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[caption id="attachment_25706" align="aligncenter" width="594"] HMCS Saskatoon and the U.S. Coast Guard Southeast Law Enforcement Detachment prepare to intercept a target of interest on March 14.[/caption]Captain Sarah HarasymchukOperation Caribbe PAO––It was Sunday, March 21 at approximately 2:30 p.m. (Central Time). It was quiet on the bridge. The ship was gently making waves, patrolling its assigned area of operations in the eastern Pacific. Suddenly, the radio crackled. It was a U.S. Navy (USN) P-3 Orion maritime patrol aircraft reporting in. A suspicious “go-fast” vessel was in the area. HMCS Brandon, deployed on Operation Caribbe, was well positioned to make an intercept. The Officer of the Watch, a Lieutenant (Navy) Naval Warfare Officer immediately took action on the Commanding Officer’s orders to alter course and increase the ship’s speed to intercept the target. “After I made the pipe to bring the ship to action, all the different parts of the ship’s company instantly came together to close-up on their respective stations,” said the Naval Warfare Officer. “Our success on this interdiction is the result of the expertise and training of the team coming together seamlessly with both Canadian and international partners.” Brandon quickly launched its two rigid hull inflatable boats (RHIBs) with members of the embarked U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET) 103, to conduct a Right of Visit boarding. The Naval Combat Information Operators (NCIOPs) have an important role in the mission, monitoring radio traffic and passing on critical information to the Officer of the Watch on the bridge and the LEDET. The on-watch NCIOP, a Sailor First Class, describes what happened. “I started copying the information and confirming the details from the maritime patrol aircraft. As an NCIOP, I am the conduit for all the information coming in and passing it to the key players on the ship. I plotted the latitude and longitude to determine the position of the vessel. Being in the moment was phenomenal and super exciting, to see what actually happens in real-time. I realized...

[caption id="attachment_25685" align="aligncenter" width="595"] LCol Laura Laycock on deployment.[/caption]LCol Laura Laycock––It was Oct. 7, 2019, and life was not just good, it was amazing. My career in the Royal Canadian Air Force was going great. I loved my job and was getting promoted. Throughout my Canadian Armed Forces career of over 20 years, I had represented Canada around the world with NORAD, NATO and the UN. I had married the most incredible man. We relocated to Ottawa, started to travel the world together, and were ready to start a family. Then, on Oct. 8, 2019, everything changed.I was diagnosed with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) after blood work for vertigo showed extremely elevated white blood cell counts. CML is a blood cancer where the bone marrow overproduces white blood cells, which eventually impairs the development of white and red blood cells and platelets. It’s usually caused by a spontaneous mutation in DNA, which contains our genetic code.[caption id="attachment_25686" align="aligncenter" width="315"] LCol Laycock[/caption]Twenty years ago, researchers developed a new line of drugs that combat this overproduction of white blood cells. These targeted oral chemotherapy pills have been revolutionary in the fight against CML. Most people who take them do so for the rest of their lives and have good survival rates; however, a stem cell transplant remains the only actual cure. But it’s risky and not needed for most people.It’s now been about 17 months since my diagnosis and my body has not tolerated this targeted chemotherapy. I fall into that small fraction of people who get debilitating or life-threatening side effects from this medication. My doctors are discussing other treatment options, one of which is a stem cell transplant, but my mixed ethnicity (European/Middle Eastern) has made it difficult to find a donor match.My journey since my diagnosis has been to slow down and educate myself so that I can heal and advocate for my care; to appreciate every little moment of joy; and to do my best to overcome each challenge that arises....

[caption id="attachment_25682" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Lieutenant Commander David Dallin (left), Chief Petty Officer Carl Dixon (centre left), Lieutenant(N) Blythe McWilliam, the new Command Cultural Advisor, and Cdr Landon Creasy (right) at the Command Culture Advisor Townhall to brief new members of the ship’s company. Photo by S1 Lisa K. Wallace, Canadian Armed Forces Photo[/caption]Capt Jeff KlassenPublic Affairs Officer––Meet Lieutenant (Navy) Blythe McWilliam, the Royal Canadian Navy’s first, and currently only, Command Cultural Advisor. This is a new position created by HMCS Regina’s command team as a way of addressing cultural issues on ship.An example of an issue occurred last year when the ship was alongside. Crew members were getting dropped off by people they knew, usually their partners, be it a spouse, girlfriend, boyfriend. Rules were written in a way that permitted partners to come on base for this purpose. This seemed to be working for most people, but problems surfaced when one crew member was held up by extra questioning at the front gate as their same-sex partner dropped them off. Lt(N) McWilliam heard about this, brought to Commander Landon Creasy, Regina’s Commanding Officer, and conversations began with senior staff. Within 48-hours the Base Standing Orders had changed to accommodate a wider range of persons dropping off members.“My job is to keep an ear out, and look for instances where members of the crew are being hindered at their job because of some cultural aspect,” said Lt(N) McWilliam. “I then advise the ship’s command team on the issue, and help them in making a decision.”Cultural aspects include gender, sexuality, family background, religion, or anything related to the unique, personal aspects of a person.“I often deal with simple things, practical changes that ensure we are respecting the dignity of all persons. We want to make sure people are not disadvantaged because...

Peter MallettStaff Writer––Excite, engage, and empower, that is the triple “E” formula of Operation Motorsport, a revved-up not-for-profit that helps ill, injured, and wounded military members and disabled veterans in their recovery. There are two separate not-for-profits, one in Raleigh, NC, and the other in Brighton, ON. MWO (Retired) Diezel Lodder is the CEO.“Everything in the military, including your identity, is all about the team, whether you are an aviator, soldier, or sailor,” he says. “When you become injured and are no longer able to be part of that team, it creates a host of personal issues and problems that are hard for many people to overcome.”His brand of recovery is the elite sports car racing industry. He believes that industry has the structure, camaraderie, and team-oriented environment to help those suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Operational Stress Injury (OSI). He was diagnosed with a form of OSI during his career, but was able to recover while still serving.“I was finally healthy when I released and made a successful transition from the military into the auto racing industry, which is my new passion in life. But I believe it was my involvement in motorsports that saved my life. I have found a solution that can transform other lives. It would be a shame not to share it.” Operation Motorsport’s three-stage recovery program begins with the entry-level Excite Program. Working in a team, “beneficiaries” participate in gateway-to-sport events such as car corals hosted by auto industry manufacturers at racetracks. It is more than a day away from home. Excite is a structured program that draws on diversionary therapy using motorsport activities as a form of healing. Stage two, the Engage Program, assesses an individual’s goals and finds opportunities for academic studies and other training for permanent job placements. The goal is to help them become race team crew members, such as a tire technician, fuel technician, or driver assistant. to name a few.   “Its not just about turning wrenches,...

