News

[caption id="attachment_32390" align="alignnone" width="595"] Base Commander Captain (Navy) Jeffrey Hutchinson and Base Chief Petty Officer, Chief Petty Officer Al Darragh salute after laying a wreath at the Esquimalt Cenotaph on April 16, 2023. Photo: Corporal Tristan Walach, Canadian Armed Forces.[/caption] Peter Mallett, Staff Writer — The crew of HMCS Esquimalt and their family are in the thoughts and prayers of Victoria’s military community. A memorial service in the ship’s namesake city on Apr. 16 at Memorial Park paid tribute to the last Canadian warship lost in the Second World War and the 39 crew who died in the attack, 78 years to the day of the tragedy. “That HMCS Esquimalt went down within the view of Halifax reminds us the Second World War did not just happen over there,” said LCdr (ret’d) Gerry Pash. “Of the 24 Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) ships lost during the Second World War, 11 went down in went down in Canadian and Newfoundland waters and some in the St. Lawrence River, only a few hours’ drive from Quebec City.” Many of those serving on board the diesel-powered Bangor-class minesweeper were members of the Royal Canadian Navy Volunteer Reserve (RCNVR), emphasized Pash, the ceremony’s emcee. Esquimalt was on anti-submarine patrol, five miles off Chebucto Head on the morning of Apr. 16, 1945. The ship was struck by a torpedo fired from German Submarine U-190. The attack occurred just three weeks before the end of the war in Europe. ‘Many died of exposure’ An article on the website of the CFB Esquimalt Naval and Military Museum entitled Within Sight of Shore by historian Robert C. Fisher gives a gripping blow-by-blow account of the attack. The author recalls how “poor sonar conditions off Halifax made the detection of submerged or bottomed U-Boats difficult at the best of times.” Only 27 of the minesweeper’s 71 crew survived.  Lieutenant (Lt) Robert MacMillan of the RCNVR, Esquimalt’s Commanding Officer, had orders to carry out their patrol and then rendezvous with HMCS Sarnia off...

[caption id="attachment_32370" align="aligncenter" width="595"] HMCS Protecteur. Photo: Mass Communication Specialist Second Class Robert Stirrup on commons.wikimedia.org[/caption] Thomas Goenczi — Like many before me and many after me, I left the Royal Canadian Navy looking forward to the future ahead. My claim to infamy was being a crew member on HMCS Protecteur when the engine room fire occurred. All the training we received beforehand more than likely saved our lives. I am forever grateful for every member of that ship. After the soot settled, the rumblings began. The question, 'how close were we really to sinking to the bottom of the Pacific Ocean?' permeated everyone’s mind. The fire and the precipitating thoughts and emotions became a psychic time bomb for me. Tick. Tock. Every distraction under the sun was deployed; I even started university again to try to delay the inevitable. You bet it worked; I felt invincible; I mean, I just survived an engine room fire on a 45-year-old tanker, how could I not be inflated? Six months after getting home, I began experiencing serious symptoms of Crohn’s disease. My symptoms eventually went into remission, but it was merely the calm before the storm. Tick. Tock. Three years later, I slipped into one of the darkest times in my life. Boom. I experienced depression for months until I eventually mustered the fortitude to go to the base hospital and seek help. To this day, I believe it took me just as much courage to walk to the base hospital for my mental health as it was to be a crew member on the Protecteur. My faith constantly waxed and waned throughout counselling. There were days I didn’t think I would make it. Then, finally, I decided to voluntarily release and move to Tofino to decompress. I eventually came back to Victoria and completed my Master’s in Counselling. This led me to open a private practice, Well Then Therapy, in the hopes of helping active duty members and veterans deal with some...

[caption id="attachment_32369" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Allison Verley is all smiles with her silver medal at the 2022 Club Crew World Dragon Boat Championships in Sarasota, Florida this past August where Allison Verley medalled in the premier division, receiving gold in the 2,000m and silver in both the 200m and 500m.[/caption] Ashley Evans, Strategic Communications Officer, FMF CB/CS — A workforce member at Fleet Maintenance Facility Cape Breton (FMF CB) is vying for the National Dragon Boat Team selection this May. Allison Verley, Acting Project Leader for HMCS Winnipeg and a member of The Gorging Dragons, an elite paddling team that’s part of the Vancouver Island Paddling Club, says she looks forward to the busy training schedule. “Competing at the Club Crew World Champions (CCWC) (one of the premiere events of the International Dragon Boating Federation) requires training lifestyle, dedication to the team, and having your eyes on the prize,” she says, adding that the team must finish in the top seven nationwide to even have the opportunity to compete, which is often a very tall task in Canada. The team won gold while representing Canada in the 2022 CCWC last July, an accomplishment achieved after years of training and dedication. Verley first paddled with the Navy Dragon Anchors, established by Rear-Admiral Buck in 2001, from 2011-2013 before joining the Gorging Dragons. She would train approximately three hours per week, but since joining the high-performance racing team with the VI Paddling Club, her training hours have increased to six hours per week in the team setting and two in a small one-person outrigger canoe. There is also a gym component for strength training, which adds another few hours per week. Now, she is vying for the National Team selection, with an upcoming camp in Tampa Bay, Florida, and a final Team Canada selection camp in Montreal this May. She said representing Canada has been the most rewarding experience while on the team. “Wearing a maple leaf on my jersey, holding my national flag on...

