skills learned at their Corps. Finally, 20 cadets competed in the National Qualifying Regatta at the Royal...

[caption id="attachment_18470" align="alignnone" width="584"] Able Seaman Alex Gauthier, a member of the Naval Security Team, stands sentry watch. Photo by Corporal Blaine Sewell, MARPAC Imaging Services[/caption]Darlene Blakeley, Navy Public Affairs Ottawa ~The safety of ships and sailors in foreign ports is top-of-mind for the flexible, scalable and dynamic team that recently deployed from Maritime Forces Pacific in Esquimalt, B.C., to Copenhagen, Denmark.For three weeks, the Naval Security Team’s (NST) mission deployment team took over the force protection component of Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) St. John’s’ duty watch during the frigate’s rest and maintenance period in Copenhagen, so that more members of the ship’s company could go home for their designated break during Operation Reassurance.Op Reassurance is the Canadian Armed Forces’ contribution to NATO assurance and deterrence measures in Central and Eastern Europe. St. John’s began its deployment Jan.18 when it joined Standing NATO Maritime Group One, a naval force made up of ships from various allied countries that work together for a common purpose in the Mediterranean Sea, the North Atlantic Ocean and the Baltic Sea. The Royal Canadian Navy’s NST provides naval reservists opportunities for real-world, expeditionary operations around the world. The training given to sailors is focused on specific operational and tactical skill sets, and is more advanced than that given during normal trade or occupation training.“It provides challenging, interesting and unique experiences providing naval effects, both on land and at sea,” says Lieutenant-Commander Jeff Chura, who took over as Commanding Officer of the NST on March 9. “This type of training and work will help re-energize the Naval Reserve by increasing not only recruiting, but also retention.”For this deployment, the team consists of 36 reservists from 18 Naval Reserve Divisions across the country, representing every military occupation. Together, the team also speaks nine different languages.LCdr Chura says...

[caption id="attachment_18465" align="alignnone" width="585"] Ordinary Seaman Hachez (left) and Leading Seaman Bujold-Foisy (right), crewmembers on board HMCS Vancouver, were two of four Canadian Armed Forces members who intervened in a stabbing on March 17 in Langford B.C. The photo was taken during Operation Projection Indo-Asia Pacific, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on April 11. Photo by Master Corporal Brent Kenny, MARPAC Imaging Services[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~Four Royal Canadian Navy sailors put their life-saving skills to action on the evening of March 17 that resulted in saving the life of a civilian. After a few leisurely frames of bowling at the Langford Bowling Lanes, Ordinary Seaman Hubert Desbiens and Leading Seaman Alexandre Bujold-Foisy left the building for the parking lot, followed a few minutes later by Ordinary Seamans Christopher Hachez and Frederic Lapointe, who had stopped to pay for the games.There the sailors encountered two men in a fight. According to Westshore RCMP, it was the result of an argument that turned violent, with one man allegedly stabbing the other. The wounds were so severe a fan of blood sprayed across the pavement. Realizing the victim was in desperate straits, OS Desbiens and OS Hachez rushed to the man and started first aid. Drawing from their training, one sailor took off his sweater and wrapped it around the victim’s arm as a tourniquet. Together they put the man into the recovery position to ensure he could breathe. “The victim kind of passed out for like five seconds, and I thought: We need to do something more, there’s something else going on,’” said OS Desbiens. The two sailors did a full review of the victim’s body looking for more wounds. They discovered another one in the man’s chest.“Once we figured out he had more wounds than what we expected we started taking off our...