[caption id="attachment_25670" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Orca-Class patrol vessel Moose comes alongside after pilotage training for Naval Warfare Officers on ETTRICK NWO IV course. Pilotage training involves the careful navigation of a ship through hazardous areas. Photo by S3 Ioannis Giannisis[/caption]A/SLt Ty Pellerin Base PA Office––Being on the bridge of a warship as a Naval Warfare Officer (NWO) can, at times, be the most stressful job in the Royal Canadian Navy. Situations a NWO could find themselves in range from emergency actions for a person overboard, to receiving a helicopter resupply, to piloting a ship through narrow waters around dangerous hazards.“My memorable moment [in training] was conducting pilotage through Sansum Narrows in a snowstorm and having to stop the ship because a pod of transient orcas was approaching us from the other direction,” said SLt Bryan Cole, a member of the ETTRICK NWO IV course that graduated on April 8. The NWO IV course takes roughly 96 training days to complete, and when combined with the other two phases, amounts to 219 days to become a NWO.Training is run by Naval Fleet School (Pacific), and each course is overseen by a Course Training Officer. Students cover foundational aspects of the Royal Canadian Navy, giving them the tools to lead and work on ships.The NWO course is one of the toughest courses an officer can take, and the COVID-19 pandemic introduced additional challenges for students and staff this time around.“Despite a very compressed schedule in the second half of the course that saw ETTRICK do 10 straight weeks of simulator training, isolation periods and sea phases with essentially no rest days, all students pushed though and exceeded the NWO IV standard,” said Lt(N) Alexandru Madularu, Course Training Officer. “Bravo Zulu to the students; that flexibility and drive to see something through to the...

[caption id="attachment_25642" align="aligncenter" width="594"] Father and son, Bruce (right) and Derick Blanchard, march side-by-side during Day 3 of the marches at Groesbeek in the Netherlands on July 21, 2016. Credit: LS Brad Upshall, 12 Wing Imaging Services, Shearwater, N.S[/caption]This year would have been Canada’s 69th year of providing a marching contingent in the annual International Four Days Marches Nijmegen. However, as our Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Joint Task Force (JTF) Nijmegen members were preparing to participate in the 104th edition of this historic march in the Netherlands, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic led to its cancellation for the second year in a row.To ensure the continued spirit of CAF participation in the Nijmegen marches, Military Personnel Command / Chief of Military Personnel has created the Victory March as an official CAF-led event.The “Victory March”The “Victory March” initiative enables anyone to celebrate the history of friendship between the Netherlands and Canada in support of Boomer’s Legacy.Boomer’s Legacy empowers Canadian Armed Forces soldiers, sailors, and aviators to provide much-needed humanitarian assistance to people wherever and whenever Canadian Armed Forces members are deployed. The charity does this through funds raised. Military women and men across the country will take part May 4 and 5 as part of their required training, and will complete a 2 x 20 kilometre weighted (10kg) ruck march in their own towns and cities.Other participants can march from May 1 to 9 with a march of their choice: Family March 2 x 2 km  Boomer’s Friendship March 2 x 5km                 Gift of the Tulips March 2 x 10km               Liberation March 2 x 20 km              JTF Nijmegen Commander’s Challenge (with 10kg weight) 2 x 20km               Register here:https://raceroster.com/events/2021/38945/victory-march-la-marche-de-la-victoire?locale=en_US and includes the option to make a donation to Boomer’s Legacy.Upon completion of the Victory March, participants receive the Military Personnel Command coin to remember the experience.––––

[caption id="attachment_25639" align="aligncenter" width="594"] Master Warrant Officer (Retired) Dan Pasieka, centre, holds the LEGO model built by his sons, Mike and Denis, of the CH-113 Labrador he flew in for years as a Royal Canadian Air Force search and rescue technician. The boys are hoping fan support in the LEGO Ideas online group might see their home-build someday fly off store shelves.[/caption]Sara WhiteAurora Newspaper––The CH-113 Labrador has a special corner of Master Warrant Officer (retired) Dan Pasieka’s heart. It was used by the Royal Canadian Air Force as its search and rescue helicopter for 41 years before being replaced by the CH-149 Cormorant.But the LEGO model his sons Mike, 15, and Denis, 13, made of the aircraft hold a larger space. It’s a tribute to his 26-year military career, including time as a search and rescue technician.The Ottawa family, and MWO Pasieka, were never posted to 413 (Transport and Rescue) Squadron at 14 Wing Greenwood, but they did spend time at search and rescue bases across Canada. When he retired Jan. 4, his boys got to work.“We designed this set for our father as a gift for him because he flew in this Labrador,” says Denis, describing the early process of sorting through their amassed bins of traditional LEGO to sort out as much yellow as they could find. They wanted moving parts and functioning features, including the retracting winch and ramp their dad would have worked with as he helped save fishermen, boaters, hikers, aviators, and others in distress.The boys called it complete March 11, loading their build to the LEGO Ideas website in hopes fan votes will catch the brick-building company’s attention, and the Labrador becomes a sellable kit down the road.They need 10,000 votes over two years to get their design in front of the LEGO board....