[caption id="attachment_32368" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Cadets and a Junior Canadian Ranger from across B.C. take a helicopter trip to Mount Helmcken to visit a Canadian Coast Guard tower as part of a multi-agency exercise on March 30 off the coast of the Trial Islands. Photo supplied.[/caption] Lt(N) Andrea Kroeker, Unit Public Affairs Representative — An opportunity of a lifetime knocked on the doors of 11 cadets and one Junior Canadian Ranger (JCR) across B.C. this past week. The youth, all 16- to 18-year-olds, played victims of a simulated on-water incident as part of a week-long Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) Training Program off the coast of the Trial Islands. The cadets and JCR (CJCR) wore acting make-up and followed scripts while the CCG Fast Rescue Crafts or a U.S. Coast Guard vessel evacuated them back to Ogden Point in Victoria. The CJCRs enjoyed both the day on the water and learning how much communication is needed to facilitate this endeavour. The experience was eye-opening for these youth. The remainder of the week was just as informative. The group learned the many facets of the CCG while touring shops and interacting with the staff. While they saw the large red and white vessels that patrol the coast, the group also learned about many of the shore and support positions, such as IT specialists, electricians, carpenters, and metal fabricators that make all aids to navigation, radio towers and lighthouses. Many of these youth experienced their first helicopter ride ever when the CCG took them up to Mount Helmcken to see a radio communications tower; there, the group learned what happens during a malfunction or when maintenance is required. The radio towers receive and transmit data from the entire coast to centralized operators that control all traffic and relay the information to the necessary agencies. The group learned...

[caption id="attachment_32367" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Warrant Officer Dan Bodden of the Base’s Transition Centre rides his stationary bicycle during a fundraiser for Wounded Warriors Canada in February 2021. WO Bodden and Sergeant Mike Kotuk of CFB Trenton pedalled their bikes for 24 consecutive hours, logging 1,409 kilometres and raising close to $5,000 for mental health treatment and support programs for veterans and currently-serving members. Credit: Wounded Warriors Canada.[/caption] Peter Mallett, Staff Writer — Warrant Officer (WO) Dan Bodden will soon embark on an arduous, around-the-clock cycling marathon to nowhere. During a spin-a-thon fundraiser for Wounded Warriors Canada, WO Bodden will be permitted to take bathroom breaks and change his clothing. Everything else he does, including eating, will be done while the wheels of his bike are spinning. The CFB Esquimalt Search and Rescue Technician will pedal on his smart trainer for 24 hours on April 21, estimating he will cover approximately 500 km. WO Bodden does have a final destination in mind, knowing his efforts will provide needed funding and awareness for the national mental health non-profit. “I want to continue to demonstrate that sports and all physical activity exercise our minds as well as bodies,” he said. “The other reason I am putting myself out there to people in our community and across the country is because Wounded Warriors Canada is a cause I feel very strongly about.” WO Bodden currently works remotely with the Directorate of Dive Safety via National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa. He has set a fundraising target of $5,000. The monies he raises will also serve as his fundraising requirement to participate in Wounded Warriors Canada’s annual 2023 Battlefield Bike Ride (BBR) in Italy. It takes current and former military members to some of Europe’s most famous battle sites, war memorials and cemeteries. This year, on June 11-17, WO...

[caption id="attachment_32366" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Sophie, a Grade 5 student from Glenlyon Norfolk School, shows off a knot she tied during her visit to Naval Fleet School (Pacific), Apr. 5. Photo: Peter Mallett/Lookout.[/caption] Peter Mallett, Staff Writer — Five Grade 5 students from Glenlyon Norfolk School joined the Naval Fleet School (Pacific) Campus Support team on April 5 to learn the tricks of the trade, specifically  the art of tying knots. The visit to CFB Esquimalt helped the students in their How the World Works unit of study, which involves re-using common household items and materials into sustainable use products, including rope and knots. “It was really neat to learn all these knotting techniques and seeing how you use them in everyday life in the Navy,” said Juliet, one of the students. The students and their teacher were very impressed with what they had learned during their first-ever visit to a military base. Juliet’s classmate Kayci was also excited to learn. “The knotting techniques are very important for the right jobs,” Kayci said. “If you persevere, you can master them.” The students were welcomed by Lieutenant (Navy) Ellery Down, a Naval Warfare Officer who manages the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) Sail program, and his assistant Chief Petty Officer Second Class (CPO2) (ret’d) John Haggis. Both served as the student’s instructors for their two-hour visit. The importance of rope work in a sailor’s daily life is fast becoming a lost art in the RCN, Lt(N) Down said. “The use of lines and the need for every sailor to know how to tie lots of knots has been reduced significantly since the end of the ‘Age of Sail,’” Lt(N) Down says. “Now, the only ones who really need to know knot tying are Boatswains, however onboard sailboats there will always be a need for all crew members to tie knots of various types.” Lt(N) Down explained to the students the most prominent of all knots onboard an RCN warship – the bowline knot, used to...

[caption id="attachment_32357" align="aligncenter" width="595"] (L–R) Commander (Cdr) Vincent Pellerin, incoming Commanding Officer of HMCS Winnipeg; Commodore David Mazur, Commanding Officer Canadian Fleet Pacific; Cdr Annick Fortin, outgoing Commanding Officer of HMCS Winnipeg during a Change of Command Ceremony held April 4.[/caption] Lt(N) Lyann Murdock-Finegold, HMCS Winnipeg — On April 4, HMCS Winnipeg held a Change of Command Ceremony. The crew thanked Commander (Cdr) Annick Fortin for her tireless work during the past year as Winnipeg’s captain and welcomed Cdr Vincent Pellerin to the helm. Cdr Fortin expressed her gratitude to the ship’s company for empowering each other and looking after one another to enable Winnipeg’s force employment and force generation.  Knowing that HMCS Winnipeg will be the first experience with sailing for many new members entering the Royal Canadian Navy, Cdr Vincent Pellerin is looking forward to training new young sailors and vows to support Winnipeg and the  crew in all respects continuously.

