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[caption id="attachment_18308" align="alignnone" width="575"] The crew of HMCS Chicoutimi prepare to disembark in Yokosuna, Japan, while deployed on Poseidon Cutlass 17. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Brian G. Reynolds/Released[/caption]Darlene Blakeley, Navy Public Affairs Ottawa ~Her Majesty’s Canadian Submarine (HMCS) Chicoutimi has piled up a lot of firsts on its lengthy deployment to the Asia-Pacific region.It’s the first time a Victoria-class submarine has deployed from the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) to the region; been deployed for so long – nearly 200 days; participated in the previously bilateral Annualex with the U.S. Navy (USN) and the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF); and made port visits to Yokosuka and Sasebo, Japan, and Guam.It’s also the first time a Victoria-class submarine has undertaken a large-scale deployed maintenance activity conducted by personnel from Maritime Forces Pacific (MARPAC) and Fleet Maintenance Facility Cape Breton (FMF CB) in Japanese ports – all while Super Typhoon Lan raged around them.“It has been a phenomenally successful deployment,” says Captain (Navy) Chris Robinson, Commander of the Canadian Submarine Force.Chicoutimi, under the command of Commander Stephane Ouellet, left its home base in Esquimalt, B.C., in early September last year. Its simply stated mission was to “support Canada’s global engagement strategy through strategic partnerships, port visits and operational interactions.”But it has been anything but simple. Over the course of several months, Chicoutimi conducted intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; carried out seven interactions with the USN, JMSDF, the French Navy, the Royal Air Force and the Royal Australian Air Force; operated with more than 20 surface ships and 50 aircraft; and conducted more than 180 hours of submarine-on-submarine engagements.The success of this hectic tempo is a testament to the crew, according to Capt(N) Robinson, who says they worked hard and overcame challenges prior to deploying. In particular he mentions the unexpected...

[caption id="attachment_18305" align="alignnone" width="575"] Photo by Peter Mallett, Lookout[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~Holding homemade banners and signs, family and friends of HMCS Chicoutimi crewmembers waited anxiously for the submarine to appear in Esquimalt Harbour March 21, sail past Duntze Head, and come alongside A Jetty. After that it was tears, cheers and heartfelt hugs as families were reunited, ending the historic deployment of the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) submarine.The uplifting music from the Naden Band added to the excitement and emotion. Rear-Admiral Art McDonald, Commander Maritime Forces Pacific, described the homecoming as a “payday” and “return on investment”, not only for the RCN but also the families of the sailors. “You can see the love, you can see the pride, and you can see the sense of accomplishment in the faces of the sailors that came off the sub,” said RAdm McDonald. “This has been a far-reaching, long, successful, and very historic deployment. What this means is we have a great tool in our toolbox that has gone places and is proven.”The Victoria-class submarine and its crew of 59 left Esquimalt mid-September 2017 on a 197-day deployment, its first ever in the Asia-Pacific, and the first major RCN submarine deployment to the region in nearly 50 years. The mission also marked the longest deployment of a Victoria-class submarine to date. First across the brow was Master Seaman John Beaton who was selected in an on-board lottery to give the traditional first kiss at the homecoming to his wife Cendra Beaton. With his young daughter Ariana and son Xavier in the full embrace during the kiss, a large cheer and “hurrah” went up from the crowd. “It was a long deployment and it’s so good to be reunited with Cendra and the kids who seemed to have grown so much since I...

The Esquimalt Military Family Resource Centre’s (MFRC) search for a new executive director is complete.Jackie Carlé is the new executive director at the centre. She had been acting as interim executive director for the organization since June of 2017 and was selected as the successful candidate after a detailed hiring process.She has worked in support of military families for over two decades including eight years with Military Family Services, and has been with the Esquimalt MFRC since 2014 as the community engagement manager. She has over 20 years’ experience working in non-profit organizations such as Victoria’s Cool Aid Society and Ottawa’s The Mission Homeless Shelter. We chatted with MFRC Board Chair Samantha Krzywonos and the new Executive Director Jackie Carlé about the news. What was the reason behind the timing of the hiring? Krzywonos: I think there were a couple of factors in play for our board of directors. First, we had a long-time executive director here for many years and we wanted a chance to pause, think and make an informed decision on a new executive director. Second, we didn’t get a clear picture of what was happening with the MFRC governance review until the fall and we wanted that information before proceeding.  Finally, we wanted to be able to gather meaningful input from staff and we used that information to find the right person. What were the results of the governance review? Carlé: MFRC board members and executive directors met in late-September and voted on their top options for governance. The choices were to continue with the current non-profit structure, make some minor enhancements, or to adopt a partnership model. As of right now, the final decision is still under review but we know the options under consideration. What made Jackie the right person for the job? Krzywonos: There are a lot...

[caption id="attachment_18277" align="alignnone" width="575"] Commodore Jeff Zwick, Commander of Canadian Fleet Pacific, greets Commander Steve Lenik, Commanding Officer of HMNZS Te Kaha, on F Jetty Colwood March 6. Photo by Leading Seaman Ogle Henry, MARPAC Imaging Services[/caption]SLt M.X. Déry, MARPAC PA ~HMNZS Te Kaha arrived in Esquimalt Harbour March 5 to undergo a midlife refit at Seaspan Shipyard, a project that, including post-upgrade testing, will have the Anzac-class frigate operating around CFB Esquimalt well into 2019. While most of the crew will fly home in six weeks, 20 will remain behind, housed on base, in order to effect work on the ship until mid-summer when fresh New Zealand sailors replace them.Leading Marine Technician (propulsion) (LMT(P)) Marc Cooper and Able Stores Accounting (ASA) Kendra Young will work in Esquimalt until late July, which gives them time to explore Canada during their time off.While both are well travelled, in large part due to their navy careers, this is their first time in Canada.“Been to America a few times,” says LMT(P) Cooper, listing several states he visited en route to a European vacation. “I’ve done like 40 countries now.”So far, most on the ship have stayed in the local area, figuring out how to get around using public transportation, and planning out a long-term transportation solution. “We need to make getting around easier,” says ASA Young, discussing the possibility of pooling resources with shipmates to buy a car.LMT(P) Cooper remarked that while Canada is much larger than New Zealand, British Columbia shares similarities to their homeland. “The terrain here is pretty similar to New Zealand,” says ASA Young.The sailors recently enjoyed the outdoors.“I did the Mount Finlayson walk at Goldstream Park,” says ASA Young, remarking the group expected to get to the top a lot sooner.The main attraction is undoubtedly snowboarding, before all...

