Michael McWhinnie, Public Affairs Advisor, NPTG — On Sept. 28, Vice-Admiral (VAdm) Angus Topshee announced HMCS Venture graphic designer Chantelle Klassen had won the first Commander Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) challenge coin contest. On Oct. 6, Captain (Navy) Matthew Coates, Commander of Naval Personnel and [...]
Lt(N) Michelle Scott, PAO HMCS Vancouver — Master Sailor (MS) Steven Koreluk, a Boatswain with HMCS Vancouver, earned a gold Sea Service Insignia pin for amassing over 1,460 days at sea. Gold is the highest level in the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN). “Being able to help is the best part of the job,” he said. MS Koreluk has been in a sea-going unit full-time since 2003. It might have been sheer curiosity that drove him to join, but helping people in real-life emergencies kept the Kamsack, Sask., native in the Navy for 21 years. MS Koreluk, 52, initially joined Saskatoon’s Naval Reserve unit, Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Unicorn as a Boatswain in 2001 while studying at the University of Saskatchewan. After completing his degree in Arts and Science, he took a contract sailing on the Maritime Coastal Defence Vessels (MCDVs) and has not looked back. That’s where he currently finds himself again – back at sea as a member of the Regular Force and sailing in HMCS Vancouver. “We have a really good deck department here, we’ve really come together as a team,” he said. “I’m looking forward to being in the operational phase of this deployment and getting to see some of the ports I haven’t been to yet.” Vancouver is currently deployed on Operation Neon, where MS Koreluk and his shipmates support the implementation of United Nations Security Council sanctions on North Korea. This will be MS Koreluk’s fifth deployment. He has participated in three Operation Caribbes, Canada’s contribution to the US-led operation intended to curb the amount of illegal drug trafficking in the Caribbean Sea and Eastern Pacific Ocean. He also deployed to Afghanistan as Flight Line Security in Kandahar Air Field – a career highlight for Koreluk. “Being able to see one of the most dangerous parts of the world at that time, and working with militaries from all over the world was amazing,” he said. During the rounds, he and the team would always have...
[caption id="attachment_30895" align="aligncenter" width="595"] (Left) Chief Petty Officer First Class David Bisal, Fleet Chief, Lieutenant (Navy) David MacLellan of HMCS Calgary and RCN team captain, and Commodore David Mazur, Canadian Fleet Pacific Commanding Officer, show off the Commodore’s Cup trophy. Photo: Peter Mallett/Lookout Newspaper.[/caption] Peter Mallett, Staff Writer — The RCN team captain and wide receiver divulged some of his team’s strategy ahead of the Oct. 14 flag football game between the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) and Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). “Having fun at this competition will be our key to winning,” said Lieutenant (Navy) David MacLellan of HMCS Calgary. “We have a talented group of players looking to put on a show and it’s always nice to play a team from outside the base.” Over 200 chairs and temporary bleachers have been placed at the Colville Road sports field for the Commodore’s Cup – a new tradition that honours current and past Commanders of Canadian Fleet Pacific (CANFLTPAC). The RCN’s 12-player team consists of Calgary’s defending champion intramural flag football team and other Maritime Forces Pacific (MARPAC) units. Their Air Force opponents come from 19 Wing Comox. Lt(N) MacLellan said his team has been practising twice weekly at Colville Road and working hard in preparation for the game. The team will wear specially made blue football jerseys for the game. The game’s trophy was reconditioned from a former Broom Ball trophy and is ready to have the name of its first champion etched on one of its panels, said Commodore (Cmdre) David Mazur, CANFLTPAC Commanding Officer. “This event is important for the Fleet because we are always looking for opportunities to get the ships’ crews out for some exercise and to build morale,” Cmdre Mazur said. He also said he was looking forward to developing a new military sporting...
[caption id="attachment_30889" align="aligncenter" width="595"] (Left) Flight Lieutenant Lee Cope, Captain of the RAF Aces and Air Commodore Mark Hunt, President of the RAF Ice Hockey Association participate in an opening puck drop with CFB Esquimalt Base Commander, Captain (Navy) Jeff Hutchinson and Lieutenant (Navy) Evan Park of the Esquimalt Tritons at Wurtele Arena, Oct. 4. Photos: Peter Mallett/Lookout Newspaper.[/caption] Peter Mallett, Staff Writer — The Royal Air Force (RAF) took a bumpy landing on the ice for four touring hockey games in Esquimalt. Esquimalt Triton’s women’s team beat the Pumas 11-3 on Oct. 5 and 14-4 on Oct. 7, while Esquimalt Tritons men’s hockey team beat the Aces 9-0 on Oct. 4 and 8-1 on Oct. 5. Aces Corporal (Cpl) Chris Old said the lopsided result didn’t too deflate his teammates. “Our opponents grew up watching and playing the sport in its birthplace while many of ours either learned the game as adults or have junior hockey experience,” said Cpl Old, an Aircraft Technician Mechanical at RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire. He began playing hockey 16 years ago. The Pumas and Aces are representative teams of six regional hockey recreational zones for military hockey in the United Kingdom. The RAF British Columbia hockey tour was planned for 2020 but got delayed by COVID-19. Cpl Old said tours such as this help the Aces train for their inter-service tournament against the British Army and the Royal Navy. Captain (Capt) Joanna Van Damme, a member of the Royal Canadian Air Force reserve force and Pumas forward, said her British teammates were savouring every moment of their visit. “This is an amazing opportunity for the RAF girls,” Capt Van Damme said. “This team has come such a long way and learned so much, and seem to love the sport every bit as much as Canadians.” Originally from Bruxelles, Man., Capt Van Damme moved to the Royal Air Force Valley in North Wales last spring with her husband. With soccer, rugby, and cricket as the mainstay...