[caption id="attachment_32354" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Royal Canadian Navy Operation Caribbe 2023. Photo: Sailor First Class Heather Van Manen[/caption] MARPAC — His Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Edmonton crew cooperated with the United States Coast Guard on an emergency sea turtle rescue while deployed on Operation Caribbe in the Eastern Pacific. The rescue occurred in the mid-morning hours of March 14 after the ship’s lookout – Sailor Second Class (S2) Bridget Erdmann – spotted a suspicious floating object during counter-narcotics patrols. S2 Erdmann wasted no time informing the ship’s officer of the watch, who manoeuvered the ship toward the object for closer inspection.  Edmonton then dispatched a small boat to investigate the object further for contraband and quickly determined the object to be an abandoned fishing buoy. Shortly thereafter, the boat’s crew discovered a distressed sea turtle entangled in the buoy’s gear. “As we were about to pull away we saw this big shell emerge, and, [realizing it was a turtle], immediately set to work cutting away the lines,” remarked Sailor First Class (S1) Evan Nevidomsky – the boat’s coxswain. “A whole bunch of fishing line was caught around its neck and flippers. It was a thick line too, so it took a while.” As S1 Nevidomsky held the boat in position alongside the float, two United States Coast Guard started cutting away nets and lines from the distressed creature. They successfully freed the turtle after a ten-minute effort. Abandoned fishing gear poses a constant threat to marine animals, and similar wildlife rescues are routinely conducted around the globe during Royal Canadian Navy operations. HMCS Edmonton conducted similar rescues in November 2018 during the ship’s last Operation Caribbe deployment, and crewmembers from HMCS Calgary made a similar sea turtle rescue during drug interdiction operations off the coast of Oman in May 2021. HMCS Edmonton...

Kateryna Bandura, Editor — Seven sailors from HMCS Vancouver conducted a namesake city visit March 2-3. The visit allowed members to share their experiences with Vancouverites during the ship’s previous year’s six-month deployment to the Indo-Pacific. Lieutenant (Navy) Sean Ritchie, Vancouver’s Unit Public Affairs Representative, says trips such as this one are important in building [...]

SISIP — Last week, you met some of your SISIP Financial Advisors. This week, we want to introduce you to the rest of the team. We all play an integral role in what we offer: providing tailored advice and product solutions that enhance the financial health and security of all members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) communities and their families. Chris Fraser Our Insurance Expert, Chris helps all CAF members understand if and how much life insurance they need, given their specific personal and financial circumstances. In addition to 17 years at TD Canada Trust Bank and eight years at SISIP, Chris has a B.Comm specializing in finance from the University of Calgary. His lengthy career in financial services places him in the unique position to refer his clients to other subject matter experts as needed. Chris is a married father of two teenage daughters and two cats. When he's not attending his daughters’ dance performances, you can find him working on his latest DIY project, hiking or relaxing with an NFL football game. Craig York Our Financial Counselling Expert with over eight years as a Financial Counsellor and 10+ years in financial services. In 2017, Craig was named Credit Counsellor of the Year as the recipient of the Exceptional Service Award from Credit Counselling Canada. His background in banking as a mortgage specialist, financial advisor and branch supervisor gives him that extra depth of experience and insight, making him so effective in his job. Extremely passionate about financial literacy, he is relatable and makes any complex topic easy to understand. Born and raised on Vancouver Island, Craig is a UVic alumnus and understands the financial challenges of living here. He spends his spare time with his two young children, reading or watching basketball. Erin Harwood and Helena Shelton And finally, your first contact with SISIP Financial in Esquimalt will be with Erin Harwood or Helena Shelton. Together, these two will address all your web inquiries, book all your meetings,...

[caption id="attachment_32328" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Members of Naval Reserve Unit HMCS Malahat showcase the benefits of a career in the Royal Canadian Navy to students at Camosun College Interurban Campus.[/caption] Peter Mallett, Staff Writer — For Master Sailor (MS) Ford Miller, a visit to the Camosun College in Saanich was nothing short of a homecoming.  “We are here to showcase job opportunities and the advantages of a career in the Canadian Armed Forces,” MS Miller, a cook with HMC Submarine Corner Brook, said. “You can see the world, have an exciting career and still provide for your family, put food on the table and that is so important to many people in today’s economic climate.” Dressed in full CADPAT uniforms, MS Miller and four other cooks from the Base Foods team, along with members from the Naval Reserve Unit HMCS Malahat, met with the Camosun College’s Culinary Arts program cooks and chefs on March 29. MS Miller said his culinary career had come full circle with this visit. He graduated as a Level 1 Culinary Arts student from Camosun about eight years ago. He worked briefly in the restaurant industry in Victoria before joining the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). MS Miller admitted he had a slightly ‘surreal’ feeling being back on campus for the first time. He says it was also a proud moment to address the students and faculty at his alma mater. The team delivered a 20-minute presentation to approximately 30 students and faculty. They explained the perks of working as culinary staff in the Royal Canadian Navy, which include job stability, signing bonuses, competitive salary, full benefits, and a chance to see the world, among many others. The team also showcased its Mobile Kitchen Trailer (MKT) towed by a Medium Support Vehicle System (MSVS) military truck. The outreach is part of a solution to address the personnel shortage across CAF, says Petty Officer First Class (PO1) David Manryk, Galley Manager of Nelles Block. “The MKT is a good thing for us...

LCdr James Cantafio, Training Division Officer, Naval Fleet School Quebec — Situated on the banks of the historic Saint Lawrence River in scenic Old Quebec, Naval Fleet School (Quebec)(NFS(Q)) continues to support Naval operations and Intelligence capability for the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) and Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) at large. The Basic Intelligence Officer Course (BIOC) is offered by the Canadian Forces School of Military Intelligence (CFSMI) in Kingston, Ont. The naval course is delivered at NFS(Q), at the Achille Pettigrew Building at Pointe-à-Carcy in Port of Quebec. The most recent course began in October 2022, and students graduated in March 2023. As witnessed by growing global tensions and increasing demand for intelligence capability, the BIOC remains essential. This course prepares junior officers to fill various intelligence-related roles and functions within the Naval Reserve, the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN), and the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF).     The BIOC aims to generate Intelligence Officers (Int O) who can perform the duties within their designated environment or in joint staff positions; the course essentially prepares junior Intelligence Officers to support both naval and CAF operations. The Int O must be a well-informed specialist, capable of supervising and producing various intelligence products and services, as required by land, naval and air commanders for the successful execution of a myriad of domestic and international missions. Int O training is therefore designed to provide the CAF with capable personnel. BIOC Graduates will pursue on-the-job (OJT) and/or regenerative training (RTR). Local mentoring and leadership are offered at their home units to complete their formal training requirements to prepare qualified members to operate in a changing operational environment. Instructor-student interaction is critical to competency development for BIOC students. Candidates are generally a mix of both Regular Force and Primary Reservists. Typically, more seats are open to reservists during...

