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Peter MallettStaff Writer––The Royal Canadian Air Force Foundation is currently offering 20 scholarships for youth aiming for careers in the aviation or aerospace sectors.Scholarships are valued at $1,000 each and are designed to encourage students towards careers in science, technology, engineering, and math studies (STEM) or the aviation or aerospace industry. Deadline to apply is July 16.Canadian youth who are 25 years or younger by Sept. 1 and are entering or studying in a post-secondary institution or flight school are eligible to apply. Awards are broken into three categories of eligibility: 10 scholarships have been set aside for eligible dependents and current and former RCAF members, five for young women, and five scholarships for students who identify as Indigenous, visible minority, persons with disability or LGBTQQIP2SAA. The RCAF Foundation was launched in March 2021 with a mission to recognize, foster, and celebrate the Royal Canadian Air Force through community engagement, education programs, and commemorative activities. “These scholarships are to inspire students and meet the rapidly growing demand for skilled people in the private defence sectors to be leaders in Canada and the world and there are few areas more exciting than science and flight,” said Lieutenant-General (Retired) Michael Hood, foundation member and Commander, RCAF.In order qualify for the scholarship applicants are required to contribute an essay of 500 words or video clip of at least two minutes answering one of two questions that can be found on the website: https://rcaffoundation.ca/portfolio-items/student-scholarship/Deadline is July 16.––––

[caption id="attachment_26357" align="aligncenter" width="590"] SLt Nic Bell in HMCS Winnipeg.[/caption]An Unusual Alarm ClockSLt Nic BellHMCS Winnipeg––Being awoken by the general alarm at 0400 coming through the PA is certainly an unusual alarm clock. I hop out of my rack, lit by red light, in a space shared with five others, three of whom are casualty clearers and two rescue swimmers (including myself). Everyone dresses as fast as possible while the ship rolls 15 degrees - makes dominos on a seesaw look steady compared to us. We move as fast as possible to the upper decks to don a dry suit labeled “RESCUE” and hop into a little boat that will shortly be suspended two to three stories over the water. All this to recover our friend Oscar, a human-sized dummy who was thrown overboard for training. That’s my alarm clock some days. Life during Intermediate Multiship Readiness Training (IMSRTs) is a constantly changing, chaotic event consisting of trying to stay ahead of the ship’s program. Being a Bridge Watch Keeper under training just adds to the chaos. Attending briefings, running serials from the bridge, and responding to emergencies, every day is a change from the last and tomorrow will be different. A moment that stands out was being the Second Officer of the Watch on the bridge for the first landing of our helicopter. Bringing the ship to emergency flying stations, putting on action dress, and trying to find a flying course to safely land the helicopter while working with a helicopter for the first time was a nerve-racking, yet confidence-building evolution. A sense of anxiety was felt through the bridge as we watched the flight deck through the CCTV system, with the sound of rotor blades chopping in the background while the aircraft landed. We waited anxiously to hear “Trapped on Deck” over the net. Every time a novel and stressful moment ends, you go back to thinking “Okay what’s next?” Needless to say, the life of a Bridge...

[caption id="attachment_26347" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Captain (N) S. Sader[/caption]It’s still hard for me to believe, but this will be my last update as Base Commander before my Change of Command on July 15.  It has been an honour to serve in this role and to work alongside so many talented professionals here at the base and within the local community and I would like to express my thanks for your support over the last two years.I’ve always felt a strong sense of purpose throughout my numerous postings at CFB Esquimalt.  There is something special about being part of a dedicated team, responsible for sustaining regular operations and capable of surging its support in times of global crisis or natural disaster response. Over the last year and a half, you have all demonstrated just how important that surge capacity is and I have been consistently impressed with the professionalism and dedication of the base team throughout the challenges of COVID-19 and beyond.Despite the unpredictability of the global pandemic, there are many accomplishments to be proud of.  A high-tempo fleet schedule of international and domestic deployments kept us busy, while we also worked to modernize our processes through numerous digitalization initatives to ensure our people have the right tools for their job. Significant progress has been made on our major infrastructure projects in preparation for welcoming the future fleet to our harbour in the coming years. We have also taken steps to address historic industrial contamination within Esquimalt Harbour, helping to restore the local shared ecosystem for future generations as part of the Esquimalt Harbour Remediation Project.  The base joined together in support of those in need during events such as the Tug-of-War Challenge, chili cook-offs, Bring Your Dog to Work Day and countless other events that raised over $440,000 for the National Defence Workplace Charitable Campaign over the last two years.   These are just a few examples of the many achievements I’ve witnessed during my time as Base Commander and I couldn’t be...

[caption id="attachment_26344" align="aligncenter" width="594"] S1 Andy O’Brien inspects the explosive found at Fort Rodd Hill.[/caption]Peter MallettStaff Writer––A Second World War-era mortar found at Fort Rodd Hill has been safely destroyed by two Clearance Divers of Fleet Diving Unit Pacific. The item was discovered by a groundskeeper while clearing underbrush near the perimeter of the Parks Canada facility on the morning of June 28. The explosive device was in a wooded area near Fort Rodd Hill Road.PO2 Benoît Leonard and S1 Andy O’Brien, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technicians of the Maritime Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit, were dispatched by the Canadian Joint Operations Command. Members of Military Police Unit (Esquimalt) had cordoned off the area. The item was later identified as a British 2-inch-high explosive mortar. It was half buried in soil when PO2 Léonard and S1 O’Brien came upon it. “It looked like it may have been [accidentally] dropped there a long time ago, long before the site was a tourist attraction,” said PO2 Léonard. Today, Fort Rodd Hill is a Parks Canada site, but it once served as a coastal defence system during the First and Second World War. The artillery battery was originally built in the 1890s by the Royal Navy to protect the area from Spanish and Russian navy attack. It took PO2 Leonard and S1 O’Brien about 30 minutes to identify the mortar.“It’s sometimes difficult when dealing with old ordnance,” said PO2 Léonard. “When all the markings are gone, we resort to different means like key features to identify an item.” A closer inspection of the mortar revealed it was fitted with high explosives but had no fuse attached. “It’s a smaller type of mortar, used against personnel and light vehicles,” said PO2 Léonard. “The main danger would be fragmentation from the steel casing.”After determining the item was safe for...