[caption id="attachment_25635" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Lt(N) Joseph Chen works on the bridge of HMCS Harry DeWolf.[/caption]DND/CAF––Have you ever wondered what life at sea is like aboard the Royal Canadian Navy’s (RCN) newest ship?Equipped with the latest in cutting edge technology, soon-to-be commissioned Harry DeWolf, the first of six Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships, is not only a state-of-the-art warship, it is also designed to significantly improve the comfort and well-being of its crew members.Harry DeWolf’s 65 sailors recently completed their first cold water and ice trials off Labrador and Newfoundland. This gave them the perfect opportunity to experience first-hand just how advanced the Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships is in both operational capability and quality of life while at sea.Harry DeWolf and the rest of the new Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships offer facilities that create a better environment for their crews. Modern amenities include an all-ranks cafeteria, gender-inclusive washrooms, individual crew accommodations, internet, exercise equipment, and the flexible use of common spaces such as the briefing room, wardroom, and boarding party room to serve as a silent space for various religious practices.“Harry DeWolf is on the leading edge of technology, convenience and comfort that the RCN’s future fleet will provide,” says Lieutenant-Commander Jim Little, Executive Officer. “Whether it’s being able to keep in touch with friends and family, eating in the all-ranks cafeteria, or operating any of the modern equipment on board, Harry DeWolf has something for everyone.” The all-ranks cafeteria shows just how much morale is affected by being able to eat with other crew members.“The Coxswain (senior non-commissioned officer on board) and I are able to pay close attention to how people are feeling and what they are happy or not happy with,” he says. “The quality of the food on board is very high and the fact we are...

[caption id="attachment_25631" align="aligncenter" width="594"] PO2 Jennifer Lawrence with her family, who give her much-needed support as she copes with her rare disease.[/caption]Peter MallettStaff Writer––An instructor from Naval Fleet School Pacific is going public about her rare medical condition in hopes of breaking the stigma for others in the same boat. PO2 Jennifer Lawrence, 33, has been living with a rare and incurable auto-immune disease known as Linear Scleroderma Morphea.The condition is caused by her body’s immune system attacking her skin.“The easiest way to describe it is most people have several layers of skin and then muscle; whereas I have a thin layer of skin and then just muscle with nothing in-between to protect the muscle. Getting bumped or hit in any part of my body where the morphea exists is excruciatingly painful.”She isn’t suffering with the disease, she says. She has learned to live and thrive while battling the disease.This year marks her 14th year of service in the Canadian Armed Forces and her seventh year in the regular forces.  She currently works as a Steward Instructor, is married to a military member, and is a military mom with a busy family life.Instead of keeping her medical condition a closely guarded secret, she is open and honest about condition. “We need to raise awareness amongst military members, civilian employees, and managers that there are others who work at the base battling rare diseases and its okay for us to be part of the defence team.”Morpheas affects less than three out of 100,000 people. A full understanding about the causes of the disease and its many variants are inconclusive, says PO2 Lawrence.Her Linear Scleroderma is a morphea that appears on the arms and legs in school-aged children, commonly appearing as single band of thick discoloured skin, but it can also affect muscles, joints, and bones and lead to cosmetic deformities.Her condition is limited to her right hip. It’s out of view except when she wears a bathing suit or tight-fitting clothing;...

[caption id="attachment_25628" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Sailor First Class Richard Vuong (left) and Sailor Second Class Peter Bui were thrilled to visit their homeland of Vietnam as the ship progresses on its Operation Projection / Artemis deployment. Photo by Cpl Lynette Ai Dang, Imagery Technician[/caption]Capt Jeff KlassenHMCS Calgary PAO––Two HMCS Calgary sailors, both with Vietnamese heritage, have remarkably similar stories and were excited for the fuel stop in Cam Ranh International Port, Vietnam, even though they couldn’t step foot on land because of COVID-19.Marine Technician’s Sailor First Class (S1) Richard Vuong and Sailor Second Class (S2) Peter Bui are natural-born Canadians brought up in families that follow traditional Vietnamese customs; both parents were born and raised in Vietnam.Despite not being able to go ashore in Vietnam as part of Operation Projection, both sailors are studying Vietnamese during the deployment, an affirmation of their heritage.S1 Vuong’s Vietnamese girlfriend has been teaching him the language. He hired her as a tutor before going on deployment. They hit it off, he says. They frequently video call and she helps him with his pronunciation.He started learning Vietnamese just in case he could go to Ho Chi Minh City in the South and Haiphong and Hong Gai, near Ha Long Bay in the North to meet his ancestors. “I wasn’t able to go to a Vietnamese coffee shop on this deployment, but I was still excited to actually see the country with my own eyes, even if it was just from the ship,” he says.S2 Bui worked on a small northern Vietnamese farm as a teen.“When I found out we were going to Vietnam, even though we couldn’t get off the jetty, I was really happy. I was so excited to see my home country again.”S2 Bui’s parents moved to Canada when he was young and for years his knowledge...

[caption id="attachment_25625" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Members of the Naden Band perform the song Hang In There at the Naden Band headquarters.[/caption]Peter MallettStaff Writer––A new music video produced by the Naden Band encourages people to stay the course in the fight against COVID-19 with messages of support from the base community. The song entitled Hang in There was written by band member PO1 Jeff Cooper with PO 2 Stephen MacDonald helping with the harmony. It’s in celebration of World Health Day on April 7. “The world has faced some incredible challenges in the last year and I think we all need some encouragement to keep doing the right things,” says PO1 Cooper. “There are so many people out there who are putting themselves on the line to serve the greater good and this is a big thank you to all of them. Living through the pandemic for the past year has made us look at everything through the lens of how it impacts our health and how our actions affect others.” The music video is available through the band’s official Facebook account. It features a five member band performing the song as well as footage of base personnel sending shout outs of support.The song is written in a standard jazz format with S1 Laura Andrew on vocals, and solos performed by PO1 Jeff Cooper on saxophone, PO2 Stephan MacDonald on guitar, PO2 Ross Macdonald on stand-up bass, and S1 Sandra Veilleux holds it all together on drums. “I enjoyed everyone’s playing, we’ve got a good groove and it feels right,” said PO1 Cooper. “I also really enjoyed the contributions of people around the base, everyone we contacted was happy to participate and it really helped fill out the supportive community vibe we were going for.” Video production was completed by an in-house team of technicians...