Peter Mallett, Staff Writer — Base Logistics (BLOG) team members are giving rave reviews following a five-day Adventure Training exercise in B.C.’s Sea to Sky region. Eighteen military personnel and two DND civilian employees participated in Exercise Frozen Narwhal, a winter-themed training exercise from Feb. 27-March 3 in the snow-covered mountains and valleys of Whistler’s backcountry and surrounding area. “Our mission intended to provide an exhilarating and enjoyable exercise that also challenges the team while developing basic and advanced soldier skills,” said Sergeant (Sgt) Dave Newman of BLOG, who works as a Supervisor of Vehicle Maintenance at Work Point. “We pushed our limits and left with a perfect sense of camaraderie and self-esteem.” Adventure training is open to all Canadian Armed Forces members. It aims to enhance physical fitness, endurance and morale, to inspire leadership, and to test individual and group abilities under challenging conditions. The participants were housed in a dormitory of the Whistler Athletics Centre. Their daytime hikes and outdoor adventures took them to locations close to Whistler and further afield, including Squamish, Garibaldi Provincial Park and Duffey Lake. Corporal (Cpl) Emily Barnard of BLOG’s SMP section says BLOG’s trip to Whistler was the first time her unit had conducted Adventure Training in over 12 years. She hopes their latest adventure isn’t soon forgotten. “Hopefully, this starts a trend of continued adventure training endeavors for Base Logistics as most of the participants now truly believe this activity can be a key to unit success,” she said. Josh Barnswell, a civilian employee who works as a stores person at CFB Esquimalt’s warehouse Colwood 66, said one of his biggest personal challenges to overcome during the exercise was losing his fear of trying new activities such as ice climbing. “I tend to doubt myself sometimes, so I was trying to enjoy the experience as best I could. I ended up having an amazing time,” Barnswell said. Their activities included hiking, ice climbing, snowshoeing to the summit of Mount Tusk (a dormant volcano)...

[caption id="attachment_32315" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Members of the CISM soccer team assemble for a training camp photo at the Gorge Soccer Association, March 30. Photo: Peter Mallett/Lookout[/caption] Peter Mallett, Staff Writer — Following a host of delays, cancellations, and shutdowns due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Canada’s Conseil International de Sport Militaire (CISM) World Military Games soccer team finally returned to the field with a training camp in Victoria. Twenty-six military soccer players and nine coaching and support staff from military bases across Canada were reunited for the first time in over three years at their camp at CFB Esquimalt, March 27 to 31. Lieutenant-Colonel (LCol) Marcelo Plada, Head Coach, says the training camp marked a turning point for his team and its development since there is no substitute for in-person training sessions and games. “We have been introducing our players to the main pillars of our program where we emphasize mental performance, strength and conditioning, and everything has gone extremely well,” he said. “What we are giving back to the players is an idea of where they stand in terms of rankings and their chances of making this team.” LCol Plada says he could meet with his players only virtually and set strength and conditioning goals online. The training camp also served as a selection camp for upcoming competitions The team is preparing to compete on the world stage at the CISM World Military Games and World Football Trophy. Both competitions could be held as early as next year, but scheduling details surrounding both competitions have yet to be finalized. LCol Plada, a Weapons System Manager and a nationally-accredited A-License Coach, says he is well aware of the challenge his players will face on the field against more experienced opposition. “Many of the teams we will face have compulsory military service, meaning our players will compete against professional or elite-level experience.," he said. To help prepare better, LCol Plada and his coaching staff focused on developing mobility and mental performance, and conducted strength...

SISIP — At SISIP Financial, we have served the military community for over 50 years. We specialize in helping you set financial goals that align with your military life stage, providing advice and solutions for your investments and insurance. We also offer confidential support and financial counselling to help you achieve financial security when handling finances becomes stressful. Over the next two weeks, you will meet your Esquimalt SISIP team. You may have seen them on base or walked by them in the CANEX building. This week, we want to introduce you to our three Financial Advisors: Spencer, Shannon, and Jonathan. [caption id="attachment_32280" align="aligncenter" width="446"] Spencer Elliot[/caption] Spencer Elliot Spencer Elliot has been a registered Financial Planner since 2015 at CIBC Imperial Service and later with Scotia Wealth. He specializes in later career planning. A graduate of McMaster University with a Bachelor of Arts (Economics), he also has a Personal Finance Planning designation. Spencer has an innate understanding of complex financial situations and takes a systematic quantitative and qualitative approach with his clients. When he is not focused on getting you to your end game, he is out climbing, hiking or camping. He has run 16 half marathons and hopes to do his first full marathon in October. He also loves reading and going to pubs. [caption id="attachment_32279" align="aligncenter" width="476"] Shannon Childs[/caption] Shannon Childs As a military spouse, Shannon Childs has firsthand knowledge of military culture and the unique challenges military families may face. Shannon spent 16 years at SISIP and over 18 years in finance and has her Personal Financial Planning designation and a strong accounting background, which makes her financial planning approach very robust. Shannon prefers in-person engagements and is quick to share her incredible knowledge of military resources and tips on everyday life. In her free time, you can find Shannon hiking with her two boys and exploring all the island has to offer. [caption id="attachment_32278" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Jonathan Mar[/caption] Jonathan Mar Jonathan Mar was born and...

