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SLt Melissa Kia, MARPAC PAO ~Overlooking a sea of military and civilians employees gathered in the Pacific Fleet Club Feb. 7, Vice-Admiral Ron Lloyd discussed his vision of mission first, people always, and fielded questions from the audience.The Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN), and Acting Vice-Chief of Defence Staff, was at CFB Esquimalt to attend the Admiral’s Council.His town hall at the Junior Rank’s mess was an opportunity to hear directly from West Coast sailors relating to his vision of the RCN. Questions ran the gamut from the X Ship program with HMCS Montreal, to Operation Honour, the Arctic Offshore Patrol Ships (AOPS), and the Naval Reserves.In his closing remarks the Admiral thanked his sailors and their families for their extraordinary work reminding them, “People First, Mission Always.”

[caption id="attachment_15045" align="alignnone" width="450"] During a rare winter storm in Victoria, Canadian dive supervisors conducted an equipment familiarization dive with allied divers during Exercise Roguish Buoy 2017, the Canadian Army’s annual combat diving training event. Photo courtesy Capt. H.J. Morrison, OIC Army Diving, CFSME[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~Military divers from Canada and around the world have converged in the waters off Albert Head for Exercise Roguish Buoy 2017.Approximately 100 divers from Canada’s military, along with personnel from international NATO partners, are taking part in the military exercise at Albert Head Training Centre, which began Feb. 7 and concludes on Feb. 26.The exercise is being hosted by the Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering, a school of the Combat and Training Centre located in Gagetown, N.B. Divers are testing and improving their skills in underwater construction and infrastructure repair, underwater debris clearance, the repair of floating military equipment, and underwater search and recovery. The operation will go a long way in improving diver readiness to respond to any situation, says Colonel Craig Aitchison, Commanding Officer of the Combat Training Centre.“As soldiers we must remain flexible, always prepared to deploy when our government calls upon us, whether at home or here in Canada or somewhere else in the world,” said Col Aitchison. “Events like Exercise Roguish Buoy help ensure the soldiers we send on underwater operations can meet their objective and exceed all expectations.”Col Aitchison says the exercise will help refine and confirm diving doctrine, tactics, techniques and procedures to achieve assigned battle-task standards, standardize diving operations with the Canadian Army, and ensure that Canadian combat divers are capable of both “functioning and integrating” with other NATO combat divers.NATO countries participating in the event include the United States, Great Britain, Netherlands, Belgium, France and Germany.

[caption id="attachment_15042" align="alignnone" width="450"] Graham Smith and Kevin Linka of Davey Tree Canada finish relocating the bald eagle nest on Signal Hill. Photo by Cpl Andre Maillet, MARPAC Imaging Services[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~An eagle nest perched in the upper branches of a tree high atop Signal Hill has been successfully relocated.The nest was moved in order to ensure that construction of the antenna on Signal Hill could continue this winter, and to remove the eagles out of the sightline of the antenna system. After building a platform, their nest was relocated to a similar tree approximately 150 metres to the southeast of the original nest, which is well outside the southwesterly transmission path of the antennas.Time will tell if the nesting pair will take up residence at the new location.The Feb. 3 move was carried out by contractors employed by Defence Construction Canada’s (DCC) and overseen by the Formation Safety and Environment (FSE) section.“Both the FSE and DCC staff will be observing the relocated nest to determine if it is used in future years, but at this point it is too early to tell,” said Tracy Cornforth, FSE. “It is common for a nesting pair to have more than one nest, and it appears this year the pair may be rebuilding a nest in dockyard.”The bald eagles built the nest on Signal Hill a 34-metre high Grand Fir tree that overlooks the Wardroom. The mating pair reared three eaglets at that location last year. Cornforth says the eagles appear to switch locations between the Signal Hill nest and a nest situated near the tennis courts on Commodore Road in dockyard.Stantec, an engineering and consulting firm, was hired by DCC to study the site and suggest possible alternative homes for the eagles. In their Dec. 8, 2016, report to DCC...

[caption id="attachment_15028" align="alignnone" width="425"] Photo by MCpl Chris Ward, Imaging Services, CFB Esquimalt[/caption]DND ~The Department of National Defence has awarded a $55.45 million contract to Pomerleau Inc. from Surrey, BC, for the demolition of the existing “B” Jetty at Her Majesty’s Canadian Dockyard Esquimalt and preparing the site for future rebuilding work.The existing jetties, “A” and “B”, were originally designed for ships that were smaller and lighter than today’s modern Canadian Patrol Frigates. As such, they are not long enough or deep enough to accommodate modern ships.The ongoing project at HMC Dockyard Esquimalt provides the Royal Canadian Navy’s Pacific Fleet with structurally sound docking facilities that will be functionally optimal for the berthing of Canada’s modern frigates and for newly designed vessels joining the fleet between 2018 and the mid-2040s.The new jetty facilities will be longer and more versatile. New cranes will enable efficient loading and unloading of modern ships, to be delivered by Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy to the Royal Canadian Navy over the next 30 years.The A/B Jetty Recapitalization Project represents a total investment of $781 million at Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Esquimalt.Throughout the duration of work, the Government of Canada’s investment in the major A/B jetty project has the potential to create 1400 middle class jobs and sustain economic in the region for the years to come.The A/B Jetty Recapitalization Project is divided into three phases to ensure that at least one jetty remains operational for the duration of the project.Following the demolition of “B” Jetty, the rebuilding of a new “B” Jetty will begin.The demolition and rebuilding of “A” Jetty will begin once “B” jetty is operational.