Lt Jeff Klassen Public Affairs Officer––I sailed in HMCS Regina earlier this year. While there, I wrote about my experiences in a BLOG and this is a continuation of that.Navy culture is really quite different to the other environments. They do all sorts of unique things, some of them dating back hundreds of years. One tradition is “Soup”.Now you might think soup is a lunch-evening type of thing. But in the navy it’s a morning thing.Every day at 10 a.m. navy cooks serve soup; in fact, it’s called “10 o’clock soup”.  At that time, a significant portion of the crew stops what they are doing and eats soup. I’ve heard it might be to help counter sea sickness, but I’m not sure.  It seems to just be a thing.Another thing about the navy is it has all sorts of special words and navy people love telling you about them.Here’s some of the ones I’ve discovered.Rack = BedDeck = FloorDeck head = CeilingBulk head = WallHatch =  DoorShip = Boat Most naval vessels are called ships and you shouldn’t call them boats. For example, a frigate is a ship not a boat, but the small inflatable boarding vessels - called “RHIBs” – are boats.Life Preserver = Personal flotation deviceGalley = KitchenMess or cabin = BedroomGash = GarbageHeads = Toilets and WashroomsDuff = DessertNo Duff = You say this to mean that something is not a training exercise.Port and Starboard – If you’re looking in the direction of the front of the ship, port is left and starboard is right. I remember it by saying “p.s.”.Jack = A type of flag.Boatswain = Pronounced something like “Bo-sun’. This is a tradesperson who is sort of a boating jack-of-all-trades.Ping boatswain = Slang for sonar operator.Sin boatswain = Slang for a padre/chaplain.Baby doc = Medical...

Peter MallettStaff Writer––A quartet of barges are set to make water-side ship maintenance a little easier.Four Stevedoring barges, constructed by Canadian Maritime Engineering of Port Alberni, were towed to the base by tugboat, and became crown assets on March 12. After the final certifying documentation is received from the contractor, there will be an official transfer of ownership from crown assets to Port Operations and Emergency Services Branch. Then, they will be put into use by Auxiliary Fleet crews. “The new equipment will make our work easier as temporary work platforms currently being used are much larger and cumbersome,” says George Morris, QHM Assistant Engineering Superintendent. “These new Stevedoring barges have the same purpose but are easier to manoeuvre in tight spaces near the jetties.” Each barge measures approximately 6 x 12 metres and features replaceable wooden deck tops. They are the replacement for the YC50 Series scows that have been out of service since 2016. The much larger 250 series barges have been used by work crews as a temporary fix since YC50 Series scows were phased out. The new barges will be a platform for personnel working on a ship’s hull; painting of anchors; repairs to the Cantass and Nixie equipment and the sonar and torpedo decoys towed by warships; transporting equipment across the harbour, including submarine casings, brows, stands, berthing equipment and other items; and used as fenders for visiting ships. Their wooden deck tops are 20 centimetre thick and built to withstand the rigours of every Queen’s Harbour Master and fleet evolution, says Morris. “Should one of the beams be damaged to the point of needing replacement, the process of making repairs is much easier.” The newly acquired Stevedoring are currently tied up alongside C4 jetty in Dockyard until the completion of the Small Boat Floats project in 2022.––––

SLt Donald DenHMCS Malahat PAO––Since the onset of COVID-19, Victoria’s Naval Reserve Division HMCS Malahat has “cracked the code” when it comes to conducting regular training.Malahat has gotten members in boats, divers in the water, and held regular training nights since the pandemic began. When it comes to personnel readiness, Malahat and the Royal Canadian Naval Reserve are doing well.However, people also join the Naval Reserve for the camaraderie, and maintaining that social aspect during a pandemic has proved to be difficult to nurture. Social events and fairs have been put on hold and all the messes at Malahat remain closed under provincial health and safety regulations.For the 2020 holiday season, Malahat conducted a small, virtual departmental Zoom session in place of a larger event, which is where the idea started for a ‘Virtual’ Training Mess Dinner.It is one of the Royal Canadian Navy’s most storied social events where members dress in their best formal wear and enjoy a meal together – all while observing a multitude of naval traditions.“A Mess Dinner is full of pomp and circumstance, but it also comes with strict protocols and ceremonial proceedings,” says Lt(N) Roland Young. “It seemed daunting, but we wanted to see if we could do it.”Over several weeks, with members meeting safely in-unit at Malahat and virtually via Zoom, the event gradually began to take shape. It involved specified traditional roles that come with the Mess Dinner, such as President, Vice-President, and Secretary. It also required a full script, several walkthroughs, and even storyboarding to put it together in a virtual environment.“We knew from experience that we had to be prepared for every eventuality, such as glitches or dropped calls. All plans work until they meet reality,” said Lt(N) Young, who coordinated the Mess Dinner and eventually took on the role...

FSgt Jaskirat Singh888 Avenger RCACS, Vancouver WO2 Myranda Middleton 848 Royal Roads RCACS, VictoriaWO Harmannat Pabla 3300 British Columbia Regiment Bhai Kanhaiya, RCACC, Surrey––Cadets in B.C. haven’t been able to train in person since November 2020, but that hasn’t stopped them from having unique experiences and opportunities.Spring Break was no exception.Throughout the two-week break,  225 sea, army, and air cadets logged onto WebEx each day to advance their skills, make new friends, and have fun virtually with through the Spring Break Cadet Activities Program.Cadets had access to drop-in workshops ranging from boat and buoyancy basics, building shelters, human synergistics, photography, and music. Forty cadets also earned their Pleasure Craft Operator’s Card by completing Module 1 of the Small Craft Operator Permit course.A major highlight of the weekly program included a virtual CAF Familiarization tour of Operation Palaci with Lt McGall, First Regiment Canadian Horse Artillary Shilo, Manitoba, and WO Ubbing from the 20th Field Regiment in Red Deer, Alberta.They discussed how Op Palaci helps control avalanches in Rogers Pass and answered questions from cadets.More than 70 cadets also participated in a virtual tour of 442 Transport and Rescue Squadron located at 19 Wing Comox led by Major Ryan Port, CC-115 Buffalo Flight Commander. Cadets were shown around a CC-115 Buffalo, and the systems that support it, and then talked to Maj Port about flying, search and rescue, and life at 19 Wing. Citizenship is another aspect of the Cadet Program; cadets were treated to a tour of the British Columbia legislature, led by MLA Dan Davies, who is also a Cadet Instructor’s Cadre Officer. Cadets learned history of the Legislature and how bills are reviewed and voted upon. In addition, cadets asked Davies about aspects of his job and the government process.Spring Break offered Year 5 workshops to senior cadets. In their...