Captain Marie-Michèle Siu, CFB Cold Lake ~The Aerospace Engineering Test Establishment in Cold Lake, Alta., is highlighting Major Catherine Blais – the first and only military female test pilot in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF).Over the past 50 years, more than a hundred pilots have been hand-picked to work at the Aerospace Engineering Test Establishment. Maj Blais is one such person. As a versatile pilot, she has flown over 2,700 hours on military and civilian aircraft, both fixed wing and rotary wing, such as the CT-114 Tutor, CT-156 Harvard II, CH-146 Griffon and the CH-149 Cormorant.“My favorite is the UH-60 Blackhawk because it’s an icon of military aviation and it is truly built for its mission. Plus, I liked flying it at Test Pilot School,” she said. In addition to her flying experience, Maj Blais holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in aerospace engineering from l’École Polytechnique de Montréal. She is also a licensed professional engineer in Alberta.In 2003, Maj Blais enrolled in the CAF because of opportunities that appealed to her sense of adventure. She wanted to use her engineering degrees in a non-traditional way, and “couldn’t bear to sit behind a desk for the rest of my life”, she explains.She was first posted as an instructor at the 2 Canadian Forces Flying Training School in Moose Jaw, Sask. In August 2010, she was deployed to Afghanistan to fly the CH-146 Griffon in support of army operations. Following her deployment, she was selected to be a test pilot in the CAF, and was posted to the Aerospace Engineering Test Establishment upon her graduation in December 2013. She says the highlight of her career to date is her time at the United States Naval Test Pilot School at the Naval Air Station in Patuxent River, Maryland.Her typical day as a test pilot consists of flying for half a day, and supporting other projects such as test planning, reporting, participating in review boards, and attending engineering meetings. When she is executing a test...

[caption id="attachment_18266" align="alignnone" width="575"] HMCS Sackville has been hoisted from the water and wheeled into the submarine shed at HMC Dockyard where it is undergoing repair work over the next three months. Photo by Sandy McClearn, CNMT Trustee[/caption]Ryan Melanson Trident Staff ~For the first time since 2008 Canada’s oldest warship, HMCS Sackville, has been hoisted on the Syncrolift at HMC Dockyard Halifax and moved inside the submarine shed. It will spend the next several months there undergoing repair work with boilers, and other equipments delivered to doorstep from heatingwise.co.uk.The Flower-class Corvette was tugged from its winter dockyard berth and brought up from the water on Feb. 11 for an initial cleaning of the 77-year-old hull, and then transfered to the shed. Fleet Maintenance Facility (FMF) Cape Scott personnel have begun the process of sandblasting, sonic testing, and other steps to determine the exact extent of work needed on the ship.It has been 10 years since its last docking, and trustees with the Canadian Naval Memorial Trust (CNMT), the non-profit organization that owns Sackville, were uncertain about the integrity of the ship’s underwater hull. While it continued to serve as a floating museum dedicated to the legacy of those who served at sea during the Battle of the Atlantic, it has been unable to do its annual committal of ashes service on Battle of the Atlantic Sunday since 2014. The federal government is funding the $3.5 million repairs to make it sea worthy again.“Navy headquarters has really gone to bat for us to achieve what’s been achieved so far, and we’re very appreciative,” said Commander (Retired) Jim Reddy, CNMT chair, and ship commanding officer. Every six years since the 1980s, FMF has done a quick refit that involved sandblasting and checking the integrity of the steel. This latest docking period will be more...

[caption id="attachment_18260" align="alignnone" width="579"] LCdr Matt Woodburn, ship’s commanding officer, talks about the Canadian Navy’s role in the world.[/caption]Lt(N) Linda Coleman, MARLANT PAO ~When HMC Ships Kingston and Summerside began preparations for their deployment to West Africa, word spread that the ships were offering to transport donations to African schools in need. Donations poured in from all over Halifax, including École Beaubassin, a local elementary school in Bedford, Halifax. One teacher was particularly passionate about donating because her husband, Lt(N) Guillaume Desjardins, is the Operations Officer in Summerside.“When my wife Janie heard we were collecting donations for some French-speaking African countries, she thought this would be a great opportunity to get her school involved; French school to French school,” said Lt(N) Desjardins. The school found math, science, and French books from its collection to donate. The school also used their Facebook page to reach out to their community as a donation drive, which proved to be a success. Parents and students added to the donation pile, with students even donating some of their favourite reading books. In the end, École Beaubassin donated over 2,000 French books for Kingston and Summerside to transport to West Africa. On Feb. 22, the ships’ company delivered the items, along with toys, blankets, toiletries, first aid supplies and clothes to Diaraf Falla Paye, a French school in Dakar, Senegal. “We don’t often have this opportunity to give donations by hand and see the direct impact it has to those receiving it. This is great; you know exactly where your donations are going. It’s also great to make relationships and hopefully we’ll be back next year,” said Lt(N) Desjardins.Military members spent the day at the school, conducting repairs to desks, doors, plumbing, and removing large stones from the yard, making it a safer environment for the kids...

Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~It's game-on and lights out for two military residences in CFB Esquimalt.Residents of Bernay’s Block N123 and N124 are competing to see which one can use the least power during this year’s Earth Hour. The contest, organized by the Energy and Engineering branch of Real Property Operations (Pacific), goes well beyond the light bulb. Residents will have their power consumption tracked during the March 24 Earth Hour between the hours of 8:30 and 9:30 p.m. The building that consumes the least power within the hour will be declared the winner. Kim Arklie, a Mechanical Engineering student from the University of Victoria, developed this year’s contest as part of her duties during a four-month cooperative education placement at RPOps.“The reaction to the contest itself has been favourable and throughout the planning process everyone I have worked with has been very supportive of this initiative,” said Arklie. “During my work-study placement I have also met people at the base who are highly interested and motivated in saving energy.” A key factor in making the contest work was the same number of residents, approximately 250 in each building, and thus nearly identical power needs. Plus residents have a great deal of personal control on how much power they consume and which appliances, electronic equipment, and other devices they can switch off. Derek Knudsen, Technical Advisor (Energy Management) for Defence Construction Canada, worked with Arklie on this year’s contest. In past years he has helped organize similar energy-reduction competitions at Naval Fleet School Pacific and between two Transport Electrical and Maintenance Engineering (TEME) buildings at Work Point. He says on average past contests have seen five to eight per cent reductions in hourly power consumption, but this year’s contest in Naden has the potential to see much greater reductions, noting that most...

Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~Staff at Fleet Maintenance Facility Cape Breton (FMFCB) are playing a central role in a new educational program linking Aboriginal students to employment opportunities in Victoria’s ship repair industry. The Ship Repair Entry Level Training Program recently concluded a successful program launch in early February with the graduation of 16 participants drawn from the Coast Salish Employment and Training Society, 19 South Vancouver Island nations, and three Aboriginal Friendship Centres. The three-month program is part of the Aboriginal Marine Training and Employment Partnership and is offered through the Coast Salish Employment Training Society and the Camosun Coastal Centre, formerly known as IMTARC, the Industrial Marine Training and Applied Research Centre, with the goal of providing certified training that leads to employment.Michelle Traore, Manager of Camosun Coastal Centre, says the Ship Repair Entry Level Training Program allows students to learn the necessary skills to work in the ship repair industry, such as safety procedures, environmental awareness, technical know-how and problem-solving skills, geared to specific marine sector situations. FMF CB and other industry partners, including Seaspan Victoria Shipyard and Point Hope Shipyard, provided facility tours, guest speakers and real work experience. “The program is invaluable when it comes to training and linking Indigenous students with employment opportunities,” says Traore. “Industry support is key to the success of this program and it really brings the learning they have done in the classroom to life.”The program was launched in November 2017 with the in-class component of the course conducted at the Camosun Coastal Centre. Instructors in the program include former FMF CB employees Dan Deringer, Ron Holmes, Brian Harris and Rob Reid. During their time at the dockyard ship repair unit, students shadowed tradespeople for five days. Ian Baxter, FMF Group 2 and Apprenticeship Manager, says the experience was an opportunity to...

Cpl Dustin Renz, MP Unit Esquimalt ~The Military Police has increased ticketing of distracted drivers throughout the month of March, which is designated Distracted Driving Month.The fine for using an electronic device while driving is $368 and four penalty points, making first-time offenders liable for $543 in charges.With additional tickets, the cost of penalty points increases exponentially – a second ticket could cost an extra $2,000 in administrative penalties alone.Receiving multiple tickets for using an electronic device while driving is considered a “high-risk offence”. As a consequence of this, the offender’s driving record is subject to review and ICBC may issue a driving prohibition.The B.C. Motor Vehicle Act restricts the use of hand-held telephones, email or texting capable devices, GPS, data computing devices, hand-held audio players, hand microphones, and televisions. Wearing headphones while driving is also illegal unless it is strictly used for hands-free communications, is placed only in one ear, and is placed there prior to the vehicle being placed in motion.The Motor Vehicle Act further defines “use” as holding the device in a position which it may be used, operating one or more of its functions, communicating orally by means of the device or watching the screen of the device. The only time telephones are permitted is if it is within easy reach, not being held in hand, if it is voice activated, or if it requires only one touch to initiate or end a call. This does not apply to class 7 “L” or “N” drivers who are, at all times, prohibited from operating any electronic devices while driving.Military Police are authorized to issue tickets under the B.C. Motor Vehicle Act, reportable to ICBC. The Military Police are conducting plain clothes distracted driving enforcement and employ the use of spotting scopes capable of observing distracted drivers at...

[caption id="attachment_18238" align="alignnone" width="575"] The team representing HMCS Whitehorse donates their $250 prize to the Whitehorse Firefighters Charitable Society.[/caption]A/SLt Anne Desgagné, HMCS Yellowknife ~Lieutenant-Commander Donald Thompson-Greiff, Commanding Officer HMCS Yellowknife, and a compliment of five personnel from Her Majesty’s Canadian Ships Yellowknife and Saskatoon, have just returned from the Yukon after spending a few days in the beautiful City of Whitehorse.Members of these two ship’s crews were visiting the Wilderness City from Feb. 22 to 26 on behalf of HMCS Whitehorse (currently deployed on Operation Caribbe) in order to strengthen the bond between the ship and its namesake city.Sailors donned all the layers of clothing they could to keep warm and took part in the annual Yukon Sourdough Rendezvous Festival. The festival is a mid-winter event that coincides with Yukon Heritage Day as a means to celebrate the Yukon’s bold history and culture, and bring some color and warmth to the colder season with a celebration of gold-rush style entertainment.Can Can dancers, knight fights, queen crowning and a variety of lumberjack-themed competitions kept the spirits of the six sailors up in spite of the chilly weather.Part of the team visited with Mayor Don Curtis and other members of the city council, while the rest of the group answered questions from Whitehorse citizens and visitors, and talked about their experience in the navy.The contingent also participated in the “Community Challenge” of the Sourdough festival. Their efforts, particularly during a riveting tug-of-war competition, afforded them second place, just ahead of the Joint Task Force (North) team who were also present for the weekend. The prize was a $250 cheque, which was donated to the Whitehorse Firefighters Charitable Society the next morning on behalf of HMCS Whitehorse.On Sunday morning, the team was invited to breakfast by Ione Christensen, former Mayor of Whitehorse, Commissioner...

