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[caption id="attachment_21558" align="alignnone" width="592"] A clearance diver investigates a dud rocket in a hesco barrier of a forward operating base.[/caption]Lt(N) Sebastian Harper, FDU (P) ~Clearance divers from Fleet Diving Unit (Pacific) recently deployed to Guam for Exercise Hydracrab.The amalgam of navy explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) operators from allied partner nations convened Aug. 19 on the Pacific island of Guam to practice their skills. Hosted by United States Navy EOD Mobile Unit 5, Hydracrab was an inaugural 14-day exercise designed to push EOD operators to their limits in a non-permissive maritime environment.  Participants included Clearance Diving Teams 1 and 4 from Australia, Fleet Diving Unit (Pacific) from Canada, HMNZS Matatua from New Zealand, and EOD Mobile Unit 5 and 3 Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF) EOD, from the United States. Unique to this exercise, US Marines from 3 MEF Force Reconnaissance also flew in from Okinawa, Japan, to act as “Blue Force” for the exercise, giving participants the opportunity to integrate with ground forces and assault teams during raids and vessel boarding.Over the course of the exercise, eight RCN clearance divers honed their skills, participating in dismounted improvised explosive device (IED) disruption tasks, which in many cases involved hand dismantling IEDs in order to enable an assault force to press on to their objective. They also practiced ancillary skills including diving, fast rope insertion, shooting, and close quarters battle to better enable them to integrate with land forces or boarding teams; something that navy EOD teams are often called on to do.Mobile Unit 5 intends to make Exercise Hydracrab an annual event in which Pacific allied EOD partners can integrate and better prepare their EOD operators for the next fight. Having the opportunity to inter-operate with partner nations in an intense and immersive exercise gives Canadian clearance divers the warfighting skills required to accomplish their...

[caption id="attachment_21555" align="alignnone" width="592"] Lt(N) Justin Sowley explains the integration of the pelorus, a reference tool for maintaining bearing of a vessel at sea, with the Naval Bridge Simulator to Cdr (Retired) Doug Henderson. Photo by Peter Mallett, Lookout[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~Graduates of the Royal Canadian Navy’s junior officer training centre known as HMCS Venture gathered in Victoria last week for their 11th quinquennial reunion.Held once every five years, the reunion brings together members of CFB Esquimalt’s Naval Junior Officer Training Establishment, HMCS Venture, which ceased operations 51 years ago. Last week’s reunion saw approximately 125 alumni and their spouses attend two days of activities organized by the Venture Association in conjunction with Naval Fleet School Pacific (NFS(P)). Between 1954 and 1968, HMCS Venture and its campus, which was located in Dockyard, trained junior naval officers of the Executive, Engineering, and Fleet Air Arm and Naval Services branches during a two-year term of academic education. The buildings that once housed the school, Dockyard buildings 11 and 29, were demolished in 2017.Many reunion attendees are now in their 70s and 80s and travelled to Victoria from across the country and the United States to celebrate the legacy. Admiral (Retired) John Anderson, Ambassador to NATO and former Commanding Officer, Naval Officer Training Centre (NOTC) Venture, and past Chief of Defence Staff, was the special guest for this year’s reunion. Lieutenant Commander Todd Kennedy, who serves as the present-day Venture Division Commander, within NFS(P), welcomed the group with a reception and orientation at Work Point’s Collier Theatre on the morning of Sept 12, in conjunction with the Naval Fleet School Commandant, Commander Annick Fortin, and Deputy Fleet Commander, Captain(N) Scott Robinson. All three of spent the day with Venture Association reunion guests as they walked the flats of current day Venture Division, and joined...

