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[caption id="attachment_26547" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Members of HMCS Yellowknife at Chatterbox Falls in Princess Louisa Inlet as they conducted an over-the-horizon boat mission for long range communications planning and a quick shore recce. Personnel from left to right are: S3 Herrington, A/SLt Boerger, S1 Krolikowski, S1 Saygnavong and S3 Belanger.[/caption]A/SLt Jonathan BoergerNWOIII Student––Getting to sail in an HMC Ship for the first time is one of those exciting navy experiences that, for Naval Warfare Officers (NWO), is generally reserved for when you have completed phase training at Naval Fleet School (Pacific) Venture. For the students of the Shawinigan NWO III course, we were able to experience this during our core skills sea phase aboard HMCS Yellowknife, HMCS Whitehorse and HMCS Saskatoon. Being a course primarily composed of Reserve Force members, the opportunity to sail aboard a commissioned warship was unique and invaluable to our progression in becoming Naval Warfare Officers.The core skills sea phase is the first time we were able to put into practice core bridge watch keeping, contact avoidance, and coastal navigation skills that we developed through two months of in-class learning and two weeks of practical introduction at the Navigation and Bridge Simulators (NABS). Although it was exciting and rewarding to put into practice everything we had learned ashore, the most memorable aspect of the sail was integrating into the crews of these three Maritime Coastal Defence Vessels (MCDV). Not only did the ships’ companies build a program to support the core skills sea phase requirements, they also included fun and interesting value-added evolutions that enhanced our training and gave us an early introduction to more complex naval operations that we normally wouldn’t be exposed to until later in our training. Over the course of the sail we were introduced to task group exercises, maneuvers and formation steaming,...

Peter MallettStaff Writer––Four candidates of the Raven program briefly left their flock to share their stories. The Raven program is operated by Naval Fleet School (Pacific) Seamanship Division Leadership Section and blends Indigenous cultures and techniques with military training. They have been on site at Work Point undergoing Basic Military Qualification (BMQ) training from July 8 to Aug. 13. After that, they will graduate and decide if a military career is for them.--[caption id="attachment_26539" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Photo by S1 Kendric Grasby, Canadian Armed Forces[/caption]Name: S3 Elijah GilmoreAge: 22Hometown: Brantford, Ont.First Nations Community: Six Nations, OnkwehonweSchool: North Park Collegiate, Grade 12Favourite Activities: Running, weightliftingHow did you hear about the Raven program? I was browsing the CAF website while also learning about the Great Wolf program in Ontario when I heard about Raven.Why did you join the Raven program? Because I thought it would be a fun way to challenge myself this summer while getting insight into a possible career.What do you miss most about home? I definitely miss my family, my dogs, and also having a little bit more leisure time.What benefits do you think a career in the CAF would provide you?My favourite aspect of the Raven program is also what is most difficult for me. The difficult thing is no matter how good I feel I have done at something, the staff will always push me and the rest of the platoon to do better. The schedule is very tight and very well run and they always work to get everything done between the hours of 5 a.m. and 10 p.m. I joined the Raven program to learn about the Forces, but I am also learning about myself and what it means to work as a unit, which is something I am not accustomed to.--[caption id="attachment_26544" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Photo by S1 Kendric Grasby, Canadian Armed Forces[/caption]Name: S3 Frieda HakkarainenAge: 18Hometown: Prince Rupert. B.C.First Nations Community: Gitxsan NationSchool: High School graduateFavourite Activities: Playing soccer, reading, writing and drawingHow did you hear about the Raven program? Through a family...

[caption id="attachment_26536" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Air crew from 450 Tactical Helicopter Squadron and B.C. Wildfire Service members pose for a group photo at YKA Kamloops Airport, B.C., on July 15. Photo by S1 Victoria Ioganov, MARPAC Imaging Services, Canadian Armed Forces photo[/caption]Lt(N) Pamela HoganJTFP PAO––In response to a request for federal assistance from British Columbia, Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) assets deployed to the province on July 5, as part of an overall CAF response to wildfires across the country called Operation Lentus. In anticipation of the request, multiple Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) assets were sent to Edmonton, AB, in preparation to be quickly expedited to B.C. An Airfield Activation Surge Team from 2 Wing Bagotville, QC, rapidly deployed to Kamloops to establish the airfield and initiate mission support services ahead of the Air Task Force’s arrival. A CH-146 Griffon helicopter from 417 Combat Support Squadron, Cold Lake, AB, specializing in contingency medical evacuation, was skids-down on the taxiway July 8, and within minutes was followed by the first CH-147F Chinook helicopter from 450 Tactical Helicopter Squadron, Petawawa, ON. Later that day, a 436 Transport Squadron CC-130J Hercules aircraft from 8 Wing, Trenton, ON, arrived with supplies necessary to set up the airfield and has since accomplished many transports of military and B.C. Wildfire Service equipment.A second CH-147F Chinook helicopter from 450 Squadron joined the Air Task Force on July 11 to share the workload of providing air mobility to fire support crews, conducting reconnaissance to determine the scope and scale of fires, and transporting mobile firefighting equipment. An additional CH-146 Griffon helicopter from 408 Tactical Helicopter Squadron, Edmonton, AB, arrived July 8 to support the B.C. Wildfire Service with utility moves.The abnormally harsh conditions of the 2021 wildfire season have led to approximately 448,952 hectares burned at this time –...