[caption id="attachment_26337" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Members of HMCS Calgary clean a portion of Diego Garcia’s beaches on June 20 in Diego Garcia, British Indian Ocean Territory. Photos by Cpl Lynette Ai Dang, HMCS Calgary Imagery Technician[/caption]Capt Jeff KlassenHMCS Calgary––After five months of being in a COVID-free social bubble, the crew of HMCS Calgary finally got a real port visit when they visited the small British Indian Ocean Territory Island of Diego Garcia, home to United States Navy Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia. The crew had visited a few foreign countries throughout the deployment, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic port visits were considered technical visits and the ship’s company could not leave a cordened off area on the jetty. In Diego Garcia it was a time to relax, interact with crewmates and others off ship, and for some of the ship’s company it was an opportunity to help the British Forces and United States Navy protect the environment.Diego Garcia is an isolated atoll rarely visited by outsiders. It is known for its natural beauty that includes fine white-sanded beaches, with sea turtles, coconut crabs, and a diverse and vibrant sea life surrounding it. However, plastic from the ocean ends up on its shores and can create problems for the local sea turtle population. Calgary’s crew stepped in to help clean up.“The plastic breaks down into microplastics in the sand where sea turtles tend to nest,” explained Lieutenant Commander (LCdr) John Quay, Command Chaplain for Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia. “For marine turtle eggs, incubation temperature is destiny. Sea turtles have temperature dependent sex determination, which means their sex is determined by the sand temperature. Changes in incubation temperatures can modify the sex ratios produced on these nesting beaches.”[caption id="attachment_26339" align="aligncenter" width="350"] Members of HMCS Calgary[/caption]In an activity organized by Calgary’s embarked chaplain Lieutenant (Navy) Wilson Gonese and LCdr Quay, 31 members of the ship got up at the break of dawn, drove out to the island’s Oceanside R-site Beach, and cleared...

[caption id="attachment_26328" align="aligncenter" width="594"] From left to right: Maj Lesley Quinlan, her daughter, and her husband, LCol Chris Quinlan. The new Canada Army Run shirt has multiple military-themed elements printed on a material that is ideal for sport. The shirt is offered in short or long sleeve to meet the preference of the whole family.[/caption]CFMWS––In a few months, the Canada Army Run Virtual will kick off its 2021 edition. For the second year in a row, the run won’t begin at the Canadian War Museum nor in Canada’s Capital, Ottawa, but rather, anywhere and everywhere as it is virtual. Being part of this event is exciting; however, it is also quite different from the in-person event held on the streets of Ottawa-Gatineau. Keeping that in mind, the run committee is committed to ensuring participants get the full Canada Army Run experience. Each registered participant will receive a race kit that includes military-themed items.When registering for the Sept. 10 run, participants can select a Canada Army Run exclusive merchandise item:  a race shirt with short sleeves or long sleeves or a hat. This year’s shirts have a new modern, sleek design that will keep participants stylish while they break a sweat. Shirts are darker compared to last year’s while still incorporating military-related elements such as the CADPAT camouflage pattern and the Support Our Troops yellow ribbon. The design also highlights the racer’s selected distance in a white maple leaf on the left sleeve. In addition to race gear, participants will find various items including a Canada Army Run race coin, a congratulatory letter from the Commander of the Canadian Army, and an exclusive sample of a hydration product. Registrants also get access to free monthly training races, a distance challenge, Remembrance Row nominations, and a virtual expo, which includes various offers from Canada...

The Department of National Defence  (DND) and the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) are asking for the public’s assistance in locating the families of 16 Canadian Army soldiers who went missing during the Korean War in the 1950s.The 16 soldiers went missing in action between Oct. 11, 1951, and July 12, 1953. Their remains are presumably located near where they were last seen, in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) between the Republic of Korea and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. The Republic of Korea’s Ministry of National Defense Agency for Killed in Action Recovery and Identification, known as MAKRI, has been working towards locating and recovering the remains of soldiers from the DMZ where Canadian soldiers are reported to have gone missing. Working in close relationship with MAKRI, the CAF is looking for relatives to help identify through genealogical, familial and/or historical research if any discovered remains are those of the missing Canadian Army soldiers. “Our military relationship with Korea dates back to 1950, when Canada declared its support of South Korea following its sudden invasion by North Korea,” said Lieutenant-General Steven Whelan, Commander Military Personnel Command. “Canada contributed the third largest number of soldiers among United Nations (UN) countries during the Korean war. Of the more than 26,000 who deployed, 516 made the ultimate sacrifice. A formal agreement between the Republic of Korea and Canada signed on June 23, 2021, shows that we will never forget our fallen, and brings us one step closer to granting peace to the families of the soldiers who went missing.” The successful identification of the missing, and their burial with their name by their regiment, brings closure to the families and a direct link to the past for soldiers currently serving. More broadly, it gives all Canadians the opportunity to reflect on the experience of those...

S2 Natassia LeiHMCS SummersideA/SLt David LindsayPAO Maritime Forces Atlantic Headquarters––The last remaining Naval Admiralty whaler is slated to be reunited later this summer near the last surviving Flower-class corvette - Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Sackville located at the Naval Museum of Halifax, Nova Scotia. HMCS Summerside collected the Admiralty’s trawler whaler on June 24 to bring it back to Canada. Coming alongside in Portsmouth, the crew had their first look at the weathered wooden boat. At 16 feet long, seven feet wide and approximately half a ton, the clinker built hull bears witness to craftsmanship worked with expert hands. The first reference to whaleboats was in 1756 and  they were introduced into Royal Naval service around 1810 when they were called whale-gigs. The trawler whaler, commonly referred to as a Captain’s gig, was used to take boarding parties to enemy ships. They had a secondary role as lifeboats.This trawler was secured by Tim Lewin.“Some 20 years ago, I began my cooperation with the Imperial War Museum by supporting an annual gathering of Second World War veterans for a Victory party to celebrate VE Day on board HMS Belfast. Through this relationship I came into contact with HMCS Sackville in Halifax, a sister ship preserved to the memory of the heroism of all those who served at sea. In the early part of this year, Commander Bill Gard of the Sackville Trust asked me if I could help them find plans to build a new Montague whaler, once the sea boat of every naval ship.“This in turn brought me to the superb restoration craftsmen of Boathouse No. 4, part of the Portsmouth Naval Base Property Trust. When I told them of my friendship with HMCS Sackville they told me that in their collection they had, awaiting restoration, an Admiralty Pattern...

