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DND––The Department of National Defence (DND) and the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) would like to thank the 27,000 Defence Team members who participated in the COVID-19 Defence Team Survey. Your feedback and, especially, your candid comments have already begun to help inform organizational approaches to supporting personnel and their families as we navigate the COVID-19 crisis and as the organization prepares for the future.The survey was designed to understand the experiences and requirements of Defence Team members stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. The results highlight some of the challenges Defence Team members have faced, many of which are due to the substantial changes to work arrangements, concern about family members, and the added pressures of having to navigate daycare and school closures. Despite these challenges, respondents expressed favourable views regarding the support they have received from their immediate supervisors and from DND/CAF. We will continue to monitor the needs of all personnel and provide the support required.Since the start of the pandemic, DND/CAF have put into place programs and resources for members of the Defence Team in order to support their physical health and mental wellbeing. In addition to the already existing resources and support offered through the Canadian Forces Member Assistance Program and the Employee Assistance Program, we have taken further action. We have initiated several COVID-specific programs and created some helpful resources.Rest assured we will continue to support our members as this situation evolves. Your responses to the survey are helping inform organizational decisions that will be critical to our continued operations, and our successful reintegration.Results from the survey are now available to Defence Team members here: www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/maple-leaf/defence/2020/12/findings-covid-19-dt-survey-available.html––––

Katelyn MooresBase Public Affairs––After months of work, the $162.5 million Esquimalt Harbour Remediation Project reached a major milestone with the completion of remediation at the Y-Jetty and Lang Cove site in the summer.The Remediation Project, which began January 2019, addressed contamination that had accumulated in the harbour seabed after almost 200 years of commercial, military, and industrial use. This particular area was home to an operational shipyard from 1893 to 1994, most of that time known as Yarrows. In 1996, these lands were acquired by the Department of National Defence for $1. In its day, Yarrows Shipyard was a bustling business, building ships for the Royal Canadian Navy and Canada’s Merchant Marine Service during the Second World War, and later vessels for BC Ferries – just to name a few. Regrettably, contamination from shipbuilding and repair activities and log booming had a severe impact on the health of the harbour environment over the years.   “One of the greatest contributors to contamination at the Y-Jetty site was sandblasting operations, which were used to remove rust and paint from ship hulls,” explained Mike Bodman, Manager of Base Safety and Environment and Esquimalt Harbour Remediation Project Manager. “Unfortunately, this work was done at a time when there was very little understanding of the effect it would have on the marine environment. So, metals and other toxic ingredients in the paint were allowed to enter the harbour and eventually settled in the seabed.” Until recently, remnants of this sandblast waste could be seen in the black sand along the shoreline near Y-Jetty in Lang Cove. The area is now filled with clean sand from the Fraser River, just one of the positive improvements that has resulted from this project. During the remediation of Y-Jetty and Lang Cove site, over 48,500 cubic metres of sediment was...

Kimberley KielleyShilo Stag Newspaper––Classically trained opera singer Joslin Dennis sang to her grandmother Betty Coleman one last time on Nov. 24.Betty Jean Coleman, a long-time resident of Brandon, Manitoba, died peacefully that day at home in Victoria, B.C., surrounded by family. She was 95.She had chosen medically assisted death after a life-altering, inoperable injury that impacted life as she knew it.Daughter Susan Romphf from Victoria, and son Bob Coleman of Kentucky were also with her when she died.Betty was a former Honorary Colonel of 26 Field Regiment RCA, and patron of HMCS Brandon. She moved to Vancouver Island seven years ago from her beloved prairie home.Her final moments were a celebration, said Romphf, adding it was important for her to die in her own bed in the apartment she called home.An hour before she died, Betty and her daughter sipped chilled dry white wine from a box, waiting for the doctor, reminiscing with family members. It was the perfect ending to a perfect day. Betty chose death on her terms, according to the family.“It was beautiful,” said Romphf, recalling the day. “My brother Bob had bourbon on ice on Zoom with his wife and three kids, while we waited for the doctor.”Betty decided choosing her own death after attending a seminar on medically assisted death, rather than waiting for it to take her, said Romphf.“Mum didn’t shy away from discussing it. We had time to prepare. She was ready to go.”Her life was altered after a fall that broke her hip. “She was backing up with her walker and sat down and landed on her bum in the kitchen. She phoned to tell me she’d fallen and refused to go to hospital. There was a show on TV she wanted to see,” said Romphf. Eventually, she agreed to seek medical help. The...

[caption id="attachment_24943" align="aligncenter" width="595"] S2 Kelsey Labbé receives a surprise promotion outside her house.[/caption]S1 Bill Jethro BagunuHMCS Star––Festive dinners in the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) are ripe with tradition and holiday cheer. On Saturday, Dec. 5, Naval Reserve Division HMCS Star’s Festive Dinner tradition continued, albeit a little differently. Due to the ongoing pandemic, only a limited number of sailors were able to attend this year’s festivities. Festivities began with promotions, awards and presentations. Well-earned medals were awarded for service in various operations including Caribbe, Reassurance and Projection. Commissioning scrolls and certificates of recognition were provided and acknowledged by Lieutenant-Commander Marie-Sonya Sowa, Star’s Commanding Officer. Normally, the festive dinner, the Officers, Chiefs, and Petty Officers would serve the Junior Ranks a complete turkey dinner prepared by Star’s Galley. COVID-19 restrictions prevented the unit from gathering for these festivities, leading the Command Team to adapt the plan and find a new way to continue the tradition of serving its junior sailors while following health regulations. So, the concept of Duff Boxes was born, with the unique catch phrase of ‘Duff No Duff’. ‘Duff’ being naval slang for desserts; ‘No Duff’ meaning it’s not a drill, it’s for real. This included the senior leadership delivering boxes of cookies and sweets with signed cards from the Commanding Officer to the houses of junior sailors, staying true to the tradition of leadership serving its junior ranks during the festive season.“I love it! For us the festive dinner is an opportunity for the sailors to be treated from the Officers, Chiefs and Petty Officers; to recognize their efforts and allow them to be seated while we do the serving,” said LCdr Sowa. She ensured each vehicle was equipped with hand sanitizer and that physical distancing practices and mask etiquette were followed.During duff box deliveries, S2...