Peter Mallett, Staff Writer — A retired naval commander continues his quest to unlock the mystery surrounding a 100-year-old Royal Navy (RN) ceremonial sword in his family’s possession. Commander (ret’d) Tim Addison, Vice President of the Naval Association of Canada, says the sword belonged to RN admiralty at one point. “The sword represents 60 years of consecutive service in the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) for myself and my father,” says the 68-year-old Ottawa resident. “The fact that we both carried it on parade at various times during our careers makes it especially cherished for me.” Addison was born in Victoria, and served in the RCN from 1972 to 2006 as a ship’s navigator, training officer, squadron staff officer and then Executive Officer of HMCS Huron and HMCS Toronto. He also worked at National Defence Headquarters. His curiosity surrounding the story of the sword began to mount long before his 34-year naval career ended. “It’s both the history of the sword and the mystery of its original ownership that I find most intriguing,” Addison says. “Most records, to my knowledge, for the sale of swords made before the Second World War literally went up in smoke [during the Battle of Britain bombings], so I can’t figure out who owned it.” Lieutenant-Commander (LCdr) (ret'd) Herb T. Addison, Tim’s father, passed the sword down following retirement as LCdr in 1975. Herb served in the RCN starting in 1946 and held posts as Executive Officer of HMCS Jonquiere and HMCS New Glasgow. He passed away in 2002. Herb had purchased the sword from a junior RN officer for £15 (CAD$25) sometime between 1947 and 1950 as he attended officer training courses in the United Kingdom. The RN officer was the son of a RN Admiral who served in the Second World War. [caption id="attachment_32275" align="aligncenter" width="595"] 1989 Fleet School[/caption] “The sword is now an Addison family heirloom,” said Tim. “I’d love to find out who the original first owner was, what their history in the...

For five years, Smithston in Greenock, Scotland, flew under the flag of the RCN. From 1941-1946, working out of the former Smithston Poorhouse and Asylum, around 20 RCN officers and staff administered 3,000 Canadian sailors and 100 Canadian Wrens (members of the Women’s Royal Canadian Naval Service).

[caption id="attachment_32264" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Esquimalt Tritons Womens Hockey Team[/caption] Peter Mallett, Staff Writer — The Esquimalt Tritons Women’s Hockey team remains upbeat about the silver linings of a memorable season. The team was eliminated in the semi-final round of the Canadian Armed Forces Women’s Hockey Championship, March 21-25, following a 2-0 loss to hosts and tournament champion, 8 Wing Trenton. “Despite the loss, I’m incredibly proud of this team because we fought hard and never gave up,” said Master Sailor (MS) Roseline Clark of HMCS Vancouver, defender and Assistant Captain. One of the most glittering silver linings for the season was the team’s 3-2 come-from-behind win over their Maritime Forces Atlantic rivals CFB Halifax to close out the round-robin phase of the tournament on March 23. [caption id="attachment_32265" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Some dramatic action by the Tritons on the ice[/caption] “We knew once we got on the scoreboard, we would gain momentum to score more goals against Halifax,” MS Clark said. “We needed that win and beating Halifax was a huge morale booster.” A convincing performance at the Canada West Regionals tournament buoyed the Tritons’ optimism heading into the tournament. The team went undefeated in Winnipeg and outscored the opposition 42-4 over four games. In the women’s semi-final clash in Trenton, Sergeant (Sgt) Heather Weaver of 8 Wing scored what proved to be the winner for the hosts midway through the second period. The Tritons opened the tournament with a 5-0 loss to Trenton, followed by a 7-0 loss to Valcartier. Trenton went on to defeat Halifax 2-1 in the championship game and capture this year’s women’s hockey crown.  MS Clark says some of the Tritons’ standouts on the ice this season included their top line of forwards: Acting Sub-Lieutenant (A/SLt) Kayla LeTouzel, A/SLt Frédérique Gauthier, and Captain (Capt) Amanda Lauder. The trio scored all three goals in the victory over Halifax. The team also got some big help from several pick-up players from other bases in Canada West that MS Clark says...

[caption id="attachment_32258" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Military members battle for position during a two-day Grappling Camp at the Naden Athletic Centre on March 23. Credit: Peter Mallett/Lookout[/caption] Peter Mallett, Staff Writer — Any casual observer who happened to stop by the upper gymnasium of the Naden Athletic Centre (NAC) on March 23-24 might have thought a Greco-Roman wrestling competition was underway. With accelerated heart rates and sweat dripping from every pore, 30 athletes from Esquimalt put their bodies to the ultimate test during a two-day Grappling Development Camp at the NAC. As music blasts from a giant tower speaker, 15 pairs of combatants sparred during an afternoon session. Their endurance, mental strength and every muscle were pushed to the limit as each tried to get the upper hand on their opponent while practicing their best head and arm locks, holds, submissions and takedowns. “It’s all about giving each competitor a full-body workout, letting them battle it out and applying their knowledge of what they have learned,” explains Petty Officer Second Class (PO2) Lee Thibault, organizer. [caption id="attachment_32257" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Military members battle for position during a two-day Grappling Camp at the Naden Athletic Centre on March 23. Credit: Peter Mallett/Lookout[/caption] The athletes were preparing for the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF)-sanctioned competition titled Military Combatives, where grapplers across the CAF compete in regional and national competitions for the first time. PO2 Thibault, a Small Arms Instructor at Naval Fleet School Pacific and a five-time CAF Combatives champion, has been a tireless promoter of the sport for several years. Grappling is a form of submission wrestling and involves holds and takedowns without striking or punches. Every takedown is achieved by controlling the opponent into submission to score points. The equipment needed to participate is only gym shorts and a t-shirt. PO2 Thibault helped form the Esquimalt Tritons Grappling team in 2019 after Military Combatives was officially sanctioned as a sport by Personnel Support Programs (PSP). Slowly but surely, he says, the sport he loves is gaining...