Capt (N) Jason Boyd, Base Commander ~Even a few days removed from the April 6 bus crash that killed 16 members of the Humboldt Broncos hockey community, there’s still so much heartache and shock to be felt.It’s somewhat been matched by the outpouring of support for a small hockey outpost in Saskatchewan from across Canada and the world.From millions of dollars raised in GoFundMe efforts to social media campaigns such as #PutYourSticksOut and #jerseysforhumboldt, many Canadians have helped comfort and attempted to heal a community and team that has been hurt on such a profound level.Tragedy hitting close to home is a well-worn cliché, but this horrible event has affected me in so many personal ways, and I must admit, I, like so many other Canadians, have had a very hard time dealing with this.   It hit me in my heart. In my gut. Where I was born. It struck my childhood, my memories growing up, and the game I love.Growing up playing hockey in Saskatchewan, I skated in those rinks in Humboldt, Nipawin, and countless others dotted along the Prairie. I’ve taken those long, sleepy rides on the team bus that are almost as much a rite of passage as learning to skate and getting that first stick. And, of course, I have felt the bonds and brotherhoods that form on those bus rides.We always knew when the games didn’t go our way, at least we had each other, and could escape everything else – on the bus.When I remember those days, those dreams, and the 16 people whose lives and loves were snuffed out in such a terrible, inconceivable way, along with the countless others whose world was turned upside down on April 6, I think of what the Broncos team chaplain, Pastor Sean Brandow told a vigil gathered...

Joyce Sharp, SISIP ~We’ve read about it, seen it on TV, and in our social media feeds: heart attacks, strokes and cancer are the top three illnesses afflicting Canadians, and an increasing number of people are more likely to become seriously ill in their lifetime.On a more positive note, statistics indicate the ensuing recovery is more likely as well. However, the physical and mental toll these illnesses cause is further compounded by their impact on families and overall financial wellbeing. The sad truth is health insurance cannot cover all the expenses related to a serious illness. A spouse may even need to take time off work to help at home, resulting in additional loss of income. But, there is a way to mitigate the financial strain on you and your family, should you become seriously ill, and that is with protection from the SISIP Financial Critical Illness insurance plan. This insurance provides a lump sum payment if the insured person is diagnosed with one of the covered 25 life- changing illnesses, allowing for the payment to be used anyway you like, including paying for:A mortgage;loan or line of credit;housekeeping services;home renovations or vehicle repairs;travel or transportation to medical appointments; or taking a vacation, etcetera.As a further incentive and means to support Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members and their families, from April 1 to June 30, 2018, SISIP Financial is offering Guaranteed Acceptance* Critical Illness insurance, with coverage available of up to $50,000. During this limited time offer, you will not need to answer any medical history or lifestyle questions, as is typically required under the standard application process, thereby saving much time and effort around paperwork usually required. The Guaranteed Acceptance is subject to pre-existing condition exclusion. This means that no benefit will be paid during the first 24 months after you purchase...

[caption id="attachment_18438" align="alignnone" width="579"] Photos courtesy HMCS Calgary[/caption]SLt Juliana Currie, HMCS Calgary ~HMCS Calgary is conducting a challenging program on the road to high readiness and an international deployment. A key activity for Calgary occurred March 28 when the crew welcomed family and friends on board for a day sail. In total, 150 guests experienced firsthand what their loved ones do day-to-day while at sea conducting degaussing trials. The day started with guests trying their hand at firefighting and damage control, as well as interacting with displays from the boarding party and ship’s team divers. Guests were also given a tour of the ship including: the operations room, bridge, and machinery control room, where they were shown basic navigation, and the fighting organization of an HMC Ship at sea. After a break for lunch, guests were treated to a visit from 443 Maritime Helicopter Squadron. The helicopter had one of Calgary’s ship’s team divers on board, OS Mitchel Kathol from the deck department, who displayed his courage by jumping from the helicopter 10 feet above the water. The demonstration was exciting to all guests onboard, and many eagerly waved at the helicopter roaring by. “We wouldn’t be able to do what we do if it wasn’t for the support provided by our sailor’s families and friends,” said Commander Blair Saltel, Calgary’s Commanding Officer. “Having opportunities like this to display what we do when we go to sea is incredibly important, as it reinforces the bond between a sailor and their family.” The day sail allowed Calgary crew to recognize the continued support from family and friends, especially as the ship ramps up for Operation Projection this summer.