[caption id="attachment_18234" align="alignnone" width="575"] HMS Protector crew members pay an informal visit to Argentinean Antarctic Base San Martin while on patrol in the Antarctic. Protector is currently conducting the third work package of its Ice Patrol season.[/caption]Lt(N) Rhys Davies, Bridge Watch-Keeper ~The Regulus program, initiated in 2010, has seen more than 150 sailors glean international experience sailing with Canada’s partners around the world.As part of this program, I am currently deployed with the Royal Navy as a Bridge Watch-Keeper in HMS Protector in the South Atlantic and Antarctic Ocean.I joined the ship in October 2017 in the Falkland Islands, and soon set to sea on what was the first of five work packages of the austral summer.First to complete was the Platform Endorsement process that, like in the Royal Canadian Navy, earns an Officer of the Watch, the Captain’s trust, and allows the officer to hold Charge of the Captain’s ship.After a security and sovereignty patrol to South Georgia and the South Shetland Islands, not to mention some survey work for the United Kingdom Hydrography Office, Protector returned to the Falklands.The ship was just on the point of departure when news reached us of the tragic sinking of ARA San Juan, an Argentine submarine.Protector immediately proceeded north, making preparations en route, and joined in the search.We remained on station, using the multi-beam sonar to scan a substantial area.After a quick resupply and crew change, we returned on task until released by Argentina just prior to Christmas.After a brief Christmas aboard, including a visit to Stanley’s Boxing Day horseraces, two thirds of the ship’s company returned and made preparations for work package three.HMS Protector operates a three watch rotation; red, blue, and white watches alternate in conjunction with the work packages. The crew are flown in and out from Protector’s port...

[caption id="attachment_18231" align="alignnone" width="575"] For nearly a decade, the snake pit of the gunroom has been known as “TK’s”, dedicated to Lt(N) Cameron Tkachuk. Lt(N) Tkachuk succumbed to cancer on Aug. 31, 2008. Team Onward posed in front of the print of naval artist John Horton presented to the Gunroom on his behalf. Pictured here: Lt(N) Adam Thomson, Lt(N) Cass van Benthem Jutting, Lt(N) Sean Milley and Lt(N) Stephen Tomlinson. Photo by SLt Déry[/caption]SLt M.X. Déry, MARPAC PA ~When we last spoke to HMCS Calgary’s Team Onward, who were raising money for the B.C. Cancer Foundation’s Lose the Booze campaign, they had barely broken $3,000.From a modest initial goal of $2,000, Onward constantly had to revise their goal in order to keep the online donation counter from reading 100 per cent.“We picked $10,000 as a ‘We probably wouldn’t get there but we didn’t want it to cap at 100 per cent’ goal,” said Lt(N) Stephen Tomlinson, one of three team leaders for Team Onward, with all three battling cancer.But after a February without alcohol, the team’s final tally was $12,262.35, becoming the top Lose the Booze fundraising team in British Columbia. With their contribution, the event enjoyed their best fundraising year with an increase of over 30 per cent from last year.“We got outstanding support from friends and family, and the Formation as a whole,” said Lt(N) Tomlinson.The team worked hard on getting the word out and to tell their stories about their experiences with cancer, even taking to social media, despite an underlying dislike for the platforms.“I joke a lot about social media,” said Lt(N) Stephen Tomlinson. “I actually activated my Twitter account for the first time in six years.”Lt(N) Sean Milley says support from the chain of command helped a lot, and that the navy was onboard because...

[caption id="attachment_18227" align="alignnone" width="575"] On dry land: Army cook Corporal Patrick Espanola of 19 Mission Support Squadron prepares fish for lunch in the kitchen of 19 Wing Comox. In the deep: Cpl Espanola at about 45 feet (14 metres) below sea level off the coast of British Columbia with the Logistics Branch special 50th anniversary flag. Photos by Corporal Curtis Coles, 19 Mission Support Squadron and member, Pacific Divers SCUBA Club[/caption] Lieutenant-Colonel Douglas Martin, Director Public Affairs Planning (Operations) ~A Canadian Army cook stationed at 19 Wing Comox has made history by being the first to dive to a depth of nearly 60 feet, or about 18 metres below sea level, with the Logistics Branch 50th Anniversary Flag and Pennant.Corporal Patrick Espanola of 19 Mission Support Squadron made the salt-water dive in Tayee Cove, Nanoose, B.C., on Feb. 19 with the safety assistance of fellow members of the Pacific Divers SCUBA Club.“To me, this Flag is building connections from here to the farthest coast,” said Cpl Espanola. “It shows how we support each other and we rely on teamwork.”Cpl Espanola and his friends made the 30-minute dive under chilly temperatures.“We wore dry-suits and dove to about 55 feet [17 metres] below the surface. The visibility wasn’t very good so we came back to about 35 to 45 feet [11 to 14 metres] for the photographs.”He has been a cook in 19 Wing Comox since 2015. Along with his dive club membership, he has held executive membership in the Wing’s Auto Club and Woodworking Club, is the food representative at the Junior Ranks Mess, is a bartender for all three messes at the Wing, and if that wasn’t enough, he is a member of the Ground Search and Rescue Team in the Comox Valley.The 50th Anniversary Flag Relay has already visited...