[caption id="attachment_25585" align="aligncenter" width="594"] Capt(N) Sam Sader, Base Commander, presents base firefighter Curt Morwick with a Bravo Zulu for his work to improve the occupational health and safety of his co-workers. Photo by: Sailor First Class (S1) Sisi Xu, MARPAC Imaging Services, Esquimalt[/caption]Peter MallettStaff Writer––Sometimes all it takes is a little ingenuity and a desire to effect positive change to make a workplace better. A year ago, firefighter Curt Morwick set about to improve the balaclava-style hood used by himself and other firefighters at CFB Esquimalt Fire and Rescue. His team used disposable, single-use hoods to protect them when fighting a fire, or just out on an emergency. It is fitted between the firefighter’s helmet, protective gear, and tucked into their clothing. Wearing it helps prevent harmful amounts of microscopic carcinogenic particles generated by burning materials from being absorbed by their skin. These particles can travel through traditional knitted hoods and accumulate on absorptive areas of the neck, jaw, and throat. He knew, through a 2002 study by the United States Firefighter Cancer Support Network, that firefighters have a 61 percent greater likelihood of dying from cancer than the regular population. For every five degree Fahrenheit increase in body temperature, the skin contamination rate increases by 400 percent.He and another firefighter bought and tested a Gray Particulate Blocking Hood from manufacturer Innotex. Their product offers two layers of protection, are thicker and larger than traditional hoods covering more of the firefighters face and upper body. It features an elastic sewn face opening that provides a better protective seal and has a longer drop to cover more of the chest, shoulder, and neck. The hoods are also machine-washable and can be reused up to 100 times. Morwick, also on the unit’s health and safety team, had them added to their standard kit of protective safety gear. “I am glad we now have more protection,” he says. “The members of our team all have families and children to go home to at...

[caption id="attachment_25582" align="aligncenter" width="594"] Royal Navy and Royal Marines from HMS Montrose stand with more than 2,800 kilograms of narcotics seized from a vessel in the Arabian Sea on March 12. Photo: AET Josh Edwards RN[/caption]Combined Maritime Forces––Royal Navy frigate HMS Montrose has struck success for a third time in less than five weeks. In an operation lasting 10 hours, Montrose intercepted over 2,800 kilograms (6,100 lbs) of hashish and 50 kg (110 lbs) of heroin in the Arabian Sea, March 12.The boarding team from the ship, operating in direct support of Combined Maritime Forces’ Combined Task Force 150, seized the drugs – with an estimated wholesale value of over $4.5 million – following searches of suspicious vessels whilst undertaking a counter-narcotics patrol. This latest successful interdiction has further deprived criminal and terrorist networks of their ability to finance their operations through the transport and sale of illicit cargo. “It is purely coincidental that this operational success falls on my last day at sea in Command,” said Commander Ollie Hucker, HMS Montrose Commanding Officer. “Be it the first day or the last day, these results only happen because of the collective effort and skill of the incredibly professional, highly trained and dedicated people that the Royal Navy employs, and that I have the privilege to command.”This is the latest in a string of successful counter-narcotics operations since the Royal Canadian Navy assumed command of CTF-150 in late January 2021. CTF-150, one of three Combined Maritime Forces task forces, is operating in the region to disrupt criminal and terrorist organizations and to prevent the illegal trade of drugs and weapons. As part of this, Montrose alone has intercepted a combined haul of more than 5,220 kg (11,510 lbs) over the ship’s last three interdictions, striking a tangible blow in the war...

[caption id="attachment_25576" align="aligncenter" width="594"] Members of the ICEDIVEX 21 team pose for a group photograph at their dive site out on the lake. Photo by FDU(P)[/caption]Peter MallettStaff Writer––Diving in icy waters might not appeal to most civilian divers but for the navy’s Clearance Divers it is a must. To maintain operational diving expertise in extreme cold and under-ice environments, they must train to operate in these harsh conditions and ensure their equipment works well. This was tested the first week of March when nine Fleet Diving Unit (Pacific) Clearance Divers, four Port Inspection Divers, two Marine Technicians and one Physician Assistant deployed to Sheridan Lake, B.C., for ICEDIVEX 21. Divers, dressed head-to-toe in Ultra-Light Weight Surface Supplied diving equipment and sheltered underneath a modular tent situated on the lake, slipped into a carved-out hole in the ice to exercise in the frigid waters below.Divers deployed in teams of two, with a third ‘Standby Diver’ remaining on the surface ready to respond in case of emergency. There is the potential for the umbilical, which provides communications and air between the surface and divers, to become severed and for the diver to then become lost in the cold and murky water. As such, the divers all practiced anchoring themselves to the underside of the ice with an ice screw; the normal response to such a situation. This rescue procedure was practiced with the “lost” diver attaching themselves to the ice while the Standby Diver searched for them in the near-dark water. On the surface, another member remained in constant communication with the entire team. “The water was quite cold and visibility was poor given our depth and the darkness under the ice,” said Lt(N) Jesse Deason, an FDU(P) Clearance Diving Officer. Before travelling on the lake, the team underwent two days of...