[caption id="attachment_18433" align="alignnone" width="579"] From left: CPO1 Barry Eady, HMCS Charlottetown Coxswain; CPO1 Daniel Mercier, Fleet Chief; MS Stewart Riggs, the Atlantic Fleet’s new Sailor of the Year; Cmdre Craig Skjerpen, and Cdr Nathan Decicco, Commanding Officer of HMCS Charlottetown. Photo by Mona Ghiz, MARLANT PA[/caption]Ryan Melanson, Trident Newspaper ~While HMCS Charlottetown was conducting a replenishment at sea in the Baltic during its recent Operation Reassurance deployment, one of the probes fell out of place, causing fuel to burst out onto the ship. The immediate action of the ship’s rapid response team, which included MS Stewart Riggs, ensured the potentially dangerous spill was contained and quickly cleaned up. “We ensured there was no injuries, because casualties are the first priority, but then we cleaned the fuel up and got the job done safely,” MS Riggs said, days after receiving the Maritime Forces Atlantic Sailor of the Year Award during a ceremony on the ship’s flight deck.Cmdre Craig Skjerpen, Commander Canadian Fleet Atlantic, and CPO1 Daniel Mercier, Fleet Chief, made the presentation, which comes with a plaque, gift cards to Falls Lake and the CFB Halifax Curling Club, and plenty of bragging rights.The award is presented annually to a member of the Atlantic Fleet who consistently goes above and beyond their regular duties, such as during the Charlottetown incident, to support their ship and colleagues.With so many members of the ship’s company having excelled through 2017, particularly during Charlottetown’s six-month deployment, MS Riggs said he was surprised to be chosen, and is appreciative of the recognition.“A friend of mine, MS Amy Dumas, won this award last year, so it’s an honour to dethrone her and take the title, for now.”In addition to being a Marine Technician as his main trade and a member of the rapid response and helo crash rescue firefighting...

[caption id="attachment_18447" align="alignnone" width="579"] Photo by Guillaume Favre[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~Emma Lunder, a former Sea Cadet, represented Canada in biathlon at the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in South Korea and describes her experience as hitting a career bullseye.Fourteen years of training were validated when she marched with the Canadian delegation at the opening ceremony at Olympic Stadium in Pyeongchang Feb. 9. “It was absolutely incredible to walk into the stadium in a sea of red and white and surrounded by hundreds of Canadian athletes,” said Lunder. “There were so many bright lights and flashbulbs flashing everywhere, and I think it finally hit me at that moment that I was going to be racing for Canada at absolutely the highest level.” The 26 year old, who also competes on the World Cup Biathlon circuit, says her Olympic dream was sparked after joining the Royal Canadian Sea Cadets Corps (RCSCC) in 2004.The sport is a major part of the army, sea and air cadet program with yearly regional, provincial and national competitions. It tests a person’s physical endurance through skiing long distances followed by the mental toughness that comes from shooting at a target more than 50 metres away with .22 calibre Long Rifle. Lunder says the sport was a perfect fit because of the intense physical and mental challenges. “Imagine sprinting up and down several flights of stairs before stopping abruptly and trying to thread a needle,” she said of the biathlon experience.  “The accuracy needed to hit a toonie-sized target 50 metres away is not an easy task; the key is to train your body to settle down and your mind to focus right after skiing.”Staying on target Canada’s Olympic biathlon team employs sports psychologists to help centre the athletes. Lunder focuses on key words while shooting. “An example would be...