[caption id="attachment_32252" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Battle of the Atlantic: Gauntlet to Victory author, Ted Barris[/caption] LCdr (ret’d) Paul Seguna — Award-winning author Ted Barris visited the CFB Esquimalt Naval & Military Museum the week of March 20-24 to present his latest book. The dynamic and informative presentation was a lead-up to the annual commemoration of the loss of HMCS Esquimalt on April 16 and the Battle of the Atlantic in May. Ted’s latest title focused on Canadian military history – Battle of the Atlantic: Gauntlet to Victory – details the strategic overview and tactical aspects of this longest battle of the Second World War while telling the personal stories of those who experienced it. [caption id="attachment_32251" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Battle of the Atlantic: Gauntlet to Victory, book by Ted Barris[/caption] Ted toured the museum’s Battle of the Atlantic gallery in the company of one of the few remaining veterans of that epic conflict: Commander (ret’d) Peter Chance, after whom the gallery is named. Remarking on Peter’s wartime reminiscences, Ted underlined his focus on relating the individual experiences of war as something of critical importance, to which Peter responded with the succinct answer, ‘damn good!’. Ted presented the topic of his book to a full room at the museum on Friday. The attendees represented a broad spectrum of those interested in Canadian naval history. Acting Sub-Lieutenant (A/SLt) Max Lucas, new to the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) and currently undergoing training at HMCS Venture, said the presentation was ‘excellent’. [caption id="attachment_32254" align="alignnone" width="595"] Author, Ted Barris addresses an audience during his last visit[/caption] “His knowledge and enthusiasm for the topic were unmistakable as he invited the audience into the lives of the men and women who lived through one of the most brutal and consequential events of the Second World War – The Battle of the Atlantic,” A/SLt Lucas said. He attended with a personal interest in the topic as his grandfather served in the RCN during the Battle of the Atlantic. “I believe the individual stories that...

[caption id="attachment_32236" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Under the supervision of Lieutenant-Commander (LCdr) David Canning, CSC Project Director (DNMCP), MARPAC sailors familiarize themselves with the layout of the proposed Canadian Surface Combatant (CSC) bridge design. Left to right: Sailor First Class (S1) Nicholas Campbell, S1 Isaac Priyanthan, (Obscured), Sailor Second Class Daniel Yaretz, and Lieutenant (Navy) Aidan De Boer.[/caption] Michael McWhinnie, Public Affairs Advisor, NPTG — By definition 'the future' is something that will never arrive. It is a term that evokes a sense of abstraction and of fantastical things that exist primarily in our imagination. And so it must have seemed to senior naval leadership as they used the term 'future fleet' during the first decade of the current millennium, when discussing the eventual and inevitable replacement to the Iroquois-class destroyers and the current workhorse of the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) - the Halifax-class frigates. It’s only natural. With a planning horizon in excess of 25 years, none of those who initiated the Canadian Surface Combatant (CSC) programme could have reasonably expected to be in uniform to see those vessels enter service. And so it remained for the majority of RCN personnel. As the years have passed, CSC has continued to be a distant and abstract idea. Until recently, when a select group of sailors and officers stepped foot on the bridge of a Canadian Type 26 frigate (albeit a full-scale replica) for the first time. “You could sense the excitement amongst the participants,” observed Lieutenant-Commander (LCdr) David Canning, organizer. “For most, it was the first time they encountered anything tangible connected to the CSC design process. Their eagerness to serve aboard this fast-approaching class of warship was evident.” [caption id="attachment_32238" align="aligncenter" width="595"] During the week of Mar. 6, LCdr David Canning led a Bridge Design Validation exercise at the Nixon Building, Work Point. Supported by a team of Department of National Defence managers, Canadian Armed Forces personnel and Defence Industry representatives, the exercise allowed MARPAC sailors to provide feedback as they...

Paul Seguna, Royal United Services Institute Vancouver Island — Rear-Admiral (RAdm) Chris Robinson, Commander Maritime Forces Pacific, attended the monthly Royal United Services Institute – Vancouver Island (RUSI-VI) luncheon at the Bay Street Armoury on March 8, during which he presented on: The RCN in the Indo Pacific Operations Overview. RAdm Robinson provided the audience of 46 RUSI-VI members – collectively representing hundreds of years of defence and security experience in its ranks – with a comprehensive overview of the Royal Canadian Navy’s operations in the Indo-Pacific region. He also discussed key considerations related to the Navy’s role in supporting Canada’s recently announced Indo-Pacific Strategy for the region. [caption id="attachment_32233" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Rear-Admiral Chris Robinson, Commander Maritime Forces Pacific, addresses the Royal United Services Institute – Vancouver Island. Photo: Lieutenant-Commander (ret’d) Paul Seguna, RUSI-VI[/caption] His presentation was very well-received by the audience, given the current and future importance of the region to Canadian interests. The presentation is part of the Royal Canadian Navy’s ongoing outreach efforts to inform the Canadian public of the Navy’s activities and the importance of maritime security to our national well-being. RUSI-VI, an independent, non-partisan, and non-profit organization, is one of many Canadian and Commonwealth Royal United Services Institute branches. Members include retired and serving members, in all ranks, from the Branches and Elements of the Canadian Armed Forces, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and other police forces, and members of the general public interested in defence and security matters. Monthly luncheon meetings, periodic webinars, and special events with speakers addressing the broad spectrum of defence and security-related issues are held to inform and promote discussion and engagement in these issues.