[caption id="attachment_30885" align="aligncenter" width="595"] A member of the Canadian Forces Health Services (Pacific) transports an emergency oxygen inhalator during Exercise Viperfish. All photos: Peter Mallett/Lookout[/caption] Peter Mallett, Staff Writer — The Helicopter Pad of the Fleet Diving Unit (Pacific) (FDU(P)) in Colwood became a scene of fictitious submarine search and rescue (SUBSAR) incident which resulted in simulated mass-casualties on Oct. 4. In a made-up scenario titled Exercise Viperfish, a large fishing net near Port Renfrew entangled a disabled submarine’s turbines, causing the sub to lose buoyancy and sink 170 metres to the ocean floor. Base Flight Surgeon Lieutenant-Commander (LCdr) Ian Kirby of Canadian Forces Health Services (Pacific) (CF H Svcs (P)) said the exercise was vitally important to the readiness of his medical staff. “It is a great opportunity to troubleshoot potential problems with the divers and submariners managing important parts of the kit such as [decompression] equipment,” LCdr Kirby said. “It also allows us to apply our medical concepts on a new platform which we could potentially use in a real scenario.” LCdr Kirby, Medical Exercise Director for Exercise Viperfish, was responsible for designing the scenario and planning the execution. A crew of 59 submariners acted as casualties while the medical response team of 60 military personnel, including CF H Svcs (P) and the Canadian Submarine Force (CANSUBFOR), orchestrated a response. All required equipment to respond to the SUBSAR incident (Dive Special Equipment Vehicle, Medical Special Equipment Vehicle and all SUBSAR gear) was transferred on site by the Special Purpose Vehicle section team from Transportation, Electrical & Mechanical Engineering (Base Logistics). The medical equipment was highly typical of other mass-casualty scenarios and included standard medical and monitoring equipment, intravenous (IV) therapy, and various medical treatments. The most noticeable decompression equipment used was a hyperbaric chamber, operated by clearance divers from FDU(P). The technology uses pressurized oxygen to hasten the removal of excess nitrogen dissolved in body tissue. Honorary Captain (Navy) Ross Brown of CF H Svcs (P) said exercises such...
Kateryna Bandura, Lookout Editor — As the Canadian Cancer Society’s Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock 25th anniversary ride made one of their last stops in Esquimalt on Friday, Oct. 7, one participant said it has been an amazing and emotional journey. “I recognize the honour and privilege I have been given to represent the base community. The children and their stories really put my life into perspective,” said Lieutenant (Lt) Josh Peterson with CFB Esquimalt Fire Rescue. To help reach his goal of raising $20,000 for the Canadian Cancer Society, Lt Peterson organized this year’s Spinathon at CFB Esquimalt’s Fire Hall on Sept. 22. Along with former inspector Trent Edwards from Saanich Police Department, Lt Peterson rode a stationary bike for close to five hours straight, pushing his mileage to 100 kilometres. “We were overwhelmed with the support, we raised over $2,000,” he said. Donations came from base community members and will support Paediatric cancer research. The funds will also help send children to Camp Goodtimes, a summer and year-round recreation program in Vancouver for children and teens with cancer and their families. Lt Peterson said he participated because many of his friends and family have been affected by cancer. “This gave me an opportunity to fundraise for the children and be part of a large fundraising event,” he said. “I think being away from families for so long is a challenge but having each other to lean on has made our experience a good one with memories we will remember forever.” Together with the Tour de Rock team, Lt Peterson biked 1,200 kilometres over two weeks along Vancouver Island, making over 210 stops at schools and community centres. Now that the tour is complete, Lt Peterson said he looks forward to spending more time with his family. “I am looking forward to life getting back to normal but I will miss the experience of Tour, it has been amazing,” he said.
[caption id="attachment_30877" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Rear Admiral Christopher Robinson presents a Command Commendation certificate to Commander Adriano Lozer (centre) HMCS Calgary Commanding Officer, Chief Petty Officer First Class Armand Reelick, Coxswain. Photo: Peter Mallett/Lookout[/caption] Peter Mallett, Staff Writer — HMCS Calgary received a rare recognition for drug-seizing efforts during Operation Artemis 2021. Commander Maritime Forces Pacific (MARPAC) awarded the ship with a Canadian Forces Unit Commendation for halting 33,573 kilograms of illicit narcotics in Middle Eastern waters. “With skill and tenacity, Calgary delivered a significant blow to the financial sources that support terrorist organizations,” said Rear-Admiral (RAdm) Chris Robinson, Commander MARPAC, during the Sept. 29 ceremony. RAdm Robinson said Calgary’s efforts halted the flow of 33,573 kilograms of illicit narcotics worth more than US$95 million (equivalent to C$130 million) local wholesale value, impacting revenue streams of global terrorist and criminal organizations, and lessening the burden associated with these narcotics on societies world-wide. On Apr. 23, 2021, Calgary seized 1,286 kilograms of heroin, which ranks the largest heroin bust in Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) history, eclipsing a previous record heroin seizure set by Australian warship HMAS Darwin in 2014 off Mombasa, Kenya. While deployed in support of Canada’s response to terrorism, HMCS Calgary demonstrated exceptional professionalism while conducting maritime interdiction operations. “HMCS Calgary’s efforts greatly enhanced Canada’s standing as a valued partner in defence,” RAdm Robinson said. During his remarks, RAdm Robinson noted that a Canadian Forces Unit Commendation for a ship during deployment is rare and an occasion to celebrate. He also said the award had little to do with the ship or the narcotics but more with the people. “This award is more about the sacrifice and dedication, the long time away from home, and the loneliness of serving Canada in a very remote part of the world,” RAdm Robinson said. He encouraged the ship’s newer members to take pride in the work of their predecessors. The crew of the Halifax-class frigate gathered at the Graving Dock while RAdm Robinson presented...