Peter MallettStaff Writer––Twenty years ago, the first of four Victoria-Class submarines was commissioned into the Royal Canadian Navy.It was a cold Dec. 2 day in Halifax when Cdr Bill Woodburn, HMCS Victoria’s commanding officer, declared the occasion “a great moment in Canadian history and a great navy day.”This year, to celebrate the submarine’s 20th anniversary, a morale patch has been created for Victoria’s submariners to wear on their uniforms starting Jan. 1, 2021. “The idea for the morale patch started last year with our sailors wanting to commemorate the service of everyone who served in Victoria over the last two decades,” said LCdr Eric Isabelle, Victoria’s current commanding officer. “The design of the patch will also serve as a reminder of Victoria’s previous service as HMS Unseen.” The submarine first served the Royal Navy until it was purchased by Canada in 1998. MS Allan Gauthier, one of Victoria’s Weapons Engineering Technicians, created the patch design. He sketched his idea, and then turned it into a painting before submitting it to senior leadership for approval. “It’s quite an honour, humbling, and also intriguing to know my artwork has a legacy that will last forever,” said MS Gauthier. “A morale patch is memorabilia that sailors and their families will hold on to forever. I wanted a chance to make something that stands out, something that is unique and completely different.”Central to the patch is shield depicting a heraldic golden lion  - a nod to HMS Unseen and its British heritage - holding Victoria’s crown, which is central to the submarine’s badge. It is designed like a family crest with the shield surrounded by maple leaves. At the top are Roman numerals XX denoting 20 years of service; at the bottom in a gold ribbon is HMCS Victoria. Patches are intended to boost morale...

Anita Slomp Conflict Management Practitioner Edmonton––The Defence Team has grown familiar  with, and benefitted from the steady support of their local Conflict and Complaint Management Services (CCMS) office, including drawing on the skill and knowledge of agents, trainers, and practitioners when challenging workplace situations arise.  CCMS provides the opportunity for a way forward when we are feeling stuck because of conflict in our units and workplaces, and is of great value when the stress of unresolved conflict clouds our thinking and productivity. So, what happens at home, where a resource like the CCMS does not exist?We all are facing, dare I say it, an unprecedented holiday season. I can already hear the groans. Traditions that often connect us will have to be reconsidered. If your home is anything like mine, the being together that is often looked forward to over the holidays has lost some of its charm.How can we help ensure the holiday spirit is not overtaken by the tension, stress, and frayed emotions we may already be feeling?One method is to consider the effectiveness of our communication and approach with our loved ones.A tendency for many of us is to adopt an accommodating approach with our family members and close friends. This means we will put their needs before ours, and go to great lengths to keep the peace.  Although this approach, often seen as passive, will make you popular and appreciated, it is not sustainable over time. This holiday it will be essential to keep your personal needs in balance with the needs of those around you. Ask yourself the question: “Have I put the same energy and focus into my needs, plans, and well-being as I have for those around me?” For those of you who default to the accommodating style, this will seem selfish. Before you...

[caption id="attachment_24927" align="aligncenter" width="595"] CFB Borden’s fitness facility.[/caption]CFB Halifax Public Affairs––Two years ago, CFB Halifax’s Stadacona Fitness, Sports and Recreation Centre (STADPLEX) closed its doors for the last time after 75 years in operation. At that time, a comprehensive Real Property Operations infrastructure plan was developed to address the short, medium and long-term fitness needs of the base population.Since then, local Defence Team members, visitors of the base, and neighbouring residents have likely noticed lots of activity taking place on the STADPLEX property. Following a lengthy demolition period, the space that housed the 8,853 square meter facility is now neat and tidy, featuring a new parking area and sidewalk, a gravel pad and landscaping. But there’s more planned for this property. Where STADPLEX once stood will soon be a new gym hub for local Defence Team members. “We are currently entering the design phase for a temporary, winterized fitness facility, to be constructed on this property,” explains Maj Mandy Landolt, Officer Commanding Real Property Operations Section (Halifax).Modelled after a similar facility at CFB Borden, the 1,250 square metre fitness space at Stadacona will be heated and air-conditioned, and include an open gymnasium area for basketball, volleyball, badminton, and ball hockey; an area for cardio machines and weights; locker rooms with showers and washrooms; a reception office for fitness and sports instructors; and a storage room for equipment. Considerably more compact than the original STADPLEX gym, the facility will have a maximum capacity of approximately 134 members; this capacity will be reduced as required if physical distancing measures are still in effect upon final construction. While PSP Halifax staff have been offering quality fitness services at both the Fleet and Shearwater gyms as well as online, they are looking forward to bringing some of these services back to Stadacona as the operators of this new facility.“Between the closure of STADPLEX in 2018 and the current challenges...

[caption id="attachment_24924" align="aligncenter" width="595"] CPO2 Herman Rohrback[/caption]2Lt Jamie BoparaiBase Administration––Chief Petty Officer Second Class Herman Rohrback’s succession to becoming Base Administration’s Single Quarters Chief Steward started with a long career in the Sea Cadets.It all began at the age of 12 when his twin brother’s Godfather became the Commanding Officer of the 129 Caribou, North Sydney Core in Cape Breton, NS. He was continuously working towards growing his Cadet Corps and was challenged with a sudden loss of three cadets. “The Commanding Officer asked us if we were interested in joining the program, so we did.” CPO2 Rohrback fondly remembers his time with the Cadet Corps and would recommend joining to any young person looking for an adventure. “It was exciting as a kid. I had the chance to advance personally, learn new life skills, and progress to new ranks and status’ by being promoted within the Cadet Corps organization.” He made it all the way to the rank of Staff Sergeant.The program gave him an opportunity to see other regions of Nova Scotia and Canada for the first time. He did an eight-week basic sailing course in Halifax and came to B.C. for a signal and communication course. “I was very successful during my time with the Cadet Corps. In each of my last three years I was the recipient of the Most Outstanding Cadet Award.” In his final year he was the first cadet to receive the newly minted Medal of Excellence awarded by the North Sydney Legion. This success, after serving with the Cadet Corps for six years, aided in his decision that the military was an avenue he wanted to pursue. He joined as a Boatswain, but was asked to select three additional trades, as Boatswain was no longer being offered to newly joining recruits. “I...