[caption id="attachment_18429" align="alignnone" width="579"] Members of the 10th Juan de Fuca Scout Troop participate in a Klondike Derby event at Royal Roads University, March 7, 2015. Photo credit: Dorthy Rosenberg[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~A former sailor of the Royal Canadian Navy is on a scouting mission.Petty Officer Second Class (Retired) Colin Evans is looking for military and civilian recruits from CFB Esquimalt to help solve a critical parent volunteer shortage for Scouts Canada in the Greater Victoria Area.“We desperately need volunteers for all sections of our organization in the Greater Victoria Area, from Scouters at our weekly meetings and weekend outings, and to fill support and committee-level roles,” said Evans.Evans is a former Naval Electronic Sensors Operator who enjoyed a 21-year career in the navy before his retirement in 2007. He is now the Group Commissioner for the 10th Juan de Fuca Scout Group.The volunteer shortage means growing waiting lists, which means youth have to wait a year or more to join a local scouting group. Evans says many children lose interest by the time they are contacted.The shortage is particularly bad on the West Shore forcing two Scout groups to close.With an ever-growing population in that area, healthy youth activity is much needed to keep kids busy after school and on weekends.There are approximately 1,100 youth involved in Scout programs in the Greater Victoria area and 350 volunteers. Evans goal is to raise the volunteer numbers by 25 percent.Adventure and confidence building skills are at the heart of Scouts Canada. Evans, a former scout, says volunteering with the program was a natural fit as an adult.“Scouting is a perfect fit for me because my children are involved in the programs and I love the outdoors, adventure, and working with youth.”He believes military personnel and civilians are a great fit for...

Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~A former Naval Reservist is rendering a new life in Japan.From his well-lit windowed studio on the second floor of his home in Numazu, Petty Officer First Class (Retired) Anthony Dunphy dabs his brush into acrylic paint and strokes the canvas. The 60-year-old Newfoundlander is at work on his latest creation that will soon join others to be sold on his website www.anthonydunphyfineart.com. Money, while needed to pay the bills, is not his motivation. Rather, he says, it is from a desire to “make people from all over the world smile.”“My finished works are filled with light and vibrant colours to reflect my personal view of the world. Painting is relaxing, interesting, calming, and a great way for me to feel accomplishment. Joy is found in every part of my experience and I hope that feeling is conveyed through my art.”He is self-taught, fine tuning his skills with the aid of YouTube videos. He has amassed a sizeable collection over 10 years on varying subjects.“Many people paint only one thing and become experts in fields such as seascapes; I paint whatever strikes me at the moment,” he said. “I love painting the sea and its many moods, as well as the ships and seaman that work upon it, but I also love painting classic cars, the faces of musicians like Miles Davis and James Brown, and sports like hockey, which I often played while growing up in St. John’s.”His passion for hockey is best exhibited in Fighting For the Puck. It depicts players vying for on-ice supremacy in an old-fashioned game of shinny on a frozen pond somewhere in Canada. But the appeal of his art extends well beyond Canada. A recent portrayal of jazz great Dizzy Gillespie made its way onto the CD jacket of Los Angeles-based...

[caption id="attachment_18366" align="alignnone" width="575"] Sub-Lieutenant Lassina Traoré, left, a member of the Ivory Coast Navy, receives a framed photograph of HMCS Summerside from Commanding Officer Lieutenant-Commander Emily Lambert, to remind him of his time as an exchange officer aboard the ship. Photo by OS John Iglesias[/caption]Lt(N) Linda Coleman, HMCS Summerside ~Sailing across the Atlantic Ocean is routine for the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN), but for many African nations, it’s a rare occurrence.So for Sub-Lieutenant Lassina Traoré, a member of the Ivory Coast Navy, to spend five weeks sailing in Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Summerside to West Africa was a pretty big deal. “I am most likely the person who has travelled the most nautical miles in my navy,” said SLt Traoré upon conclusion of his time in Summerside. “It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me to sail in a Canadian warship and, most of all, cross the Atlantic Ocean.”As part of Operation Projection West Africa, the RCN offered spaces for two exchange officers from Africa - SLt Traoré, and an exchange officer from the Ghana Navy to sail in HMCS Kingston and Summerside. SLt Traoré’s adventure began in Halifax mid-January, one week prior to the ships’ departure for Op Projection. He met the command teams and crews of both ships, as well as Commodore Craig Skjerpen, Commander Canadian Fleet Atlantic, who welcomed him to the fleet. The junior officers also showed him around the city to experience traditional Maritime hospitality. During the deployment, SLt Traoré stood watches and took part in ship evolutions. “He participated in multiple events on board, including our small arms shoot,” said Lieutenant (Navy) Guillaume Desjardins. “When we approached his home country, he provided important advice on navigation and pattern of life in the area. We also had some interesting conversations with him about his home,...