This year the Department of National Defence’s Employee Assistance Program turned 40! Check out the articles, videos and activities on the new Organizational Well-Being SharePoint site: 018gc.sharepoint.com. Have you considered volunteering as a Peer Advisor (PA) through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP)? Would you like to know how you can get involved [...]
[caption id="attachment_30862" align="aligncenter" width="595"] CFB Esquimalt’s slo-pitch team captain Chief Petty Officer Second Class (CPO2) Michael (Rob) Tibbetts was selected as the CANWEST Men’s Slo-Pitch Team MVP and the Men’s Slo-Pitch Tournament MVP. Sailor First Class Roseline Clark from Esquimalt Tritons won Game MVP playing for Edmonton. Photo: CPO2 Tibbetts[/caption] Peter Mallett, Staff Writer — The Esquimalt Tritons capped off their return to the baseball diamond with a third-place finish at the Canadian Armed Forces National Men’s Slo-Pitch Championship in Edmonton, Sept. 19 to 23. 3 Wing Bagotville defeated Esquimalt 15-5 in the tournament semi-final on Sept. 22, knocking the Tritons out of medal contention. Since the only medals handed out were to the winner and runner up, third place teams did not receive medals. “A third-place finish was not the result our team had worked towards but determined effort has provided a solid building block for the team for future years,” said Chief Petty Officer Second Class (CPO2) Rob Tibbetts, the team’s captain and second baseman, and Coxswain of HMCS Corner Brook. This year’s tournament saw the return of the CAF Slo-Pitch Nationals for the first time since 2018, said CPO2 Tibbetts. The 2019 National Championship was cancelled due to budget cuts, while the 2020 and 2021 tournaments were cut due to health and safety regulations surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. Bagotville defeated CFB Halifax in the Gold Medal game. CPO2 Tibbetts and his teammates had hopes of a gold medal ahead of the National Championships. They had earned their spot in Edmonton after winning five of six games at the Canada West Regional qualifying tournament in Wainwright, Alta. from Aug. 21 to 26. Their berth in the Nationals came after their 12-6 win over CFB Winnipeg in the qualifying tournament’s Gold Medal Game. The Tritons opened robin play in Edmonton...
Long before there was a Navy, mariners were prone to believe in superstitions deemed to bring either good luck or misfortune. Superstitions still exist today, and whether they carry any veracity is simply a matter of opinion. For example, sailors tend to avoid clinking glasses in a toast as there is a superstition that when a glass rings, it tolls the death of a sailor. Thus, any ringing glass is immediately stopped. Similarly, sailors avoid toasting with water, as superstition states this will cause the person toasted to drown. To whistle up a wind was an ancient naval superstition that said whistling would cause the wind to increase. Thus, whistling is normally frowned upon in a warship, as it is thought it may bring about stormy weather. Traditionally, only ship’s cooks were allowed to whistle because if you could hear them whistling, you knew they weren’t consuming the rations. In the case of a sailing ship beset by doldrums, sticking a knife in the mast in the direction of the preferred wind was thought to bring the desired breeze. Somewhat of superstition and marked by an adage, ‘Red sky in morning - sailor’s warning. Red sky at night - sailor’s delight’ meant a red sky in the morning portended bad weather, and a red sky in the evening meant good weather was to come. Real meteorological reasons give truth to this adage, in that a red sunrise might mean a high-pressure system associated with good weather had passed to the east. A red sky at night might indicate a high-pressure front and stable air coming in from the west. Superstitions abound in the building and launching of vessels. For good luck, a new ship has a coin placed under its keel as it is laid down. In addition, a coin...
[caption id="attachment_30856" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Captain (Navy) Jeff Hutchinson, Base Commander, awards the Team Scramble Award to Roy Elson, Mohammed Gudal, Steve Melnick and Steve Wist.[/caption] Lookout Staff — The 8th Annual Base Commander’s Golf Tournament teed off in full swing last Wednesday morning, Sept. 28, at the Olympic View Golf Club, hosted by Captain (Navy) Jeff Hutchinson, Base Commander at CFB Esquimalt. The sold-out event featured a performance from the Naden Band, 18 holes of golf, and a shower of rain to keep the play interesting. Following an incredible morning round of golf, participants gathered for lunch and prize giveaways, courtesy of event sponsors. The Top Individual Player was presented to Matt Campbell, and the Team Scramble was presented to Roy Elson, Mohammed Gudal, Steve Melnick, and Steve Wist. Congratulations to all players! [caption id="attachment_30857" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Captain (Navy) Jeff Hutchinson, Base Commander, awards the Top Individual Player Award to Matt Campbell.[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_30851" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Robert Roos aboard HMCS Vancouver. Photos: Lietuenant (Navy) Michelle Scott, HMCS Vancouver PAO[/caption] Robert Roos, HMCS Vancouver, FSR Coordinator — Have you ever run, squatted, or done push-ups on a floor that shifts beneath your feet? I hadn’t until two months ago when I joined HMCS Vancouver on deployment. I am the ship’s Fitness, Sports, and Recreation (FSR) Coordinator. My job involves leading group fitness classes, writing individual training programs, and hosting recreation events for the members on board. I previously deployed with the Canadian Armed Forces to Latvia in 2021, where I worked in an FSR department with three other colleagues, but here on Vancouver, I am a department of one. Shipboard fitness presents challenges that can be divided into two broad categories: technical challenges of the job and social challenges of living and working on a ship. From a technical perspective, simple exercises on land take on a new level of difficulty when the ground under you moves unpredictably. As the ship pitches and rolls, participant safety is a top priority. Exercises and body positions need to be adjusted, and equipment and exercise selection needs to be considered. Compare holding two 30-pound dumbbells or one exercise band in an overhead press when the ship suddenly rolls to one side – there is less risk of injury with the band. Space is at a premium on board, which also extends to fitness equipment. Equipment needs to be basic but effective, easily taken out for set-up, and quickly stowed. This is especially true as most group fitness classes take place on the flight deck, where, if called to flying stations, the air detachment may need the deck cleared ASAP, or some kettlebells may end up in Davy Jones’ Locker. The most difficult challenge I have with running fitness programming on the ship is the changing nature of members’ shifts and watches. Members’ schedules are constantly changing, and accommodating a fixed fitness schedule is not easy. Seeing members...