“Our intention is to house as many military members and their families as possible; our team is confident we can make positive impact during this housing crisis.” ~Lisa Church, Community Engagement/ Housing Manager, Esquimalt MFRC The Community Engagement Team is happy to announce the Esquimalt MFRC Housing Support Services Program. Due to the current housing shortage on Vancouver Island reaching a crisis point, our team is eager to begin sourcing housing for military members and their families.    [caption id="attachment_32230" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Do you have space to rent? Support the CAF and consider a military / family member! We are looking for houses, condos, apartments, suites, townhouses and homestays! Please send an email to housingsupport@emfrc.com[/caption] What is the intention of the new program? To locate affordable housing options for Military Members and their families. What is the process? Stay tuned for updates and announcements on the EMFRC social media platforms. Landlords interested in renting to a military member can email housingsupport@emfrc.com. The Community Engagement Team will forward an intake form to any interested landlords, who will then forward the completed intake form to the housing support email (above). The data is compiled, and a connection is made with a suitable military/family member. Military/family members looking for housing options will also complete an intake form and send it to housingsupport@emfrc.com. The intake forms are specifically designed to help make that ideal connection! What type of housing options will be targeted? We are looking for many housing options as everyone’s needs are different. We hope to secure houses, condos, apartments, suites, townhouses and homestays. What is a homestay? A homestay is a family home offering up a bedroom for rent. This could be beneficial as a stepping stone until more private housing can be secured.   [caption id="attachment_32229" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Are you Military / Family Member looking for housing? The Esquimalt MFRC Housing Support Services Team Can Help! Please send an email to housingsupport@emfrc.com[/caption] The Landlord will decide what they offer, such as: Furnished/not...

[caption id="attachment_32226" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Chief Petty Officer First Class Gilles Grégoire, Canadian Armed Forces Chief Warrant Officer, and General Wayne Eyre, Chief of Defence Staff, present a Command Commendation Award to Chief Petty Officer First Class (ret’d) Mark Anthony Chambers at MARPAC Headquarters, March 15.[/caption]   [caption id="attachment_32225" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Chief Petty Officer First Class Gilles Grégoire, Canadian Armed Forces Chief Warrant Officer, and General Wayne Eyre, Chief of Defence Staff, present a Command Commendation Award to Lieutenant-Commander (ret’d) Chris Maier at MARPAC Headquarters, March 15. Photos: Peter Mallett/Lookout[/caption] Peter MallettStaff Writer — Two recently-retired Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) members are the latest recipients of a Command Commendation by General (Gen) Wayne Eyre, Chief of Defence Staff. Gen.Eyre was on-hand at Maritime Forces Pacific (MARPAC) HQ on March 15 to personally recognize and thank Lieutenant-Commander (ret’d) Chris Maier, formerly of Naval Fleet School Pacific, and Chief Petty Officer First Class (CPO1) (ret’d) Mark Anthony Chambers, a former Coxswain of HMCS Calgary. “You are both being recognized today for the importance of what you have accomplished here and your time-consuming work,” Gen. Eyre said after presenting the awards. The Chief of Defence Staff Commendation recognizes activities and accomplishments beyond the demands of regular duty. It includes a signed certificate or scroll and a gold bar insignia bearing three maple leaves to be worn by serving members in their uniform. Mark Anthony Chambers Chambers retired in May 2022 after serving 33 years in the RCN. Gen. Eyre credits Chambers for his ‘strategic outlook and exemplary efforts’ that directly contributed to Calgary’s record-breaking drug seizures during their counter-terrorism, maritime security and global security operations. “A remarkable leader, CPO1 Chambers enhanced the cohesion of the crew during the unique challenges presented throughout the deployment and fostered a culture that furthered Calgary’s global strategic impact,” Gen. Eyre said. Chambers was Calgary’s Coxswain from February to August 2021, while the Halifax-class frigate was deployed to the Indo-Pacific region. During the drug-seizing efforts in Operation Artemis, the ship...

The team of 39 divers from Canada and four other nations arrived at Lake Sheridan on March 6 to challenge their extreme cold-weather diving skills. The training was part of ICEDIVEX 23, a five-day training exercise led by the Fleet Diving Unit (Pacific) (FDU(P)).

Spencer Elliot, BA PFP, SISIP Financial – Financial Planner — Saving for your future is beneficial in theory yet daunting in practice. Starting somewhere is important. Below are two popular savings ‘vehicles’ intended for long-term savings: Registered Savings Plan (RSP) The Registered Savings Plan (RSP) is a tax-deferred investment account that allows you to grow your investments tax-free. You reduce your income tax by the amount you contribute to your RSP, likely receiving a tax credit at the beginning of the year. If you withdraw an amount from the RSP, either before or at retirement, that amount becomes taxable. Your goal should be to contribute to the RSP when your income is high and withdraw when your income is low (such as during retirement), as you will be in a lower tax bracket and will not get taxed as much on it, if at all. You can also invest your RSP in mutual funds, the Global Industry Classification Standard, and savings. Consult with your financial planner for the best option for you. Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) The Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) is an investment account that complements an RSP and pension, but it can be beneficial for saving for large purchases like a down payment for a house. It is not a tax-deferred account or a savings account, but you still get tax-free growth, and withdrawals are not taxable. Many retirees use this type of account for emergencies as accessing it will not affect their overall income tax payable at the end of the year. Your financial situation should dictate which investment account to use, but most Canadians should take advantage of both savings plans. A financial plan will maximize not only your savings but your after-tax income at retirement. Visit SISIP Financial to speak to one of our advisors. We are here to help you create budgets, develop a solid plan and stay on track to make your goals a reality. We are located in the CANEX Building and by phone...