SLt Zachary Jackson, HMCS Calgary ~Last month, HMCS Calgary along with HMCS Whitehorse, Canadian Forces Maritime Warfare Centre, 443 Maritime Helicopter Squadron, and 19 Wing Comox took part in Optest Stargazer. The goal of the two-week exercise was to test anti-submarine warfare equipment and doctrine in order to improve how warships conduct anti-submarine operations.One of the highlights of the exercise was a series of Mk 46 Torpedo firings. The Mk 46 Lightweight Torpedo is the primary weapon used by the Royal Canadian Navy and the Royal Canadian Air Force against submarine threats. The rounds were Exercise Torpedoes (EXTORPS). This meant the torpedo was able to be fired, move through the water, tracked, and finally target a submarine without having any explosive payload embarked. Using an EXTORP allows the military to employ the weapon in a realistic way and collect relevant data without any undue costs or risk. Personnel can then analyze the data and see why the weapon was either successful or unsuccessful. This is crucial in determining how to improve both the way the military fights and the weapons used. Calgary’s Under Water Warfare Officer, Lt (N) Samantha Bayne commented on the importance of this exercise. “Calgary’s participation in Optest Stargazer enabled the RCN to enhance underwater warfare tactics. Calgary contributed to the exercise’s effectiveness in providing a focused opportunity to demonstrate potential new equipment and procedures.”The exercise was the culmination of weeks of work by both the Operations Department and the Combat Systems Engineering Department.

[caption id="attachment_21547" align="alignnone" width="593"] United Nations troops search for mines in Cyprus.[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~A Department of National Defence historian from Ottawa will be visiting the base next month to interview veterans that served in Canadian Armed Forces peacekeeping operations in Cyprus. John Macfarlane, from Directorate of History and Heritage (DHH), is compiling research for a book that will include first-hand accounts by veterans on Operation Snowgoose, Canada’s contribution to United Nations peacekeeping operations in Cyprus between 1964 and 1993. MacFarlane will conduct interviews at the CFB Esquimalt Naval and Military Museum Oct. 2 and 3. Ahead of his visit to the base, he is looking for veterans of all ranks and trades from Victoria’s military community for their stories on Operation Snowgoose and their role in the mission. The focus of the research is the soldiering aspects and is specifically logistics based. “We are not focusing on policy, politics and external affairs, but are looking specifically at operations, what Canadian soldiers were doing and how they adapted and responded to the situation,” said MacFarlane. DHH has a mandate within DND to preserve and communicate Canada’s military history and foster pride in military heritage. The intention, says MacFarlane, is to educate Canadian Armed Forces members and the Canadian public while shaping history.Veterans of Op Snowgoose can write about their experiences, agree to a formal interview, or simply be accessible by email or phone for the occasional question to help clarify certain aspects of the operation. A key area of MacFarlane’s research involves a firefight between Turkish and Greek forces in the summer of 1974 following a Turkish invasion. He is looking for first-hand accounts of how Canadian peacekeepers reacted to the firefight.“They had sent Canadian peacekeepers to keep the peace, but if national defence was involved in a war that...

[caption id="attachment_21537" align="alignnone" width="592"] Capt(N) David Mazur, CFB Halifax Base Commander, and CPO2 (Retired) Brian Lapierre, a former submariner, cut the ribbon to officially open the Naval Museum of Halifax’s newest exhibit. Photo by Cpl Thompson, Formation Imaging Services[/caption]Ryan Melanson, Trident Newspaper ~The Naval Museum of Halifax always has a team of helpful volunteers ready to lend a hand, but a group of retired submariners have taken it to a new level over the past 16 months. The result of their hard work is now officially on display for visitors to enjoy.The museum held an official opening Aug. 8 for the exhibit focused on the history of Canada’s submarine service. Titled “Diving Now! Diving Now! Submarines in the Service of Canada”, the new room features a mix of physical artifacts and mementos, diorama-style recreations, and beautifully designed informative displays, stretching back from the very first CC-Class boats, through the Second World War and Cold War era, and up to the present with the Victoria-class fleet that currently serves.“It’s been a lot of hard work, but it’s very rewarding to have the room ready for everyone to see today,” said Brian Lapierre, a former submariner who sailed in both HMC Submarines Okanagan and Onondaga as an electrician during his 21-year naval career. Lapierre, along with fellow retired submariner Jim Northtrup, led the creation of the new exhibit on the volunteer side, and the two were credited with putting in more than 500 hours at the museum since the project began.“I used to come in on my time off and spend a couple days a week inventorying all the artifacts in the basement, but I could not have imagined it coming together with a project like this,” he said.Included in the exhibit are a recreated mess and sleeping quarters from an Oberon-class boat,...

Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~A sailor from Base Information Services is raving about his first-ever community outreach experience at a youth biodiversity camp in Clayoquot Sound. Leading Seaman Matt Nicolle normally spends his workdays on a ship at sea or at a desk alongside. But for two weeks in August the 29-year-old turned his attention to rolling up his sleeves and pitching in with cleaning and landscaping duties at the Cedar Coast Field Station on Vargas Island, located five kilometres north of Tofino, B.C. “I want to tell the story about my experience because I believe it will help others see that they can get special leave allocated for community service, and that there are all sorts of organizations that can use the help of Canadian military personnel,” he said. LS Nicolle required written approval from the Base Commander’s office to be allotted the necessary 14 calendar days of community affairs leave between Aug. 3 and 16.  He then drove to Tofino and was ferried to the island. After arriving on the island, he assisted other field station support staff in running the summer camp program for approximately seven youths. Cedar Coast Field Station’s mission is to preserve ecological health through research and education programs. The field station provides housing and accommodations, acting as a base camp for researchers, naturalists, artists, educators, and students to explore and observe the island and its surroundings, which is part of the region’s UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific, Cultural Organization) Biosphere Reserve. Despite the beautiful oceanfront scenery, LS Nicolle admits most of his 60 hours of volunteer services were away from the ecological research and development. He cooked meals for campers and staff, did indoor custodial and cleaning duties, and helped with landscape maintenance projects on the trails and camp gardens. He described his time as “an incredible experience” simply because of the mission of the field station.LS Nicolle says, like many people, he strives to be more environmentally conscious in his day-to-day activities but...

[caption id="attachment_21530" align="alignnone" width="593"] It’s just another day at the blood bank for LS Robert Hull. What’s unique is it is his 500th donation.[/caption]Lt(N) Melissa Kia, HMCS Malahat PAO ~LS Robert Hull of HMCS Malahat eases into a donation chair at the Victoria Canadian Blood Services Clinic as if he’s sitting down at his favourite park bench. After 34 years of donating whole blood and platelets, he has achieved a milestone which few people reach. Last Tuesday, Sept. 3, marked his 500th blood donation. LS Hull, unassuming about his feat, likens his bi-weekly donation to stopping off for a coffee with friends. “After so many years it is just a habit to come down to the clinic and give,” he says as the pumps whirl in the background. When queried about how he got started, LS Hull says, “I guess I was just curious when I started donating. I still remember my first time, I was only 18 years old. I went down to the clinic in St. John’s, NL, after my father was diagnosed with stage four cancer. Cancer took both of my grandfathers, so I wanted to do something to help.” Feeling like he could make a difference in the lives of cancer patients, and all Canadians who were in need of blood, kept LS Hull going back time and again for the next three decades. “I learned that cancer patients desperately need blood and platelets as part of their treatment,” he said. Though his father beat the odds, and survived his bout with the disease, LS Hull was hooked on donating. Going back to give became a part of his lifestyle. Patricia Willms, a spokesperson for Canadian Blood Services, could not overstate the importance of LS Hull’s record donation. “Though I don’t have the national statistics on hand, I...

Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~In two weeks, Canadian naval historian Roger Litwiller will share his collection of 1,800 images with the CFB Esquimalt community.He is loaning his collection to the CFB Esquimalt Naval and Military Museum, and conducting a lecture on naval history at the museum Sept. 18. He began amassing unofficial candid photos of life in the navy when he was researching for his first book White Ensign Flying - The Story of HMCS Trentonian. “They really are intriguing pictures and accurately capture a day-in-the-life of a sailor,” says Litwiller. “That is also the focus of my writing. I have always enjoyed sitting down with our veterans and hearing their stories of what life was like on board an RCN ship.”A favourite set of images is that of a mock wedding on board Trentonian in the days leading up to the Battle of Normandy in the Second World War. The light-hearted photo was taken on the gundeck, below the ship’s bridge. It shows a sailor posing as a Justice of the Peace and two sailors being married, one playing the part of the bride and wearing a mop for a wig. “It was a fun way for them to blow off steam and share a laugh in trying times. In multiple images that were captured of this event you can see the sailors were clearly laughing and grinning,” said Litwiller. “The stunt clearly worked because when the corvette reached port the entire ship’s company was given [shore] leave.”Litwiller’s images are not original but rather scanned high-resolution images borrowed from veterans he interviews. He meticulously records as much information about each photo from the veteran before scanning and returning them. He has shared his collection with other Canadian naval museums and the CFB Esquimalt museum is the last to receive the...

[caption id="attachment_21526" align="alignnone" width="593"] This year’s CANEX Championship Gaming Series will feature the game Rocket League. You can register a team to play or watch the action live on Twitch Oct. 25-27.[/caption]Courtesy Trident Newspaper ~Canadian Armed Forces sports are a way for military members to build camaraderie through friendly competition, and in the modern day that notion is expanding to include e-sports or competitive video gaming. The CANEX Championship Gaming Series is back for its fourth year running from Oct. 25-27, and registration is now open, with early-bird prize draws available to those who sign up before Sept.12. This year’s contest features Rocket League, a popular multiplayer game described as a “high-powered hybrid of arcade-style soccer and vehicular mayhem”, which won the most votes in an online poll of potential participants taken to choose this year’s game.Each team consists of three players and an alternate, with one player filling the role of Team Captain. All team members must already have, or be eligible to apply for, a CFOne Card, and be 19 years of age or older as of Aug.1. All games are played online and players can take part from any location.Each member of the winning team will receive the first-place prize package, which includes an ACER 32” Curved Monitor and a MSI Urban Raider Backpack with Laptop Loot Box, keyboard skin, and gaming cap. The total first-place prize package is valued at more than $900. Those who register before the early bird cutoff will be entered into a draw for two MSI and ASUS gaming laptops – these prizes will be awarded to randomly-selected individual players, rather than to the team as a whole.Further prizes will also be given to the second-place team, as well as gift card draws open to all players, and for non players who...

[caption id="attachment_21517" align="alignnone" width="593"] CPO1 Paul Fenton receives the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers from Her Honour, the Honourable Janet Austin, Lieutenant Governor of B.C., in a ceremony at Government House. Photo by LS Shaun Martin, MARPAC Imaging Services[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~Fifteen years of unpaid, behind-the-scenes volunteerism has earned Chief Petty Officer First Class Paul Fenton a unique, prestigious medal – the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers.Last Thursday, Sept. 5, he was one of 44 British Columbia recipients to receive the honour from B.C. Lieutenant Governor Janet Austin in a ceremony at Government House.CPO1 Fenton, 50, is currently in his 31st year of service with the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) and was honoured for his years of volunteer work with Scouts Canada.“It’s an incredible honour to be recognized for my volunteering at the national level,” said CPO1 Fenton. The Medal for Volunteers is awarded annually in each province on behalf of the Governor General of Canada, Julie Payette. It is presented to individuals who have made significant, sustained contributions to their community in Canada or abroad. The award was created in 1995 by former Governor General Roméo LeBlanc and builds on the spirit of its predecessor, the Caring Canadian Award. CPO1 Fenton began his involvement with Scouting in 2004 as Scout Leader when his children became members of the 1st Arbutus Scouts in Esquimalt. Today, he is Group Commissioner with the 33rd Greater Victoria Medical Scout Group. The scout group is for youth ages 15 to 26 and provides first aid services to local scouting events. He is also a member of the Greater Victoria training team for scout leaders. A military colleague nominated the Chief. He was notified of his award on March 8 through an email from the Office of The Governor General of Canada.__The Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers is...