Senior naval leaders joined Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, and Harjit Singh Sajjan, Minister of National Defence, for the Chinese New Year parade in Vancouver Jan. 29.Clockwise from top left: With the parade underway, Honorary Captain (Navy) Tung Chan, Commodore Marta Mulkins, Rear-Admiral Art McDonald, and Commodore Jeffery Zwick pause for a photo. Petty Officer Second Class Steve MacDonald keeps the beat for the Naden Band of the Royal Canadian Navy as they march in the parade. Senior navy leaders mingle with the Prime Minister and MND. Prime Minister Trudeau and Minister Sajjan join Chinese community members in watching the traditional dragon dance during the celebrations. Photos by Cpl Stuart MacNeil, MARPAC Imaging Services

[caption id="attachment_15021" align="alignnone" width="425"] Photo by Joint Task Force Ukraine[/caption]DND ~Members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) who have medical challenges and are up for potential promotion no longer have to feel they need to choose between the two.Effective Jan.18, 2017, ill and injured members can be promoted while undergoing medical care. If they have a condition that is preventing them from achieving fitness or training promotion prerequisites, they can be promoted in an acting capacity with no time pressure for meeting these conditions. Once their medical treatment has been completed, a member can be fully promoted to their new position.CAF leadership is committed to caring for our members and encourages those in need of medical care to take advantage of the resources available to them, without stigma or worry of impacts on their career advancement.“When you’ve earned your promotion, it shouldn’t be denied to you just because you’re treating a medical condition,” said General Jonathan Vance, Chief of the Defence Staff. “For too long, people have avoided seeking help for fear of professional implications. We need people who can reach their full potential now and in the future. Get the help you need: your promotion will not suffer.”The CAF recognizes the talents and dedication of our ill and injured members, and their expected future contributions. A member’s posting and appointment at the next rank will take into account his or her employment and deployment limitations.“This is a significant change for the CAF. Our hope is that it will encourage members to get the support they need right away, allowing them to focus on both their health and career,” said Colonel Rakesh Jetly, Mental Health Advisor, Canadian Forces Health Services.Removing medical health from promotion criteria is just one of the ways the CAF is working to improve how administration and support is provided to our members and their families.For more information on these changes to promotion criteria, consult CANFORGEN 012/17 CMP 009/17 De-linking of Medical Condition from Promotion Criteria.Learn more about...

Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~The crew of HMCS Calgary wrapped up a successful National Defence Workplace Charitable Campaign (NDWCC) by partaking in two of their namesake city’s favourite pastimes: a hockey game and barbeque.A team made up of Officers and Chiefs and Petty Officers scored a 7-4 victory over the ship’s Junior Ranks in a Jan. 26 midday showdown on the ice at Naden’s Wurtele Arena.“The underdog senior officers pulled off an upset victory over the junior ranks who were expected to prevail,” said Lt(N) Mikhail Smirnov, the ship’s Information Management Officer. “All available members of the ship’s company came down to cheer on their friends and shipmates.”Following the final buzzer, the ship’s company attended a barbeque outside the arena, hosted by the ship’s logisticians and featuring homemade hamburgers and a full spread of snacks.Lt(N) Smirnov said Calgary contributed $5,870.82 to this year’s NDWCC. He also extended special thanks to the ship’s NDWCC representatives PO2 Mark Grimard, Lt(N) Jon Day, PO2 Dana Haley, and LS Nicole Hunter for coordinating the fundraising efforts.

[caption id="attachment_15013" align="alignnone" width="425"] LCdr Clark Northey is joined by his father Robert Northey (left) and LCdr Trent Nichols for his promotion to his current rank and the awarding of a Canadian Joint Operations Command, Commander’s Commendation.[/caption]A/SLt Callista Szachury, HMCS Queen ~An Intelligence Officer from HMCS Queen is the recipient of a Canadian Joint Operations Command, Commander’s Commendation for his exceptional leadership during Operation Lentus 15 – 02 as the Joint Task Force West Liaison Officer.  Lieutenant-Commander Clark Northey proved himself a vital intermediary between the Canadian Armed Forces, affected First Nations communities, and provincial and municipal leaders located in northern Saskatchewan. By strengthening the ties between these local communities and the Canadian Armed Forces during what can be considered the largest-ever wildfire evacuation in the province’s history, LCdr Northey efforts aided in ensuring a successful outcome to this critical firefighting operation.On Saturday, Jan. 28, with his immediate family and the ship’s company present, LCdr Northey received his commendation from LCdr W. S. Trent Nichols, Commanding Officer of HMCS Queen.In addition to the commendation, he also received his well-deserved promotion to Lieutenant-Commander. Raised in Prince Albert, SK, LCdr Northey joined the Royal Canadian Navy in 2006 at HMCS Unicorn while pursuing his studies in Biochemistry at the University of Saskatchewan. Upon his return to the province following his first tour overseas, he relocated to HMCS Queen in Regina, SK, where he is currently the Executive Officer after serving in a variety of Naval Reserve Division roles.From 2010 onwards, LCdr Northey has been employed both nationally and internationally. His assignments have included an intelligence course instructor at CFFS(Q), participating in the multinational PANAMAX exercise series in Nolfolk, Virginia, and serving as J2 staff within the RCMP-led Integrated Security Unit on Operation Podium in support of the Vancouver Winter Olympics.Shortly after the Olympics, he deployed...