[caption id="attachment_26317" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Aviator Mathieu Pelletier and his father, Sergeant René Pelletier work side-by-side in the plumbing and heating shop at 192 Construction Engineering Flight, an RCAF Reserve unit located at Aldergrove, B.C., which is part of 19 Wing Comox. Photo RCAF 2021[/caption]Holly BridgesRoyal Canadian Air Force––On any given day in the plumbing and heating shop at 192 Construction Engineering Flight, an RCAF Reserve unit located at Aldergrove, B.C., you might see Aviator Mathieu Pelletier and his father Sergeant René Pelletier working side-by-side. Since they share the same household, the pair is permitted to work in close proximity to one another during the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. “Sgt Pelletier is my father, but at work I don’t have the luxury of calling him that due to the chain of command,” says Avr Pelletier. “At home, he’s just Dad.”The father-son duo, both plumbing and heating technicians, have worked together before as civilians in the Alberta oil patch. Sgt Pelletier, considered one of the Canadian Armed Force’s leading experts in erecting soft-shell structures such as weather havens and aircraft hangars in austere conditions, was working part-time in the oil sands, after 21 years in the Regular Force and 23 years in the Reserve Force“I’m very proud of my father and the work he’s accomplished over the years. It’s a very large legacy to be walking behind. But at the same time, I know that what I can bring to the military is different than what he brought, because it’s a new era. I don’t see it as me being stuck in his shadow. I see it as one long shadow of our entire family. And eventually we step out into the light at the front, and extend it.”Making his own mark, yet forever grateful for his father’s mentorship, Avr Pelletier was only too happy...

Lisa ChurchMFRC––Esquimalt’s Military Family Resource Centre’s (MFRC) giant furry teddy bear now has a name.After a deluge of creative monikers were offered as part of a contest, judges settled on Radar. This name was suggested by the De Guzman family children, pictured here. They received a Gifts From Afar Program package.The custom-made teddy bear was created by Sugars Mascots of Toronto. The bear measures a whopping 193 cm (6’4”) in height with a massive belly and head that that measure 190 cm (75 inches) and 157 cm (5’2”) respectively. Now that they have a name, Radar will start making appearances at upcoming events.––––

[caption id="attachment_26302" align="aligncenter" width="594"] S1 Aaron Henry drills in drywall at the Salvation Army Victoria Addictions and Rehabilitations Centre.[/caption]Peter MallettStaff Writer––S1 Aaron Henry’s handiwork has helped the Salvation Army Victoria Addictions and Rehabilitations Centre (ARC) move from a tired facility to a refreshed centre ready to help the less fortunate. He was one of many volunteers who dedicated their free time to local charity HeroWork and their latest Radical Renovation. They rely on the generosity of local businesses, general labour volunteers, and skilled volunteers to pitch in and transform other local charity facilities.“I really wanted to get back into volunteering again, and making a difference in my community,” says S1 Henry. “HeroWork is a charity where I can instantly see the results of my work and also learn new skills.”He volunteered for HeroWork in 2019 doing general labour at Our Place’s Therapeutic Recovery Centre in Colwood. He says his latest experience gave him an opportunity to better himself and learn a fundamental renovation skill of how to handle and install drywall. “It was challenging at first and I quickly became aware that the materials need to be handled with care, along with getting the rivets into the studs properly,” he says. On July 3, the completed Salvation Army Victoria ARC located on Johnson Street was revealed. A newly built commercial kitchen is ready to serve with a 20 per cent increase of capacity. Before this Radical Renovation, the kitchen served approximately 15,000 meals a month. Other areas renovated include additional emergency dormitory spaces, common area updates, and general building maintenance items. Total cost of the project for HeroWork is estimated at $200,000. At $1.1M valuation it is the highest valued project completed to date.––––

Peter MallettStaff Writer––CFB Esquimalt has been selected by the Vice Chief of the Defence Staff to take part in a pilot project for COVID-19 rapid testing. Approximately 12,800 COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Detection Testing (RADT) kits have been delivered to the base. The test is a self-administered swab and can yield results in about 15 to 20 minutes. The implementation of a rapid-testing program in the workplace is intended to identify asymptomatic carriers of COVID-19. CFB Borden and CFB Halifax have also been selected to take part in the pilot project, the results of which will be assessed after 12 weeks. The tests are voluntary, completely confidential, and are being made available locally to certain workplaces and facilities through Formation Safety and Environment (FSE).  Priority units are currently in the process of being trained so they can have self-sufficient testing programs, says Catherine Leith, Formation Safety Officer.Top PriorityShips going to sea are the top priority to receive the test kits. Individuals receiving or delivering training in areas such as Basic Military Qualification, naval boarding parties, and other close contact training are the next priority. Test kits will be of great value for ships at sea, says Leith. Sailors in sea-going units are routinely tested by Canadian Forces Health Services staff using PCR laboratory tests. The PCR tests are the most thorough and effective method but can sometimes take days to get the results back.“The new tests can be given to a ship’s company on the day they sail or to a group of students the morning before a class; their operations can continue without pausing for the test results to come in,” she adds.Although DND has implemented rigorous pubic health measures within defence facilities, this latest effort is all about mitigating the spread of COVID-19 and identifying asymptomatic individuals. “There is still...