[caption id="attachment_30847" align="aligncenter" width="595"] “The Herd” Running Club team members onboard HMCS Winnipeg run to raise money for Manitoba’s Fire Fighter’s Burn Fund while on deployment to the Indo-Pacific.[/caption] Kateryna Bandura, Lookout Editor — H MCS Winnipeg raised over $2,900 for the Manitoba Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund on deployment to the Indo-Pacific. “It goes to show all things are possible with the right perspective, adaptability, and perseverance,” said Petty Officer Second Class (PO2) Derek Wilkinson, organizer of the run. HMCS Winnipeg’s crew adopted the Firefighters Burn Fund as their ‘home’ charity to support soon after the ship was commissioned in June 1995, and they have maintained that commitment over the years. Four crew members supported the charity this year by hosting a run during Winnipeg’s 2022 Indo-Pacific deployment. “This was an opportunity to challenge myself while helping people on long and difficult journeys, the people that the Burn Fund supports,” PO2 Wilkinson said. The Firefighters Burn Fund was created in March 1978. Manitoba’s Fire Service personnel volunteer their time and effort in raising funds to support exceptional burn care, treatment, rehabilitation, and research. Four members of ‘The Herd’ running club aboard Winnipeg hosted this year’s run: PO2 Wilkinson, Sailor First Class Hubert Desbiens, Sub-Lieutenant (SLt) Cael Halvorsen, and SLt Loic Richard. PO2 Wilkinson said he was glad to see the ship get behind the cause while it was in theatre of operations. While Winnipeg was at sea, the runners completed segments on treadmills, in 80-metre loops around the flight deck, and 70-metre loops around the upper decks, all spanning over 48 hours. The runners worked at logging higher than usual mileage during training at slower paces to get their legs used to the extra volume. “We ate a lot of granola bars and drank a lot of coffee,” said PO2 Wilkinson. SLt Richard said his participation in the run was motivated by the desire to raise money for those who need it and to challenge himself physically and mentally. “I can confidently...
Lookout staff — Eric Kahler has been the Director of the Naval Museum of Alberta (NMA) for five years. He is a naval veteran with over 41 years of service. Bradley Froggatt is the museum’s Curator and has been with the NMA for over seven years. He has more than 25 years of naval service. What can you tell us [...]
Mark Nelson, Contributor — Rounding the horn is meant to describe the event where a ship goes beneath Cape Horn at the southern tip of South America. Crossing from Atlantic to Pacific, or vice versa, is a perilous passage due to inclement weather and notorious williwaw winds, which are unexpected gusts that plunge from a mountainous coast to the sea. In 1520, a Portuguese explorer named Ferdinand Magellan was the first European to attempt the feat, losing a ship, the Santiago, in the process. He never actually rounded the horn as he discovered a passage, now known as the Strait of Magellan, which allowed his ships a safer passage from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Any sailor who has rounded the horn is awarded the special allowance of placing an elbow on the table at a Naval Mess Dinner, an act that is normally frowned upon. Usually, it is a diner who coyly props an elbow on the table just as the President looks over the gathering, allowing for an admonishment which can be corrected by a glorious retelling of the special day when that diner had rounded the horn. It should be noted how tales of the sea become more magnificent every time they are retold. The act of telling sea stories is often referred to as swinging the lamp, made about a lamp that might be slung from a deckhead and prone to swinging at sea. Folklore states that as the storyteller increases the embellishment of the story, the lamp increases its swinging. An allowance for an elbow on the table is also made for those who have transited the southern tip of Africa, denoted as the Cape of Good Hope, a treacherous point of land that lies just beyond Cape Town. Technically, a diner who has traversed Cape...
Kateryna Bandura, Lookout Editor — Graduates and instructors of the most recent Clearance Divers and Clearance Diving Officers class at Fleet Diving Unit (Pacific) (FDU(P)) memorialized their graduation with an underwater photo shoot. “The course photo is definitely a memorable event that everyone enjoys,” said Lieutenant (Navy) Demetris Mousouliotis, Operations Officer at FDU(P). [...]