[caption id="attachment_15010" align="alignnone" width="425"] LCdr Mike Wills[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~HMCS Oriole’s upcoming sail is one of the farthest in its 96-year history.Two weeks into March, the 31-metre sailing ketch, with 20 eager sailors on board, will leave Esquimalt Harbour with the compass set for Charlottetown Harbour in Prince Edward Island.If all goes as planned, Oriole will glide into the East Coast harbour late-June after sailing more than 10,000 nautical miles,(16,000 kilometres) just in time for Canada’s 150th Anniversary celebrations.Along the way the crew will be changed out, and the sailing ketch will make some impressive ports of call.“The crew is super excited because they truly recognize this as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” says LCdr Michael Wills, Oriole’s skipper. “As the deployment progresses the crew will gradually be replaced and in the end probably 40 or 50 personnel will be part of this deployment. The chances of being selected are pretty slim, and while I’m not going to say I will never be able to do such a trip again, the opportunity for me is also historically sparse.”The southerly course down the Pacific Coast and through the Panama Canal and Caribbean will include stops in the United States, Mexico, Jamaica, and Bermuda for the Tall Ships Bermuda 2017 festival on June 1. Part of the festival is a regatta, a series of races including a trans-Atlantic race to Bermuda and on to Boston, Quebec, and finally Halifax.The final leg of Oriole’s journey will take her into the Gulf of the St. Lawrence for Canada 150 celebrations in Charlottetown, followed by a variety of short visits throughout the Maritimes and Quebec.“It’s both an honour and incredible opportunity to be part of this event when you consider Oriole has been sailing in Canadian waters for 96 of those 150 years of Confederation,” says LCdr Wills.Following the sesquicentennial celebrations, Oriole will remain on the East Coast for a refit during the winter.In April 2018, the sailing ketch will take a shorter, more direct 7,000...

[caption id="attachment_15005" align="alignnone" width="425"] Cdr Michele Tessier[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~A few days before Christmas break, Commander Michele Tessier was offered a major command coup.In a meeting with Cmdre Jeff Zwick, Commander Canadian Fleet Pacific, she was offered the captain’s chair on board HMCS Margaret Brooke, the Royal Canadian Navy’s (RCN) second Harry DeWolf-Class Arctic Offshore Patrol Vessel (AOPV).“I was humbled to hear the news to be honest; it was a really emotional moment for me,” she said. “You’re lucky to get one command at sea, so to be selected for a second is quite an honour.”She commanded HMCS Nanaimo from 2010 to 2013, which she says was the highlight of her career. The rollout of the Arctic Offshore Patrol Vessels is expected to start in 2018. HMCS Margaret Brooke will be the second ship off the assembly line. Cdr Tessier will begin her new job that summer to prepare for the command.Her appointment was determined by the Naval Succession Planning Board, a body made up of senior RCN leadership that determines operational command positions.The graduate of Memorial University’s English literature program grew up in Grand Bank, NL. She is the granddaughter of a fishing trawler captain, and she says the salt water is in her blood.Cdr Tessier joined the Naval Reserves in 1996 at HMCS Cabot in St. John’s, NL, and completed basic officer training at the now closed Canadian Forces Officer Candidate School in Chilliwack, BC.  Her resume is peppered with notable appointments including Commanding Officer of the Naval Reserve Division HMCS Griffon in Thunder Bay, ON, and Commander Coastal Forces Pacific, her current post. The Arctic Offshore Patrol Vessel project is being carried out at Halifax Shipyard. Once deployed, the new vessels will help enforce Canada’s sovereignty in the Arctic, Pacific, and Atlantic by providing armed sea-borne surveillance and...

[caption id="attachment_14968" align="alignnone" width="425"] Photo credit: www.military-appl.ca[/caption]Capt Graeme Kaine, 39 CBG PAO ~Military experience is being recognized through advanced education credits thanks to a new partnership between the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) and the Canadian Armed Forces, formalized Jan. 20, 2017.The knowledge, skills and abilities acquired through military experience can now help students earn credits for placement towards a certificate, diploma or degree at BCIT.The formal memorandum of understanding was signed at 39 Canadian Brigade Group Headquarters by Brigadier-General N. Stanton, Deputy-Commander of 3rd Canadian Division and Joint Task Force West, and Dr. K. Wainwright, head of BCIT’s Legion Military Skills Conversion Program.The BCIT program underwent a seven-year pilot, resulting in 90 graduates and currently enrols 160 students. Business, engineering and health ­sciences studies are part of the ever-expanding accredited offering. Bursaries to attend BCIT are also available courtesy of the Royal Canadian Legion/BC Yukon Command.An increasing number of post-secondary institutions across Canada are taking part in this initiative. With support and funding of Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), BCIT was given the opportunity to take on a National Advanced Placement and Prior Learning (N-APPL) Project.The goal is to help increase educational options for military ­members and veterans across Canada. For a complete list of partner institutions and potential pathways, please visit ­military-appl.ca.

[caption id="attachment_14965" align="alignnone" width="425"] According to the original caption to this photo, taken Feb. 25, 1942: “Aircraftman 2nd Class Milton Schmidt is the only member of the RCAF Flyers hockey team whose duties in the Air Force are similar to his spare time job as a hockey star. The Flyers’ star centre man is becoming a physical training instructor, a job for which he appears admirably fitted.” Photo: DND Archives, PL-6907[/caption]Major Mat Joost and Joanna Calder, RCAF ~Milt Schmidt, the last surviving member of hockey’s famed “Kraut Line” and a former member of the Royal Canadian Air Force, died Jan.  4, 2017, in Massachusetts. He was 98, and the oldest living former member of the National Hockey League (NHL).It was an iconic moment in hockey history.On Feb.11, 1942, the “Kraut Line” led the Boston Bruins to an 8-1 victory over the Montreal Canadiens at the Boston Garden.Then, as the crowd cheered and the Boston Garden’s organist played “Auld Lang Syne”, members of the rival Bruins and Habs teams hoisted the three members of the Kraut Line – Milton Conrad “Milt” Schmidt, Woodrow Clarence “Woody” Dumart and Robert Theodore “Bobby” Bauer – onto their shoulders and carried them off the ice.They were heading to the Royal Canadian Air Force and the war in Europe that summer.The three long-time friends from Hamilton, Ontario, had been dubbed the Kraut Line when they joined the National Hockey League because of their German heritage.“I don’t think I’ll ever forget what happened,” said Schmidt in an interview before he died. “The players on both teams lifted the three of us on their shoulders and carried us off the ice and the crowd gave us an ovation. A man couldn’t ever forget a thing like that.”On July 23, Schmidt was posted to No. 1 Bombing and Gunnery School...