Royal Canadian Navy Public Affairs––Sailors will no longer have to spend hours tromping around trying to get signatures on paper to transfer in and out of Canadian Forces Bases (CFB) Esquimalt and Halifax.The Royal Canadian Navy’s (RCN) In-Out Routine Signature Sheet has been digitalized.“The old in-out routine process was labour intensive and required the transferring member to fill out a paper form and take it from one section to another, both at the losing unit and at the gaining unit, to complete the process,” explains Commander (Cdr) Dan Thompson, a Digital Program Manager with the RCN’s Digital Navy organization. “As the process moves through all the sections, officials at each section had to update data in several systems to reflect the transfer process.” At the request of CFB Esquimalt’s Base Commander at the time, Captain (Navy) Sam Sader, the Digital Team began looking at ways to simplify the process using the newest technology.“When we initially started, we wanted to modernize the routine…(to) see how any DWAN (Defence-Wide Area Network) applications could assist in digitizing the process,” says Cdr Thompson. “The Base Commander wanted a more modern process for personnel posted in or out of CFB Esquimalt vice having to walk around the base looking for offices to find signatures. Ironically, this project started prior to COVID-19 restrictions, but the team was able to continue its efforts through the use of teleconferencing.” It would have been nearly impossible to automate the overall in-out routine process from all sections into a single solution without causing huge disruptions across the navy and other government sections, according to Cdr Thompson. As well, some of those systems are already slated to be updated or replaced as part of other projects.He says digitalizing this part of the system will save time and allow sailors to focus more...

[caption id="attachment_26504" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Corporal Michael Smith[/caption]My name is Corporal Michael Smith and I’m proud to represent the Military Police again in the 2021 Canadian Cancer Society Cops 4 Cancer Tour de Rock. Being both a military member as well as a police officer, community involvement is essential. I’ve had the pleasure of representing the Canadian Armed Forces, CFB Esquimalt, and the Military Police during past Tour de Rock events and I’m excited to do my part for the community I now call home. Cancer has effected my life, just like it’s effected many others and I’m eager to raise funds for pediatric cancer research. What is Tour de Rock? Well it’s the biggest community event on Vancouver Island. Spanning over 1,000 kilometers and visiting more than 27 communities from Sept. 20 to Oct.1, with 80 per cent of funds raised from Tour de Rock going towards Pediatric Cancer research and 20 per cent to Camp Goodtimes.A more in-depth look at Tour de Rock can be found at TourdeRock.ca.I ride for the kids, I ride to fight cancer, and I ride so no one has to do this in the future.No donation is too big or too small. Thank you for your support!https://support.cancer.ca/site/TR/Cops%20for%20Cancer/?px=12979055&pg=personal&fr_id=27810––––

At the CFB Esquimalt Auto Hobby Club annual general meeting on March 27 members discussed and voted on changes to the club that set it up for a great year. Members voted on updates to policies and the fee structure, as well as absorbing the assets of the former motorcycle club. Now, membership in the Auto club offers not only the opportunity to work on cars, ATVs, and other vehicles, but also enables access to two different bike hoists. A new membership option was introduced allowing those who wish to try out Club facilities, or have a short-term project in mind, to acquire a week-long membership if sponsored by an existing member. There are two custodians on hand to help members find the tools they may need, as well as answer questions about the shop and its safety policies. If you would like to join the Auto Club, you can purchase a membership at the Colwood Pacific Activity Centre in Colwood, or by calling 250-363-1009. More information can be found at facebook.com/CFBESQAutoClub ––––

[caption id="attachment_26493" align="aligncenter" width="594"] MCpl Brendan Collins. Photo by Cpl Jay Naples, MARPAC Imaging Services, Esquimalt[/caption]Master Corporal (MCpl) Brendan Collins returned to his hometown July 24 to help battle the raging wildfires in the region. He serves as a medical technician in the aircrew of a CH-146 Griffon rescue helicopter that augments national search and rescue capability and allows him to engage in medical evacuation operations. “It feels good to be back in Kamloops helping out a bit and having the opportunity to help anybody, medically, during evacuations,” he says. He enrolled in the infantry with the Rocky Mountain Rangers after graduating from Kamloops Secondary School in 2003. Following eight years of service as an infanteer, and two tours in Afghanistan, MCpl Collins pursued an interest in healthcare and transferred into the Medical Technician trade where he specializes in aviation medicine at 417 Combat Support Squadron, Cold Lake, Alberta.The CAF has currently deployed several aircraft and approximately 50 members to Kamloops, B.C., to support the B.C. Wildfire Service by providing air mobility of personnel and firefighting equipment, as well as evacuation services to communities threatened by wildfire activity.––––

Peter MallettStaff Writer––With the pandemic subsiding, Soldier On is back on track to further its mission to help ill and injured military members and veterans on their road to recovery. In Victoria, six people climbed atop paddleboards on Thetis Lake on July 20 to learn the recreational activity. Instructors Marc Hellman and Krista Vass led the training. “A few members were nervous at first about the balance involved to stand up [on the paddleboard] but were easily able to overcome this, and then were excited to be out on the water,” says Vass. Soldier On is a program of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) that contributes to the recovery of ill and injured CAF members and veterans by providing opportunities and resources through sport, recreational, and creative activities. The program is managed by Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services.“Based on my personal experiences, I can’t think of a better organization to support than Soldier On,” says Vass.  “It was important for me to be able to share the combination of mental wellness and physical activity with others through paddle boarding as I can offer an experience and opportunity through this activity to leave whatever is bothering you on the shoreline.” Soldier On Regional Coordinator Nicole Wray has more Soldier On Camps in the works. She is organizing a two-day fly fishing workshop for the Victoria region, and encourages Soldier On members to stay tuned for an upcoming creative event planned for September. Meanwhile, in August members in the Comox/Courtney region will participate in Yoga sessions and a golf camp.For more information about their programs visit www.soldieron.ca, or connect with Soldier On through Facebook, or email SoldierOnBC-CBSansLimites@forces.gc.ca––––