[caption id="attachment_21514" align="alignnone" width="592"] Capt(N) Jason Boyd accepts the Victoria-Class trophy from Commodore Angus Topshee and Babcock Canada’s President Mike Whalley. Photo by LS Bryan Underwood, MARPAC Imaging Services[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~A successful hockey fundraiser played out last week at the Wurtele Arena raising $5,500 for the Esquimalt Military Family Resource Centre (MFRC). A near-capacity crowd filled the stands on Sept. 4 to watch the CFB Esquimalt Senior Tritons defeat Babcock Canada 8-2 and claim the inaugural Victoria-Class Cup title. But the final score didn’t seem to matter much to hockey fans, players and volunteers says the game’s organizer Lisa Church, MFRC Community Engagement manager. “I am so proud of the entire MFRC team, the CFB Esquimalt community, and Babcock Canada who came together to support this event,” said Church. “Our intention was to create an event that would be enjoyed by all members of the defence community and their families and there is nothing like a good game of hockey to bring people together.”Fans were treated to free soft drinks, barbecued hot dogs, and pizza before Commander of Maritime Forces Pacific, Rear-Admiral Bob Auchterlonie and Babcock Canada’s President Mike Whalley conducted the game’s ceremonial puck drop. At the conclusion of the game, Whalley made a cheque presentation of $5,000 on behalf of Babcock Canada to MFRC Executive Director Jackie Carle. Another $500 was raised through the game’s 50-50 draw and a Chuck-A-Puck contest.

Capt Aaron Lee and AB Keiran Sidle, DND ~Being a boatswain demands a lot from an individual. Attention to detail, teamwork and physicality are all part of the job. However, one aspect of the trade remains integral but often taken for granted - rope work.There is one young sailor who considers rope work more than just part of the job. AB Keiran Sidle of Naval Replenishment Unit (NRU) Asterix has turned this skill into a hobby.AB Sidle has been in the Royal Canadian Navy for three years and it was during his QL3 trade training that he was introduced to rope work. In addition to the traditional knots such as the bowline, clove hitch and square knot, he has taken his skills to the next level by creating knots that are intricate and decorative works of art.In one deployment alone, with NRU Asterix, AB Sidle made over 50 small rope work projects for the ship or his fellow crewmembers. Some of his more decorative works include the adornment for the ship’s bell, a rope knot ship’s wheel and a beautiful rope knot anchor, all of which currently decorate the bulkheads of Asterix. He’s even presented one of his creations to former Commander Royal Canadian Navy, VAdm Ron Lloyd, during a visit to the ship while in theatre.For anyone interested in starting his or her own decorative rope projects, AB Sidle has practical advice: try to be as creative as possible and have a lot of patience. For a boatswain with NRU Asterix, rope work is critical to mission success, but for AB Sidle this skill has amplified into a hobby that gives him a chance to relax and unwind after a hard day’s work. He would like to bring rope work back to the modern sailor as he believes it helps...