[caption id="attachment_18224" align="alignnone" width="575"] Members of NRU Asterix line the rails of the ship prior to the ceremony welcoming MV Asterix to the Atlantic Fleet March 6. Photos by Mona Ghiz, MARLANT PA[/caption]Ryan Melanson, Trident Newspaper ~While alongside at HMC Dockyard in Halifax, Auxiliary Oiler Replenishment (AOR) ship MV Asterix formally joined Canadian Fleet Atlantic during a ceremony inside the ship’s hangar March 6.The former commercial container vessel was stripped down and converted by Davie Shipbuilding in Quebec to meet the navy’s supply ship needs.“I believe we are making naval history today,” said LCdr Jason Walsh, Commanding Officer, Naval Replenishment Unit Asterix, the unit that operates on board the ship alongside a civilian crew employed by Federal Fleet Services. “In addition to the robust capabilities and tremendous support that Asterix brings to the fleet and to the navy, the arrival of the ship also marks a new era of teamwork and cohesion between the RCN and the civilian mariners, who’ll be essential to ensuring the smooth and efficient operations of this vessel.”Representatives from Davie and Federal Fleet Services were on hand for the welcoming, along with General Richard Steele, Director ADM(Mat), and a number of MLAs and MPs, including Ontario MP Cheryl Gallant, Vice Chair, Standing Parliamentary Committee on National Defence.For navy representation, senior Maritime Forces Atlantic leaders were joined by VAdm Ron Lloyd, Commander Royal Canadian Navy (RCN), and RCN Chief Petty Officer, CPO1 Michel Vigneault, along with Honorary Naval Captains Fred George and Tom Paddon.Ceremonial aspects of the day included the presentation of the ship’s bell and the breaking of the Canadian Forces Auxiliary Vessel Jack.CPO2 (Retired) Debbie Eisan, an elder with the Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre in Halifax, also provided smudging in the hangar at the onset of the event.Federal Fleet Services CEO Spencer Fraser described the...

[caption id="attachment_18220" align="alignnone" width="575"] Photo by Rodney Venis, BPA Office[/caption]Capt Jenn Jackson, BPAO ~International Women’s Day turned into an eye-opening experience for 17 local businesswomen and community leaders when they embarked in HMCS Nanaimo last Thursday for a day sailing and interacting with female Canadian Armed Forces members.The event was championed by Mandy Farmer, CEO Accent Inns and CFB Esquimalt’s Honorary Navy Captain, and coordinated through Maritime Forces Pacific headquarters and the Defence Women’s Advisory Organization.For most guests, this was the first time stepping on to a Royal Canadian Navy warship, and interacting with male and female sailors.As this was a women-centric sail, the focus was on female sailors and their stories.“I thought I knew about the Forces before I came today, but it turns out I didn’t,” said Sherri Bell, President, Camosun College. “I had no idea of the full diversity of employment opportunities available within one career in the military. My vision and understanding of the Forces has been expanded monumentally. It is a huge opportunity for education and experience in so many ways.”Uniting female business leaders and influencers with the navy, with an eye on increasing awareness of the base that is hidden out of sight in Esquimalt, was HCapt(N) Farmer’s goal.“I was amazed by the conversations we had today with women who serve. All of them were open and honest and had so many unique experiences. I saw a lot of stereotypes break today, and everyone was positively surprised by what they learned,” she said.Dispelling myths about military service was revealed through frank conversations.“I was surprised by how down-to-earth everyone is and how normal their lives are,” said Suzanne Bradbury, owner of Fort Properties and President of the Downtown Victoria Business Association. “They do everyday stuff; their lives include more than just the military. They have...

[caption id="attachment_18172" align="alignnone" width="600"] Left: Chris Schreyer, millwright apprentice at Fleet Maintenance Facility, gets guidance from journeyman machinist and marine mechanic Mike Cato while making repairs to a Padeye. The device is used by Canadian warships for replenishment at sea.[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~Apprentices are set to become the next generation of highly skilled tradespeople at Fleet Maintenance Facility (FMF) Cape Breton.They are young and well trained, and ready to fill the vacancies left by retiring employees in the ship repair unit over the coming years. A path to employment for program enrollees is carved over four years with both hands-on and vocational training, ending with a trade certification. Program enrolment at FMF will dramatically increase in the next two years to meet the demand for new workers in 15 trades. Richard Turnbull, Weapons Shop and Underwater Weapons Work Centre manager, says he’s been telling everyone with an interest in becoming part of their workforce to enroll because the hiring rate for apprentices to full-time employment is almost 95 per cent. Speaking knowledgably as a former apprentice of 1989, he says mentoring from seasoned tradespeople is vital in developing the next wave of employees.   “It’s really an effort to transfer knowledge from an experienced workforce that won’t be working here forever and will soon be moving on to retirement,” said Turnbull. “We need to bring people in here fairly quickly and apprentices are a huge part of that.”President of the Apprentice Association Shawn Fiset, also a Millwright Apprentice in his third year, says FMF’s focus is on quality, not quantity, of work completed by apprentices.“One of the huge advantages over many private sector outlets is you are given the time to learn and are not just a body to accomplish a task,” he says. “They want to make sure people who...

[caption id="attachment_18168" align="alignnone" width="600"] Lieutenant (Navy) Eric Dignard, Division Commander, Venture Division, Naval Fleet School (Pacific); and Commander Jeanne Lessard, President Mess Committee, stand with Vice-Admiral (Retired) Nigel Brodeur and Acting Sub-Lieutenant Charles Boyes in the Gun Room at Work Point.[/caption] SLt M.X. Déry,  MARPAC PAVice-Admiral (Retired) Nigel Brodeur donated beer steins from the early part of his naval career to the Naval Fleet School Pacific’s Gunroom Feb. 23 in hopes of inspiring the Royal Canadian Navy’s future leaders.Lt(N) Eric Dingnard, Venture Division Commander at Naval Fleet School (Pacific), introduced VAdm (Ret’d) Brodeur by affirming that the Brodeur family “are of great significance to the Royal Canadian Navy.”The Admiral’s grandfather, Louis-Philippe Brodeur, introduced legislation to create the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) while he was Minister of the Naval Service. His father, Rear-Admiral Victor Brodeur, served in the RCN through both world wars.VAdm (Ret’d) Nigel Brodeur, followed in his father’s footsteps and served from 1952 until he retired in 1987.“These mugs, I hope they be put to good use,” he said to a host of Acting Sub-Lieutenants currently undergoing their Naval Warfare Officer courses. “I hope they will give you an indication of the starting out, from lieutenant to captain…Learn all you can. Learn about the sea, learn about other navies.”While some of the donated steins were departure gifts from ships VAdm (Ret’d) Brodeur served in, others were gifts from friends within the fleet.After the presentation, the Admiral spoke one-on-one with a few students, curious to know how far along they were in their training. Acting Sub-Lieutenant Travis Boyko said the steins were a great addition to the Junior Officers Mess.“I think it re-instilled some life into the Gunroom. I know a lot of people were keen on using them.”The ceramic steins will be kept on display while the pewter ones can be...