[caption id="attachment_24920" align="aligncenter" width="594"] Harry DeWolf sails under the Confederation Bridge between Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick. Photo by Corporal David Veldman, Canadian Armed Forces[/caption]Ryan MelansonTrident Newspaper––The future HMCS Harry DeWolf sailed under Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) command for the first time in early October, and has since been at sea regularly with the crew conducting training, testing, and trials on the new vessel. The work is part of a normal process to incrementally test Harry DeWolf and its systems, and as sailors gain experience with this first-of-class ship, they’re also making an immediate impact on RCN business, explains the ship’s commanding officer. “Tests and trials can be a limiting description. The ship is in naval service, and it has been since July 31, 2020,” said Commander Corey Gleason, referencing the official date Harry DeWolf was delivered to the Department of National Defence this past summer. That delivery was followed by an initial alongside work period before heading to sea. While trials will continue over the next 12 months, they will be taking place alongside naval operations, Cdr Gleason added. During the most recent proficiency sail to Newfoundland and Labrador, the ship contributed to Canada’s maritime domain awareness while also gaining proficiency with the new platform. “We’re providing sovereignty through presence in Canada’s domestic waterways. As we encountered aircraft and surface vessels, we identified them, tied their broadcasted information with their registry, and compared our own recognized maritime domain picture with our maritime command component ashore,” he said, noting the ship is also ready to respond as a backup search and rescue asset locally. Through the remainder of the fall and winter, Harry DeWolf will conduct both cold-weather and warm-weather trials as it continues building operational capability. The ship will work with Cyclone helicopters and PUMA unmanned aerial vehicles,...

Peter MallettStaff Writer––HMCS Vancouver has entered the final phase of a lengthy and extensive refit.The frigate’s extended work period started at Seaspan Victoria Shipyards nearly two years ago. It was returned to the navy Nov. 16 when the ship’s Commanding Officer, LCdr Matthew Arthur and approximately 30 crew took possession of the ship from the Government of Canada’s Assistant Deputy Minister (Materiel). With the assistance of two Queen’s Harbour Master tugs, Vancouver made the short journey across Esquimalt Harbour to its berthing spot at Dockyard’s ‘C’ Jetty. However, the extended work period isn’t completed quite yet. The restoring process is now underway with ship’s staff and contractors returning supplies, equipment, and furnishings to the ship. After the extended refit period is complete in May 2021, ship and crew will conduct Basic Single-Ship Readiness Training during the summer.“Moving forward, we also hope to commence sea trials in autumn of next year,” said LCdr Arthur. “Then next up in early in 2022, Vancouver is scheduled to complete Intermediate Multi-ship Readiness Training with an eye towards high readiness in the summer of that year.” The refit of the navy’s 12 frigates ensures they remain the backbone of the fleet until the delivery of Canadian Surface Combatant (CSC) vessels. “It also ensures our ability to defend Canadian sovereignty, project Canada’s foreign policy, and aid civil power and law enforcement including fishery, shipping, search and rescue, and border protection,” said LCdr Arthur. The lion’s share of the work was completed by Seaspan Victoria Shipyard, but ship’s staff and Fleet Maintenance Facility Cape Breton workers also worked on the ship over the two years. There were numerous hull and deck plate replacements, including large sections of the hull below the waterline in the ship’s engine room. Also, a full cleaning of the ventilation system was completed and...

[caption id="attachment_24910" align="aligncenter" width="595"] MCpl Ryan Mountenay[/caption]Peter MallettStaff Writer––MCpl Ryan Mountenay, 38, has found a way to combine his creativity with his military trade skillset.He’s a Materials Technician with Lord Strathcona Horse (Royal Canadians) Regiment in Edmonton and a former Marine Engineering Mechanic on former HMC Ships Algonquin and Huron. Among his jack-of-all skills is airbrushing. During the final days of an automotive repair class at CFB Borden, his instructor challenged the students to air brush anything they wanted on to blank panels of sheet metal. MCpl Mountenay chose the logo of a popular motorcycle apparel company. With only a postcard-sized printout of the logo, he successfully converted it into a large airbrushed likeness. “I thought it wasn’t that good but the instructor, who was an experienced graphics painter, was completely impressed with what he saw,” said MCpl Mountenay. “That gave me a complete boost of confidence. He took that skill up a notch when he painted his first portrait, his grandfather in his early years as a paratrooper. It took a few attempts to get it right, but the final outcome was a remarkable black and white painting. The soft hues from the airbrushing gave the image an ethereal quality. When he presented his grandfather with the portrait in 2012, he received a subdued response. But that was okay, says MCpl Mountenay, as the painting wasn’t meant to elicit a generous response. “My grandfather was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease just after I returned from my tour to Afghanistan in 2011; I created it so he would remember who I was and know that I painted it.” The two were very close before the progressive disorder that causes brain cells to waste away faded his memory.[caption id="attachment_24912" align="aligncenter" width="430"] MCpl Ryan Mountenay’s art including a portrait of his grandfather as a young paratrooper depicited above.[/caption]MCpl Mountenay lived with his mother and grandparent’s on their farm in Millbrook, ON, until he was almost three years old. “Growing up, I spent most...