[caption id="attachment_14962" align="alignnone" width="425"] University of Victoria Student Emily McKee has won recognition by the Association of Professional Engineers and Geologists of British Columbia for a cost-saving initiative she developed for office printers and photo copiers while doing a co-op work placement at Fleet Maintenance Facility. Photo by Peter Mallett, Lookout[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~A co-op work placement at Fleet Maintenance Facility (FMF) Cape Breton is giving University of Victoria engineering student Emily McKee a new outlook on her career path after she graduates.McKee, 21, is entering the final semester of her three-semester work placement with FMF’s Information Technology and Information Management departments.Her work has focused on a project to generate recommendations on how to reduce waste, duplication, and costs in the over 200 office printers and photocopying machines in the ship repair unit.That work earned her the Summer of 2016 Engineering Associates Term Report Excellence Award Dec. 2 by the Association of Professional Engineers and Geologists of British Columbia at the Oak Bay Recreation Centre.“Being nominated for the award was a complete surprise, but when I heard I’d won out of the work of hundreds of engineering students, I was completely floored,” said McKee.Her project was determined to be the best of all the submissions because it was detailed, thorough and used professional language that would contribute to a smooth process of implementation.She developed a cost and service contract evaluation of all of FMF’s printers and copiers. She tracked usage and location of the machines, and consumption of materials such as paper, toner cartridges, that can cost close to $800 to equip some of the many larger four-cartridge high-end machines.She then made a series of 20 recommendations in her report to Information Technology staff on how to improve their existing system of printers and copiers. Half her recommendations have...

[caption id="attachment_14959" align="alignnone" width="425"] Contractors from JJM Construction carry out dredging operations in the waters adjacent to the Fleet Diving Unit’s F Jetty. The work is part of Esquimalt Harbour Remediation Project. Photo by Peter Mallett, Lookout[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~The next phase of remediation dredging operations in the Esquimalt Harbour is now underway in the waters adjacent to Fleet Diving Unit (Pacific) in Colwood.Overseen by Formation Safety and Environment  (FSE) and contracted through Public Works & Government Services Canada, the work is being performed by private contractor JJM Construction Ltd., of Delta, B.C., in coordination with the Queen’s Harbour Master.Excavation and removal of contaminants on the sea floor in the waters near A-Jetty wrapped up late last year; current dredging is focused around D Jetty, and between F and G Jetties in Colwood.“The last 150 years of ship building and other industries have left their mark in the form of contamination, and we are finding through our efforts to remove the worst parts of the contaminated sediments that we are leaving the harbour in a better state,” said Deputy Project Manager Mike Bodman of FSE. “These contaminants present risks to human health and the environment; our overall intent is to make the harbour a safer place for everybody and everything that lives in and around the harbour.”The DND-led remediation projects cover 354 hectares of the harbour with the intent to remove and reduce the impact of 25 chemicals, including PCBs, arsenic, mercury, lead and cadmium.These sediment remediation projects are part of the 15-year Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan established in 2005. The remediation projects are also being completed concurrently with the A/B Jetty Recapitalization Project that will replace the aging jetties with more structurally sound, larger, and versatile berthing facilities.Bodman says the dredging in Colwood is expected to be...

Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~The Victoria Spartans youth football club have moved to Esquimalt and are looking to attract new players for the upcoming spring season; hopefully those in the military community.The club will field teams for children in the Vancouver Island Canadian Football Association in the Atom age group (7 to 9) Peewee (10-11), and Junior Bantam (12-13), to play eight Sunday games from April to June.  Their fall program will also field teams in the Bantam (14-15) and Midget (16-18) age groups.Spartans President Allen Lavoie says his club is still in the process of announcing a home playing field in Esquimalt, but says teams participating in the spring season will hold practices at L’École Victor-Brodeur beginning in March.“We want to build a community-based football team in a community where we can have reasonable hope that kids will stay with our programs until they are 18,” he says. In Esquimalt we feel we can have a better chance of keeping older players on board, thus building better connections with the community.”Lavoie is encouraged by the level of interest since his club’s arrival in Esquimalt, which so far has included sponsorship and volunteer offers. He said getting military families who work and live here is also crucial to building ties with the community.The cost for the spring season is $175 if players register with the club prior to March 1, and $200 afterwards. The Spartans provide all players all equipment such as, uniforms, shoulder pads and helmets, but not footwear. Lavoie says parents who require financial assistance can find help through Jumpstart and KidSport Canada. For more details about the Spartans, registration, rules and the upcoming season visit the club’s website www.spartansfootball.ca.

[caption id="attachment_14952" align="alignnone" width="425"] LS Dinh Tran tries the ceremonial drum used in the Lion Dance Ceremony. Photo by LS Jordan Moore, FMF[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~A worker from Dockyard’s Fleet Maintenance Facility introduced his co-workers to the magic of the Cantonese Lion Dance ahead of the Jan. 28 Chinese New Year’s celebrations.MS Adam Choi, who works as a Radar Maintainer in Fleet Maintenance Facility’s Radar Shop, introduced the colourfully painted, shiny paper mâché and bamboo lion costumes and traditional ceremonial drums to members of his unit last week.The informal gathering occurred just four days ahead of China’s annual lunar festival, also known as the Spring Festival, and was an effort by MS Choi to share his cultural traditions.“They were pretty intrigued,” he said. “Most of them never had hands-on experience with the Lion before, and few people in North America do because the ceremony is considered sacred and most people don’t have access to it.”MS Choi says according to traditional beliefs in Southern China, lion dancing signifies courage, stability, superiority and can chase away bad spirits when performed with loud noises, such as fire cracker, cymbals and gongs or drums.MS Stephan Girard, a Radar Maintainer who works alongside MS Choi, attended the gathering and climbed inside one of the two giant lion heads to try his hand at the dance. He said learning choreography involved in the ceremonial dance was both physically and mentally challenging, but highly enjoyable.“Just to be able to try on the equipment and climb inside the lion head was very interesting for me,” said MS Girard. “MS Choi showed us the positions and movements, you need to go left, right, move from a crouching position to tall while using your arms, back and legs; it was quite the workout and highly demanding just trying it...