[caption id="attachment_30815" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Sub-Lieutenant Luisa Aranda, HMCS Calgary Naval Warfare Officer, sits in the CT114 Tutor aircraft also known as “Snowbirds”. Photo: Sub-Lieutenant Luisa Aranda .[/caption] Peter Mallett, Staff Writer — Two Canadian Naval Warfare Officers represented the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) in Lima, Peru, at the Navies of the Americas Junior Officer Symposium, Aug. 21 to 28. Sub-Lieutenant (SLt) Luisa Aranda, HMCS Calgary Naval Warfare Officer (NWO), and Lt(N) Jessica Tassot, Senior Naval Warfare Officer of the Naval Reserve (NAVRES) headquarters in Quebec City, made a presentation on behalf of the Royal Canadian Navy’s Defence Women’s Advisory Organization (DWAO) on gender equity in the RCN. “Participating in this symposium was truly a great honour and one of the greatest experiences I’ve had as a member of the Royal Canadian Navy,” said SLt Aranda. “We learned about the culture, naval equipment, and resources of the host country and I could see and learn from strong young women from around the world.” Simposio Internacional de Oficiales de la Nueva Generacion de las Armadas de America (SIONGA) was hosted by the Peruvian Armed Forces. It also included delegates from Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Germany, the Republic of Ireland, Italy, Mexico, and the United States. The Canadian sailors were joined in their presentations by delegates from the Spanish Navy (Armada Española), the German Military Police, the Defence Forces of Ireland, and a civilian researcher from the United States. “The key points we shared were that the Canadian Armed Forces is an inclusive organization; women can do any job in the Forces and all are treated with the same respect,” said Lt(N) Tassot, a Regular Force member of 12 years. “The audience was very receptive, and not just the Peru delegation but many others were surprised, and some envious that women have access to all trades and maintain a work/life balance.” The focus of SLt Aranda’s presentation was an extensive discussion on parental and pregnancy leave policies and their impact on careers and the training...
[caption id="attachment_30818" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Members of Fleet Diving Unit (Pacific) gather for a group shot with their team members of the Irish Naval Service during Operation Regulus at Naval Base Haulbowline in Cork County Ireland. The five-week equipment training course focused on 50 m Surface Supplied Diving Equipment. Photos: FDU(P)[/caption] Peter Mallett, Staff Writer — Three Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) Clearance Divers (two from Esquimalt and one from Halifax) took the plunge at an Irish Navy base to clear out the mud bottom of a shallow diving camber. The exercise was part of the first-ever diving course hosted by the Diving Section of the Irish Naval Service (NSDS). “The purpose of the exchange was to provide Fleet Diving Unit (FDU)’s junior Clearance Divers with experience of integrating with a foreign dive team, learning their techniques and procedures in Surface Supplied Breathing Apparatus (SSBA) diving, and reinforce the professional diving relationship the RCN has with the Irish Naval Service,” said Lieutenant (Navy) Jesse Deason, Fleet Diving Unit (Pacific) (FDU(P)) Operational Dive Team Leader. Sailor First Class (S1) Cole Lisowski and S1 Calvin Kuah of FDU(P), and S1 Michael Butt of the Fleet Diving Unit (Atlantic), wrapped their instruction in a five-week equipment training program, hosted by the NSDS under Operation Regulus, on Sept. 16 at Naval Base Haulbowline. The course focused on Surface Supplied Diving Equipment. The trio was instructed on NSDS procedures for its SSBA system, hydraulic tools, and dredging operations used by Irish divers. Six Irish Naval Service members instructed the students, including a Naval Warfare Officer, a Stoker, and four Boatswains. S1 Kuah said this instruction was highly beneficial in his development as a Clearance Diver. “We had to learn to be flexible and adapt to their techniques and procedures,” he said. S1 Kuah noted his team was familiar with the SSBA equipment, but the training helped him understand how the NSDS uses it to conduct operations. SSBA is a diving method that supplies breathing gas from the surface...
[caption id="attachment_30821" align="aligncenter" width="595"] His Majesty’s Canadian Ship Vancouver’s CH-148 Cyclone, call sign ‘CANUCK’, lands on JS Izumo, a Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force Destroyer, in the Philippine Sea during Operation Projection on Aug. 31.Photo: Vancouver Air Detachment, Canadian Armed Forces[/caption] Kateryna Bandura, Lookout Editor — Following a recent port visit in Manila, Philippines, HMCS Vancouver sailed through the waters of the Taiwan Strait on Sept. 20, along with the destroyer USS Higgins, on its way into Operation (Op) Neon’s area of operation. “Today’s routine Taiwan Strait transit demonstrates our commitment to a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific,” Defence Minister Anita Anand said in a statement. Anand said that, as a Pacific nation, Canada was deeply committed to upholding global stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region. Canada’s sanctions enforcement mission against North Korea, known as Operation Neon, began in 2018 and was extended last year until the end of April 2023. Canada and the U.S. sailed warships through the Strait in mid-October of 2021. This sail was done in full accordance with international law, including high seas navigation rights as outlined in the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The trip through the Strait takes eight to 12 hours. The U.S. Navy reinforced that message in a statement posted on its Seventh Fleet website. “The ships transited through a corridor in the Strait that is beyond the territorial sea of any coastal State,” it said. “Higgins’ and Vancouver’s transit through the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the commitment of the United States and our allies and partners to a free and open Indo-Pacific.”
[caption id="attachment_30823" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Lekwungen Elder Butch Dick[/caption] Peter Mallett, Staff Writer — The Defence Aboriginal Advisory Group (DAAG) and the MARPAC Health and Wellness Strategy team will hold an online presentation featuring Lekwungen Elder Butch Dick to mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. “We are incredibly fortunate to have Butch lead us through his own journey and incredible wealth of experience and expertise,” said Rear-Admiral (RAdm) Christopher Robinson. “He is known for being a bridge-builder, making strong and lasting ties between the Indigenous and non-Indigenous people within this community.” The presentation by Elder Dick will be made exclusively via MS teams on Sept. 29 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Also known as Yux’wey’lupton in his Lekwungen name, Elder Dick is highly revered in Victoria’s arts community, Royal Roads University, and as a master carver, educator, visionary guide, and knowledge keeper. Elder Dick holds a vital role as a founding member of the Heron Peoples Circle, the Elders and Old Ones, whose guidance supports Indigenous engagement within Royal Roads University. He has more than 25 years of experience teaching Indigenous Art in Victoria-area public schools. He has also worked as an assistant university professor, a designer of the Indigenous education curriculum, and an advisor to government institutions. “His wise ways advance the call for equality, justice and empathy in guiding not just Royal Roads University family but the whole community to carry forward his teachings in each person,” said Claire Grant, MARPAC Health and Wellness Strategy Assistant. Upon accepting his Honorary Doctor of Laws from Royal Roads University in November 2021, Elder Dick said the lessons he has taught his family members are echoed in the lessons he has taught many young people from the Lekwungen Nation and beyond. “I have to create awareness in communities and these...