[caption id="attachment_26294" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Stadacona Band of the Royal Canadian Navy performs. Photo by Mona Ghiz, MARLANT Public Affairs[/caption]Ryan MelansonTrident Newspaper––For the first time in nearly 25 years, the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) has commissioned a new warship, with Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Harry DeWolf now entering active service following a commissioning ceremony in Halifax on June 26.The ship is the first of six Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships (AOPS) set to be delivered to the navy over the coming years, bringing with it new capabilities and a renewed focus on operations in the Arctic region. It’s the RCN’s first ice-capable vessel since the former HMCS Labrador was transferred away from DND in 1958 – a move signed off on by Vice-Admiral Harry DeWolf himself.“This is a moment in history where we pick up where VAdm DeWolf left off,” said Cdr Corey Gleason, Harry DeWolf’s first commanding officer. He’s been leading his crew in preparation for this moment since 2014, before the first steel for the ship was cut. He has spent the last year commanding Harry DeWolf through numerous tests and trials at sea.[caption id="attachment_26295" align="aligncenter" width="341"] The Honourable Arthur J. LeBlanc, Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia, presents Commander Corey Gleason, Commanding Officer HMCS Harry DeWolf, with the Commissioning Pennant.[/caption]Sailors have already gotten to know the new platform and proven its ability to operate in different environments, but that doesn’t take away from the significance of the formal commissioning and the tradition tied to the ceremony.“Tradition reinforces operations, and events like our commissioning ceremony draw inspiration and purpose from our own recent milestones, and from all of those that contributed to the National Shipbuilding Strategy. This ceremony is about all of us celebrating our contributions in a formal setting,” Cdr Gleason added.He was joined at the ceremony by senior Canadian Armed Forces and RCN leadership, including LGen Wayne Eyre, Acting Chief of the Defence Staff, and RAdm Brian Santarpia, Commander of Maritime Forces Atlantic and Joint Task Force Atlantic.Other aspects of the commissioning, which was...

Ashley EvansFMFCB––In February, a team of electronics technicians in Fleet Maintenance Facility Cape Breton Sonar Shop 153, along with the Quality Control team, were tasked with maintenance and repair work on HMCS Chicoutimi’s bow sonar array. Sonars are essentially the eyes of a submarine when it is underwater, and the Bow Sonar Array is the largest part of its sonar system.  The sonar system comprises both active and passive elements that include a 96-stave, cylindrical bow array plus flank arrays. The system can track multiple contacts simultaneously. The array was previously part of the original Type 2040 Sonar system but will now be used in conjunction with the BQQ-10 Sonar system, an upgrade the submarine will receive during the ongoing transitional docking work period. Throughout 1,600 work hours, the eight-person team rebuilt the underwater connectors, manufactured specialty cables, and reconditioned transducers for this system. They also tested each hydrophone, an acoustic instrument found on the sonar staves. Typically, there are four or eight hydrophones on each stave. Because the submarine supply system has an abundance of staves, the team were particular with the ones they refurbished or replaced. The testing procedure was a two-step process. First was an underwater check for leaks, done by submerging the body and checking the staves resistance to electrical current flowing from the internal wires into the surrounding water, otherwise known as a megger test. If water gets in, current will flow out, explained Mike Quinn, Shop 153A Sonar.Next, a functional test was done to ensure all hydrophone elements in the stave worked. Technicians put a noise source on each hydrophone and checked that a specified signal came out. If the stave was suitable, they cut the old connector off and replaced it with a new one. The connector body was then filled with an epoxy to secure it in place, and ensure it can withstand the crushing water pressure it will be subjected to through normal operations of the submarine. Once the epoxy cured, the connector body was...

Peter MallettStaff Writer––After a one-year shutdown, the Royal Canadian Navy’s popular Raven Program is ready to soar again.This outreach program is run by Naval Fleet School Pacific (NFSP) Seamanship Division Leadership Section and blends Indigenous cultures and techniques with military training. Candidates come from across Canada and enrol in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF); they are housed at Work Point barracks from July to August – this year COVID-19 health and safety measures have also been put in place. “It was disappointing to tell last year’s participants they couldn’t come due to the shut down,” says PO2 Michelle Howell. “This year the Raven interest has picked right back up. I’ve been receiving numerous emails and calls from potential recruits, parents, community representatives, and CAF members expressing how excited they are about taking part in the program this summer.”The CAF Recruiting Centres across Canada have received over a 100 applications for Raven this summer and are busy doing security background checks, medical reviews, and FORCE (fitness for operational requirements) testing. Normally, this process would take months, but with the recent lifting of tight COVID restrictions, staff only have a few weeks to process applications and get as many applicants as possible on to the course. There are a number of Indigenous training programs offered by the CAF across Canada, the Raven Program in particular can accommodate a maximum of 45 candidates. The next flock of Ravens are scheduled to arrive this week at the Wardroom for a week-long quarantine period that includes COVID testing. Then, on July 8, they will be sworn into the CAF and begin their Basic Military Qualification (BMQ). This BMQ kicks off with a four-day Culture Camp, July 9 to the 12, where the recruits learn about Canada’s Métis, First Nations, and Inuit cultures. They then carry...

Joanie VeitchTrident Newspaper––When Sailor Third Class John Stymiest left on a six-month deployment with HMCS Halifax Jan. 1, he brought his acoustic guitar, figuring it would help pass the time on his first deployment. As the warship headed to Europe to take part in NATO exercises under Operation Reassurance, S3 Stymiest found two other sailors wanting to play.  It was not long before the trio were creating original music and playing at an event in front of the entire ship’s company, including Cmdre Bradley Peats, Commodore of Standing NATO Maritime Group One (SNMG1).While the warship was docked in Stockholm in April, it held a talent show dubbed “HMCS Halifax Eurovision 2021”. “It was something special to play our music and see the smiles and joy from the crew during a deployment where the normality of exploring different countries during port visits no longer exists,” says S3 Stymiest. “We knew the ship’s company would be surprised, as they had never seen us play music together before. We mostly wrote in private so that we could give a little shock value.”They won the talent show, of course.S3 Stymiest met fellow musician S1 Francis van der Kamp while playing guitar in the Junior Ranks mess. His rap and hip-hop style blended with S1 van der Kamp’s singer-songwriter background and they came up with something they describe as “folk rap”. “Think Dallas Green meets Classified meets Linkin Park,” says S3 Stymiest, who goes by the stage name Johnny GASH, in a nod to his navy life, a term used to describe garbage aboard ship.“At first it was just something fun we would do on our off time, but soon we realized we had tremendous chemistry and decided we would start writing original music together,” says S3 Stymiest.Master Sailor Colin Puff heard about their unique musical style...