[caption id="attachment_25568" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Positive Space Ambassador S1 Danielle Dewitt says it is an honour to raise one of the first-ever transgender pride flags at the base this week.[/caption]Maritime Forces Pacific will make history Wednesday when it raises the Transgender Pride Flag in Dockyard, Work Point, and at Naden at 8 a.m. The ceremony corresponds with International Transgender Day of Visibility that was founded by transgender activist Rachel Crandall in 2009 in reaction to the lack of recognition of transgender people. The annual event, held on March 31, is dedicated to celebrating the resilience and success of transgender people, and to raise awareness of discrimination faced by transgender people worldwide.The flag-raising ceremonies demonstrate the West Coast formation’s commitment to an inclusive workplace and this is an important step in showing that the CAF is not just accepting of the LGBTQ2+ community, but is proud to welcome members of all gender identities, expressions, and sexual orientations.All provincial health and safety protocols will be in place for those wanting to attend and include physical distancing and the wearing of non-medical facemasks.The flag-raising is an important step towards inclusiveness, says S1 Danielle Dewitt and CPO2 Lyne Edmondson, who both identify as transgender. S1 Dewitt, 38, works as a Senior Boatswain in the Patrol Craft Training Unit and identifies as a woman. She was the first person to raise the Pride flag at CFB Halifax in 2017, and will take part in the first hoisting of the transgender flag at Duntze Head.“I am incredibly honoured to be chosen to raise the flag and can’t wait for this,” says S1 Dewitt.The feeling is mutual for CPO2 Edmondson who will also be involved in this week’s watershed moment. A Weapons Engineering Technician by trade, she now works as the Staff Officer New Capability Integration, Detachment West....

[caption id="attachment_25556" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Lt Jeff Klassen, outside his mess room door.[/caption]By Lt Jeff KlassenPublic Affairs Officer––This is the third in a series of blog posts about my experiences while sailing with HMCS Regina, a Canadian Halifax-class warship.Blog Post THREE: It’s a mess (where you sleep).In a ship you don’t sleep in a bedroom; you sleep either in a ‘cabin’ or a ‘mess’ (or sometimes at your workstation, but you shouldn’t). The difference between the two is that cabins typically have less beds in them than messes and contain desks and a sink, while messes are more just bunk beds and lockers (bunks are actually called “racks” on ship, just so you know). Typically. officers have cabins so they can double as computer workspaces, while non-commissioned members usually make up the messes. The only people that sleep alone are the ship’s Commanding Officer, the Coxswain (the ship’s Chief in charge of the well-being and order of the crew), the Executive Officer (the right hand of the Captain), and, in Regina, the Physician Assistant (this is not the case on all Halifax-class ships at all times).I’m in a mess with five other people and it’s been interesting trying to figure out what makes good mess etiquette, and my mess mates have been pretty cool about my whole “learning process”. The particular challenge is due to some crew members being “night workers”; at almost all times of the day there is someone sleeping in your mess so you don’t want to disturb them. For this blog post, I’m going to give you the do’s and don’ts of living in mess.Don't:turn the light on, as there is almost always someone sleeping.leave your curtains closed when you’re not sleeping. Curtains cover your bed when you are sleeping so you have some privacy. If you...

[caption id="attachment_25553" align="aligncenter" width="594"] Albert Middleton celebrated his 106th birthday on March 11.[/caption]Peter MallettStaff Writer––There were smiles, toasts to good health, and plenty of cheer when one of Canada’s oldest veterans celebrated his 106th birthday milestone.The small gathering of in-person and virtual well-wishers came together in the dining room at Veterans Memorial Lodge on March 11 to honour Albert Middleton. “I really enjoyed the party and it was so good to see all of the wonderful people who came out to help me celebrate,” said Middleton. “My favourite part was having a good old-fashioned party complete with champagne, cake, and some big band music.”As a centenarian-plus, he has survived two world wars and lived through two pandemics. When Middleton was born in London, England, in 1915, the Panama Canal had just been built, Sir Robert Borden was Prime Minister of Canada, and a new technology called “radio” was still in its infancy. He was sent to Canada as a First World War orphan, arriving in Toronto in 1929 when he was 14. In 1943, at the height of the Second World War, he signed up for the Air Force and served as a Leading Aircraft Man. During his military career, Middleton worked as a mechanic and maintenance worker servicing RCAF and RAF aircraft in London. “I didn’t want to get drafted, so I thought I would join up and be done with it,” said Middleton. For most of the war he worked in airplane hangars servicing and repairing warplanes. “Thankfully, I wasn’t a pilot as that was a really dangerous job; I stayed on the ground during the war,” he said. “Nevertheless, it was hard work keeping all the planes up and running. We really didn’t know too much about what was going on in the war itself, so we just...

Peter MallettStaff Writer––Albert Head Training Centre is now the location for the Decentralized Basic Military Qualification (DBMQ) on the West Coast. Naval Fleet School Pacific moved its basic training operations for naval recruits from Work Point and is currently conducting the first of five DBMQ serials in Metchosin. This year’s training will run from March to November 2021. The goal is to continue safely training the navy’s newest sailors through a COVID-19 persistent environment. Each of the five serials consists of 55 mostly Regular Force naval recruits who will learn inside a training bubble and be confined to the base for a period of 10 weeks. “Last year, the first serial we ran with an eye to seeing if we could do it and make it work,” said LCdr Mike Erwin, NFS(P) Seamanship Division Commander. “Now we are running our Basic Military Qualifications with an eye to sustained operations and turning Albert Head into a centre of excellence.” Work Point was a great starting point to train the first group of recruits last year, he says, but adds a more permanent solution was needed to accommodate this year’s greatly expanded list of 275 naval recruits. Recruits enter a two-week isolation period at the Wardroom before their transfer by bus to Albert Head. Training is then delivered by Naval Fleet School Pacific under the leadership of the Naval Personnel Training Group. Recruits are closely monitored by Canadian Forces Health Services (Pacific) staff throughout their arrival in Victoria to mitigate any potential COVID-19 exposures. Both Fleet Schools on either coast are training for Regular Force recruits, while Naval Fleet School (Quebec) is supporting training for the Naval Reserve recruits at Camp Vimy, CFB Valcartier.Up until last year, Basic Military Qualification for all recruits was centralized at Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School...