[caption id="attachment_24907" align="aligncenter" width="595"] LCdr Mitchell Drake. Photo by Capt Irene Doucette.[/caption]SLt K.B. McHale-Hall MARPAC Public Affairs––“People first, mission always.” Amidst a global pandemic, this core philosophy of the Canadian Armed Forces is as important now as it has ever been. The objective to preserve Force health while continuing Force generation lies at the forefront of the minds, and ultimately in the hands, of military leadership and medical professionals.  Several warships and hundreds of sailors are currently at sea off the coast of British Columbia participating in Exercise Trident Fury, all while the province has experienced a resurgence in COVID-19 cases and issued restrictions to certain activities. The capability to exercise the fleet under these conditions can be accredited to the efforts of many, including Fleet Surgeon Lieutenant-Commander Mitchell Drake. LCdr Drake shares the same position former Medical Officer now Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry once held during her time in the Forces. In light of the current pandemic, he now finds himself liaising with her and her staff regularly. Both east coasters with hometowns in PEI, and having attended Dalhousie University in Halifax, N.S., for medical school, LCdr Drake jokingly remarks of the commonalities. “I don’t have any shoes named after me yet, but there’s still time.” His career began in the Naval Reserves serving as a Logistics Officer while studying to become a physician. Since completing his residency in Calgary, AB, he has served in a variety of roles, from deployments with the Canadian Army in Europe and the Royal Canadian Navy at sea in Asterix, to more clinical settings as Base Surgeon and now Fleet Surgeon.In March, about a week before the Base introduced COVID-19 protocols, he started his current position; his responsibilities are extensive.“My main role is advising Command Staff in the Fleet, lately on the topic of COVID-19, as well as being the senior medical authority on this coast for all of the operational clinicians.” To meet the unique challenges facing military operations, they are using tools specifically developed for the Canadian Armed Forces and now more recently for the navy.  “We’ve leveraged our scientists at Defence Research Development Canada, who have developed excellent modeling tools and maps. We use these and other risk calculators they’ve developed to determine the likelihood...

[caption id="attachment_24903" align="aligncenter" width="595"] HMNZS Te Kaha (left) and HMCS Calgary (right) conduct a sail past Esquimalt Lagoon as Te Kaha heads back to New Zealand after spending 18 months in Esquimalt completing an extensive upgrade and refit program.[/caption]SLt K.B. McHale-Hall MARPAC Public Affairs––The waters surrounding Vancouver Island are home to more than the usual inhabitants this December. Exercise Trident Fury (TF20) is underway off the coast of Vancouver Island. It is a task group of Canadian and American maritime assets training to operate together. They are also training to work respectfully within Canada’s marine environment. The environmental responsibility for the Pacific Fleet falls under Maritime Forces Pacific Formation Safety and Environment (FSE). “Environmental sustainability is a top priority for the Royal Canadian Navy and it has become increasingly important as we operate in a global 21st century environment,” said Duane Freeman, MARPAC FSE Officer. “The navy is continuously investing in science to better understand our impacts and to improve our procedures so we conduct the training necessary to maintain operational readiness, while mitigating our environmental marine footprint.” Aircraft and ships participating in TF20 are guided by detailed environmental exercise direction. “FSE worked closely and extensively with exercise planners to help shape and guide the task group exercise,” said Tracy Cornforth MARPAC Formation Environment Officer. “The environmental impact assessment included a description of key activities, potential effects, and strict mitigation measures to be employed. Environmental mitigation measures are incorporated for a range of exercise activities including vessel movement, aircraft movement, sonar transmissions, surface firings, and use of pyrotechnics.”The navy works collaboratively with Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) and Transport Canada to formulate guidance and follow policy. “In advance of TF20, we integrated our planning with DFO guidance. DFO provided recommendations to bolster mitigations and provided guidance on situations to avoid....

2Lt Jamie Boparai Base Administration––It’s no surprise when the National Defence Workplace Charity Campaign (NDWCC) kicks off each year. But what was surprising this year was the environment that it had to operate under. Even so, when tapped on the shoulder by the Base Administration’s Executive Officer, Sailor First Class Barkauskas jumped at the opportunity to represent the unit as the NDWCC Representative. “I knew it was going to be challenging this year with COVID-19. But I wasn’t going to be persuaded from taking up the challenge.”He even upped the ante with a $5,000 fundraising goal.The NDWCC is a yearly campaign, running from October to January, held on all bases across the country to raise money for various charities. “One of the benefits offered by NDWCC is the ability to ensure your donation goes to the charity of your choice,” explains S1 Barkauskas. “There are hundreds of organizations that are able to receive donations through the NDWCC and this lets members choose a charity or a cause that means something to them on a personal level.”He is the point of communication between the NDWCC organization, the command team, and his seven sectional representatives within Base Administration. “I ensure our sectional reps are current with ongoing events, campaign information, canvassing efforts, and tracking donations. We have a great team this year and they are helping make it a lot fun.”While the NDWCC offers an online service to donate through e-transfers or deductions directly off payroll, generally, a large portion of donations come from fun and creative events organized by the unit and section reps. “Unfortunately, COVID has made this year’s fundraising efforts much more challenging. Ideas that may have been successful in other years are sometimes not viable because of provincial health restrictions and physical distancing measures. Parties, socials, and bake...

[caption id="attachment_24885" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Naden Band Christmas Concert at the Royal Theatre in Victoria in 2016. Photo by Cpl André Maillet, MARPAC Imaging Services[/caption]Peter MallettStaff Writer––The show will go on for the Naden Band of the Royal Canadian Navy and their 42nd annual Christmas Concert. Despite the cancellation of numerous holiday events across Victoria, the 34 full-time military musicians will continue their traditional fundraiser to benefit the Salvation Army Toy Drive. But instead of performing in front of sold out crowds at the iconic Royal Theatre, their festive musical montage will be recorded at the Chiefs and petty Officers’ Mess and will be broadcast on CHEK TV Dec. 19 at 8 p.m. The concert can also be seen on the Naden Band and Salvation Army Facebook pages, and can be found later on YouTube. “Our annual concert is a huge event for us and a highly popular one on Victoria’s social calendar,” said PO1 Matthew McCrady, Naden Band Operations and Production Manager. “The band is trying to preserve as many traditions as possible and add a dose of normalcy to an extraordinarily abnormal year.”Their performance is being filmed by local production company Roll.Focus. Productions, who recently filmed online performances by the Victoria Symphony. PO1 McCrady noted that the band and its contractors have adapted the program to feature its small ensembles to adhere to physical distancing and all other provincial regulations. The musical line-up includes a selection of traditional Christmas carols, multi-cultural songs, including an Israeli song for peace, and a performance by the Drum Group that combines Naden Band members with personnel from the Defence Aboriginal Advisory Group. “Even though our audience can’t be physically present with us this year, we really want to recreate the atmosphere and energy of a live show so that it feels like they’re...