Peter MallettStaff Writer––The temporary home for the Pacific Fleet Club is now open for business in building Naden 40. The junior ranks mess officially opened June 21, following the completion of a lengthy renovation. It is currently serving coffee and snacks. Full bar service will commence after the grand opening later this summer. The date will be made public on the Pacific Fleet Club’s Facebook account in the coming weeks.The junior ranks mess serves as the primary social hub and gathering spot for approximately 1,200 non-commissioned sailors, soldiers, and aviators.The old fleet club previously operated for more than 44 years at the top of Lyall Street. But the iconic seaside building was forced to close following an engineering report in March 2016 that revealed structural flaws and an estimated $8.5 million in repairs. A permanent home for the junior ranks mess is still in the planning stages and details have yet to be announced, says Master Sailor Emily Whalen, President of the Mess Committee.Anticipation and buzz surrounding the new location has been mounting.“I think many members had been discouraged because the old location had been shut down for regular business for so long,” says MS Whalen. “There is a lot of excitement surrounding our grand opening in Naden and I think people are really looking forward to it.”A big part of that excitement is because the new location, at the rear of the CFB Esquimalt Naval and Military Museum, provides easy access for many members. This includes those who live nearby in Nelles Block and Bernays Block residences and for a large number of Base Administration staff. “Many people said they often put off making the long trek to the Signal Hill location, so the new location suits the needs of many,” she says. The building is about the size of...

Peter MallettStaff Writer––Two Clearance Divers from the base have safely destroyed a piece of live ordnance believed to be a Royal Navy shell from the First World War.The divers are Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technicians from Fleet Diving Unit Pacific and were called to a residence in North Vancouver on June 16. Members of the RCMP explosive disposal unit had originally been dispatched to deal with the ordnance. Their bomb specialists were recalled after it was determined the item was military grade. According to the RCMP, the resident had purchased the item at a garage sale thinking it was an interesting artifact. They evacuated the home and six nearby residences and set up a perimeter a safe distance away from the home. The Maritime Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit was dispatched after receiving a tasking call from Regional Joint Operations Centre. PO2 Benoît Léonard and S1 Jacob Desjardins travelled from Victoria to North Vancouver in the FDU(P) munitions disposal truck. Once on the scene, they identified and safely disposed of the ordnance. The device was identified as a shell used by a Q4 4-inch naval gun, which was the main gun used on destroyers of the Royal Navy and Royal Canadian Navy during the First World War.“The ordnance was live and contained about five pounds of explosives,” said PO2 Léonard. “The ordnance was rusted and what appears to be cement on the outside of the shell is actually called pitting and is a result of its corrosion.”FDU(P) receives approximately one call per week to dispose of live and inert ordnance during the winter months, and up to two in the summer months. Their area of responsibility includes all DND and Government of Canada property in the Province of British Columbia; they will also respond when tasked to aid any organization or individual requiring...

[caption id="attachment_26265" align="aligncenter" width="595"] HMCS Calgary’s boarding party team and command team stand with heroin seized during counter-smuggling operations on June 6. Photo by Cpl Lynette Ai Dang, CAF Photo[/caption]Capt Jeff KlassenHMCS Calgary––HMCS Calgary completed their two-month rotation on Operation Artemis June 14, working with the 34-nation Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) and the Canadian-led Combined Task Force 150 (CTF-150). The warship conducted maritime interdiction operations intended to stop the flow of illicit revenue to regional criminal and terrorist organizations.Frigate and crew set two records while performing on this mission.Their 17 successful counter-narcotics seizures were the most any single warship has made on any rotation in the history of CMF – setting the record not only in terms of number of seizures, but also in terms of weight of narcotics seized and wholesale dollar value.The Canadian warship also set the record for the largest single heroin seizure in CMF history.“Our success was truly a team effort both at the ship-level and at the operational level,” said Commander Mark O’Donohue, Calgary’s Commanding Officer. “While we are very proud of our success as a ship, we always try to keep in mind this success was accomplished within the framework of great support from CTF-150 and other organizations in the Canadian Armed Forces.”Calgary worked with CTF-150 headquartered in Bahrain, a Royal Canadian Air Force CP-140 Aurora aircraft, and the warship’s embarked CH-148 Cyclone helicopter to detect suspicious vessels at sea, following a rigorous process in accordance with applicable domestic and international law.When deemed appropriate, Calgary sent a boarding team to embark the vessels and seize illicit goods. These boardings were mostly conducted by the warship’s embarked Naval Tactical Operations Group team, call sign Reef; however, the ship’s organic boarding team, call sign Alpha Wave, conducted boardings during the latter part of the operation.While on...