[caption id="attachment_26486" align="aligncenter" width="595"] A Cyclone helicopter exercised with the Orcas, doing helo hoists. Photo by SLt Wilson Ho[/caption]SLt Wilson HoUPAR - HMCS Vancouver––Students of Algonquin Division, Naval Warfare Officer (NWO) Course Phase IV were hard at work the last two weeks, day and night, honing their skills in their final phase of training prior to graduating the course.All core crew and students tested negative for COVID-19 prior to embarking on three Orca Class Patrol Craft Training vessels for the sea phase that ran from July 14 to 28.Spread out between Orca 55, Grizzly 60, and Moose 62, students conducted navigation training around the Southern Gulf Islands. Accompanied by three five-day courses of NWO II students, the Algonquin NWO IV students conducted flag hoists in Constance Bank, multiple pilotage runs, manoeuvres in the Strait of Georgia, and formation steams, cumulating their training with a helicopter operations exercise with Stinger 20, a CH-148 Cyclone based out of 443 Maritime Helicopter Squadron in Patricia Bay, Victoria.This was the first time an Orca Class vessel and a Royal Canadian Air Force asset worked together since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, which affected millions of people worldwide.Students were exposed to challenging situations and were consistently mentored throughout the course by experienced bridge watchkeepers from the fleet. All of them were successful in passing the sea phase.Of course, one cannot navigate through the coastal waters of beautiful British Columbia without enjoying the scenery. Therefore, students planned and executed an anchorage run in Tribune Bay, by Hornby Island, where they got time off for a swim exercise.Additionally, to raise morale during the sea phase, a friendly biscotti bake-off was coordinated between one of the bridge watchkeepers and all the chefs on board the three Orca Class vessels. There were no winners, as all the bakers...

Peter MallettStaff Writer––A team of Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) cyber security experts emerged victorious at this year’s Cyber Flag 21-2 defence exercise. Locally, S1 Brian Michalski, a Naval Communicator in HMCS Vancouver, and Cody Cools-Lartigue, a civilian Base Information Services (BIS) employee, were among the 19-member team declared champions of the annual competition hosted by the U.S. Department of Defense. The navy contingent were among 430 cyber professionals who competed from across the U.S. military’s joint services, other agencies, and international partners. Canadian Armed Forces teams also captured second place in the competition, with a team of Canadian Army Reserves and another from the Royal Canadian Air Force, both augmented from branches of the Department of National Defence, finishing the competition tied.Teams competed virtually inside the U.S. Cyber Command’s web-based Persistent Cyber Training Environment in one of two nine-day cohorts, June 7 to 25. Each team was judged on their ability to thwart an unknown adversary or adversaries’ attack on their team’s network. They analyzed security intelligence regarding threats and malicious actors, conducted mission planning, deployed to the compromised network, detected the malicious activity, and recommended response actions. To deal with their cyber threat, the RCN team was divided into two sub groups, with its Blue Cell performing incident response and attempting to eradicate the threat from their network, while members of its White Cell oversaw the mission direction and provided technical support to affect change on the network. S1 Michalski was part of Team 15’s Blue Cell. Cools-Lartigue was a member of Team 15’s White Cell. He specializes in IT infrastructure and server engineering for the Department of National Defence. Cools-Lartigue and S1 Michalski said the victory came as a surprise. S1 Michalski was home doing dishes and listening to the exercise debriefing in the background when he heard the...

[caption id="attachment_26480" align="aligncenter" width="594"] Sailor First Class (S1) Michael Moores and S1 Logan Hunder lead Tabata workout classes on the ship’s flight deck to improve the physical fitness and well-being of the ship’s company during their deployment. Photo by Cpl Lynette Ai Dang, HMCS Calgary Imagery Technician[/caption]Capt Jeff KlassenHMCS Calgary––Two sailors in HMCS Calgary are hosting a different type of workout class on ship. It’s called Tabata, a form of high intensity interval training that uses many small sets of a wide-variety of exercises.“The most interesting thing about Tabata is that it incorporates all different types of exercises. Whether its weight training, cross fit, cardio, marital arts – you can include anything,” says Sailor First Class (S1) Logan Hunder, who hosts the Tabata classes with S1 Michael Moores.The two sailors met when they were at the same PAT platoon in Esquimalt in 2018 and bonded over their shared interest of eating healthy, fitness, and trying new things. They were posted to the same ship twice, most recently to Calgary. The Tabata classes started in 2020 when Calgary sailed for 50 continuous days on an Operation Laser deployment during COVID-19.“At that point, we didn’t know how long we were going to be at sea, so we wanted something that would help motivate us so we could sustain an interesting and useful fitness routine,” says S1 Hunder. “It works because it allows us to continue to try new and interesting routines.”Each Tabata class involves 14 different exercises, and these change every class. At the class, everyone pairs up and starts with two exercises. They do 60 seconds of working out, and then 20 seconds rest, three times for each exercise. This is followed by a 60 second rest before swapping to another exercise. There are seven pairs of exercises in total making...

[caption id="attachment_26474" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Participants of the Pulling Together canoe journey come ashore somewhere in Howe Sound.[/caption]Peter MallettStaff Writer––Military members, public service agencies, and First Nation communities of B.C. have ‘pulled together’ once again.The annual canoe trip and outreach was cancelled in 2020 due to COVID-19 concerns, but returned with a scaled-down re-launch July 16 to 18 in Howe Sound. Pulling Together is intended to bridge the gap of understanding and knowledge between government employees and First Nation communities. “Paddling in the Royal Canadian Navy canoe was an incredible experience and the cultural immersion was even more meaningful,” says LCdr Rebecca Hardie, Acting Commanding Officer HMCS Discovery. “Being able to observe and share in traditional songs, teachings, and ceremonies will always stay with me.”S2 Lindsay Yeung of HMCS Discovery said the opportunity to meet people from different First Nations was invaluable.“Everyone was so friendly and a friend I made told me about growing up around Howe Sound and the places he’d been,” said S2 Yeung. “Every place we went he pointed to a location and told a story about that place.”––––