[caption id="attachment_18163" align="alignnone" width="600"] Students check out a mortar tube under the watchful eye of gunners from 5th (British Columbia) Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery during the Army Reserve's latest Soldier for a Day program.[/caption] Capt Jeff Manney, 39 Signal Regiment PAStudents from as far away as Campbell River gathered in Victoria Feb. 24 to see if being a soldier for a day could lead to being a real soldier.Held at the Bay Street Armoury, the Army Reserves’ popular Soldier For A Day program allowed students to check out army vehicles and communication equipment, practice their marksmanship on the small arms weapons simulator, taste military rations, take the Canadian Armed Forces fitness test, and even try their hand at a military drill.The glimpse into life as an Army Reservist must have been compelling; 20 per cent of those attending submitted an application to join.“We aimed to properly showcase the equipment, benefits and lifestyle of Army Reservists and I think it went over well,” says Capt Sean Breckenridge, the event’s coordinator. “The students were surprised at the number of opportunities available, how technical some of them are, at their similarity to many civilian jobs, and just how compatible the Reserve experience is with civilian life.” Soldier For a Day has been running in various forms since 1996.  In that time it’s emerged as one of the Army Reserves’ most effective recruiting tools, Capt Breckenridge says. “There’s so many upsides to becoming a citizen soldier that it takes a little time to soak them all in,” he says.  “We’ve found that a day-long event is ideal for showing what the Reserves is about. Those thirsting for adventure, challenge, great friends and unforgettable memories will find everything they need here.”That’s on top of the many benefits now available to Reservists, such as up to $8,000...

[caption id="attachment_18160" align="alignnone" width="600"] LS Houle Carrière, Naval Communicator, is the recipient of the Sailor of the Year.[/caption]SLt M.X. Déry, MARPAC PA ~Dentistry and naval communications have little in common, but according to Canadian Fleet Pacific’s 2017 Sailor of the Year, LS Rosalie Houle Carrière, the experience gained from the journey is what’s important. While she has held a dream of being a dentist since she was 12, her desire to gain work experience and travel made her join the Royal Canadian Naval Reserve in 2010 as a Naval Communicator. “The goal of being a dentist is in the back of my mind,” says LS Houle Carrière. “But that doesn’t mean the road to get there is a straight line.” The 25-year-old Québecoise, born and raised in Trois-Rivières, grew up speaking French and learned English in an immersion program; language skills she would put to use when travelling around the world in Canadian warships.As a teenager, LS Houle Carrière joined the Air Cadets, and after high school joined Naval Reserve Unit HMCS Radisson while completing her pre-university degree at Cégep Trois-rivière.With college complete, and qualified as a Naval Communicator, she joined HMCS Regina on Operation Artemis in 2013; the shift from her experience on Great Lakes deployments aboard HMCS Moncton, a maritime coastal defence vessel, to a Halifax-class frigate deployed on a major operation was jarring. “The platform is very different, the atmosphere, it is like a town floating on the water,” says LS Houle Carrière. “You might not see someone for two months; the MCDV is more familial.”That first major deployment was unexpectedly extended when Russia invaded Crimea and Canada committed Regina to Operation Reassurance.In 2016, she came to Esquimalt to serve in HMCS Whitehorse, a change that was difficult. “It is far from family,” said LS Houle Carrière,...

[caption id="attachment_18155" align="alignnone" width="600"] Lieutenant-Commander Kim Poirrier[/caption]Darlene Blakeley, Navy Public Affairs OttawaIt has been a long and remarkable journey from Vietnamese refugee to Canadian naval officer.Lieutenant-Commander Kim Poirrier, a logistics officer working with the Directorate of Naval Strategy in Ottawa, credits the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) for shaping her into the strong, independent and confident woman she is today.“My journey in the CAF as a naval officer has opened doors for me, given me exposure to travel, and the ability to work at a professional level that I never dreamed possible,” she says. “I have a great sense of pride in wearing my uniform, not only for my own achievements, but also for what my uniform represents.”Life has not always been easy for LCdr Poirrier. She was eight years old when the communist regime of the day began to persecute the ethnic Chinese entrepreneurial class in the former South Vietnam. Her parents owned and operated a successful plastics enterprise and their fairly wealthy family of 11 lived in a beautiful three-storey house, with a nanny and servants. All of this changed suddenly in 1979 when they went from riches to rags.Her family was stripped of everything they owned and resettled into a detention camp along with other wealthy Chinese business families, to work and farm the land.“This was a life sentence of hardship and starvation,” LCdr Poirrier explains. “My father had to make the most difficult decision of his life – risk the lives his wife and nine children to escape from Vietnam for a second chance at life, or stay and risk starvation and even worse treatment from the communist government.”Eventually her parents, along with a number of other wealthy families, got together and paid many pieces of gold to get a fishing boat in order to escape Vietnam....

 [caption id="attachment_18150" align="alignnone" width="600"] Clockwise from left: 1. MS Sebulsky reads flags from a U.S. tanker during a replenishment at sea; 2. AB Leroux instructs civilian Ashley Looye on how to safely operate the C8 firearm during weapons demonstration. Looye was part of the “tiger cruise” that brings family members along for the return trip home; 3. Ashley Looye performs live during the Hangar Coffee Night (Photo courtesy of LS Sidhu); 4. AB Orr and SLt Song entertain the troops during Hangar Coffee Night (Photo courtesy of LS Sidhu); 5. Lt(N) Smirnov gets ready to entertain the ship’s company with his classical guitar during Hangar Coffee Night.[/caption] HMCS Regina returned home last week after deploying to Hawaii to assist in Submarine Commander Course training. The photos are a reflection of their work and playtime during this deployment.  