[caption id="attachment_26257" align="aligncenter" width="594"] CPO1 Timothy King[/caption]A/SLt Wen GuoBase Administration––Incoming Base Administration (BADM) Unit Chief Petty Officer – CPO1 Timothy King’s goal is to be a good command team partner, assisting the Base Administration Commanding Officer in his day-to-day operation.“I would like to provide our Commanding Officer with a realistic, no-nonsense opinion regarding the health, welfare, morale, and climate of the sailors and public servants with whom I will be working with. People first and mission always; if we can take care of our people, we take care of our mission. I am extremely humbled and proud to be offered the opportunity to be the Base Administration Unit CPO and will do my absolute best to represent the unit well.”Born in Ottawa, CPO1 King moved to B.C. as a young boy. He was inspired to join the military by his family’s legacy of service. His father, stepfather, and brothers all held various positions within the Canadian Armed Forces. That legacy now extends to his son, a Marine Technician who will be posted to HMCS Whitehorse in mid-June.CPO1 King draws inspiration from his wife Deanna who has supported him despite her own adversity. “She is my foundation and inspires my strength and tenacity. She has taught me the meaning of perseverance by living through her multiple sclerosis condition.” His career started 29 years ago as an Infantry Reservist. In 2001, he re-enlisted in the Regular Force as a Naval Electronic Sensor Operator. Over the years, CPO1 King assumed numerous roles with many significant moments. The most impactful moment was during his time serving with HMCS Protecteur when a major fire broke out in the engine room Feb. 27, 2014.“The event stroke fear from within and my experience was traumatic. The crew on HMCS Protecteur were the bravest, most resourceful, dedicated, selfless people I have...

Peter MallettStaff Writer––A dental specialist is being added to the 1 Dental Unit Detachment Esquimalt team.In August, Major Peter Walker, a prosthodontist, will make the move from 1 Dental Unit Detachment in Halifax to Esquimalt. He specializes in treating complex dental and facial matters, including the restoration and replacement of missing or damaged teeth to improve function and aesthetics. He is also highly trained in dental implants, crowns, fixed partial dentures (bridges), dentures, and jaw disorders.“A prosthodontist provides specialist care to manage more complicated or difficult cases that are beyond the scope of a general dentist,” says LCol Deidra McLean, Dental Detachment Commander. “The prosthodontist can also help with training and development of general dentists and expand the scope of care they are capable of providing.”The unit now includes a periodontist, a prosthodontist, two comprehensive dentists, eight general military dentists, two civilian general dentists, six hygienists, and 23 dental assistants, plus reception and administrative staff.Having a full complement of specialists is a first for the clinic. Due to the nature of the Canadian Armed Forces posting, the limited number of specialists available in the military, releases, and retirements, most Dental Specialty Care Clinics are usually not fully staffed, says LCol McLean. In the past, when there was not a prosthodontist or dental specialist posted to the detachment, patients requiring specialty care were referred to civilian specialists, but come August that will no longer be the case.––––

[caption id="attachment_26242" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Wade Walters, former Esquimalt SISIP Manager, is home battling ME.[/caption]Peter MallettStaff Writer––Being so tired he had to sleep half the day was Wade Walters' first inkling something was wrong. The former Esquimalt SISIP manager says symptoms were slight and not concerning in 2000, but as time progressed so did the debilitating symptoms. “I was saving all my energy for work and gradually becoming more and more tired,” he says. “All I could do in the day was go to work, and then go home and lay down, get up the next day, and repeat.”On top of his inability to feel refreshed after a long sleep, he had headaches, muscle aches, short-term memory loss, sensitivity to bright lights and loud sounds, bladder dysfunction, night sweats, a chronic sore throat, and a sensitivity to certain foods. It took a barrage of tests and back and forth doctor visits, but he finally was given an answer: Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, known as ME to those who have it, and formerly known as chronic fatigue syndrome.Stats Canada estimates there are over 580,000 Canadians, including 77,000 British Columbians, diagnosed with ME.“I used to have a very active life, now I don’t even have the energy to take care of myself or my home properly,” he says. “This is like a life sentence.”In August 2018, the illness forced him to resign his position and go on long-term disability. There are few treatment options for ME, which affects many body systems including thinking and concentrating, and there is no cure. Walters has been seeking help from his doctor and through the Complex Chronic Disease Clinic of B.C. Prescription pain medication has provided some relief but reducing stress through meditation and mindfulness training have been more beneficial, especially to help him cope. As COVID-19 winds through...

[caption id="attachment_26236" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Painting by Cpl (Retired) Mary Fielder[/caption]Peter MallettStaff Writer––When people see Cpl (Retired) Mary Fielder’s art, they can’t tell if it’s a photograph or painting. The former army medic’s goal is to make her work as realistic as possible while capturing the wishes of her client. Her subject matter is unusual but familiar to those in the military - the iconic symbols of medals, trade badges, unit crests, awards, dog tags, decorations, photos, and other military mementos. “It’s all about the detail,” she says. Her work is often commissioned by military members and veterans to create a piece similar to a shadow box of their memorabilia. After an in-depth one-on-one meeting, she sketches out their medals, badges, and name tags in pencil at her in-home art studio in Bowmanville, Ont. Once the sketch is approved, she spends about 60 hours completing the 11” x 17” piece. “When I sit down and draw and then look at the finished product I get an endorphin release and sense of pride. The end reward is really when I get the messages from people who tell me how happy my artwork has made them; that’s what makes me the most happy.” The other reward is staying connected to Canada’s military community.She joined the army at age 17 in 1991; her parents had to sign the forms because she was so young, she says. During her career she was deployed with 2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group to Bosnia as part of Operation Palladium in 2003 and 2004. She spent time at 22 Wing North Bay, Canadian Forces Station Alert Nunavut, and Canadian Forces Health Services Centre 8 Wing Trenton. But her career - 30 years in the army – ended after falling both at home and in the workplace. After a thorough physical and tests, she was diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome is a group of inherited disorders that affect a person’s connective tissues, primarily skin, blood vessel walls, or in Fielder’s...