[caption id="attachment_26470" align="aligncenter" width="350"] Karen Kang[/caption]A/SLt Wen GuoBase Administration––Karen Kang's career with the Department of National Defence started at age 22 when she took a break from pursuing her degree.It was 2003 when she started as a temporary administration clerk at CFB Esquimalt. She fit right in and immediately knew she had found a lifetime career.“At the end of my term, there was a position available and my supervisor, Mrs. Marian Cranston, was supportive in me taking the vacancy within the department. I took it because I genuinely enjoyed the people I worked with and the benefits that were available.”Over the past 18 years, she worked to advance her career and now holds the position of Business Manager of Centralized Administrative Services. Managing a team of 23 staff members, she supports the Base Administration Officer’s corporate functions in human resources, finance, administration, operations and training, procurement, and safety.“We are a large team of 23 members; we take care of each other as well as hold each other accountable while following the motto: people first, mission always. Our department is a large team, and we help each other out to meet our goals. I find it helpful for my team members when they are given autonomy and allowed to focus on their priorities within their job.” She encourages her team to think outside of the box, be pragmatic, and put themselves in their clients’ shoes.She learned from senior leadership that taking care of staff should always be a top priority.“The command team has always promoted work-life balance; they focus on staff’s mental well-being. Especially during the past year of COVID 19, our senior leadership’s support has been felt greatly as they stood behind everyone and are willing and ready to respond to the needs and wants of the team.”Senior leadership enabled her to take care of her priority – her family.“My children Taranjot and Tejal, both nine, are my greatest inspiration and the reason behind a lot of my decisions at work.”She...

[caption id="attachment_26465" align="aligncenter" width="595"] LCdr Kray Robichaud is a long-distance cyclist who has achieved the ‘super randonneur’ title every year since 2016 — completing a series of self-supported rides ranging from 200 to 600 kilometres. He is participating in this year’s Navy Bike Ride Harry DeWolf challenge.[/caption]Joanie VeitchTrident newspaper––Last year, LCdr Kray Robichaud cycled 5,968.7 kilometres as his contribution to the 2020 virtual Navy Bike Ride Battle of the Atlantic challenge, which added up to a cumulative total of nine days, nine hours, and 23 minutes in the saddle. By July 15 of this year, he was already on track to beat that distance in the 2021 virtual Harry DeWolf challenge.“When comparing my stats with last year’s Navy Bike Ride, I am slightly ahead by 75 kilometres, 1,901 kilometres ridden this year compared to 1,825 kilometres ridden this time last year,” he says.He loves to track his stats, taking pleasure in adding interesting facts to help put the incredible distances he rides into a fun frame of reference. For instance, he not only estimated the number of calories he burned over the 11 weeks of last year’s Navy Bike Ride - 210,185 calories to be exact - he determined that amount would be “the equivalent to the amount of calories that two Kingston Class ship’s companies would expend in one day, or alternatively, the amount of calories an average person would expend in three and a half months.”Becoming a long-distance cyclistLCdr Robichaud is the Royal Canadian Navy’s Senior Staff Officer Strategic Outreach Atlantic/Arctic Canada, as well as a husband and dad to four children. When not attending to those duties, he is on his bike as much as possible, earning titles of distinction in cycling and more than a few medals along the way.LCdr Robichaud is what is known in cycling...

Peter MallettStaff Writer––The co-founders of a Latino community group at CFB Esquimalt want to grow their organization and connect more members to their shared heritage. The CAF Latin-American Heritage Association was originally founded in Ottawa by Capt Milton Hoyos and Capt Rey Garcia-Salas three years ago. It built on the achievements of the Department of National Defence Heritage Team that was launched in 2010. The new association linked together members via email with the initial goal to establish an annual Latin-American Heritage month in the military. Its main catalyst was the passing of Bill S-218 in the House of Commons, an act respecting Latin-American Heritage Month in October 2018. Here in Esquimalt, Master Sailor Renato Zelada-Huezo took quick notice of the CAF’s new national association and together with another military member moved to set up a local chapter. The local chapter’s mandate is the same as its Ottawa-based parent organization. It’s all about ending isolation and bringing together people who feel disconnected from their culture and language.“It’s important from the perspective of solidarity to be able to gather together and help each other,” says MS Zelada-Huezo. “Our overall mandate is to promote the mental health and well-being of members and help to integrate and adapt themselves to the military community.” His family is from San Salvador and fled to Canada in 1987 during El Salvador’s civil war, first settling in Montreal. Serving in Canada’s military is about payback, he says. “I am from a military family that has members in services across the Americas and felt I should do service for my adopted country.” The local chapter has about 50 members from a variety of Latino countries. MS Zelada-Huezo says people who are not Latino but like the culture are also welcome to join the group. Prior to the COVID-19...

[caption id="attachment_26454" align="aligncenter" width="595"] S1 Charleyne Oulton with her HRA achievement certificate.[/caption]Peter MallettStaff Writer––A new blended learning training model is helping the Canadian Armed Forces address a shortfall of Human Resources Administrators (HRA). It was implemented to alleviate the backlog of training for junior Human Resources Administrators due to the COVID-19 pandemic.“We launched the decentralized model and exported course programs due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the caps on the number of students safely permitted at CFLTC,” says WO Michael Beland, Training Manager of the Human Resources Cadre at CFLTC. The first-ever decentralized courses took place over 55 days from Feb. 22 to May 21. Cohorts were implemented in CF Bases Halifax, Petawawa, and Toronto, with between 10 to 32 students participating at each location depending on health and safety protocols. Courses were delivered through a digital learning portal from Canadian Forces Logistics Training Centre at CFB Borden.Regular and reserve force members are taught how to operate as HRAs at an introductory level at a base or unit environment. The decentralized course is more intensive and delivers the training over 55 days instead of 90. Candidates learn the procedures for maintaining a personnel file, processing military pay, managing postings, disciplinary documentation, and casualty administration, initiating a claim, administering a member’s deployment, and how to write proper military correspondence.After a preliminary trial run, a more permanent decentralized training model is now expanding to other bases. It uses a blended learning format that includes self-paced online learning with interactive activities and instructor-led content and exercises. “By launching this instruction, we were able to ensure those newly enrolled HRAs received their required training in a timely manner and got them out to their units and bases where their support is greatly needed,” says WO Beland.For the initial trial run, Halifax-based candidates were housed...