[caption id="attachment_14949" align="alignnone" width="425"] Leading Seaman Christine Gatherum enjoys her first time at the helm of PCT Grizzly. Photo by Lt(N) Anne Gardam[/caption]SLt Rudee Gaudet, HMCS Malahat PAO ~On a mid-January weekend, members of Victoria’s Naval Reserve Division HMCS Malahat took advantage of the mild West Coast climate by going to sea on board Patrol Craft Training (PCT) Grizzly.It was the second sailing opportunity for Malahat sailors to refresh skills and introduce new members of the unit to life at sea in an Orca Class vessel since the training year started in September.Grizzly departed Esquimalt Harbour Saturday morning, crossed into U.S. waters and spent Saturday evening in Friday Harbor, San Juan Island, Washington. Among the 23 sailors on board for the weekend training were five of Malahat’s newest recruits, going to sea for the first time in a naval vessel. Training weekends are always jam-packed with events to maximize the sailors’ opportunity to keep their skills sharp, and this weekend was no different.By working through diver training, man overboard exercises, engineering drills and a simulated fire exercise, the new recruits had a solid idea of what to expect as they progress through their training in the coming months.“I am keen to take every opportunity to get junior sailors to sea,” said Lieutenant-Commander Michael Lawless, Commanding Officer HMCS Malahat. “The mandate of the Naval Reserve is to generate trained individuals and teams for Canadian Armed Forces operations. Training weekends at sea provide real-world experience, establishing a foundation of skills, which are further built upon throughout the year in classrooms and simulators.”For one recent recruit, Leading Seaman Christine Gatherum, a highlight of the weekend was the diver training. LS Gatherum, a former Artillery Sergeant and Afghanistan veteran, loved diving so much that she transferred into the Naval Reserve as a Port Inspection...

[caption id="attachment_14940" align="alignnone" width="450"] Once fully installed, the wave attenuating breakwater will rest 14 feet below the waterline with just 18 inches visible above the surface. Photos by Peter Mallett, Lookout[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~In an effort to provide wave protection for smaller Royal Canadian Navy vessels, a floating breakwater is being installed on the Colwood side of Esquimalt Harbour.The setup of the 400-foot long, 30-foot wide breakwater, overseen by the Port Operations and Emergency Services Branch (POESB), began Jan. 4. The breakwater will be deployed to the east of D Jetty and provide a buffer for navy and Auxiliary Fleet vessels from large, wind-driven waves and swells that are common on the harbour’s west side.The Colwood side of the harbour will also provide a temporary home for the fleet’s smaller vessels to make room for the $781-million A/B Jetty Recapitalization Project, which is expected to enter the construction phase this spring. The massive construction project will replace the two 70-year-old jetties, and include dredging to remove contaminated seabed sediments throughout Esquimalt Harbour.POESB Manager Doug Kimmett says the installation of the breakwater was the best solution to make the west side of the harbour a suitable interim port.“Taking note of the various options and time constraints involving the Recapitalization Project, we felt something that was portable, built off site, and deployed by base personnel would be the fastest method to build some sheltered berths,” he explains.The foam-filled concrete structure, which includes multiple ballast tanks, was designed by marine construction company Blue Water Systems Ltd., of Delta, B.C. and was delivered to Esquimalt via tugboat in early December 2016.Personnel from POESB, Fleet Diving Unit (Pacific), and a team of riggers from Fleet Maintenance Facility have been attaching the four pieces of the breakwater together prior to its deployment, with the assistance...

[caption id="attachment_14937" align="alignnone" width="425"] Members of 1st Regiment Royal Canadian Horse Artillery instruct Parks Canada Agency staff on how to position the site on the C3 Howitzer gun. Photo by SLt Melissa Kia, Public Affairs Officer, MARPAC[/caption]SLt Melissa J Kia, MARPAC PAO ~Deep in the heart of Glacier National Park, the majestic mountains in Rogers Pass put even the loftiest skyscrapers to shame. They form a deep and impressive valley containing both the Trans-Canada Highway and the Canadian Pacific Railway corridors that connect British Columbia to the rest of Canada.This area is also home to some of the most treacherous avalanche country in the nation, containing over 134 known avalanche pathways. To counter this winter threat, Parks Canada Agency (PCA) and the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) run the avalanche control program, Operation Palaci, which first started in 1961. Operation Palaci stays true to its Latin name by taking care of Canada’s “palace” in the sky, keeping it safe for trains and winter commuters to make the leg from Golden to Revelstoke, B.C., at the western side of the Pass. Palaci has led the charge in the battle for winter avalanche safety for the past 56 consecutive years, making it Canada’s oldest and longest running domestic operation.Avalanche control is serious business and is run by joint agency collaboration between the CAF and PCA. Over 4,000 vehicles and up to 40 trains crisscross Rogers Pass each day during the winter months. Keeping the Pass open amounts to billions of dollars in commercial trade annually, and road and rail closures due to an avalanche cause substantial impacts on the Canadian economy.“Operation Palaci is the largest mobile avalanche control program of its kind in North America,” says Captain Mark Hynes of Maritime Forces Pacific’s Land Operations cell. “We are extremely proud of our continuing partnership with...