[caption id="attachment_24882" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Members of Fleet Diving Unit (Atlantic) will be supporting the Christmas Daddies Telethon and giving back to their community during the annual Navy Divers’ Run on Dec. 5. Photo by Mona Ghiz, MARLANT PA[/caption]Ryan MelansonTrident Newspaper––Members of Fleet Diving Unit (Atlantic) are getting set to continue a long-running tradition that focuses on fitness, camaraderie, and giving back to the community.Despite the continuing challenges presented by COVID-19, the annual Navy Divers’ Run in support of the Christmas Daddies Telethon will still be taking place this holiday season. FDU(A) personnel will run 50 kilometres on Dec. 5, completing laps around the unit’s main building in Shearwater, rather than taking the event out into the community as usual.“There are a handful of activities we do as a unit that really mean a lot to us and that we wanted to hold on to this year. This is one of them; so, we came up with some responsible ways to make this event happen,” said LCdr Neville Lockyer, FDU(A)’s Commanding Officer.“We’ve been working hard to find ways to do our jobs in the face of COVID and accomplish all that we would normally accomplish, while still abiding by all the risk mitigation measures and staying safe. As divers, we have no problem facing a challenge, and this is just another challenge.”With the divers staying close to their home base for the run, they also had to think outside of the box in terms of donations, and reaching members of the community to encourage them to contribute to the fundraiser. The unit has established a Go Fund Me page for donations and will be doing the majority of canvassing virtually. Since first getting involved with the telethon in 1983, the men and women of FDU(A) have brought in more than $313,000...

Captain Chelsea DubeauHMCS Winnipeg PAO––The morning of Aug. 31 was a hot one in Pearl Harbor. The Combat Systems Engineering Officer aboard HMCS Winnipeg stood on the flight deck, ready to give a safety brief. Another successful Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise had just wrapped, where Winnipeg’s Combat Systems Engineering (CSE) department figured quite significantly in the many gunnery exercises that took place. For Lieutenant (Navy) Julien St-Aubin, the coming CSE evolution had been months in the making and it was not like any other he had done. In fact, on that day his team did something that hadn’t been done in many years: led the evolution of transferring two empty Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM) canisters and one spare Telemetric ESSM from Winnipeg, and embarked three Warshot ESSM from HMCS Regina. The ammunition transfer was part of Winnipeg’s preparations in advance of its deployment on Operation Projection-Neon.Ammunition safety protocols in normal timesAmmunition safety protocols, including the regulation of procurement, storage, transportation, inspection, maintenance, authorized modification, issue, use, and disposal of all ammunition and explosives with the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces are managed through the Director Ammunition and Explosives Regulation (DAER). What this means is that under normal circumstances Winnipeg’s CSE team would only play a supporting role to the subject matter experts identified by DAER, who would be on-site in Pearl Harbor and led the transfer, comprised primarily of Canadian Forces Ammunition Depot (CFAD) Rocky Point staff. “The Royal Canadian Navy’s ship staff members haven’t been in command of this type of evolution for decades,” said Lt(N) St-Aubin. COVID-19 times, a little differentBut the circumstances at play were anything but normal. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, flying CFAD staff out to Hawaii to oversee the missile re-arm, as is typical, was impossible.“As the Pacific...

[caption id="attachment_24872" align="aligncenter" width="594"] Photo by S1 Mike Goluboff, MARPAC Imaging Services, Esquimalt[/caption]Margo CutcherNDWCC Coordinator––Cold and an overcast sky could not dampen the spirits of Defence Team members as they clenched a lengthy rope to tug-fight for charity.Seven teams met on the volleyball court outside the Naden Athletic Centre Nov. 18: defending champions Base Commander Executive, Base Administration, Naval Personnel Training Group (NPTG) HQ, three teams from Naval Fleet School (Pacific), and a NDWCC Team joined by Dave Ramsey from the United Way of Greater Victoria.“This event is supposed to be fun, but the real reason we’re doing this is for a great cause, our National Defence Workplace Charitable Campaign,” said Capt(N) Sam Sader, CFB Esquimalt Base Commander.Two teams were sponsored by local businesses Max Furniture and Ali Baba Pizza, growing the fundraising pot to over $3,500.Competition was fierce, but in the end NPTG HQ emerged with the first place victory. Capt(N) Sader presented the coveted Tug-of-War trophy to Capt(N) Jason Boyd, A/SLt Balijet, A/SLt Miller, MS Harvey, and MS Dent.  He also recognized Personnel Support Programs staff for organizing the logistics and ensuring the event could go ahead safely in the current pandemic environment. “We are well into our National Defence Workplace Charitable Campaign and we’ve had a number of events, despite all the challenges with COVID-19 this year. I’m so proud of the way the Formation has come through,” said Capt(N) Sader. “This is what we’re known for here in the community – for being tremendously generous despite all the challenges. We all have to be proud of this and I thank you for being part of it.”The Defence Team can continue to donate by e-Pledge, credit card, or Paypal until the end of February 2021.––––

Peter MallettStaff Writer––One of Victoria’s most beloved naval veterans, Cdr (Retired) Peter Chance celebrated his 100th birthday virtually last week.On Nov. 24, to celebrate the milestone occasion and his over 30-year naval career, the Naval Association of Canada - Vancouver Island (NAC-VI) organized a Zoom call with about 50 people.  Bill Conconi, NAC President, served as host, and LCdr (Retired) Paul Seguna emceed the event.It included a photo montage of his career coupled with important historical events that involved Chance. Signed birthday certificates were virtually presented from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Governor General of Canada Julie Payette, and the Township of Sidney. Congratulatory letters from the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia Janet Austin, and Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy, Vice-Admiral Art McDonald were read by LCdr (Retired) Gerald Pash and Bill Conconi respectively.Chance also received video well wishes from RAdm Bob Auchterlonie, Commander Maritime Forces Pacific, and Capt(N) Sam Sader, Base Commander.“I am overwhelmed, delighted, and over the moon with being able to interact with all my friends and receive well wishes from so many people,” said Chance, who also noted his email inbox had been flooded with over 75 birthday greetings and messages of support.During the event, Capt(N) (Retired) Kevin Carlé announced, on behalf of the CFB Esquimalt Naval and Military Museum, that the museum’s permanent Battle of the Atlantic display is to be named the Peter Godwin Chance Gallery in his honour“I am stunned by this news. I hadn’t the slightest idea this would be happening ahead of the ceremony. It’s a great honour to be recognized in this fashion and I am completely flabbergasted,” said the centenarian.He was born in Ottawa on Nov. 24, 1920, and served in the Royal Canadian Navy during the Battle of the Atlantic in ships of...