[caption id="attachment_26451" align="aligncenter" width="595"] From left: Outgoing CFB Halifax Base Chief, CPO1 Kent Gregory; CFB Halifax Base Commander, Capt(N) Sean Williams; and the new Base Chief, CPO1 Alena Mondelli.[/caption]Joanie VeitchTrident Newspaper––Chief Petty Officer First Class Alena Mondelli made Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) history on July 8, becoming the first woman to serve as a Base Chief Petty Officer. She is the 23rd CFB Halifax Base Chief, taking over from CPO1 Kent Gregory, who served in the position for three years and has now retired from the navy.“I have broken many layers of glass in the RCN for women non-commissioned members,” CPO1 Mondelli said. “It wasn’t my intention to break glass. I just did my best with what I had. As a matter of fact, for many years I didn’t want the label ‘first woman’ or ‘first female’ associated with my accomplishments as I felt that it put the focus on my gender and not my performance.”Prior to her appointment as Base Chief, CPO1 Mondelli was Unit Chief Petty Officer at Personnel Coordination Centre Atlantic. After joining the navy as a naval radio operator in 1991, she was posted to her first ship HMCS Annapolis in 1993 and has gone on to serve on a variety of ships, most recently as Coxswain in HMCS Toronto from July 2018 to August 2019. It was a role that awarded her another major “first” as the first woman in a hard-sea trade to have sailed on a major warship at every single rank.“What I’ve learned over the years, thanks to some very strong mentors, is that the label isn’t about me, it’s about what it means and can mean to those who want to see themselves in their leaders,” CPO1 Mondelli says. “I know that every day when I put on my uniform, just...

[caption id="attachment_26448" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Col Patrick MacNamara addresses those in attendance.[/caption]DND––Colonel Patrick MacNamara assumed command of the Royal Canadian Air Force’s 12 Wing Shearwater from Col James Hawthorne in a change of command ceremony July 16 presided over by Major-General Eric Kenny, Commander of 1 Canadian Air Division.Col MacNamara assumed command after a dynamic career that includes postings with both of 12 Wing’s operational squadrons 423 Squadron and 443 Squadron and numerous deployments to sea with the CH-124 Sea King; an operational planning posting with NATO in Europe; and most recently with the Strategic Joint Staff in Ottawa. Col Hawthorne now moves into the position of Royal Canadian Air Force Advisor with the Canadian Defence Liaison Staff at the Canadian High Commission in London, U.K. As Wing Commander, he presided over one of the most challenging periods in 12 Wing’s history, which saw the continued operationalization of the CH-148 Cyclone, and the tragedy of the Stalker 22 accident on April 29, 2020. This was on top of the day-to-day responsibilities of maintaining training and readiness, operating alongside the Royal Canadian Navy, and working with community partners, all while dealing with the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. 12 Wing is the home to the Royal Canadian Air Force’s maritime helicopter community, with the primary role of providing helicopters to embark on Royal Canadian Navy ships in support of operations. With a total team of approximately 1,200 people, 12 Wing Shearwater has four squadrons: 443 Maritime Helicopter Squadron (Patricia Bay); 406 Maritime Operational Training Squadron (Shearwater); 423 Maritime Helicopter Squadron (Shearwater); and 12 Air Maintenance Squadron.––––

[caption id="attachment_26443" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Sergeant Steven Drinkwalter played the bag pipes during the Battle of the Atlantic ceremony on May 2 in the Arabian Sea while the ship was on Operation Artemis and part of Combined Task Force 150. Photo by Cpl Lynette Ai Dang, HMCS Calgary Imagery Technician[/caption] HMCS Calgary’s Sgt Steven Drinkwalter grew up in Esquimalt where his father worked down the road at CFB Esquimalt. At age 12, while watching the Victoria Day parade, his mother pointed to the pipe band as it marched by and said to him, “You’re doing that.” So, he joined the 2136 Canadian Scottish Cadet Corps and learned the bagpipes, rounding out his cadet experience as he had already been in Sea Cadets and Air Cadets (Rainbow Sea Cadet Corps and 89 Pacific Air Cadets). “I loved it right away,” he says. In 1994, at 17, he transitioned from cadet to an Infantry Reservist in the Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary’s) Primary Reserve infantry unit out of the Bay Street Armoury in Victoria. With this unit he toured the world as part of the Regimental Band. He fondly recalls touring the United States and going to Europe. His most memorable trip was to Scotland when his band participated in the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, the largest military show of its kind in the world. In 2004, he moved from the Reserve Force to the Regular Force, joining as an Aviation Systems Technician. Since joining he has been on six deployments on four warships as part of their embarked air detachments. To the delight of all the ship crews he has sailed with, Sgt Drinkwalter always deploys with his bagpipes, becoming the ships’ unofficial bagpiper. His bagpipe playing offers a powerful and emotive ambiance at dinners, cocktail parties, birthdays, celebrations, and memorials. In...

[caption id="attachment_26438" align="aligncenter" width="594"] Rear-Admiral Chris Sutherland, Deputy Commander Royal Canadian Navy (centre), presided over the Naval Reserve Change of Command Ceremony between departing Commander, Commodore Michael Hopper (left) and incoming Commander, Commodore Patrick Montgomery (right) during the signing of the Change of Command certificates in Ottawa July 9. Photos by Corporal Sylviane St-Cyr, Canadian Forces Support Group (Ottawa-Gatineau)[/caption]Peter MallettStaff Writer––A Victoria resident skilled at solving complex problems has taken command of Canada’s Naval Reserves. Math professor and naval reservist Commodore Patrick Montgomery took the helm from Cmdre Michael Hopper during a Change of Command ceremony at HMCS Carleton in Ottawa on July 9. “I think the ability to analyze a problem logically and consider how components interact has been a great help throughout my career in the Naval Reserve,” he says of his mathematical expertise. He now oversees more than 4,100 part-time sailors serving within 24 Naval Reserve Divisions across the country. Their responsibilities include responding to domestic operations, providing security for the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN), augmenting the fleet platform or shore capacity for defence missions at home and abroad, and providing the linkage between the RCN and local communities.Cmdre Montgomery is a 52-year-old father of two, and currently resides in Saanich with his wife Kelly. He holds a Ph.D. in mathematics from the University of Alberta and currently teaches math at nearby Camosun College. He has been engaged as a part-time and full-time reservist for most of his adult life, first enrolling in the Naval Reserves in 1986 when he joined HMCS Malahat.Highlights of his naval career up until this command were his postings as Commanding Officer of HMCS Edmonton (2008 to 2010) and HMCS Saskatoon (2010 to 2012), when he worked as a full-time naval reservist. Earning his Minor Warship Command Qualification in 2004 was the most difficult challenge of his naval career. “This took several years of examinations, preparations, study, and practice to get there,” he says. “I also learned a lot about how to...