Courtesy Maple Leaf ~When it comes to help for those in distress, every action counts and can make a difference. Yet, despite all the support programs and tools put in place, the problem is often taking that first step toward the appropriate resources.Military members in distress may find it difficult to ask for help for any number of reasons, including personal pride, feelings of isolation, or social pressure. This is where the camaraderie that unites Canadian Armed Forces members comes into play.Established by the Royal Canadian Chaplain Service, the Canadian Armed Forces Sentinel Program is a peer support network made up of trained and supervised volunteer members of all ranks. Civilians may also volunteer with the approval of their local chain of command and local Sentinel Chaplain. Through their informed presence within their units, the Sentinels play an important role in the prevention, detection, and support for colleagues in distress.The active presence of the Sentinels is felt in several areas, such as Operation Honour. When grappling with a situation as sensitive as sexual misconduct, feeling supported and not alone is critically important. The support and guidance provided by the Sentinels have the potential to bring about positive outcomes.The program started in 2007 and grew to 2,000 members in 2016. Today, with more than 3,000 qualified Sentinels in action on the ground there are more Canadian Armed Forces members ready to offer their support to those who need it.Observe, confirm, act, and seek back-upThe program is driven by the premise that peers are best situated to identify colleagues in distress and help them find appropriate support. Sentinels keep an eye out for signs of distress in their colleagues, particularly with respect to mental health. They offer human contact and encourage dialogue and networking to reduce potentially harmful isolation.Two essential elements of the program are simplicity and humanity. It is not a question of training people in areas in which trained professionals are already working, such as mental health. Rather, Sentinels act...

DND ~The world’s largest maritime military exercise, Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC), is holding a competition to find a logo for its 2020 session. This is an opportunity for any artist, designer or creative person who would like to see their work featured as the exercise’s official branding for stationary, press releases, websites, social media, coins, shirts, hats, and more. The winner will also be officially recognized by the Commander of the U.S. Third Fleet.Held every two years since 1971, RIMPAC brings an international collection of maritime, land, and air units to the Hawaiian Islands to conduct joint exercises that address a number of scenarios such as disaster relief, maritime security operations, sea control, and complex warfighting. Last year, 25,000 personnel from 25 countries, 46 ships, five submarines, 17 land forces, and more than 200 aircraft participated. The next exercise will take place in June and July 2020. The theme of RIMPAC is three words: Capable, Adaptive, Partners. Logo submissions should incorporate these themes.Logo submissions should:be rasterized in .jpg file format with a resolution of at least 300 dpi (the winning design will require an unlocked and editable vector file),be of a quality capable of reproduction on a coin or embossed on stationary and folders, etcetera.embrace the theme ‘Capable, Adaptive, Partners’,be marked public domain and not copyrighted,not include nation flags,consider and take inspiration from the fact that: RIMPAC 2020 is the 27th iteration of the exercise, it’s the world’s largest naval exercise, and members of all services and navy communities will participate (this is not strictly a surface, submarine, aviation, etc., exercise), andbe creative! (Previous logos can be used as inspiration but designs of any shape are welcome as long as they follow the above criteria.)This competition is open to all Defence Team members. The deadline to submit is Nov....

[caption id="attachment_21495" align="alignnone" width="593"] Cadet Warrant Officer Carter Smith of the 2422 Nanaimo Army Cadets walks with his father, RCMP Constable and army reservist Mark Smith, at the drop zone in Trenton, Ont. Photo courtesy Capt Sharon Low[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~A Vancouver Island army cadet had a huge surprise when he travelled to Ontario to complete his basic parachute qualification course.Cadet Warrant Officer Carter Smith of the 2422 Nanaimo Army Cadets was one of 50 army cadets from across the country who had gathered inside a hangar at CFB Trenton on Aug. 13 for the completion of their four-week parachute training course. Carter, 17, was a tad nervous in the moments leading up to his first-ever parachuting experience. Those pre-jump jitters escalated when he met his jumping partner – his father.Mark Smith, Nanaimo Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Detachment Constable, and part-time army reservist with the Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary’s), hatched a scheme to jump with his son. “At first I didn’t notice that he was in the hangar, then I saw an older man with a western division patch on his uniform, did a double take and realized it was my Dad,” said Carter. “I was initially confused as to why my father was there, but then I gradually began to realize I was going to be making the jump with him.”Mark, 47, had previously served as a full-time soldier with the First Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment (1RCR) and served as a peacekeeper in Croatia and later as a paratrooper with the 3RCR during the 1990s. But he hadn’t done any parachuting since those days and was due for a refresher course. He made all the necessary arrangements for the surprise rendezvous with his son weeks in advance of the jump. He received approval for his plan after...