[caption id="attachment_24861" align="aligncenter" width="594"] Stock photo.[/caption]Peter MallettStaff Writer––The discovery of an injured Barred Owl turned a relaxing hike into a rescue mission for Sailor First Class Madison Crawford and S1 Joseph Walker.The two were trekking along the Nanoose Bay coastline when they spotted the bird on the ground. “We had been hiking for about a half an hour when we came across an injured owl located well off the trail and under the tree,” said S1 Crawford. “I noticed the owl moving in a clearing at ground level and initially thought it was scavenging on the ground for some animal but that was not the case.” He dropped a GPS (Global Positioning System) pin to mark their location on his cell phone and then called the North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre in nearby Parksville, B.C. The centre dispatched a volunteer but they couldn’t find the sailors. After some back and forth with the Recovery Centre, the sailors decided to carry the bird to the nearest roadway. S1 Crawford had volunteered at the Rocky Point Bird Observatory’s Pedder Bay Banding Station and knew how to handle the owl. He picked the bird up by its legs, supported its chest, and tucked its wings in for the journey.“It seemed like the right thing to do and we had the time to help. The bird was very docile and easy to handle once gripped, although it took a bit of care to pick it up off the ground.”Upon reaching Powder Point Road 30 minutes later, the sailors met up with the volunteer and a commissionaire from Canadian Forces Experimental and Test Ranges. The injured owl was placed in a crate and taken to the Recovery Centre. Sadly, the owl didn’t survive. Derek Downes, Animal Care Technician, said the owl had to be euthanized...

[caption id="attachment_24890" align="aligncenter" width="595"] HMCS Calgary (right) and HMNZS Te Kaha (left) conduct a sail past Esquimalt Lagoon as Te Kaha heads back to New Zealand after spending 18 months in Esquimalt completing an extensive upgrade and refit program.[/caption]Capt Jenn JacksonTF20 PAO––Today marks the beginning of Trident Fury 20 (TF20). It is a joint and multinational naval exercise that will continue until Dec. 13 off the coast of western Vancouver Island, as well as in the vicinity of Constance Bank, and the southern Gulf Islands. TF20 provides an opportunity for the Canadian Armed Forces to maintain operational readiness to deploy on joint operations in a rapid and effective manner alongside allies and other government organizations.It will include participation from the Royal Canadian Navy, Royal Canadian Air Force, U.S. Navy, and U.S Coast Guard. “Trident Fury 20 provides a full spectrum of air and sea tactical warfare training, with the aim of enhancing Canada’s ability to respond to offshore threats and unlawful acts from within a coalition environment,” says Commodore Angus Topshee, Commander Canadian Fleet Pacific and embarked Exercise Commander. “This exercise includes an array of events to enhance individual unit training and combat readiness including live fire, seamanship, maritime interdiction operations, anti-submarine warfare, surface warfare, air defence, mine counter-measures, and small boat defence.”In addition, TF 20 supports pre-deployment training for HMCS Calgary, which is scheduled to depart for Operations Artemis and Projection in early 2021.Even with the focus on Calgary’s pre-deployment training, TF20 also supports the Royal Canadian Navy’s domestic role. At home, maritime defence and security is the navy’s first priority, helping ensure that Canada’s maritime approaches are effectively monitored and protected.“As virtually every Canadian depends on international maritime trade either for employment or for consumer benefits, exercises such as TF20 help ensure the continuing flow of goods by demonstrating our operational presence in the Northeastern Pacific,” adds Cmdre Topshee. “This is integral to the mission of the Pacific Fleet and through close cooperation with CAF Health Services and the Fleet Support Medical...

2Lt Jamie BoparaiBase Administration––We can leave home, but home never leaves us.Long before becoming the West Coast Occupation Structure Identification (MOSID) Advisor for cooks, CPO2 Brian Charron was a Naval Weapons Technician. “I joined in 1988 right out of high school, I went straight to the recruiting centre in Vancouver. My family thought it was a great idea and supported me all the way.”This strong sense of family stuck with CPO2 Charron, and soon after joining he remustered to the cook trade. “I missed my mom’s cooking. She taught me how to cook and it has been a love of mine ever since. I like all food, all the time.” He honed his craft for six months in Borden, ON, during his initial trades training at Basic Culinary School. The basics of ingredient mixing and recipe following are still generally the same today, but cooking has evolved over the years. “A strong and fit fighting force demands a high level of nutrition. We now cook towards encouraging a healthy lifestyle, our menus have low-fat and vegetarian options, and we are always setting the bar higher as we gain more understanding about the role of nutrition and performance.” Although passion for his trade and food is quite evident, CPO2 Charron does admit it can be a grinding and thankless job at times. “You have to be hardworking, dedicated, and calm to be a successful naval cook. On ship, you are on your feet all day, sometimes from 0500 until you are done in the evening. Not only are cooks responsible to feed the crew, but they also have secondary duties such as casualty clearing and firefighting, as well as responding to emergency and training drills.” When others are off exploring foreign ports or attending cocktail parties, the cooks are the ones that...