[caption id="attachment_26424" align="alignnone" width="595"] Margaret Brooke (hull 431) is seen alongside HMCS Max Bernays (hull 432) at Irving Shipbuilding’s Halifax facility. Photo courtesy Irving Shipbuilding.[/caption] Joanie Veitch, Trident Newspaper––The delivery of the Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ship (AOPS) Margaret Brooke on July 15 in Halifax marked an important milestone both for the Royal Canadian Navy and for the ship’s crew.“The crew of Margaret Brooke finally has a ship to call their own,” said Cdr Nicole Robichaud, Margaret Brooke’s Commanding Officer. “The delivery would not be possible without the dedication of the crew, who have spent the better part of the last year to 18 months training and learning about this ship.”The second AOPS of six being built through the National Shipbuilding Strategy by Irving Shipbuilding, and its delivery, was a highly anticipated event, Cdr Robichaud added. “Not only is a new ship entering into service with the Royal Canadian Navy, but a new capability is also being introduced and Margaret Brooke will directly contribute to achieving global Canadian objectives.”Training in preparation for delivery involved the ship’s company in both computer-based learning and a practical training program at various shore-based facilities, as well as on board HMCS Harry DeWolf, the first AOPS, said LCdr Dusty Allen, Margaret Brooke’s Executive Officer.“While this training ensures we are well postured to receive the ship, nothing can replace the pride and ownership of having a unit to call your own,” he said, commending the “incredible work ethic, enthusiasm and pride” the ship’s crew have shown.The journey to delivery day was a rough one at times, with the COVID-19 pandemic introducing numerous challenges.“COVID has had an impact on everyone, everywhere,” said Cdr Robichaud. “It has affected everything from material, parts, labour, and timelines, to training, morale, personnel requirements, and taskings.”Irving Shipbuilding, the Canadian shipbuilder and in-service support provider,...

[caption id="attachment_26420" align="alignnone" width="595"] The team from the MFRC, Jackie Carlé, Lisa Church, Debra Groves, Kathy Cook, with Gordie Dodd.[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer––It was the sound of money as bottles bumped and cans clanged outside Dodd’s Furniture and Mattress off Finlayson Avenue on July 11.The store held a touchless bottle drive on behalf of the Esquimalt Military Family Resource Centre (MFRC), a gesture of support for military families. Four MFRC volunteers were on hand to accept the donated cans and bottles and place them into large industrial-sized bins provided by Bottle Depot. “This was our first fundraising experience with Dodd’s and we were so thrilled when they reached out to us,” says Jackie Carlé, MFRC Executive Director. “Donors from the community streamed through the parking lot for most of the day and it was heartwarming to see the community rally to support this cause and be so generous.”By day’s end, seven large bins were filled to the brim, totalling over $1,000, plus $120 in cash donations for the MFRC. Carlé noted that the Esquimalt MFRC is also registered with the Bottle Depot for charitable donations at any of their locations throughout the year. The Esquimalt MFRC is a registered charity and accepts donations from the community in support of military families. Individual donations can be made by visiting their web page: https://esquimaltmfrc.com/get-involved/donate

Maj Philip Dodge, 443 Maritime Helicopter Squadron––443 Maritime Helicopter Squadron has a new guardian at the facility entrance – a beautifully preserved Sea King helicopter.On July 7, the CH12417 Gate Guardian was dedicated by the Squadron’s Commanding Officer, LCol Ryan Sexsmith, and Honourary Colonel Mike Sudul, along with the placement of a time capsule. The time capsule will be opened on the 50th anniversary commemorating the Sea King’s final flight with the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), in December 2068.The fleet of Sea Kings retired on Dec. 31, 2018, after 55 years of service to Canada, the RCAF, and the Canadian Armed Forces.The Sea King has a storied past as one of the longest serving and operationally deployed aircraft in Canadian Armed Forces history. It has deployed around the globe in peacetime and in conflict. With this rich history in mind, 443(MH) Squadron leadership wanted to preserve and display CH12417 as a Gate Guardian, providing a fitting testament to all who pass through Arundel Castle gates, past, present, and future. The project took flight in January 2020 with an initial meeting between the Squadron and Real Property Operations Unit (Pacific). COVID-19 and the limited space to display the helicopter offered a few challenges. RPOps and Farmer Construction Ltd worked with the Squadron to design and construct the pedestal concrete pad, hardscape retaining wall, and subcontract the recessed LED lighting installation to illuminate CH12417 during night time hours. Preparing the helicopter for its new role was left to the Gate Guardian team members. As the lead aircraft structures technician, MCpl Sylvain Fortier worked tirelessly to design and implement practical solutions that enhanced the display, while preserving the aircraft’s security and integrity. On June 2, with the aircraft fully prepared and the crane ready on site, fair winds proved excellent craning conditions. Under the leadership of...