[caption id="attachment_32201" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Silvio Barbon, Instrument Technician at FMFCB, works with 84mm Carl Gustaf Recoilless rifle sights for the Canadian Armed Forces. Photo: Ashley Evans, FMFCB.[/caption] Ashley Evans, Strategic Communications Officer, FMF CB/CS — You may have wondered why a particular yellow door at the Fleet Maintenance Facility (FMF) Cape Breton (CB) is always closed. What exactly goes on behind those large doors right before the Electronics Shop on the left-hand side of the main walkway through the production floor in D250? Well, the door leads to the Instrument Shop, and behind it – Silvio Barbon, Instrument Technician from Shop 161, recently worked on a project for the Army. This project saw him convert 84mm Carl Gustaf Recoilless rifle sights from one National Stock Number to another, upgrading their capability. The project requires a dust-free environment to service and repair optical instruments. If dust enters the reticle (the spot where your eye focuses), it obscures the view. The reticle must be clean to allow a clear image and the maximum amount of light through the device. Hence, the big yellow door remained ever-closed. Barbon used the C1 Open collimator, an optical tool used to set the focus of an optical scope to a specified distance, to set the focus and eliminate parallax (displacement or difference in the apparent position of an object) before repairing, cleaning, and testing the product. Simon Higgins, Shop 161 Work Center Supervisor, said the most rewarding part of this project was knowing some sights may end up in Ukraine. “The most challenging part,” Higgins said, “was getting the focus right, with no parallax, and setting center after mounting.” This project averages approximately 100 hours of work for an outturn of about 30 sights conversion, repair, testing, and packaging. Shop 161 completed this project with the help of FMF Group 7, responsible for material acquisition, procurement, and supply, who brought in the items for repair and then returned them to the national supply system. The FMF Cape Breton...

[caption id="attachment_32198" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Nigel Brodeur presents during the unveiling of the Naval Monument.[/caption] CFB Esquimalt Naval and Military Museum — One Canadian family has the special distinction of having three successive generations hold positions of key significance to Canada’s Navy. That family is the Brodeurs, whose members – Louis Philippe Brodeur; his son, Victor Gabriel Brodeur; and Victor Gabriel Brodeur’s son, Nigel Brodeur – constitute a true Canadian naval dynasty. To celebrate the achievements and contributions of the Brodeurs to the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) and Canada as a nation, the CFB Esquimalt Naval and Military Museum has launched an online exhibit on its website. The online display features a comprehensive gallery of personal photos from the Brodeurs’ history – some never before seen outside family circles – as well as photos that document their professional and career firsts and achievements. The text was written for the museum by Dr. Richard Gimblett, the former Command Historian for the Royal Canadian Navy. In it, he captures the pivotal roles played by all three members of the Brodeur family in the development of a navy made in and for Canada. Together, the three generations of the Brodeurs have been highly important and influential, with their consecutive achievements spanning most of the first century of the Royal Canadian Navy. Each generation has a part in the RCN’s growth and direction: Louis Philippe Brodeur, who was Prime Minister Wilfrid Laurier’s first Minister of the Naval Service, brought the RCN into being and laid the groundwork for Canada’s organization of its naval defence; His son, Victor Gabriel Brodeur, was in the very first cadre of naval cadets to join the service in 1909. He served at sea and ashore through the two World Wars and rose to become the first Franco-Canadien to make flag rank;...

[caption id="attachment_32195" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Acting Sub Lieutenant (A/SLt) Damian McCracken (third from left) poses for a selfie with Chilean Navy counterparts during his exchange.[/caption] A/SLt Damian McCracken — Recently, a longstanding exchange has resumed after it was paused during the pandemic; several Naval Warfare Officer (NWO) students at HMCS Venture have had the opportunity to sail with the Chilean Armada. Earlier this year, I was lucky to be on one of these exchanges where, for three weeks, I learned as much as I could from the Chilean sailors and officers. I arrived at Punta Arenas, at the southernmost tip of South America, with few expectations. I hoped to improve my coastal navigation and general watchkeeping skills since the area was considered geographically challenging. I learned a lot in this regard, but the most significant benefit of my trip for me may have been the exposure to a navy that is both very similar to and different from ours. The Chilean Armada, like the Royal Canadian Navy, has strong British roots. Many of their traditions descend from the Royal Navy, and their shipboard life is quite similar to ours. However, the overall organization of the Armada is quite different. They fulfill the role of the Navy and the Coast Guard; sovereignty, hydrographic surveys, Search and Rescue, and even the maintenance of aids to navigation are all responsibilities of the Armada. Their size reflects this broad jurisdiction, as the Armada has over 25,000 personnel. Many of their members are posted long-term to remote bases, which have particular functions. For example, I visited a naval base on Isla Dawson, which existed primarily to dispose of munitions. Over 100 personnel lived there full-time with their families. It takes consistent resupplies from ships in the Naval Zone to keep these bases running. Chile has built many...

[caption id="attachment_32191" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Sailor First Class (S1) Anna Cocquyt stands next to the ship's bell of HMCS Max Bernays, which proudly bears the bell rope she created.[/caption] Lt(N) Anastasiya Karakoy, UPAR, HMCS Max Bernays — From the outside looking in, service in the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) may appear highly regimented, with little room for creativity. However, the uniformity of military life often eases to allow for the creation of some truly remarkable artwork in support of naval tradition, which in turn forms a piece integral to the identity of the RCN. A streak of artistic creativity recently appeared onboard HMCS Max Bernays through the artwork of crewmember Sailor First Class (S1) Anna Cocquyt. S1 Cocquyt is currently a Boatswain onboard HMCS Max Bernays, Canada’s newest Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ship (AOPS). The ship needed a decorative rope created for its ceremonial bell, and S1 Cocquyt jumped on the opportunity. “Something that has surprised me when I joined the Navy was how much the military celebrates the arts,” she said, commenting that the military encourages members to create and submit artwork to be displayed and celebrated. The artwork includes morale patches, 57mm Gun art, hammerhead war paint, and decorative rope work for ceremonial bell ropes and paddles. A London, Ont., local, S1 Cocquyt joined the RCN in 2016 at HMCS Prevost to challenge herself by getting out of her comfort zone and seeking new experiences. The past seven years have taken S1 Cocquyt far beyond the borders of North America. With two major international exercises, two medals and three deployments under her belt, S1 Cocquyt has had some remarkable experiences while working in the RCN. “I thought joining the Navy was an opportunity to experience things that ordinary jobs can’t provide, and boy was I right,” S1 Cocquyt says. “Seven years later, I have made a million memories and have achieved more than I ever believed of myself at the beginning of this journey.” Among S1 Cocquyt’s many remarkable adventures in...