[caption id="attachment_30825" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Naval ships from the Royal Canadian Navy, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, and Republic of Korea Navy sail in formation alongside HMA ships Sydney and Perth during Exercise Pacific Vanguard during a Regional Presence Deployment. Photo: LSIS David Cox.[/caption] Lt(N) Michelle Scott, HMCS Vancouver PAO — F or the first time since its inception in 2019, Exercise Pacific Vanguard saw the participation of a Royal Canadian Navy vessel, HMCS Vancouver. “This exercise, while deployed on Operation Projection, proved to be an excellent chance to integrate with like-minded regional partners and hone our warfare skills before moving deeper into the Op Projection theatre of operations,” said Lieutenant (Navy) Sebastian Harper, HMCS Vancouver’s Operations Officer. The Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force hosted the annual exercise off the coast of Guam from August 20-29. It was an opportunity for participating nations to strengthen their skills in maritime operations such as air and anti-submarine warfare. Other participating navies included Australia, the U.S., the Republic of Korea, and Japan. During the week-long event, Vancouver conducted a live-fire exercise with its 57 mm gun and tested the skills of the Operations team in an anti-submarine warfare serial. Officer-of-the-Watch manoeuvres saw the Naval Communicators, Bridge Watchkeepers, and Helms Team working together to receive and decode tactical signals for advanced formations, and executing those close to five other ships. Vancouver, fresh off its successful participation in Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2022, is operating in the Indo-Pacific region as part of its six-month deployment on Operation Projection, conducting forward naval presence operations and cooperative deployments. The ship will also support Operation Neon, Canada’s contribution to implementing United Nations Security Council sanctions against North Korea. Pacific Vanguard is just one of many follow-on exercises Vancouver participates in throughout its deployment before an anticipated return to Esquimalt in December.
Kateryna Bandura, Lookout Editor — What began as a small Aviation event in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, has since evolved into the world’s largest diversity outreach event of its kind in Aviation, Aerospace, Marine and Defence. “Our unique, hands-on outreach events have directly touched the lives of over 121,300 participants, and 11,956 women and girls of all ages have experienced the magic of first flight in a small aircraft,” said Kirsten Brazier, B.C. pilot and President of Achieve Anything Foundation. The Sky’s No Limit – Girls Fly Too! 2022 is a gender diversity outreach initiative founded by Brazier in 2012 and has been hosted by the Abbotsford International Airport in Abbotsford, B.C., since 2015. This year’s event will be held on Oct. 1-2, during the week of International Day of the Girl, a Canadian-driven UN observance. The initiative is part of the Achieve Anything Foundation, which aims to improve gender and cultural diversity in high-tech STEM fields. Brazier said Sky’s No Limit – Girls Fly Too! aims to awaken new interests by providing women and girls of all ages with fun, interactive, and hands-on introductions into STEM fields. “Our events, including the introductory flights, are always free to ensure there are no barriers to participation,” Brazier said. The signature annual event honours past, present and future female leaders from shop floor to top floor in Aviation, Aerospace, Marine and Defence. The Sky’s No Limit – Girls Fly Too! 2022 initiative will also include hands-on assets from the Canadian and U.S. militaries, representatives from the Coast Guard, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Canada Border Services Agency, various municipal police and fire, search and rescue, and representatives from Aviation, Aerospace, Marine and Defence. The event will see ten turbine helicopters donated each day by individuals and businesses, totalling over $230,000 worth of flight time, to put women and girls in the air for the first time. “Our events employ a unique, hands-on approach to pique the interest of our target audience, create a network of...
[caption id="attachment_30785" align="alignnone" width="596"] HMCS Vancouver makes its approach on United States Naval Ship Yukon for a Replenishment-at-Sea on Aug. 23 off the coast of Guam during Operation Projection. Photo: Sergeant Ghislain Cotton, Canadian Armed Forces.[/caption] National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces — His Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Vancouver commenced Operation (Op) Neon on Sept. 20. This is the seventh time the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) deployed in support of Op Neon since 2018. “Following our successes on Op Projection, the crew of HMCS Vancouver is proud to begin our duties on Op Neon,” said Commander (Cdr) Kevin Whiteside, Commanding Officer of HMCS Vancouver. Op Neon is Canada’s contribution to monitoring United Nations Security Council (UNSC) sanctions designed to pressure North Korea to abandon its weapons of mass destruction programs. During the mission, the CAF aims to identify suspected maritime sanctions evasion activities, particularly ship-to-ship transfers of fuel and other commodities banned by the UNSC resolutions. In April 2021, the Government of Canada extended the mission until the end of April 2023. Cdr Whiteside said his team looks forward to working with partners and allies in the region to support the UN Security Council’s sanctions. “This contribution bolsters the integrity of the global sanctions regime against North Korea, enhances regional peace and stability, and supports the rules-based international order,” he said. HMCS Vancouver has been deployed alongside HMCS Winnipeg on Op Projection since August. During Vancouver’s deployment under Op Neon, the ship will also exercise Keen Sword with the United States military, Japan Self-Defense Force, and Kadex with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. The ship is deployed with a CH-148 Cyclone helicopter, which augments the monitoring capabilities of HMCS Vancouver. An RCAF CP-140 Aurora long-range patrol aircraft is scheduled to deploy next month on Op Neon with the crew and supporting personnel to operate out of Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan. “A key objective of the Canadian Armed Forces is a stable, free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific, which North...