 [caption id="attachment_18145" align="alignnone" width="600"] George Sweanor, 98, meets with members of the 419 Tactical Fighter (Training) Squadron at the Colorado Springs Airport. In the background, one of seven CT-155 Hawk jets they flew, this one in particular sporting a special Second World War paint scheme.[/caption] Lt(N) Marco Chouinard, NORAD and USNORTHCOM Public Affairs ~A Royal Canadian Air Force Second World War veteran, and former Prisoner of War now living in Colorado Springs, Colorado, received a surprise visit Feb. 23.George Sweanor, 98, a retired Royal Canadian Air Force Squadron Leader, was met by members of 419 Tactical Fighter (Training) Squadron at the Colorado Springs Airport following the unit’s training mission in El Centro, California. Sweanor was one of the founding members of the squadron that stood up in 1941 in the United Kingdom as the third RCAF bomber squadron overseas.Members of 419 Squadron talked with and listened to Sweanor for more than an hour as he reminisced about his time with the squadron and his experiences during the Second World War. “It was an honour for us to meet such a distinguished veteran and founding member of 419 Squadron,” said Major Ryan Kastrukoff, Deputy Commanding Officer of the unit. During the war, Sweanor served with the RCAF in the United Kingdom with 419 Squadron. In 1942, he was shot down and captured after multiple flights over enemy territory, spending 800 days as a POW. Sweanor was also involved in a daring escape from Stalag Luft III prisoner of war camp in Zagan, Poland, in 1944 and acted as a security lookout during the excavation of the escape tunnel dubbed “Harry”. This event was immortalized in the 1963 film, “The Great Escape.”Following the war, Sweanor remained with the RCAF. Also of note, he was one member of a group that opened Cheyenne Mountain, former home to North American...

[caption id="attachment_18137" align="alignnone" width="600"] Inspiring generations. Mom is just as excited as her daughters to check out the Canadian Armed Forces Aurora aircraft from 407 Long Range Patrol Squadron, Comox, during the 2016 Sky’s No Limit Girls Fly Too event.[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~Personnel from the CFB Esquimalt are helping the Achieve Anything Foundation boost its goal to inspire over 20,000 female future leaders in science, technology, engineering and mathematics at The Sky’s No Limit Girls Fly Too event.This is the third year units from CFB Esquimalt have been involved. It’s part of the non-profit’s effort to inspire women and girls towards careers in STEM-based (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fields with practical hands-on experience in aircraft, tactical assets and hands-on displays from various supporting agencies. This year’s event is on the weekend of March 10 and 11 from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Abbotsford International Airport. To further inspire those in attendance about STEM-based career possibilities outside of aviation, the event will feature demonstrations by Fleet Maintenance Facility Cape Breton and Fleet Diving Unit’s Bomb Disposal Unit.There will also be a performance by the Naden Band of the Royal Canadian Navy and participation of the base’s top brass, Rear-Admiral Art McDonald, Commander of Maritime Forces Pacific.“It’s a big accomplishment to be on the permanent radar of the Canadian Armed Forces, and it shows that we are a significant event for them to send so many assets,” said Kirsten Brazier, Achieve Anything Foundation President. In keeping with the flying theme, the Royal Canadian Air Force will display a Sea King and CF-149 Cormorant helicopter, which will also provide free rides at the event, and two static cockpit displays. Additional RCAF include a CC130J Hercules, CT-155 Hawk, CT-156 Harvard, CT-142 Dash-8, CC-115 Buffalo, CP-140 Aurora.The army will provide armoured personnel carriers...

 [caption id="attachment_18133" align="alignnone" width="600"] A representative from the Coast Guard  surveys the shoreline with a crew member from PCT Wolf. In the end, no evidence of disturbance to the natural environment was observed. PCT Wolf and crew surveyed the Porlier Pass area following HMCS Calgary’s fuel spill.[/caption] Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~The Royal Canadian Navy and multiple government agencies came together quickly on Saturday Feb. 24 with a coordinated joint response following a fuel spill from HMCS Calgary. The spill occurred in the Strait of Georgia between Nanaimo and Parksville as the frigate was conducting an internal fuel transfer; the incident involved the release of up to 20,000 litres of F-76 marine distillate fuel. Calgary’s fuel spill response team reacted immediately. The ship reversed course to look for signs of the spill, and informed authorities at Maritime Forces Pacific (MARPAC) who engaged Emergency Management B.C., as per their Safety and Environment Management System guidelines.MARPAC’s Formation Safety and Environment rapidly coordinated response efforts with Environmental Climate Change Canada, Canadian Coast Guard, Emergency Management B.C. and Transport Canada. As a proactive measure Canadian Armed Forces assets at CFMETR Nanoose and the MARPAC Ready Duty Ship were put on alert to assist if needed. Aircraft were launched overhead to look for visual signs of fuel floating on the surface of the ocean and report them to the Regional Joint Operations Centre. Transport Canada deployed their pollution detection aircraft, while private sector companies Harbour Air and B.C. Ferries were alerted to look for signs of the spill. Commodore Jeff Zwick, Commander of Canadian Fleet Pacific, addressed the media at a press conference the next day to bring them up to date on the incident and the response effort. “We take environmental stewardship very seriously and we’re working proactively to address the problem,” said Cmdre Zwick. “Once...