Captain Jeff KlassenHMCS Calgary PAO––From a farm in Africa, to communities in Newfoundland, and then to Asia and the Middle East on a warship – the adventure of HMCS Calgary’s chaplain continues.Lieutenant (Navy) Wilson Gonese grew up on a farm in Gutu, Zimbabwe. He received a calling from God and after high school told his parents he wanted to be a minister. “At first it was not accepted because ministers were not paid well. My family wanted me to go into nursing or teaching, anything more secure. But I was convinced God was calling.” For 13 years, Lt(N) Gonese served as a minister in the Reform Church in several communities in Zimbabwe and Botswana. In 2007, with hopes of a better life, he and his wife and their two children took a one-way flight to Canada where he continued to work as a United Church Minister in Newfoundland in the communities of Burgeo, Springdale, and Carbonear.“Moving to Canada from Africa was a huge transition. The cold weather, cultural shock, not knowing whether we would succeed or not. Still, the people of Newfoundland are very friendly and welcoming, so I had a very good time there.”In 2018, he had another calling - to join the Canadian Armed Forces as a Chaplain. “I wanted to serve the country alongside serving members. I looked at the men and women in uniform and I wanted to give them the support they need, to be there for them.”In 2020, he began the biggest adventure of his military career thus far - serving in HMCS Calgary by providing morale and spiritual support for those on board. He is currently embarked with the ship on its deployment to the Indo-Asia Pacific and Middle East regions on Operations Artemis and Projection. During this deployment, while the ship was...

[caption id="attachment_25521" align="aligncenter" width="595"] S2 Samantha-Lee Epstein[/caption]Lt(N) C.E. GrantHMCS Moncton UPAR––Before joining HMCS Moncton for Operation Caribbe, boatswain Sailor Second Class (S2) Samantha-Lee Epstein had only one day at sea gained from a day sail aboard HMCS Oriole. She volunteered to sail in Moncton and headed south for the Caribbean in January to participate in U.S.-led enhanced counter-narcotics operations. It was her first time in a Maritime Coastal Defence Vessel.The Naval Reservist dove feet-first into Mission-Specific Readiness Training, and while this alone posed a significant challenge for the junior sailor, the story leading up to that moment speaks volumes about her perseverance and character.In August 2020, her mother passed away suddenly of a heart attack. In the wake of her loss, S2 Epstein travelled to Toronto to be with her father and spent a month tending to family matters, which was made all the more difficult due to COVID-19 restrictions and isolation requirements. “Coming back from Toronto and having to quarantine alone was difficult, but getting back to work with the support of my crewmates on Oriole was a tremendous help.”It was not long after her return that she was offered to join a new ship going on deployment. “Having the opportunity to come on Op Caribbe with HMCS Moncton felt like something I needed - a change of pace, different scenery, and a new challenge to keep me going. But it was also terrifying and challenging. I was extremely anxious before going on this sail that I wouldn’t be mentally capable of doing this yet. Also, doing something completely different from anything I had done before left me unsure of what to expect.”She overcame her pre-deployment uncertainty through a process leading up to the deployment.“My therapist, social worker, and the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) medical team contacted me regularly...

Roy Preyser and Douglas McCarthyFormation Review Staff (formerly BCompt Staff)––It was with great sadness that we learned of the passing of Carol Hendrie in December 2020, a cherished retiree from the Base Comptroller (BCompt) branch.  Although we aren’t fully aware of all the positions she held over the years, we know for certain that she worked at CFB Shilo prior to her arrival at CFB Esquimalt.Carol was a central member of the BCompt branch staff and known throughout the Formation as a diligent, knowledgeable, and proficient member of the finance community. For years, the BCompt branch was assigned the Regional Departmental Accounting Office responsibility of providing guidance and oversight for financial policy and processes within the Formation.  As the Base Financial Management Supervisor, she provided training for countless users in the old FIS finance system, and then subsequently the replacement FMAS system (now known as DRMIS).  Her knowledge of government financial policy and procedures was unmatched, and she gladly shared her expertise with everyone.Carol was a key player in implementing new policies and procedures in the Formation. When new policies were issued, she would carefully consider how these would impact Formation staff and provide input on the best ways forward to ensure people throughout the Formation would be able to function at their assigned tasks. Carol was instrumental in the development and delivery of the Acquisition Credit Card and RC Managers courses that were offered for years in a classroom training environment.  For years she also provided annual Fiscal Year-End Briefs to Formation staff, and single-handedly entered all the Payable-At-Year-End transactions for the entire Formation.Carol took great pride in her work and mentored many personnel over the years - both military and civilian. As a mentor, she was invaluable to both authors of this article. We were blessed to work directly...

By Lt Jeff Klassen, Public Affairs Officer––Welcome to my continued blog post series about what it’s like to be on the Canadian warship. Here we go:Blog Post TWO: Sea SicknessSea sickness is a real issue. At the beginning of my sail in HMCS Regina during TGEX 1-21, the ship stayed in the relatively calm waters just south of Vancouver Island and everyone was happy and fresh faced looking forward to the exercise ahead. However, between my second and third night, the ship met some choppier waters and throughout the night the boat swayed back and forth (from “port” to “starboard”, as they say) making it difficult to sleep. The next morning everyone’s demeanour had completely changed. For those not sitting in front of the medic’s office staring blankly into space with bags under their eyes, the conversation topic of the day was how everyone was coping with sea sickness.From what I can tell, getting sea sick is in no way a gauge of how good or tough of a sailor you are. I heard a senior officer, with years of experience in ships like Regina, complain about how they get sea sick from the beginning to the end of every sail they do. A colleague of mine who had sailed for years threw up in the hallway, thankfully into a sea sickness bag (I know you’re reading this - don’t worry I’m not using your name!). Fortunately, when you do get sea sick, it seems that, with a mix of medication and your body adapting, you “get your sea legs”, as they call it, and are able to sort of manage working, even if you aren’t at one hundred per cent capacity.In a weird way sea sickness shows how much the crew care and look out for each other. It...