Since 1988, the military community has gathered once a year for an in-person awards celebration to honour excellence in Canadian Armed Forces’ Sports. This year, the COVID-19 pandemic has forced the organizers to do things a little differently.In lieu of the traditional in-person CAF Sports Awards ceremony, this year’s event will be transformed into a virtual recognition of athletes, coaches, and officials from Nov. 23 to Dec. 4 via the CAF Sports Facebook page www.facebook.com/cafsports.Sports have a long history as a key military enabler and contributes to Canadian Armed Forces members’ physical and mental health well-being, and has just as many benefits from a social perspective.  They are a key enabler in operational effectiveness, recruitment and retention efforts, and in global engagement. When CAF members participate in sports, they develop core military attributes such as leadership skills, teamwork, discipline, and esprit de corps.In 2019, there were more than 25,000 participants in various CAF sports programs at all levels and across bases/wings. There were approximately 3,500 athletes who participated in regional sports championships and approximately 1,800 athletes who participated in 17 national sports championships.––––

[caption id="attachment_24837" align="aligncenter" width="594"] Tim Friese (left) and Ervan Gould stand beside the gravestone rubbing created in honour of Gould’s uncle, F/Lt Frank Dotten. Photo by Lane Farguson, Manager Media Relations and Communication, Halifax Port Authority[/caption]Virginia BeatonTrident Newspaper––Flight Lieutenant Frank Dotten was just 22 years old when his plane crashed during a bombing run over Nuremberg on March 17, 1945, killing him. He was buried at the Durnbach War Cemetery, a little known fact for current day family members. It took some historical sleuthing to discover his burial site, but on Nov. 7 it paid off. Ervan Gould, F/Lt Dotten’s nephew, received a framed gravestone rubbing from the gravesite of the uncle he never had the chance to meet. “We made this happen,” said Tim Friese, a colleague and friend of Gould during a presentation held in the gallery of the Halifax Seaport farmers Market.Friese, a history buff who volunteers with the Canadian Naval Memorial Trust and The Memory Project, researched the location of the grave with help from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, 576 Squadron of the Royal Air Force, and a business owner who lived near the Durnbach War Cemetery. The business owner made the gravestone rubbing and mailed it to Friese, who then had it framed for the presentation. Gould, together with a group of friends from Halifax Port Authority, watched as Friese showed a series of photos and documents depicting F/Lt Dotten’s military career. Among them was a record that indicated all the sorties F/Lt Dotten had flown, a photo of him from November 1944 with his crew from 576 Squadron, and a photo from the visitation book at the cemetery that showed where a local resident signed the book for Ervan Gould in honour of the occasion.After the event, Gould said he was completely surprised to receive the gravesite rubbing as a memento. “I didn’t know why or what to expect,” he said.Gould grew up hearing stories about his uncle. F/Lt Dotten was a native...

Patrick CharltonCNMT Volunteer––After serving for almost 80 years, HMCS Sackville is gearing up to serve another half century or more as Canada’s Naval Memorial.Sackville is owned, maintained, and operated by the volunteer Canadian Naval Memorial Trust (CNMT) in honour of all those who have served in our Naval Service, and in particular, in memory of those who made the supreme sacrifice.  In 1985, the Government designated Sackville Canada's Naval Memorial.War History - Battle of the Atlantic 1939-1945The Royal Canadian Navy (RCN), in partnership with maritime units of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) and the Merchant Navy, played a pivotal role in ensuring the sea lines of communications and logistics were maintained during the longest and most critical battle of the Second World War. The RCN lost 24 ships and suffered 2,210 fatalities; it destroyed or shared in the destruction of 33 U-Boats and 42 enemy surface vessels. HMCS Sackville is the last of the Allies’ fleet of 269 corvettes built for the war at sea.HMCS Sackville TodayThe operation and long-term preservation of Sackville, commissioned in 1941, has changed in the last few years. It will now be part of a new Canadian Maritime Heritage District in downtown Halifax.  However, the watertight integrity of the 205-foot warship must be addressed to ensure the ship can take full advantage of its place on the waterfront in the coming years. Specifically, the plan is to re-skin the ship below the waterline with new 3/8 inch plate steel, with the cost in the order of $12 million. When the project is complete, Sackville will be safe in the water and continue to serve for another five decades and more.Continuing to tell the story of the Battle of the Atlantic, the arduous conditions that sailors lived through, and the constant dangers of life at sea during...

Peter MallettStaff Writer––A new virtual book club called The PSP Page Turners is getting a boost from one of Canada’s hottest new literary talents. Jesse Thistle, Canadian author and National Best Seller of From The Ashes, will join the book club on Nov. 30 at 8 p.m. EST via Zoom as a guest for the book club’s question and answer session. “Regardless if the book club is big or small, Jesse looks for ways to connect with his readers, and we are happy to provide that platform for him,” said Diana Cao, the PSP Page Turners founder at Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services. “We are excited that Jesse will join our club for a virtual session to talk about his book, experiences, and to answer questions.”Thistle is from Northern Saskatchewan and is of Métis-Cree-Scot descent. He is a Ph D. candidate in the History program at York University in Toronto. In his book, the former high school dropout discusses his youth and dealing with issues such as foster care, homelessness, addiction, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and the historic impacts of colonization on Indigenous peoples. He hopes potential readers understand there is no “ah-ha” moment in his book like other road-to-recovery stories. “I didn’t write my book for others but rather for my own self-help. I’m not logging in to lecture people about addiction. My writing is all fact based and I don’t inject my emotion into my story or try to tell people how to feel.” Turning the Page The PSP Page Turners currently has 10 members and is open to anyone, whether they are part of the military community or not. Cao is wanting to grow the club to help mitigate the isolation people are feeling because of COVID-19. Every month, she picks three books and creates an online...