Mark Nelson, Contributor — The general day-to-day schedule of a warship, better known as the ship’s routine, cycles around working, eating, and sleeping. A ship operates round the clock, and sailors must be available to do the jobs required 24 hours a day, normally split into seven work periods called watches. Two four-hour daytime watches occur on either side of the noon hour and are aptly named forenoon and afternoon. These are followed by a pair of two-hour dog watches named the first dog from 1600 to 1800 and the last from 1800 to 2000. The shorter dog watches allow for cycling of the daily watch schedule. The name is derived from ‘dodge watch’ since it allows the crew to dodge the same watch daily. Since a dog watch already represents a shorter than normal period, if a sailor wants to say something will happen quickly, they might say it will take half a dog watch. When a ship rotates on a three-watch system, one of the best watches to stand is the first watch from 2000 to midnight. Standing the first watch allows for the special treat called all night in, or all-nighters, meaning you miss the inglorious undertaking of standing the overnight watches, namely the middle, midnight to 0400, and morning, 0400 to 0800. The middle watch is the worst for interrupting a sailor’s sleep. Often referred to as the mids, another nickname for this awful watch is long trick, a trick being a short spell of duty on a particular job, e.g., a short trick on the helm. Midrats, short for middle rations, is a light meal served to those about to stand a middle watch; the leftovers are usually a treat for those coming off the first watch, consumed before they head to their racks. Historically, the...
Peter Mallett, Staff Writer — The Fleet Chief of Canadian Fleet Pacific (CanFleetPAC) is embracing his new job with great enthusiasm. “I was very happy and honoured with the appointment but it comes with a great deal of responsibility along with a sharp learning curve,” said Chief Petty Officer First Class (CPO1) David Bisal. “All my jobs in the past have been in the tactical realm of the Navy and I have spent a lot of time during my career at sea.” CPO1 Bisal replaced CPO1 Arvid Lee as CanFleetPAC’s most senior non-commissioned member when CPO1 Lee moved on to become Formation Chief of Maritime Forces Pacific (MARPAC) at the end of August. The moment marked a new chapter for CPO1 Bisal, who spent most of his 32 years of military service at sea on Canadian vessels as Boatswain. CPO1 Bisal’s path to the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) began in June 1990 when he enrolled at Esquimalt, B.C., as a Boatswain. He spent the first two decades serving on HMCS Huron, Protecteur and Regina. He also had two shore postings as a Seamanship Instructor. Some of his most rewarding deployments included serving on former RCN Supply Ship HMCS Protecteur during Op Altair in the Persian Gulf and the Arabian Sea in 2008. “I was aboard Protecteur for seven years and [OP Altair] was likely the best time because of the amazing port visits during the deployment to places including Puerto Rico, Italy, and Greece,” he said. CPO1 Bisal said being a Chief Petty Officer on ships and other units for the past six years has been an excellent way to groom him for his new job. “My experience at sea, along with my more recent and previous positions on ships, is a good fit for the job,” he said. “That’s because I will be helping senior leadership and others understand the challenges when ship’s deploy and what is going on, on the water.” One of CPO1 Bisal’s critical responsibilities as Fleet...
Captain Natasha Tersigni, 4th Canadian Ranger Patrol Group — The 4th Canadian Ranger Patrol Group (4 CRPG) was awarded the Canadian Forces Unit Commendation on Sept. 1 for exceptional efforts and dedication, in support of Operation Laser, the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) response to the COVID-19 pandemic. “4 CRPG is proud that our members were ready and able to respond to the needs of fellow Canadians during Operation Laser,” said Lieutenant-Colonel Jean-Pascal Roy, CRPG Commanding Officer. “This commendation is a reflection of every member in our unit and their continued dedication and commitment to serve our communities and the Canadian Armed Forces.” The Canadian Forces Unit Commendation is a group award that recognizes distinguished service by a military unit. It is awarded to any unit or sub-unit, composite formation or other military groups of the CAF, or to any similar organization of a foreign armed force working with or in conjunction with the CAF, that has performed a deed or activity beyond normal duty. From March 2020 to June 2021, Canadian Ranger Patrols across Western Canada provided humanitarian assistance and support to community officials during the fight against COVID-19. “During this unprecedented pandemic, Canadian Ranger Patrols were able to provide unique on-the-ground support to communities when they needed it the most,” Roy said. Canadian Rangers worked hard to assist Canadians in need as part of the CAF’s response to community requests for assistance through provincial authorities. This was a collaborative effort, and the Canadian Rangers operated closely with other Canadian Army units and municipal, provincial, and federal officials to support COVID-19 relief efforts. 4 CRPG’s contribution to Operation Laser included activating several Canadian Ranger Patrols to support relief efforts in their communities. To assist with situational awareness in many communities across Western Canada, one to two Canadian Rangers Patrols worked full-time...