[caption id="attachment_18370" align="alignnone" width="575"] Cdr Michele Tessier, Margaret and Alyson Brooke, and Commander Canadian Fleet Atlantic Cmdre Craig Skjerpen.[/caption]SLt M.X. Déry, MARPAC PA ~Commander Michele Tessier has been undergoing training to prepare her for the unique challenges of working in the Arctic as Commanding Officer of HMCS Margaret Brooke, the second Harry DeWolf class Arctic and Offshore Patrol Vessel.The ship’s name is in honour of LCdr Margaret M. Brooke who survived the sinking of the ferry SS Caribou after it was torpedoed by a German U-boat off the coast of Newfoundland in October 1942. She and a colleague, Sub-Lieutenant Agnes Wilkie, clung to ropes on an overturned lifeboat until hypothermia caused Wilkie to lose consciousness. LCdr Brooke held onto the lifeboat with one hand and her unconscious friend with the other until daybreak when, despite her best efforts, a wave pulled SLt Wilkie away. For her selfless act, LCdr Brooke was named a Member of the Order of the British Empire.“We want to make sure that LCdr Margaret Brooke’s story continues on and lives with the ship and that we are able to pay homage to her, not just in the naming of the ship, but as we go places in Canada, we can talk about what kind of a person she was and why the ship has her name,” said Cdr Tessier. Recently she spent a few days in and around Saskatoon visiting places of importance to LCdr Margaret Brooke’s life.Cdr Tessier spoke to the crew of HMCS Unicorn, the reserve unit LCdr Margaret Brooke joined in 1942, about her experiences in the Arctic and the opportunities for them in the future. “I told them what my impressions of the Arctic were, the beauty of it, the danger of it, the fragility of it, and what kind of impact we...

[caption id="attachment_18363" align="alignnone" width="575"] The Chief Cook of HMCS Whitehorse serves perogies and sausage to the crew. Photo by Lt (N) Paul Pendergast, Canadian Joint Operations Command Public Affairs Officer[/caption]Lt(N) Paul Pendergast, Operation Caribbe Public Affairs Officer ~There is an old saying that an army marches on its stomach, and that also is true for the navy. The daily routine of life at sea for the crews onboard Her Majesty’s Canadian Ships Edmonton and Whitehorse revolves around the galley and meal times.Both ships are deployed on Operation Caribbe, Canada’s contribution to an international operation to stop illicit trafficking of drugs, weapons, money, and people.The Chief Cook of Whitehorse, who cannot be identified for operational security reasons, is keenly aware of the critical role he plays in maintaining morale among the 48 members of the crew.“When people come to the steam line for their meal, you can see their face light up if the food is good, and that puts them in a good mood to carry out their duties for the rest of the day,” said the Chief Cook.To get that positive reaction, it starts at the beginning with ordering good quality ingredients, inspecting the food carefully on arrival, and storing it properly in the ship’s coolers to maintain inventory control. “I developed the menu specifically for our crew size, to ensure there is a variety of nutritious and interesting items so people do not get bored with the food,” he adds.Galley staff in Whitehorse like to “take it up a notch”. They provide fresh baking daily, including bread, scones, and desserts such as banana bread or cheesecake. A favorite of the crew is the smoothies that are made daily from fresh fruit. “It is the little things that make a difference,” said the Chief Cook. “Like cooking fresh bacon...

Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~Team Canada - Invictus Games 2018 is coming to CFB Esquimalt to begin training for this year’s international competition for ill and injured soldiers and veterans.The training camp, April 8 to 14, involves approximately 40 athletes, three head coaches and several volunteer coaches. It’s all in preparation for the fourth edition of the Games in Sydney, Australia, Oct. 20 to 27, which will feature current and former military athletes from 18 nations competing in 11 sports.The Naden Athletic Centre will serve as the main training venue for powerlifting, indoor rowing, swimming, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby, cycling, and sitting volleyball camps. The Canadian Forces Sailing Association will host the sailing training camp; archery training will be held at the Victoria Bowman Outdoor Range, and Oak bay Secondary High School is the venue for track and field.Out-of-town athletes and coaches will be housed at Work Point barracks. Peter Lawless, Victoria lawyer and Canadian Olympic Committee Vice President, is returning to head coach duties this year. He is one of 12 coaches on the team.There will be no returning athletes on Canada’s team as in previous years. A complete shuffling of the deck is a conscious effort to give others a chance to experience the power of the Games. “It’s a remarkable journey; there are lots of ups and downs, and as you move closer to the games the team cohesion builds and their individual confidence increases,” said Petty Officer First Class Joe Kiraly, Team Canada manager. “For the athletes who were not selected for the team, Soldier On remains committed to finding opportunities for them.” Golf and tennis have been dropped from this year’s competition, but sailing has been added. Lieutenant Commander Chris Maier, CFSA Commodore, says volunteers from the CFSA and the Victoria Disabled Sailing Association will combine...

[caption id="attachment_18355" align="alignnone" width="575"] Crewmembers from HMCS Vancouver were busy last week filling the ship’s stores in preparation for their departure. Photo by SLt M.X. Dery, MARPAC PAO[/caption]Lt(N) Tony Wright, HMCS Vancouver PAO ~After a long Easter weekend with family and friends, HMCS Vancouver and crew deployed for Operation Projection Indo-Asia Pacific.This is a three-month patrol in the Western Pacific that will be followed by Vancouver’s participation in the 2018 Rim of the Pacific exercise (RIMPAC), the world’s largest naval exercise.Vancouver will visit Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia, and Fiji in order to demonstrate Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) operational capabilities, and the flexibility to contribute to a range of requirements: support to international missions, strengthening relationships with allies and partners, and responding to humanitarian or security related incidents in the Indo-Asia Pacific, if required. The mission will also demonstrate the Canadian Armed Forces’ ability to project naval influence and support Government of Canada objectives in this region. Canada is a Pacific nation and Op Projection Indo-Asia Pacific is another example of Canada’s commitment to support stability in the region.“The RCN offers options to government to effectively engage in parts of the world where our country has economic and security interests, and we are a very flexible resource,” says Cdr Christopher Nucci, Vancouver’s Commanding Officer. “As Vancouver has experienced first-hand in the past, although ships set sail expecting to complete a certain set of tasks, we can end up doing something completely different within our spectrum of capabilities if the need arises.”In 2016, Vancouver deployed to the Western Pacific and was scheduled to participate in the Royal New Zealand Navy’s (RNZN) fleet review. That port visit quickly turned into a humanitarian mission after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck the Kaikoura region. A task group that included units from Australia, Canada, and the United...

[caption id="attachment_18330" align="alignnone" width="581"] Leading Seaman Matthew Billard of Fleet Diving Unit (Pacific) undergoes training for a new surface-supplied diving system at his unit’s headquarters in Colwood, March 10. Photo by Peter Mallett, Lookout[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~A new, light-weight surface-supplied diving system will increase operational diving capability during deployments and exercises for Fleet Diving Unit (Pacific) (FDU) Clearance Divers. The Ultra Lightweight Surface Supply Diving System, manufactured by Swedish-based respirator manufacturer Interspiro, is also being acquired by FDU (Atlantic), the Canadian Army divers, and Search and Rescue divers. The new lighter and modern equipment supplies breathing gas and vital two-way communication between the surface and diver while conducting dives to a maximum of 54 meters (175 feet).Divers, including Lieutenant-Commander Rick Kappel, the unit’s Commanding Officer, ­trialled the system last month in Esquimalt Harbour.LCdr Kappel noted that, among other operational advantages, the ultra-lightweight diving system will make diving from small boats in an operational environment safer and more effective. “Another significant advantage of having this lighter and modern equipment is what takes place above the water while divers are diving,” he said. “Clearance Divers often do their jobs in cold and hostile conditions, with boats rocking back and forth. This streamlined equipment will make these dives easer from a setup perspective, safer from a diver support perspective, and will also help save backs while moving the tanks and gear in and out of boats and vehicles. We are often prone to back injuries when going back and forth from land to water because we are carrying bulky, heavy, sometimes awkward gear, while keeping balance all at the same time.”LCdr Kappel and nine other divers participated in the three-day training course designed to qualify FDU(P) divers on the equipment. He conducted the diving system safety test and dawned the gear, and entered...