[caption id="attachment_21492" align="alignnone" width="592"] A sign at building N20 marks the offices and archives of the CFB Esquimalt Naval and Military Museum. The building was recently designated as an Historic Place by the Province of British Columbia. Between 1973 and 1984, the red brick building was used as a French-language school and previously served as a residence for admirals and base commanders in the early portion of the 20th century. Photo by Peter Mallett, Lookout[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~The red-bricked office building for the CFB Esquimalt Naval and Military Museum has been designated a Historic Place by the Province of British Columbia.Naden building number 20 currently houses the archives for the base museum, but 35 years ago it served a much different purpose. Between 1973 and 1984, Cabin No. 20 was known to our Francophone community as “la petite école rouge” or “Little Red Schoolhouse” in English. Back then, the building was an elementary school for up to 80 French-speaking students each year. It had a staff of four teachers who offered instruction from Kindergarten to Grade 6. In October 1977 the school was officially named École Victor G Brodeur for the former Rear-Admiral who commanded the Pacific Fleet during the Second World War and used the building as his residence between 1932 and 1933. The building was designed by architect John Teague (1833-1902) to serve as a house for the Admiral, and in later years was also used as residence for Base Commanders. In 1985 the little red schoolhouse was deemed too tiny a building to satisfy the demand from the Francophone community and operations were moved off-site to Harborview School. Earlier this year, building N20 was named to the B.C. Register of Historic Places because of its cultural legacy and importance in the province’s history.The announcement came by decree...

Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~Military parents in need of a tutor for their child need only look as far as the Esquimalt Military Family Resource Centre (MFRC).In collaboration with Rogers Hometown Hockey, the MFRC now offers Community Education Grants for tutoring children 12 years old and older during the upcoming school year.Application forms are currently available at both the Colwood and Esquimalt centres.Kelly Aucoin, MFRC Children’s Services Coordinator, says funding from Rogers Hometown Hockey was donated to the MFRC specifically to assist children of military members to better prepare for post-secondary education. “As a non-profit, charitable organization we welcome grants to support our operations,” said Aucoin. “We were delighted to see this funding for the MFRC and we know it is going to help fulfill a great need in Esquimalt’s military community.”The Community Education Grant is being offered for this school year only. It is being funded by a $15,000 donation to the MFRC from Rogers Communications through Support Our Troops, which raised proceeds from the Rogers Hometown Hockey event held at CFB Esquimalt in February. As part of the new program, the MFRC will hold regular Homework Support Groups for children attending classes this year in Grades 6 through 12 at the Colwood Pacific Activity Centre (CPAC). Application forms for the Community Education Grant are also available online at https://esquimaltmfrc.com.  Completed application forms will be reviewed by the MFRC’s Child and Youth Development Parenting Support Committee before reimbursements can be approved.

[caption id="attachment_21485" align="alignnone" width="593"] Capt(N) Sam Sader, Base Commander, and Matt Waterman, Navy League of Canada President, present Deborah Walker with a National Presidents’ Appreciation Award during a ceremony at the Wardroom, Aug. 23. Photo by Peter Mallett, Lookout[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~A nurse from the base hospital has been recognized by the Navy League of Canada for her quick thinking in providing emergency medical assistance to a Canadian Armed Forces member. Deborah Walker, a Primary Care nurse with Canadian Forces Health Services Pacific’s Integrated Health Team 3, was recognized for her off-duty medical support at this year’s annual general meeting of the Navy League of Canada in Ottawa in April. A woman that required assistance was taking part in the awards ceremony at the Bytown Mess when she fell to the ground. Walker immediately emerged from the crowd to assist. In an Aug. 23 meeting of the Navy League of Canada at Esquimalt’s Wardroom, Walker was recognized for her efforts with a National Presidents’ Appreciation Award. Base Commander, Captain (Navy) Sam Sader, and Navy League of Canada President Matt Waterman presented the award. Capt(N) Sader described Walker’s efforts as a “tremendous example of the selflessness and dedication” of employees at the base who truly live up to the motto of CFB Esquimalt ‘Portare per Omnia’ or ‘Support for All.’“We could not fulfill this, our mission, without individuals such as Deborah Walker who, in ordinary situations, rise to become extraordinary individuals,” said Capt(N) Sader. Walker was attending the April meeting with her husband Dave Yates, who is a member and past President of the Navy League. Walker didn’t realize the individual had fainted until her husband pointed it out.   “Dave and I were watching the presentations and I couldn’t see very well from our seats because I am short,” said Walker....