Ryan Melanson, Trident Staff ~CFB Halifax is taking another step towards inclusivity with the establishment of a working group that will focus on supporting the many LGBTQ+ Canadian Armed Forces members and civilian employees who make up part of the DND community.The CFB Halifax Positive Space Working Group stood up in August 2016, and the group’s charter was recently signed by Base Commander Capt(N) Chris Sutherland. The founding executive consists of a military and civilian co-chair, an executive champion and a small but diverse group from across the base.The initiative gets their root from a diversity program created by the Ontario Public Service; in 2013 it was sanctioned by the Treasury Board with a set of guidelines for use across the Federal Public Service.“As far as we know we are the first on a DND base to actually stand up a positive space working group,” says Tracy Mitchell, a technical support employee with Base Information Services and civilian co-chair of the Halifax group.“It’s a very good program; it’s moving through the public service, and I think we’d all like to see go across DND and the CAF.”The group plans to fulfill its goal by establishing a wide network of champions across the formation - volunteers who will be expected to become leaders in the promotion of positive spaces and challenging negative stereotypes and attitudes. This could include encouragement of a welcoming environment, discussing different sexual orientations and gender identities in a positive way, or simply referring questions and concerns to the appropriate resources. Champions will also display positive space indicators in their personal workplaces to help visually represent the initiative.Champions will receive training and guidelines, but will not be acting as counsellors to employees.While the work of volunteers will be the heart of the initiative, Mitchell said the group’s executive...

[caption id="attachment_14930" align="alignnone" width="450"] Sailors competed in the Admiral’s Cup Regatta, Dec. 7 to 10 in Kerala State, India.[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~Two sailors from Esquimalt’s Naval Fleet School (Pacific) joined another military member from Halifax to take part in the Admiral’s Cup Regatta Dec. 7 to 10 in India. The three-person Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) team took a 13th place overall finish.The seventh edition of the annual all-military international sailing competition, held on the waters of Ettikulam Bay in Kerala State, was a five-day event hosted by the Indian Naval Academy. It brought together 54 participants from 24 nations.“The overall mission was not strictly to race, it was really about encouraging international cooperation, understanding, and friendship,” says Lt(N) James Lee, an Above Water Warfare Training Officer at Naval Fleet School, and team leader. “Our team returned home having made new friends from all over the world and memories that will last a lifetime.”It was the first time a CAF team participated in the competition. Team members were Lt(N) Lee, Lt(N) Allana Foscarini, and Lt(N) Kevin Pallard from Halifax.Competitors used standard 14-foot radial rig laser sailing dinghies. The final team scores were determined by combining scores from individual races.“We put our team together on rather short notice and some of the other teams were very competitive, so 13th overall is a good achievement especially for a first time participating in the event,” said Lt(N) Lee.There was also a bronze lining for the team as Lt(N) Foscarini finished 11th overall amongst all sailors, and third in the female category, picking up a bronze medal.“Alanna finished exceptionally well to due to her experience and individual sailing skills,” said Lt(N) Lee.The passage to India for Lt(N) Lee and Lt(N) Foscarini was a gruelling 54 hours in duration including five flights, four layovers, and...

[caption id="attachment_14927" align="alignnone" width="450"] HMCS St. John’s sails out of Halifax Harbour on the morning of Jan. 9 to begin an extended deployment to the Mediterranean in support of Operation Reassurance (Photo LS Peter Frew/FIS Halifax). A member of the Maritime Tactical Operations Group repels off HMCS St. John’s as the ship transits across the Atlantic Ocean to participate in Operation Reassurance (Photo by LS Ogle Henry, Formation Imaging Services).[/caption]Ryan Melanson, Trident ~After months of preparation, HMCS St. John’s and crew departed Halifax Jan. 9, the first Royal Canadian Navy ship to deploy in the new year.It will join NATO partners as part of Canada’s continuing contribution to Operation Reassurance.The newly modernized Halifax-Class Frigate replaces HMCS Charlottetown as the navy’s representative with NATO Standing Maritime Group 2, a mission focused on enhancing regional security and stability in the Mediterranean.Despite frigid weather, which many people remarked was colder than any departure or arrival ceremony they could remember, hundreds of family members and loved ones of the crew were on hand to watch the ship sail through the sea smoke out into the harbour.Cdr Sheldon Gillis, the ship’s Commanding Officer, spoke to media shortly before departing, expressing confidence in his crew and the job they’ve done through the workups program. Speaking on the mission of Op Reassurance, Cdr Gillis said the deterrence measures in Central and Eastern Europe are an important part of demonstrating NATO resolve against aggression in the region, and that the Canadian Armed Forces plays an important role.“As a NATO ally, it’s important for Canada to demonstrate our resolve and our partnership with other NATO countries. We will be demonstrating some of the interoperability of maritime assets, working closely with many of our partners.”The frigate is expected back in Halifax in the late summer or early fall.“We’ll be deployed...

The gnasty rumours are true: the Gnaval Gnome has been gnome-gnapped, and is currently being held by a gnefarious faction of gne’er-do-wells who operate under the name “Joe Gnapper”.On Saturday Jan. 14 while attending a social event in one of the messes, the Gnaval Gnome was overpowered and transported to an ungknown location.His friends waited gnervously for word of his status, and later found it in the form of a Facebook post showing the Gnaval Gnome bound and blind-folded in the back seat of a gnondescript sedan, along with a ransom demand. Subsequent photos released by Joe Gnapper’s Facebook page show the Gnaval Gnome in apparently good condition. The photos suggest the Gnaval Gnome is being held at some sort of air-related location, perhaps an RCAF base or somewhere similar.Gnaval Gnome supporters have made a plea to the gnome gnappers to treat the Gnaval Gnome gnicely, and to provide him with his unique dietary gneeds, including medicinal mugs of moose milk, soup every day at 10 a.m., weiner supreme, steak on Thursdays, and gnaval clam chowder on Fridays.  Additionally, attempts have been made to contact a Liam Gneeson and to use his “very particular set of skills, skills acquired over a very long career”.At this time, every effort is being made to secure the return of the Gnaval Gnome, and authorities are spreading their gnet ever wider.