[caption id="attachment_18326" align="alignnone" width="581"] Left: Students from Esquimalt High School make some last-minute repairs to their robot ‘Spike’ before a quarter final match. Photos by Peter Mallett, Lookout[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~Two employees from CFB Esquimalt are now believers in the FIRST Robotics Competition’s (FRC) power to inspire high school students about careers in science and technology. Earlier this month Mimi Cahill, a Federal Student Work Experience Program employee with Base Information Services, and Petty Officer Second Class Victor Haines, a Weapons Engineer at Fleet Maintenance Facility, volunteered to help in the first B.C. Regional Championship. The robo-sport competition took place March 15 and 16 at Save-On-Foods Memorial Arena, and challenged teams of 10 or more high school students to build from scratch, in just six weeks, a five-foot tall, 68 kilogram robot, and then enter it in a skill-testing competition.Cahill, who is studying Applied Computer Science at Dalhousie University, says a high school student’s experience with FIRST could be a career or life-changer.“The hands-on experience and work to build robots can inspire a lot more than looking at code or a formula in a text book,” said Cahill. “Whether these students end up in STEM [Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics] based fields, this experience may inspire them to a career path they may never before have considered.”This year’s regional competition involved 30 B.C. teams from across the province, and guest teams from further afield in Alberta, Ontario, Quebec, California and Mexico. There are 160 regional competitions around the world with about 3,000 teams, with the ultimate goal to qualify for the FIRST world championship event.No ‘I’ In Team PO2 Haines ensured competitors were complying with the competition’s official rule book, and says teamwork was crucial to succeeding.“They not only have to build the robot but they also must build a team and work with each other,” said PO2 Haines. “I really enjoyed seeing how young students can build that camaraderie that I have learned to develop in the military. That...

[caption id="attachment_18322" align="alignnone" width="580"] Left: Two members conduct small boat operations from HMCS Whitehorse. Right: A crew member from HMCS Edmonton fires a C8 rifle on the ship’s fo’c’sle during Operation Caribbe in the eastern Pacific Ocean. Photos by MARPAC Public Affairs[/caption]Lt(N) Paul Pendergast, Canadian Joint Operations Command Public Affairs Officer ~As Her Majesty’s Canadian Ships Whitehorse and Edmonton slipped all lines and proceeded to sea from San Diego, California, Feb. 26, there was a palpable sense of seriousness among both crews. As they exited the harbour, they turned south to begin their two-month deployment on Operation Caribbe, Canada’s contribution to an international operation to stop illicit trafficking of LA drug detox, weapons, money and people.The eastern Pacific Ocean is a huge body of water, stretching for thousands of kilometers along the coast of South and Central America, and up to North America. It is along this maritime highway that drugs have been making their way onto the streets of Canada and the United States.Since the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) began participating in Operation Caribbe in 2006, they have contributed to the seizure of more than 83 tonnes of cocaine, and it shows no signs of slowing down. In 2017 alone, the CAF helped the U.S. Coast Guard seize or disrupt over 11.5 metric tonnes of cocaine.Those are drugs that are not reaching our streets and causing harm to our people. There is also a disruptive effect, where it becomes more difficult for criminal organizations to conduct their business.For the crew of HMCS Whitehorse, deploying on this operation is the culmination of an intense period of planning and preparation. In October 2017, the crew of HMCS Brandon conducted a hull transfer to HMCS Whitehorse, which had just completed a six-month docking work period of planned maintenance, painting, and the installation of new equipment.Then began the process of bringing the ship and crew to the level of proficiency required for this type of deployment. That is achieved through a tiered readiness program,...