[caption id="attachment_26411" align="alignnone" width="595"] Commander Mark O’Donohue, HMCS Calgary Commanding Officer; Cdr Meghan Coates, Executive Officer; and Chief Petty Officer First Class Mark Chambers, Coxswain, stand on the ship’s forecastle as Cameron MacKay, Canadian Ambassador to Indonesia and Timor-Leste; Diedrah Kelly, Canadian Ambassador to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations; Colonel Andrew Cleveland, Canadian Defence Attaché to Indonesia, the Philippines, Brunei and Timor-Leste; and two of their staff members wave farewell from the jetty as the ship was alongside in Jakarta, Indonesia, July 2.[/caption] Captain Jeff Klassen, HMCS Calgary––HMCS Calgary enhanced its naval partnership and Canadian-Indonesian relations during a technical visit to Jakarta on July 1 to 3 as part of Operation Projection. During this visit the ship had several interactions with Indonesian ships including a multi-ship escort upon its sail into Jakarta and a flashing light communications exercise with the multi-role corvette KRI Bung Tomo.“We greatly appreciated the opportunity to enhance our interoperability with the Indonesian Navy during our visit to Jakarta,” said Commander Mark O’Donohue, Calgary’s Commanding Officer. “Conducting cooperative deployments with other capable navies in the region demonstrates our ability to work together and contribute to Indo-Pacific maritime security and stability.” While in Jakarta, on July 2, Calgary crew had a socially distanced visit with Ambassador Deidrah Kelly from the Mission of Canada to ASEAN and Ambassador Cameron MacKay with the Embassy of Canada to Indonesia and Timor-Leste. The ship’s Executive Officer, Commander Megan Coates, and Ambassador Cameron MacKay held a virtual press conference with local media. They spoke about Canada-Indonesia bilateral relations and the importance of maintaining military interoperability between nations.“The visit of HMCS Calgary to Jakarta is a concrete demonstration of Canada’s growing partnership with Indonesia, and our joint commitment to peace, security, sustainability, and prosperity at home and abroad,” said Ambassador MacKay.Upon sailing out of Indonesian...

[caption id="attachment_26407" align="alignnone" width="595"] Sailors lined the floats at the Seamanship Training Centre for departing officer LCdr Mike Erwin. Following that, they removed their caps and gave three cheers as the Whaler, staffed by senior staff of Naval Fleet School Pacifc, pulled away to row him ashore.[/caption] Peter Mallett, Staff Writer––It could be said that LCdr Michael Erwin is a renaissance man.Cartoonist, writer, friend to Gnaval Gnome, sailor, officer, Guard Commander, and his last post before he retired July 8 - Seamanship Division Commander at Naval Fleet School Pacific. His retirement, also his 60th birthday, marked the end of a 40-year career with the navy, where he learned, among many trades and skills, naval customs, tradition, history, and ceremonial procedures. So it was a fitting end when he was rowed away in a Montagu Whaler boat with Heart of Oak echoing over the water, adeptly played by the Naden Band.His path to the navy began while attending the University of Calgary and searching for part-time employment; circa 1980. “I saw an ad in the school newspaper. It was about officer training programs in the Naval Reserve and it sounded very exciting.”By February 1981 he was attending basic training at Albert Head as a naval reserve recruit. A few years later, he made the full commitment to the Regular Force serving in many warships, many now decommissioned, such as HMC Ships Annapolis, Terra Nova, Miramichi, MacKenzie, Protecteur, and Algonquin.His most enjoyable sail was in MacKenzie – 1991- when the destroyer sailed to New Zealand via Tonga and Tahiti to participate in the 50th anniversary of the Royal New Zealand Navy. From 1992 onward, he spent 16 years dedicated to naval training, splitting his time between Naval Officer Training Centre Venture, Fleet School, and the Training Squadron. “I always found it gratifying to teach...

[caption id="attachment_26402" align="alignnone" width="595"] Lieutenant-General Wayne Eyre[/caption]Lieutenant-General Wayne Eyre, Acting Chief of the Defence Staff––Many of us have been watching the reports coming out of Afghanistan with dismay. The fall of Panjwai, reported two weeks ago, has hit many of us particularly hard, and as we question our legacy, it serves as a harbinger for all Canadians who served in the country, regardless of when and where. Panjwai District, with its place names such as Masum Ghar, Nakhonay, Sperwan Ghar, and Mushan, are indelibly etched into the collective psyche of those who served there. The heat, the dust, the grape rows, and the poppy fields all provide a backdrop to what truly troubles us – our investment of effort, of sweat, and most of all of blood.Our Afghan experience has left none untouched, and many, including families, are scarred physically, mentally, and morally from it. Many of us have been asking, some for years, “Was it worth it?” Answers will be deeply personal, and not all have reached a final conclusion other than time will tell.We can hold our heads high knowing that we did everything our government asked us to do. Our members served with valour and selflessness, and were there to make a difference. The solution was never going to be a military one, and what we gave the people and the government of Afghanistan was time. The decision with what to do with that time was theirs to make.  While history will be the ultimate judge, the current trajectory of the country leaves us with much pain and doubt. After their wars, our forebears were able to visit many of the countries in which they served, such as in Europe and Korea, and put their sacrifices in context, giving them meaning when they saw hope and prosperity rise...

[caption id="attachment_26396" align="alignnone" width="595"] Capt(N) Jeff Hutchinson, Base Commander[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer––When the grad party died down and the high school certificate was stowed away, a young Jeff Hutchinson was left aimless. It was the early 90s, and nothing really stood out to him as a definitive career path. So, he popped into the Halifax, Nova Scotia, Recruiting Centre, to see what was available for a young lad like himself.The prospect of a paid post-secondary degree in history and an officer commission seemed appealing. He signed up for Navy – following in one grandfather’s footsteps – and headed off to “boot camp”, also known as Basic Officer Training in Chilliwack, B.C.Thirty years have passed since he scrawled his name on the Canadian Armed Forces contract. That young fresh-faced teenage recruit is now a naval Captain and CFB Esquimalt’s new Base Commander, having taken the position last Thursday in a formal change of command ceremony. “I’d say I had the least clue about what I really wanted to do with myself after high school,” says Capt(N) Hutchinson. “Notwithstanding the haphazard way I got here, I sure am happy I made those choices.” His career has been a volley of posting on either coast, with a few landings in Ottawa, such as his last one - Director Naval Strategic Management at National Defence Headquarters.His early career sailings were in HMC Ships Montreal, earning his Bridge Watchkeeping Certificate; and Halifax for his Anti-Submarine Warfare Officer and Fleet Navigation Officer tours. He then returned to Halifax as Deck Officer three years later following a shore posting to the Royal Military College. The return to sea strengthened his desire to sail. “I quickly found that I seemed to be more comfortable at sea than anywhere else and it just seemed to be my place,” he says. His...