Peter MallettStaff Writer––A military spouse and mother from Bedford, N.S., hopes she’s captured the spirit of her beloved cat with her self-published children’s book.George: a Memoir by Joanne Kimm chronicles the family’s time with the tabby cat before he succumbed to stomach cancer. “My way to honour him and the love he gave us was to write about him,” she says. It wasn’t originally her intent to publish George’s story. Writing about him was therapy. “Saying goodbye to George was one of the hardest days of my life,” she says. The end result is a 34-page book with pictures of George. The ultimate goal is to help children understand the positive effect pets have on humans and to help them deal with their death. “I had children in mind when I wrote the book, but I have a lot of adults who tell me they enjoyed it, including a neighbour who dealt with the passing of their cat and told me the book helped them grieve.”Her book was released in 2019 with a French version released in 2020. “I think my writing ability is a God-given gift. When I am able to pull an emotional response from someone who reads about George, I know I have done my job correctly.”Kimm’s husband Jack retired from the navy in 2011 after a 22-year career as a Stoker. Her eldest son, S1 Douglas Kimm, is a sailor in HMCS Regina. “It’s hard to explain to others, but growing up in a military family, you develop some special skills that take you through life: endurance, compassion, empathy, love of travel and culture, to name a few. It’s a special family being military, and I’m proud to have been a military brat, military spouse, and mother to a serving member.”[caption id="attachment_26217" align="aligncenter" width="291"] Author Joanne Kimm with her book George: A Memoir.[/caption]Kimm worked as a DND civilian employee at CFB Chilliwack in the 1980s, 18 years for the B.C. Provincial Government, and six years at...

[caption id="attachment_26210" align="aligncenter" width="594"] Major Roland Russell (left), Commanding Officer of Military Police Unit Esquimalt, and Chief Petty Officer Second Class Dean MacKinnon (left), MPU Esquimalt Unit Seargent Major, present Corporal Michael Smith (center) with the Vice Chief of the Defence Staff Commendation for selflessness and steadfast dedication during the 2019 Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock.[/caption]Peter MallettStaff Writer––Once again, Cpl Michael Smith has cleaned and lubed his bike chain, flossed between the cogs to remove any black grease, adjusted the brakes, and tightened every bolt in preparation for his third Cops for Cancer ride around Vancouver Island this fall. The Military Police member, a seasoned Tour de Rock alumnus, was asked to saddle up because COVID-19 put the brakes on the recruitment drive for new riders, once again. In 2020, organizers leaned on veteran riders to help with the children’s cancer fundraiser by doing individual regional rides rather than the cross-island trek by one team of dedicated police and first responder cyclists.This year, Cpl Smith will ride the Campbell River, Courtenay, and Comox regions between Sept. 22 and 23. He was recently recognized for his dedication to the charity with a Vice Chief of the Defence Staff Commendation, delivered to him by Major Roland Russell.[caption id="attachment_26211" align="aligncenter" width="285"] Corporal Michael Smith[/caption]“I was so surprised to receive this commendation as it was completely unexpected,” says Smith. “Tour de Rock has been a life-changing event for me and being able to positively affect people’s lives over the past three years has been an amazing experience.”His commendation included a certificate and a pin to be worn on his uniform. The citation noted Cpl Smith demonstrated “selflessness, leadership, and steadfast dedication” to the charity.“By investing countless hours of fundraising, rigorous training, awareness activities, and altruism, you cast a favourable image of the Military Police and the Canadian Armed Forces” the award citation went on to say. The 30-year-old joined the law enforcement branch of the Canadian Armed Forces four years ago. He says...

[caption id="attachment_26201" align="aligncenter" width="594"] Master Corporal Andrew Finnigan, an Aviation Systems Technician, and Corporal Brendan Wales, an Aircraft Structures Technician, apply the detachment’s operational decal to the CH-148 Cyclone. Photos by Cpl Lynette Ai Dang, Imagery Technician[/caption]Peter MallettStaff Writer––Team work and cooperation are the main themes of a new decal now affixed next to the pilot’s window on HMCS Calgary’s embarked CH-148 Cyclone.Last week, the Polyvinyl Chloride decal, designed by MCpl Andrew Finnigan, was affixed to the metallic grey airframe. The art embraces the many facets of Greek mythology and astrology, says MCpl Finnigan. The golden outer ring represents the Golden Shellback milestone of a person crossing the equator and dateline simultaneously. The second ring in Prussian blue represents the original colour of the Royal Canadian Air Force. Within that circle, the white lettering HMCS Calgary HELAIRDET and CH-148 Cyclone, with the pop of a red maple leaf. In the centre circle, a line art depiction of the winged horse Pegasus and the bow and arrow wielding Artemis. A crescent moon and a sprinkling of stars round out the image. “Pegasus, her [Artemis] brother Apollo, and his horses pulled the sun across the sky and brought light to the world and this represents the aircraft and the contributions the RCAF brings to the RCN,” explains MCpl Finnigan.The mythical icons celebrate the common goal of the navy and air force as they work on Operation Artemis, now completed, and Operation Projection in the Indo-Asia Pacific and Middle East region. The same art is on the morale patch worn by the 21 members of the detachment. Helicopter Detachment Commander, Maj Robert McMullen says getting the morale patches affixed to their uniforms wasn’t unique but their appearance on the new helicopter is unexpected and a throwback to a bygone era.[caption id="attachment_26202" align="aligncenter" width="400"] Members of HMCS Calgary’s embarked air detachment and flying stations firefighters stand together with the ship’s embarked CH-148 Cyclone on June 15 in the Indian Ocean during Operation Projection.[/caption]“Affixing morale...

[caption id="attachment_26180" align="aligncenter" width="594"] S1 Veilleux verifies inventory as part of her job as a Materials Management Technician aboard HMCS Calgary. Photo by Corporal Lynette Ai Dang, HMCS Calgary, Imagery Technician[/caption]Capt Jeff KlassenHMCS Calgary––After a career fighting insurgents as a Combat Engineer with the Canadian Army in Afghanistan, Sailor First Class Cindy Veilleux is back.This time she is fighting terrorism with HMCS Calgary as it sails the Middle East on counter-smuggling operations.S1 Veilleux grew up in Saint-Georges, QC, and attended Polyvalente De Saint-Georges before moving to Sherbrooke and attending Polyvalente Le Phare. In 2006, at 20 years old, she joined the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) as a Combat Engineer, following the choice of a close friend.“He talked to me about the teamwork and the close bonds you make in the Canadian Armed Forces. Also, the science and technical aspects of Combat Engineering really appealed to me. He also told me all about being a Combat Engineer and all the science and technical knowledge; that really appealed to me. That, and working with explosives,” said S1 Veilleux.She served in Afghanistan for seven months patrolling with an infantry unit. Her job was to search for improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and help breach entranceways into buildings. She was frequently the only woman working in her camp. In Afghanistan, her unit found that local women would be very hesitant to speak with men, especially men who were soldiers. Because of these particular cultural sensitivities, S1 Veilleux would frequently interact with local women on behalf of the team.“It happened a few times that there was a group of women in a room and they literally grabbed me because they were so curious. They wanted to know about my tattoos and why a woman was marching with these men,” she said. “My time in Afghanistan changed my perception of life. I’m very grateful to be born in Canada.”[caption id="attachment_26181" align="aligncenter" width="351"] Sailor First Class Cindy Veilleux on the forecastle of HMCS Calgary as it sails into...