[caption id="attachment_18333" align="alignnone" width="579"] From left, Wally Buckoski of PSP Halifax and Paul Hollingsworth of TSN look on as CFL Commissioner Randy Ambrosie hoists the Mini Grey Cup during his town hall event in Halifax on February 23. Photo by Mike Dembeck, CFL.CA[/caption]Ryan Melanson, Trident Staff ~As rumours swirl about the possibility of a Canadian Football League franchise coming to the Halifax area, CFL Commissioner Randy Ambrosie stopped in the city Feb. 23 for a town-hall style event with local fans.While the CFL’s Grey Cup has been the ultimate prize in Canadian football since 1909, Ambrosie wasn’t getting away from Halifax without an introduction to CFB Halifax’s own football tradition.At the start of the event at the Westin Nova Scotian hotel, Ambrosie was presented with the Mini Grey Cup, the trophy awarded after the annual match between the Fleet Club Slackers and Wardroom Officers, which will be celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2019.Wally Buckoski of Personnel Support Programs Halifax, who works as the sports stores technician at the Shearwater gym, said he couldn’t pass up the opportunity to bring the storied military trophy to the event. But he didn’t expect it to become part of the show.“I just showed up at the hotel with the Mini Grey Cup, but I didn’t realize it would be so popular. It was a very cool moment.”He found himself a seat near the front of the room, and once the cameras were rolling, event emcee Paul Hollingsworth of TSN invited him to bring the cup on stage to introduce it to the Commissioner and take a few photos.The CFL’s top executive donned an Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) football jersey and hoisted the Mini Grey Cup above his head on stage for the TV cameras, and continued wearing the jersey for the entirety of the...

A/SLt Brandon Khuu, Naval Reserves ~The Annapolis division of Naval Warfare Officers have recently completed a dynamic Phase Four of training at Naval Fleet School Pacific – Venture Division.After spending three weeks at sea, and conducting a mini task group exercise on board Orca-Class Patrol vessels Wolf and Orca, sailors learned to be flexible with the planning and execution of tasks and exercises, all while standing bridge watches, and consolidating their naval concepts and skills learned to date.The work was fast paced and hands-on for the students who assisted the Canadian Coast Guard in response to a reported fuel spill in the Strait of Georgia. The two patrol craft embarked members of the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) hovercraft Moytel to survey the coasts and shorelines of several Gulf Islands for signs of fuel, with no such indications found.The students also participated in two helicopter hoist operations with a United States Coast Guard helicopter from Port Angeles, and with RCAF 443 MH Squadron out of Patricia Bay, furthering their knowledge and capability of working alongside other government and allied departments.Training at sea allowed students to sail to Constance Bank and act as a platform for simulated mass casualties in support of a training event for HMCS Calgary, and later conducted pilotage to Desolation Sound, and anchorage in Teakerne Arm, which included an overnight maritime security patrol in the Strait of Georgia and the southern Gulf Islands.Sailing in late February and early March also added the complexity of Pacific Coast winter storm weather.Coping with the ever-changing environment, the students deftly adapted to last minute alterations into passages and channels to avoid predicted weather, which involved the immediate re-planning of routes, destinations and scheduled tasks.Thanks to the Patrol Craft Training Unit, the students enjoyed a fast-paced three weeks at sea, full of great events,...

[caption id="attachment_18311" align="alignnone" width="575"] The Governor General of Canada, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Julie Payette receives the Royal Salute from Guard Commander LCdr Mike Erwin in front of the British Columbia Parliament Buildings March 20.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_18312" align="alignnone" width="575"] The Governor General of Canada inspects the Guard of Honour comprised of Canadian Armed Forces members from Maritime Forces Pacific.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_18313" align="alignnone" width="575"] The Governor General of Canada greets members of the Royal Canadian Air Cadets.[/caption]––Photos by LS Victoria Ioganov, MARPAC Imaging Services