[caption id="attachment_26390" align="alignnone" width="595"] Capt(N) Jeff Hutchinson addresses the crowd gathered on museum square July 15 following the change of command of CFB Esquimalt. The speech marked his first as the new Base Commander. Photo by S1 Mike Goluboff, MARPAC Imaging Services, Esquimalt[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer––Managing CFB Esquimalt is now the responsibility of Captain(Navy) Jeff Hutchinson, as he took ownership of the base on July 15.With approximately 70 guests in attendance, Capt(N) Sam Sader transferred command to Capt(N) Hutchison with Rear-Admiral Angus Topshee presiding over the ceremony held at Museum Square. Capt(N) Sader now moves on to Ottawa as Director Operational Sustainment.Rounding out the dignitaries were The Honourable Janet Austin, Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia; Esquimalt-Metchosin MLA Mitzi Dean; Esquimalt Mayor Barb Desjardins, and Chief Rob Thomas of the Esquimalt Nation.First to take the podium and address the crowd, RAdm Topshee lauded Capt(N) Sader for his leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic. “You had the ability to transform this organization so rapidly, to re-imagine all of those services, and to deliver them in the most demanding conditions possible,” said RAdm Topshee. “As a former fleet commander, I can say with certainty that you came through and made sure the fleet could stay safe and complete their mission of keeping Canadians safe.”He continued on, noting several other high level achievements including the historic cleanup of industrial contamination in the harbour and the successful National Defence Workplace Charitable Campaign, with over $440,000 raised under less than ideal fundraising circumstances over the past two years. The Admiral then turned to Capt(N) Hutchinson, describing him as an outstanding leader and an experienced sailor.“Being a base commander is not just about leading a great institution, it is also about understanding the mission. I know you bring those qualities to us and I am excited to see you...

DND––It was a banner day for members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Legal Branch as they virtually engaged with Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, Colonel-in-Chief of the CAF Legal Branch on June 22 for a formal presentation of a Royal Banner by the Queen.“It was my honour and pleasure to have received this Royal Banner from Her Majesty on behalf of all members of the Legal Branch, past and present, who, for more than one hundred years, have served Canada with professionalism, expertise and honour,” said Rear-Admiral Geneviève Bernatchez, the Judge Advocate General, after the event.Royal banners are unique flags presented as special marks of Royal favour to commemorate specific services. The Queen hosted the virtual audience from Windsor Castle. Rear-Admiral Bernatchez attended from Ottawa, with her Chief of Staff and CAF Legal Branch Advisor, Colonel Robin Holman. Lieutenant-Colonel Noor Ahmed, Assistant Judge Advocate General for the Prairie Region, joined them from Winnipeg and Major Angela Orme, Legal Advisor to the Commander, Combined Maritime Forces Combined Task Force 150, connected from Bahrain.Following the formalities, the Queen spoke with each participant about their service to country, commitment to justice, and to family.Col Holman discussed his responsibilities as both Chief of Staff and Branch Advisor to manage effective recruiting, professional development, assignment, and career progression of legal officers.LCol Ahmed had the opportunity to mention that he first met the Queen while serving as a Boy Scout during the Royal Visit to Stratford, ON, in 1973, which Her Majesty appreciated. He also discussed his official duties focusing on domestic operations, particularly his legal support to requests for assistance during the pandemic in long-term care homes in the Prairie region and to remote northern First Nations communities. He also spoke about his role advising on air security issues under the NORAD agreement.Maj Orme provided background information about her deployment in Manama, Bahrain, headquarters of the 34-nation coalition Combined Maritime Forces (CMF). Canada took command of CMF’s Combined Task Force 150 (CTF 150) in January 2021. As the legal advisor to Commander CTF 150, Maj Orme supports every boarding operation to ensure they are proceeding with the proper legal basis and...

[caption id="attachment_26373" align="aligncenter" width="595"] S1 Jesse Gisborne[/caption]Sailor 1st Class (S1) Jesse Gisborne, a Clearance Diver from Fleet Diving Unit (Pacific), is deployed on Operation Unifier supporting Exercise Sea Breeze 21 in Odesa, Ukraine. Raised in Abbotsford, B.C., and a local of Victoria, S1 Gisborne, has always dreamt about travelling the world and living a life of adventure.“I was a young man searching for adventure on the high seas. It turns out the adventure happens in port,” he said.Clearance divers such as S1 Gisborne are the Royal Canadian Navy’s explosive ordnance disposal experts in both surface and sub-surface environments, with specialties in underwater demolitions, conventional and advanced unexploded ordnance, and improvised explosive device disposal. They are also experts in salvage, inspections, training, search and survey, hyperbaric medicine, submarine rescue, fleet maintenance, and dockyard support. They also provide support to Fleet Force Protection and other government agencies. Among the many memorable diving missions for S1 Gisborne was his tasking in Tofino, B.C.“A challenging experience that I can never forget was sailing our dive tender to Tofino to recover ordnance from a First World War wreck,” he said. “The tow rope for our rigid-hulled inflatable boat (RHIB) parted in the middle of the night in rough seas. I remember the jump from the deck of our boat to the RHIB in three-metre swells was dicey. Sometimes getting to the job is the most dangerous part.”He has also been deployed off the coast of Libya during the Arab Spring in 2011 aboard HMCS Vancouver, as well as in numerous domestic and international exercises.“The experiences you share with your team will form friendships that last the rest of your life.” The Clearance Diver Team deployed in support of Exercise Sea Breeze 21 is comprised of members from both the Pacific and Atlantic Fleet Diving Units. During the exercise, S1 Gisborne is sharing best practices with...