Peter MallettStaff Writer––It was early in the pandemic when Lt(N) Amanda Jane Prosper was called upon to go to Camp Adazi in Latvia and lead the set up of a 130-bed multinational isolation ward.The 52-year-old Physician Assistant spent six months in the Baltic region of Northern Europe – January to August 2020, with the second month transforming the army barracks into a safe place to treat potential patients. At that time there was little official guidance available for COVID-19 policy and protocol, so her team had to create their own plan. “At that time, a global pandemic had not yet been declared by the World Health Organization, but the virus was rapidly evolving,” she says. Camp Adazi is the home base for Canadian soldiers deployed to Latvia on Operation Reassurance. Her team established three separate self-contained sections on each of the barrack’s three floors. One floor was reserved for soldiers self-isolating for 14 days, another floor was for symptomatic patients who had not tested positive for COVID-19. A third floor was reserved as a retreat and common area for medical staff and other soldiers working and living in the building.Medical staff included Lt(N) Prosper, two medical doctors, a mental health nurse, a pharmacist, a physiotherapist, a dentist, and Medical Technicians.“At the time, we feared that COVID-19 would very well overwhelm our system,” says Lt(N) Prosper. Especially since they only had two ventilators for the entire base and their supply of oxygen and Personal Protective Equipment was low at the start of the pandemic.“Overall, the plan was a success, but we were very lucky. We acted quickly and got buy in from all nations on our plan. No COVID-19 was detected in any of our deployed members during my deployment.”She recently received a Chief of the Defence Staff commendation for her “exceptional...

[caption id="attachment_26172" align="aligncenter" width="594"] The MH-60 Seahawk Maritime Helicopter from HDMS Absalon conducts cross deck training with HMCS Halifax on June 8. Photo: SNMG1[/caption]Joanie VeitchTrident Newspaper––Three Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) ships are in the Baltic Sea region of northern Europe for the annual Baltic Operations exercise (BALTOPS). It’s the premier maritime-focused defence training event in the region, now in its 50th year, taking place June 6 to 18. Her Majesty’s Canadian (HMC) Ships Kingston, Summerside and Halifax have joined 4,000 naval and air force personnel from 18 NATO allies and partner nations, with an estimated 40 ships and submarines, and 60 aircraft taking part. Training scheduled for the 12 days includes air defence, anti-submarine warfare, maritime interdiction, and mine countermeasure operations. “The exercise aims to deliver high-end training across the entire spectrum of naval warfare,” says LCdr Greg Zuliani, Commanding Officer of Kingston. “This has been a highly anticipated event for the RCN, as we get to work with so many different international partners and allies.”BALTOPS 50 is divided into three training phases: a virtual pre-sail event, followed by a combat enhancement training (CET)/force integration training (FIT) portion, and then the final tactical phase of the exercise. During the CET/FIT phase, which took place June 6 to 12 in the Danish Straits, ships and aircraft participated in scripted training events before moving further east and shifting into the free-play portion of the exercise. That exercise was fictional but with realistic situations where commanders were given more freedom to run their own tactical programs, according to Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO, the unit in charge of BALTOPS 50 command and control from its headquarters in Oeiras, Portugal.Teams from Fleet Diving Unit Atlantic (FDU(A)), embarked in both Kingston and Summerside, joined a NATO task group to conduct Naval Mine Counter Measures. Using REMUS,...

[caption id="attachment_26169" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Everyone together post cleanup, from left to right: Alanna Morbin, Esquimalt Graving Dock (EGD), Melissa Piasta (EGD), Karlee Munro (in front, EGD), Lorraine Crinkley (front, POESB), Chris Gates (EGD), Chief CPO2 Howie Manderson (POESB), Dylan Goddard, Victoria Shipyards (VSL), Peter Mitchell (VSL), Greg Longbottom (EGD), and Lee Park (EGD).[/caption]Lorraine Crinkley Branch Environment Officer, Port Operations and Emergency Services Branch––To celebrate World Ocean’s Day on June 8, CFB Esquimalt’s Port Operations and Emergency Services Branch (POESB) organized a half day ocean and beach clean-up in and around Esquimalt harbour. POESB was joined by both the Esquimalt Graving Dock and Victoria Shipyards – Seaspan, who also occupy the harbour. World Ocean’s Day recognizes the impact of human activity on oceans and mobilizes and unites the world’s population to practice sustainable management of these bodies of water.Debris was collected from the Esquimalt harbour, with a focus on the jetties and compression fenders where waste tends to collect, and from various pocket beaches. Collectively, POESB, Esquimalt Graving Dock and Victoria Shipyards – Seaspan removed approximately 109 pounds of waste. The predominant types of waste were plastics, Styrofoam, and rope. Other types of waste included cigarette butts, protective ear buds, medical masks, and treated wood.The most challenging type of waste is by far Styrofoam (expanded polystyrene), most of which has fragmented into small bead-like pieces. Not only do these small pieces collect in hard to reach areas, such as between compression fenders, but they also readily stick to almost anything due to their electrostatic attraction to other objects. The fragmented Styrofoam pieces adhere to infrastructure and biological material making them extremely difficult and tedious to recover. These pieces pose a threat to the environment due to their inability to biodegrade, the petroleum-based composition, and the health impacts to the wildlife that ingest...