[caption id="attachment_14921" align="alignnone" width="450"] Team captains Cole Pickup of the Victoria Grizzlies (right), and Spencer Hawson of the Nanaimo Clippers get set for the ceremonial puck drop by PO2 Allan Kobayashi, Wounded Warriors Canada, at the Q Centre Arena in Colwood, Jan. 12. The BCHL team has designated the month of January Wounded Warrior month and is auctioning off specially-designed team jerseys on behalf of the non-profit and its upcoming Wounded Warrior Run. Photo by Kyle Robinson Photography[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~The Victoria Grizzlies are giving hockey fans the shirts off their backs as part of a fundraising effort to support Wounded Warriors Canada.The Junior ‘A’ hockey club has designated January Wounded Warrior month and are now wearing specially-designed jerseys that feature the non-profit organization’s name intertwined with the BCHL team’s logo at their home games.It’s all part of an effort to raise funds and awareness for the charitable organization that honours and supports Canada’s ill and injured Canadian Armed Forces members, veterans and first responders, and their families.The white sweaters with black and gold trim are being worn by the team at all five January games played at Colwood’s Q Centre Arena and will then be auctioned off during their Jan. 27 game against the West Kelowna Warriors, with 50 percent of the proceeds from the sale of the jerseys and 50 percent from ticket sales going Wounded Warriors Canada. “I am super-stoked to see this interaction between our group and these hockey players because it is all very positive, and they seem to be massively eager and driven to promote and support us,” said Wounded Warrior Run B.C. cofounder PO2 Allan Kobayashi, who works as an analyst for the Naval Training Development Centre.PO2 Kobayashi will be part of the six-person team running this year’s six-day Wounded Warrior Run B.C....

[caption id="attachment_14887" align="alignnone" width="400"] Team Canada captain Bruno Guevremont of Victoria competes in the 2016 Invictus Games rowing competition at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla. Photo courtesy Walt Disney World Resort[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~A study investigating the role of adaptive sport in the rehabilitation of current and former military has been launched by researchers at Dalhousie University ahead of the Invictus Games Toronto 2017.Invictus Games officials announced their involvement in the research during the 7th Annual Military and Veteran Research Forum held in Vancouver in November.They will fund the sports psychology study that will involve approximately 200 competitors and 30 family members.Established by Prince Harry in 2014, the Invictus Games are the only international adaptive sporting event for wounded, ill and injured active duty and veteran service members. The Toronto edition of the Games will be the first time Canada has hosted the event. It will bring together 550 competitors from 17 nations competing in 12 sports.The study, conducted by Dalhousie University and the Canadian Institute for Military and Veteran Health Research (CIMVHR), will survey 200 Canadian and international competitors and ask a series of questions about their experiences in preparing for the games, during competition, and the long-term impact of the Games.Researchers will then look for common trends in their responses in an effort to improve both policy and program delivery for current and former military service members with illnesses and injuries.Lead researcher Celina Shirazipour said the study will provide unparalleled opportunity to fill research gaps and allow for the exploration of sport participation and its effects on the health and well-being of military personnel and their families for the short and long term.“We know sport has the potential to be beneficial, but we want to know what aspects...

Carmel Ecker, Contributor ~Queen’s University is looking for military families, educators and health care providers to take part in a study on the mental health of children in military families.Dr. Heidi Cramm of the university’s School of Rehabilitation Therapy initiated the study after finding that very little information exists about the effects of the Canadian military lifestyle on children.While working as an occupational therapist in Kingston, Dr. Cramm noticed that a disproportionate number of the children she was seeing in child and adolescent mental health were from military families. She searched for answers as to why, but found very little outside of government reports.“There wasn’t any external research I could look at that could tell me about Canadian military families and their health,” says Dr. Cramm.While plenty of information has been gathered and analysed for their American counterparts, very little is known about the mental health of Canadian military families, she says.“Almost all the information we have available is based out of the U.S. – almost 98 per cent of it,” says Dr. Cramm.Countries with military and medical systems similar to Canada, such as the United Kingdom and Australia, are sadly lacking in data as well.The reason for the lack of Canadian data may be the difficulty in gathering it, she says. The American military health system treats the entire family so the data is all in one central place. In Canada, only the military member is treated within the military system. The family falls under provincial care. So links between a child’s mental health issues and military family events such as a posting or a deployment are difficult to explore. An inpatient drug rehab austin offers treatment to mental illness such as anxiety , etc which people can make use, when needed.Dr. Cramm says military families face a formidable...

[caption id="attachment_14880" align="alignnone" width="425"] MWO (Ret’d) Bart Armstrong with British Columbia Lieutenant Governor Judith Guichon during a presentation of the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers at Government House, Jan. 5. Photo: Don Craig, Government House[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~MWO (Ret’d) Bart Armstrong was among 30 people from Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland to be presented the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers.Recipients were honoured in a Jan. 5 ceremony at Government House with LGov Judith Guichon presiding.The medal recognizes exceptional achievement by Canadian volunteers in a wide range of fields across the country. It was presented to Armstrong and the other recipients on behalf of Canada’s Governor General David Johnston by LGov Guichon.Armstrong, the sole Canadian in the United-States based Medal of Honor Historical Society, has written and researched extensively about Canadians who fought in the American Civil War, the Spanish American War, the First and Second World War, Vietnam, Korea and the Philippines, and received the Medal of Honor.Armstrong joined the Canadian Armed Forces Reserves in 1965 and retired in 1985 after serving with the Toronto Scottish (then the Princes Louise Fusiliers at Halifax) and the 11th Victoria Service Battalion.“I was truly humbled by the honour of joining such an incredibly diversified and dedicated group of Canadians at this ceremony,” said Armstrong. “When the Governor General makes these awards, and so many others, he or she perpetuates the highest level of good Canadian citizenship. This highest office teaches us that as we walk through the streets of Canada and see problems it is our duty to fix them.”Other recipients of the award with ties to the military community included retired Second World War veteran Harry Hardy of Burnaby, who volunteers his time with the Tetra Society of North America, an organization that offers assistance to people with disabilities; Second World War nursing veteran...