[caption id="attachment_25510" align="aligncenter" width="595"] With the actions of a raid complete, soldiers of The Canadian Scottish Regiment are moved from the objective at high speed by sailors of HMCS Malahat using rigid hulled inflatable boats.[/caption]SLt Donald Den / Capt Cameron ParkHMCS Malahat PAO / Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary’s) PAO––––Soldiers of The Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary’s) alongside sailors from HMCS Malahat participated in Exercise Scottish Cossaint between Feb. 19 to 21. Soldiers conducted patrols and raids in the training area and waters at Canadian Forces Ammunition Depot (CFAD) Rocky Point near Victoria, B.C. Sailors from Malahat supported the exercise with three rigid hulled inflatable boats (RHIBs) and one Defender-class boat on loan from the Naval Security Team in Esquimalt. Deploying to the training area Friday evening, the soldiers were immediately immersed into a training scenario in which a hostile enemy force was present in the area, including a possible mortar position on Bentink Island. Reconnaissance patrols deployed under cover of darkness to locate and observe likely enemy positions, while the remaining platoons readied themselves to conduct raids and ambushes using the information gathered. The added mobility provided to the Canadian Scottish Regiment by Malahat would be a key element of the exercise. Before using their boats to transport soldiers, sailors from Malahat briefed the infantry platoons on the use of RHIBs, including actions on what to do in emergency circumstances such as falling overboard.“For the soldiers, it’s a great opportunity. It’s another valuable experience that adds to their soldier skills,” said LCol Scott Cessford, Canadian Scottish Regiment Commanding Officer. “It’s an exciting experience being in the boats moving at high speed across the water, and it makes the commitment and effort each of them puts into the training all the more rewarding.” While the soldiers were working on land, sailors from Malahat...

[caption id="attachment_25507" align="aligncenter" width="593"] PO2 Israel Wong[/caption]2Lt Jamie BoparaiBase Administration––When Petty Officer Second Class Israel Wong joined the Naval Reserves in 2001, he never realized his part-time job would be a recipe for a long and fruitful career. Attending George Brown College as a culinary arts student, PO2 Wong decided that taking a summer job as a naval cook was an exciting idea. “It was a bit of an adventure,” he says. “I wanted to take my cooking out of the classroom and into the world, so I did and never looked back.” Shortly after joining, the world drastically changed on Sept. 11, 2001. By Dec. 4, he was posted to HMCS Toronto and deployed to the Persian Gulf to join the US-led coalition against terrorism in Afghanistan. “There were lots of unknowns at the time,” PO2 Wong recalls. “We were uncertain if we would be directly involved in conflict or not, but it was very exciting at the same time. It was also my first deployment, so I was learning how to perform my duties in an environment I had never been exposed too.”While PO2 Wong prides himself in his craft of choice, he had never cooked at night before and found the Atlantic ocean to be rougher than expected. “I was a little seasick at the beginning of that first trip, but I eventually overcame it, and I even began to enjoy the rougher sea states. In the end, thankfully, we all return safely to our friends and families.” After returning to Canada, he continued honing his craft with passion and success. He moved up the ladder to his current rank by showcasing his abilities during many special events. “I always loved mess dinners and cocktail parties, especially in foreign ports. Sometimes people are not aware of the talent required of a military cook and being able to showcase our abilities in a formal setting gives me an amazing feeling of pride and accomplishment.”Now the second-in-charge of Nelles...

[caption id="attachment_25501" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Photo by S1 Angel Ruis[/caption]SLt Donald DenHMCS Malahat PAO––Three weekends ago marked the sixth time divers from Victoria’s naval reserve division HMCS Malahat were able to conduct a training dive since the outbreak of COVID-19.Malahat Port Inspection Divers dove off their jetty on Victoria’s Inner Harbour Saturday, Feb. 20 for most of the morning, with divers staying under the water for up to 30 minutes at a time.Divers in the Canadian Armed Forces are required to dive at least once every 90 days to maintain their proficiency, otherwise there is significant additional training required to re-qualify. In addition, Malahat was also able to dive a member from HMCS Discovery, Vancouver’s naval reserve division. Discovery, at present, does not have enough divers to conduct their own dives, so they come over to the Island at least once every 90 days. COVID-19 originally presented barriers in Spring 2020, which delayed some of their training, but Malahat divers have adapted and become familiar with the additional health and safety precautions now required. “It has really become normal to us now at this point,” says CPO2 Sean Ratz, Malahat’s Dive Officer. “Our divers are wearing non-medical masks up to the point they put their actual diving mask on, and anyone on the dive site is wearing a mask at all times – whether it’s a dive mask or a non-medical mask.” Not only has Malahat been able to conduct six proficiency dives since the onset of COVID-19, many of its divers have gone on to a few larger dive exercises.“I am very pleased with the way Malahat divers have adapted and led the way for modified diving during COVID-19,” says Cdr Cameron Miller, Malahat’s Commanding Officer, who attended the dive as an observer. “We ensure all precautions are in place...

Peter MallettStaff Writer––A team of Clearance Divers are heading to Ukraine for a month to share their expertise in diving. Two divers from each coast’s dive unit, led by Lt(N) Kevin Darling, will travel March 28 to the Black Sea port of Odessa to deliver a ships dive course training program to the Diving School of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.   Lt(N) Darling says Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) divers were selected for the job because they have the knowledge and expertise to help develop and mentor partner nations.“The RCN is constantly engaged in instruction and the force generation training of all Canadian divers, and this is a great opportunity to collaborate with our Ukrainian partners and share our experience and knowledge in diving. It’s important for the Canadian Armed Forces to provide this training to other NATO [North Atlantic Treaty Organization] partners and help bolster their capabilities and strengthen international partnerships,” he says.Divers will quarantine for eight days prior to their departure from CFB Trenton. Lt(N) Darling emphasized all divers will adhere strictly to public health guidelines before and during transit to Ukraine, and while on the ground with the goal to keep things safe for everyone involved.The Ukrainian Naval Forces recently introduced a basic diver training course, which was developed with help from the United States Navy, Royal Navy and Danish Armed Forces. The RCN Ships Dive Course will build on that program with a combination of in-class and at-sea instruction. The in-water portion will be delivered in swimming pools and at sea.Training will provide Ukraine divers with the knowledge and expertise necessary to conduct underwater searches of a ship’s hull, and to locate, identify, and neutralize clandestinely placed sabotage devices and limpet mines. The course also prepares divers to conduct jetty and seabed searches prior to a ship’s arrival...