[caption id="attachment_24826" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Royal Canadian Navy members work on the helm console of HMCS Summerside during Operation Caribbe in the Atlantic Ocean on Oct. 29. Members are not named for operational security purposes. Photos by Lt Sheila Tham, Public Affairs Officer[/caption]Lieutenant Sheila ThamOperation Caribbe––I am a Public Affairs Officer and have spent my five-year career split between the Air Force and the Army. I was asked to deploy with the Royal Canadian Navy on Operation Caribbe and decided it would round out my experience. I had heard the slogan “join the navy, see the world” and, given the global pandemic, have spent most of 2020 at home with the urge to travel. It sounded like the perfect opportunity to learn about the navy and head to the tropics. This is my first impression of sailing and the reality of operational travel during COVID-19.HMCS Summerside departed Halifax on Oct. 26 and headed for the Caribbean Sea as part of Operation (Op) Caribbe. Canada often conducts multiple iterations of Op Caribbe in a year - the last deployment was with HMC Ships Nanaimo and Whitehorse earlier this year. However, Maritime Component Command ordered the ships return to Canada on March 18 due to the worldwide spread of COVID-19. The deployment of Summerside is the first Op Caribbe deployment since, and came with a myriad of new considerations and precautions to ensure the safety of personnel.The crew was required to adhere to self-isolation measures prior to sailing along with undergoing a COVID-19 test prior to departure. The same conditions were given to the United States Coast Guard (USCG) Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET) participants who were picked up in Miami, Florida. Due to these precautions, members do not have to wear masks while at sea or adhere to physical distancing. In normal times,...

[caption id="attachment_24819" align="aligncenter" width="595"] S2 Blake Castelein participates in small boat training. Photo by S1 Valerie LeClair, MARPAC Imaging Services[/caption]Captain Chelsea DubeauHMCS Winnipeg––Exercise Keen Sword arrived at an interesting time in HMCS Winnipeg’s deployment. Nestled in-between Operation Neon patrols, Exercise Keen Sword kicked off on Oct. 26 and continued until Nov. 5, overlapping the U.S. election and rounding out a month that started with Winnipeg’s transit through the Taiwan Strait. The biennial exercise is designed to increase combat readiness and interoperability of U.S. forces and the Japan Self-Defense Force.All told, it was quite a busy month for Winnipeg in the Asia-Pacific, one of the most headline-making regions in the world.Exercise Keen Sword is a formidable affair. If you were on the upper decks during the PHOTOEX on Oct. 26, you could have thrown a stone in any direction and hit a warship. Approximately 10,000 U.S. service members from the U.S. Pacific Fleet, U.S. Forces Japan, 7th Fleet, 5th Air Force, 374th Airlift Wing, 18th Wing, 35th Fighter Wing, and III Marine Expeditionary Force took part, along with approximately 40,000 Japanese personnel. To put that into perspective, the number of personnel participating in this year’s Keen Sword is about 10 times that of the 5,300 personnel who participated in this year’s Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC). The Royal Canadian Navy participated in Keen Sword for the first time in 2018 as an observer. This year, however, Winnipeg had an active role. This year’s exerciseThe exercise included anti-submarine warfare serials (ASW), cross-deck landings between Winnipeg’s embarked CH-148 Cyclone helicopter and helicopters on board U.S. and Japanese ships, a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS Tippecanoe, and a final war at sea exercise. From a warfighting perspective, and being that Keen Sword is primarily ASW-focused, the exercise is an opportunity to sharpen those capabilities...

MARPAC PAO––Four massive tires, standing as tall as a grown man, were hauled out of Kinsmen Beach Park in Chemainus last week by 11 Fleet Diving Unit (Pacific) members.It took two days to remove the 1,200-pound tires, an environmental hazard for the crab population; high winds and rainy weather added to the toil.It was a joint effort between the navy divers, The Halalt First Nations’ Spill Response Team, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, and the municipality of North Cowichan. In April, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans’ South Coast Area Resources Restoration Unit (DFO SCA-RRU) was contacted to address the environmental impact industrial garbage was having on marine creatures in the area. A decade ago, private barges from Chemainus Port were abandoned and sunk. The four industrial tires were used on the barges and were causing an entrapment hazard to the local crab population. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans reached out to Maritime Forces Pacific for their underwater expertise. “For government organizations to come together to support local communities in a short time frame, in the middle of a pandemic, is incredible,” said Chrissy Czembor, Restoration Biologist, DFO SCA-RRU. “The amount of planning and coordination that went into this project is phenomenal.” Divers carefully executed the salvage operation, working around the ferry and tide schedules. With only an approximate location given of the tires’ whereabouts, they had do a greater sweep of the area to find them. Two-person dive teams working from two dive boats rotated every 24-minutes until all four were found 20 metres below the surface. The tires were raised by lift bags and pulled towards shore via the RHIB. On the shore, a truck waited to pull them out. Before hauling them away, Czembor inspected them to ensure no marine creatures were lingering within. “The fact...

Lt(N) Pete BigelowNPTG(A)––Working remotely or virtually may be new to many people this year because of the pandemic, but the Canadian Armed Forces and their international Allies have been exercising this capability for years.Virtual exercising was strengthened recently with Exercise Coalition Virtual Flag (CVF) 21-1. Virtual Flag is an annual United States Air Force-led exercise that ran for nearly two weeks – Oct. 27 to Nov. 5. While the exercise was hosted at Kirkland AFB in Albuquerque, New Mexico, 3,740 kilometres away from the entrance of building S17 in Halifax, NS, Royal Canadian Navy and Royal Canadian Air Force members did not have to leave their area code to participate. From the Canadian side, participants were from 14 Wing Greenwood, 12 Wing Shearwater, 8 Wing Trenton, and Naval Training Development Center Atlantic (NTDC(A)). Overall, there were over 450 joint and coalition war fighters involved, as well as numerous surface and subsurface units. All these war fighters were controlled from 23 sites spanning three continents. There has been an ever increasing employment of synthetic training within the Canadian Armed Forces and many Allied forces. CVF 21-1 and other virtual exercises allow units to maintain and refine core war fighting capabilities without being hindered by logistics and engineering issues. Participants can obtain the benefits that traditionally have only been afforded by sending ships and aircraft to sea for weeks on end, by simply showing up to a building near their home. It now becomes a regular working day and everyone returns for supper with their loved ones every evening. Another benefit is there are less moving parts running in the background with synthetic training. On a ship or in an aircraft, things can go wrong and hinder the exercise objectives. With synthetic training, issues can arise but are easily managed by those...