[caption id="attachment_14877" align="alignnone" width="425"] Capt(N) Steve Waddell and CPO1 Gino Spinelli joined CANEX staff Tracy Horner and Sara Johnson, and Health Promotion’s Allie Jones in handing out healthy food choices to patrons of Naden’s CANEX outlet Jan. 11. The food items are now labelled with “Benefit” identifiers as part of a new healthy food program at the retail store. Photo: Peter Mallett, Lookout Newspaper[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~A new food labelling initiative designed to assist Canadian Armed Forces personnel in making healthier food choices when shopping at CANEX stores across the country has been launched.Canada’s military store teamed up with the Health Promotion wing of Personnel Support Programs (PSP) for the kickoff off its BeneFit program; at CFB Esquimalt Base Commander Capt(N) Steve Waddell launched the program Jan. 11.The BeneFit labelling system helps customers determine a food product’s nutritional value based on protein, fibre, vitamins, calcium, calories, sodium and fat.“Having healthy food options has always been a big concern of military members and others who work here at the base, and this latest initiative is a step in the right direction,” said Esquimalt CANEX Manager Sara Johnson.BeneFit was developed by PSP Health Promotion dietitians Renée Racine, who works at CFB Gagetown, and Julie Riopel-Meunier of CFB Valcartier, and employs a points system to identify healthier options. It’s all part of an effort to help CANEX shoppers quickly and easily identify the nutritional value of foods and beverages sold on store shelves and vending machines. Foods that meet the nutritional requirements have the BeneFit logo affixed to them or the shelves.The program is based on a similar initiative initiated by PSP staff in 2014 in the lunchroom of the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruitment School at the Saint-Jean Garrison in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec, says Michael Spivock, Senior Manager of Health Promotion Delivery with...

[caption id="attachment_14870" align="alignnone" width="400"] Canadians must register online no later than Feb. 28 to attend France ceremony. Stock photo[/caption]Veterans Affairs Canada ~Canadians planning to travel to France to attend the Government of Canada commemorative ceremony marking the 100th anniversary of the First World War and the Battle of Vimy Ridge on April 9, at Canadian National Vimy Memorial must register online by Feb. 28. Safety and security are paramount to this ceremony, therefore registration is mandatory. If you do not register in advance, you will be denied access to the site. Attendees will need to provide a printed copy of their official e-ticket and government-issued photo identification, such as a passport or driver’s license, on the day of the event.To register, please follow the instructions found at: www.veterans.gc.ca.If you have questions about the registration process, please email VAC.Vimy2017.ACC@vac-acc.gc.ca.An official Government of Canada delegation will travel to France to attend ceremonies and events during the week of April 5-12. Event information will be added to the Veterans Affairs Canada website as details are confirmed.There will be site restrictions between April 1 and 10 at the Canadian National Vimy Memorial due to event preparations. Visitors should note the site will be closed April 6 to 9. The site will reopen on April 10 at 9 a.m. with restricted access.For more information about the commemorative events, please visit Canada.ca/vimy-100For information about travelling to France, please visit Global Affairs Canada’s Travel Advice and Advisories page for France.Share your thoughts at facebook.com/CanadaRemembers.About VimyPart of the broader Arras offensive, the Battle of Vimy Ridge began on the morning of April 9, 1917. The four-day battle was the first time all four divisions of the Canadian Corps fought together as one formation. The Canadian victory at Vimy Ridge is considered to be a defining moment for Canada.The Canadian...

[caption id="attachment_14864" align="alignnone" width="425"] PTSD: Beyond Trauma will air on the public broadcaster’s documentary program on Jan. 19 at 8 p.m.[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~A new documentary focusing on the impact of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) outside of military circles will make its world broadcast premier on CBC’s The Nature of Things this week.PTSD: Beyond Trauma will air on the public broadcaster’s documentary program on Jan. 19 at 8 p.m. The film is written and directed by award-winning Patrick Reed (Guantanamo’s Child: Omar Khadr and Fight Like Soldiers Die Like Children, Triage) and produced by the independent Canadian TV and film production company White Pine Pictures.His latest work covers such topics as the PTSD research and the search for a cure, new treatments available, patient recovery, the daily struggles of the diagnosed, and effects of PTSD-related medication.“Most Canadians have never gone to war or lived through genocide,” said Reed. “But many know people who struggle with traumatic memories, friends and family who often suffer in silence – whether out of guilt or a belief that PTSD somehow only affects the military or humanitarians, or other ‘exceptional’ people.”Reed admits to having a personal connection to the disease through a family member. His father was involved in a bus crash near Syracuse, N.Y., that killed four people. Both of Reed’s parents were riding in the bus, his mother recovered in time from her physical injuries, and his father was diagnosed with PTSD.  Eventually after seeking treatment his symptoms subsided.“PTSD hits more civilians than soldiers, and more women than men,” said Reed. “It manifests itself with a dizzying range of symptoms, from flashbacks and nightmares to aggression and depression.”One of the subjects in PTSD: Beyond Trauma is retired Canadian Armed Forces member Stephen O’Brien who did tours in Bosnia and Afghanistan and was...