Kateryna Bandura, Editor — The Esquimalt Military Family and Resource Centre (MFRC) offers community resources and information for parents looking for extra support this school year. “With the military lifestyle, oftentimes newly-arrived parents don’t have family support in their new community,” said Kaitlyn Ross, Social Worker-Counsellor with MFRC. “The point of our activities and services is for them to build their networks and integrate not only into the local military family community but also into the broader community. We know strong networks create healthy families.” Some of the MFRC support programs include: Monthly community dinners, which will provide an opportunity to meet others in the military family community and share tips about living the military lifestyle. MFRC staff and volunteers will be on-site to provide requested information about programs and services. After dinner, there will be activities for children. The first MFRC community dinner will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 28. Coffee nights/Kids connect program, which provides opportunities to build social supports in the community. Ross said it has a similar concept to monthly dinners, allowing adults to connect over coffee while their children partake in various activities, such as playing outdoor games, doing an obstacle course, or creating arts and crafts. The program is offered monthly, with the next session running on Wednesday, Oct. 12. Supporting Children Through Absence is a workshop for children with a deployed parent. It is an opportunity to learn why mom or dad is away, and connect to others their age with similar experiences. Workshops run continuously throughout the year, with one session per week. Pre-school programs help children with their social and learning skills, and prepare them for their school years. ‘123 Music’ and ‘Stay & Play’ programs provide fun opportunities for children and their parents, while ‘Growing Parents’ group supports new parents and...
[caption id="attachment_30762" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Right: Naval Security Team members undergo weapons training on Sept. 14 at the Heals Range. Photo: Lt(N) Robert Newton, NST.[/caption] Lt(N) Robert Newton, Executive Officer, Naval Security Team — After two years of reduced operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Naval Security Team (NST) is ramping up again, however, this time with a new mandate. NST will be focusing on Harbour Defence (HD) and Force Protection (FP) in support of the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) and Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Operations. HD / FP will comprise many aspects, including: high-value asset (HVA) escorts, enforcement of controlled access zones (CAZ), and protecting crucial military or civilian facilities and infrastructure. NST is currently in pre-deployment training to support Domestic FP requirements this fall at CFB Halifax. NST is typically comprised of full-time Naval Reservists, but as we’re ‘One Navy’, 25 regular force members have joined NST to be trained in HD and FP outside of their regular duties. Having both Regular and Reserve Forces collaborate and build an elite deployable force creates a unique opportunity to train and deliver the Fleet Commanders’ intent. Over the next six weeks, NST and their new augmented members will be in full swing with pre-deployment training. This training consists of weapons training on four systems: C7/C8 rifle, Sig Sauer pistol, C9 light machine gun, and the C6 general purpose machine guns. The light and general purpose machine guns are used as mounted weapons on the fore and aft of the Defender-class HD Response Boats. The trainees will have intensive classroom and dry land training on all four weapons and will use this training on the live fire range. Upon successful completion at qualification, these members will be fully qualified on four weapon platforms, which is uncommon for naval members. The next training...
[caption id="attachment_30758" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Commanding Officer Commander Annick Fortin partakes in community outreach with children from Kampung Kids during Operation Projection in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Friday, Sept. 2.[/caption] Kateryna Bandura, Editor — Canadian sailors brought smiles to children thousands of kilometres away. As it is a custom that Canadian ships participate in outreach activities during port visits, 11 sailors, including the Commanding Officer of HMCS Winnipeg, Cdr Annick Fortin and Padre Dominic Lafrenière, presented a cheque to Juliana Sitepu, Coordinator of Kampung Kids, a children’s centre in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Sept. 2. “The children laughed with us, they were proud to show us their skills, and they liked giving us high fives,” Lafrenière said. The monetary donations came from Boomer’s Legacy, a charity that funds humanitarian initiatives that provide a lasting impact in communities the soldiers serve while deployed. In Jakarta, these funds served for buying English teaching supplies. The Canadian Embassy families donated children’s books. Lafrenière said the Canadian Defence Attaché (CDA) proposed three different charities, but Padre Lafrenière personally chose Kampung Kids because of its direct impact on children. The target, he said, was to help the Center teach English as a second language to kids. “I felt a little tear in my eye when Juliana asked the kids why it is important to learn English, and one young girl timidly answered ‘for our future’,” Lafrenière said. The crew also spent some time with the children. They read story books, sang and danced, and drew pictures. Some children could speak some English, and Sitepu translated the rest. “We sang some action songs such as ‘Head, shoulder, knees and toes’ and ‘If you’re happy and you know it’ – these transcend language,” Lafrèniere said. After visiting the Center and the kids, the crew was toured around the neighborhood. “It was...
Ashley Evans, Strategic Communications Officer, FMFCB/CS — The Damage Control Training Facility (DCTF) Galiano, located in Victoria, B.C., and its sister facility DCTF Kootenay in Halifax, N.S., are integral, state-of-the-art training sites. The facilities teach flood control, firefighting, and chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear defence to 4,000-6,000 Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) sailors and other service personnel per year. “The facility is essentially as important as the Jetties,” said Challis Eacott, Damage Control Training Facility Maintenance Administrator Esquimalt. “Sailors cannot deploy if they have not had the proper damage control training.” Due to the wide range of training delivered at DCTF Galiano, when a shutdown occurs, it affects the yearly training schedule and puts pressure on other training facilities to cover part of the loss. This was the reality Eacott was facing earlier this year when he decided to call on the team at Fleet Maintenance Facility Cape Breton (FMFCB) for assistance. “In the last year, I have had to reverse engineer the controls on air units due to the obsolescence of the actuating control system,” Eacott explained. “The electronic cards that control the pitch of the blades on our fans, via pneumatics, are no longer available.” The bearing between the piston and the main shaft in the air system was worn, causing a metal-on-metal condition. The DCTF was unable to supply the air required to support both fire training and habitability, and after failing their annual Air Balancing and Testing, a complete shutdown of all firefighting training capabilities for the West Coast Fleet ensued. The DCTF reached out to FMFCB for sourcing parts. Eacott said FMFCB could manufacture the bearing surfaces that were no longer available through industry, which solved the mechanical linkage portion of this failure. They then manufactured new hoses for the pneumatic system. After multiple days on site,...