[caption id="attachment_18107" align="alignnone" width="550"] HMCS Winnipeg sails in formation with the Japanese Navy’s JS Izumo and Sazanami during a Passage Exercise in the South China Sea, which included ships from the United States, Canada, Japan and Australia. Photo by LSIS Bradley Darvill[/caption]Lt(N) Ellie Aminaie, HMCS Winnipeg ~After nearly a year as the Flagship of the West Coast Fleet, HMCS Winnipeg handed over the reins to HMCS Calgary Feb. 2, in order to undergo an extended maintenance and upgrade period. During its tenure as Flagship, Winnipeg was involved in many high tempo operations.Starting March 2017Upon completion of Sea Training-led Intermediate Air Ship Readiness Training in March 2017, Winnipeg deployed in company with HMCS Ottawa for Poseidon Cutlass 17-1 in the Indo-Asia Pacific region. The two ships conducted an array of operations with regional foreign navies.These multi-national operations, which had the Commander Canadian Fleet Pacific and his staff embarked in Winnipeg for portions of the deployment, included exercises with the Australian, Indian, Sri Lankan, Japanese, South Korean, New Zealand and United States Navies.During the deployment, Winnipeg had the Maritime Tactical Operations Group embarked, showcasing this advanced capability of the Royal Canadian Navy to our allied navies. Multiple port visits allowed the the ship’s company to represent Canada at global engagement events in the Philippines, Malaysia, India, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Japan and South Korea. Most notably, the port visit in Malaysia included a high profile global engagement component in support of the Minister of National Defence.Another notable milestone for this deployment was the proof of concept of the Naval Security Team that consisted of Reserve Force personnel providing enhanced Force Protection to deployed ships while alongside Busan, Korea.Winnipeg’s return transit to Esquimalt after five month abroad included a Replenishment at Sea Force Generation tasking in company with Ottawa and the Chilean Tanker Almirante Montt, where the Deck department was trained in operations with the tanker, conducting 22 seamanship evolutions within the span of two weeks.September 2017This high readiness ship was put to sea...

Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~A pair of teenage entrepreneurs from Shawinigan Lake are donating proceeds from their new line of clothing and merchandise to Wounded Warriors Canada.The two siblings, Mckenna Haz, 19, and her younger brother Cooper Haz, 16, used the annual Wounded Warrior Run B.C. charitable event to launch their new business KidLED and its first line of clothing ‘WW1 Centennial Collection’, which commemorates the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War.They will donate 10 percent of profits generated from product sales to Wounded Warriors Canada, which has been raising the bar on public awareness surrounding Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and mental illness for military and first responders.Co-founder Mckenna says aligning KidLED with Wounded Warriors Canada, seemed a natural first step for the business because of the cause, and her family’s personal connection to the cause.“Our dad served as a military [police] member for 10 years and we have family friends that suffer with PTSD, so it hits home to us,” says Mckenna. “I also think Wounded Warriors really puts mental illness on a high stage and people need to know it is okay to reach out, because at the end of the day we aren’t alone. People matter.”Wounded Warrior Run B.C. runners set off from Port Hardy Feb. 19 for the six-day, 600-kilometre relay style run that ended in Victoria on Feb. 25. Captain Jacqueline Zweng, Regional Cadet Support Unit (Pacific), is this year’s Wounded Warrior Run B.C. Director, and says the runners are glad to see this kind of support from KidLED.“It is so outstanding to see different groups of people coming together to support the cause. As our new slogan states: We are All in This Together, and it’s wonderful to see the Haz family involved in their community.”The last three letters in...

Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~As civilian and military employers struggle to recruit and retain the next generation in the workforce, the research of David Coletto may help solve the problem.The MARPAC Health and Wellness Strategy is bringing Coletto to CFB Esquimalt on March 9 to give a presentation entitled Leadership and Millennials: Working Effectively with Generational Change. He will deliver a two-and-a-half hour presentation in the Rainbow Room of the Chiefs’ and Petty Officers’ Mess beginning at 9 a.m. The 200 pre-registered spots for the presentation are filling up quickly.Coletto, 35, is a highly successful millennial who co-founded the Ottawa-based market and public opinion research firm Ababcus Data, and heads its Canadian Millennial Research Practice.His presentation is geared to managers, supervisors, commanding officers and people who deliver on-the-job training, so they can better understand what makes millennials tick and how to better accommodate their needs. Maryse Neilson, CFB Esquimalt’s Health Promotion Manager, says Coletto is renowned for his presentation skills.“He is not only well informed and highly successful in his field, but also an incredible entertainer. He presents his research in a good-natured way that allows you to understand the data,” she says.The Federal Government has been tracking the increasing employee shortfall at the Department of National Defence as people reach the mandatory retirement age of 55, and civilian employees reach the end of their careers.After a review by the Auditor General of Canada, a House of Commons report in June 2017 declared that the DND “must improve its methods of recruitment and retention of personnel.”As a result, a key part of Canada’s new defence policy document Strong, Secure, Engaged was a commitment to grow the military by 3,500 members and the Reserve Force by 15,000.This includes the implementation of a comprehensive CAF Retention Strategy which Minister of National Defence Harjit Sajjan...

[caption id="attachment_18098" align="alignnone" width="550"] After her participation in the LEARN program, Christina Van Spronsen of Base Information Services says she doesn’t let the rainy days of winter keep her from staying active. Photo by Peter Mallett, Lookout[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~A technical support worker at Base Information Services says a new weight-busting health and wellness program offered by Health Promotion has given her the tools to have a better life.Last April, Christina Van Spronsen enrolled in the LEARN (Lifestyle Education through Activity Resilience and Nutrition), a Health Promotion and fitness program. Prior to taking the course she says stress was mounting in her life, and hopes of leading a healthy lifestyle seemed all but dashed.“This course gave me something I hadn’t had in a long time - hope,” says Van Spronsen “It isn’t an easy path to stay self-motivated, but I do believe that as a creature of routine, exercise has become my new routine in life.”Since enrolling in the program Van Spronsen has lost 45lbs, her stress has reduced, and she has found more energy for day-to-day activities, both at work and home.LEARN is offered at CFB Esquimalt and is open to all military and DND civilian employees and family members. The mandate of the program is to help participants reduce weight circumference and improve overall health. Goals are achieved through education and training modules that combine physical activity, nutrition, mental fitness and resilience training, stress management and conscious relaxation techniques. Class sizes are small with 10 to 12 people meeting three afternoons a week at the Naden Athletic Centre from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. From 1 p.m. to 2:30 students attend lectures, while the last hour of the segment involves physical training exercises.Rave Reviews Claire Grant, Health Promotion program administrator, says 58 people have graduated from the program...

[caption id="attachment_18123" align="alignnone" width="575"] Photo by Cpl Tony Chand, Formation Imaging Services[/caption]Maritime Tactical Operations Group Tiger Team and Royal Canadian Navy Ship’s Boarding Party members conduct pistol training on the flight deck of HMCS St. John’s during Operation Reassurance, Feb. 21.