[caption id="attachment_21482" align="alignnone" width="593"] Photo by SLt Yeojin Kim, HMCS Calgary[/caption]SLt M.X. Déry, MARPAC PA Office ~High speed turns, fighting fires, the Royal Canadian Navy mascot Sonar, a Cyclone buzzing past and ice cream, could you ask for more? HMCS Calgary pulled all the stops last weekend to show girls and women from Achieve Anything Foundation’s Operation This is You, and a host of VIPs from the City of Vancouver, everything that the navy has to offer.“Sails like this are about awareness, about why a navy is important, about why Canada is a maritime nation, but most importantly about why the sailors you meet today love their job, love their country, love what they do,” said Cdr Jonathan Kouwenberg, Commanding Officer of Calgary. The ship departed North Vancouver early Saturday morning and headed for Howe Sound as the nearly 200 guests were split into smaller groups to explore all aspects of life at sea. On the flight deck, guests donned bunker gear and watched mock firefighting hot door procedures.In the hangar, members of the ship’s Naval Boarding Party fielded questions in full gear, while other groups were shown the ship’s multiple weapons systems on the upper decks, or the engineering compartments below deck.Sonar made a quick appearance to dispense high fives to children and help in some of the tour displays.After lunch and some ice cream, guests were treated to a Cyclone helicopter from 443 Maritime Helicopter Squadron demonstrating its aerial prowess, followed by Calgary performing a man overboard exercise to highlight the warship’s maneuverability.Throughout it all, the ship’s program was narrated by one voice, that of Lt(N) Samantha Bayne, Calgary’s Underwater Warfare Officer.“It was a great experience being the voice of Calgary,” said Lt(N) Bayne. “Getting to showcase what we do in the navy, especially for the ‘This is you’...

[caption id="attachment_21477" align="alignnone" width="593"] File photo from 2018[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~You’ve seen them sailing off the Dallas Road waterfront.You’ve read about their deployments and successful operations. Now, in two weeks’ time, you can go inside a Royal Canadian Navy warship, submarine, and training vessel at CFB Esquimalt’s largest outreach event of the year – Defence on the Dock.This glimpse into the Canadian military takes place at Ogden Point, the downtown cruise ship terminal, on Sunday, Sept. 15 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and it’s free.Tours are available in HMCS Winnipeg, HMCS Edmonton and Orca-class training vessel Renard 58. Plus, attendees can win a coveted tour of Victoria-class submarine HMCS Chicoutimi. Watch CFB Esquimalt’s Facebook page for your chance to win.From the air force, the new CH-148 Cyclone helicopter from 443 Maritime Helicopter Squadron will perform a search and rescue demonstration in the harbour. From the army, artillery, tanks and weaponry from 39 Service Battalion will be on display, as well as a mobile field hospital tent from the army medical unit 11 Field Ambulance.The base will showcase its own emergency services with vehicles and interactive displays from their fire and rescue and military police units. Plus, some of the unique support services housed at the base will be on display, showing their work and the many careers opportunities available to civilians. “Defence on the Dock is about bringing CFB Esquimalt to our community,” said Captain (Navy) Sam Sader, Base Commander. “This event is a great opportunity to strengthen ties with our neighbours while providing a glimpse into life here on the base and showcasing the talent within our Defence Team.” The Canadian Armed Forces is more than just the tools to do the job. At the heart of the military are its people. This year the Base Commander has...

[caption id="attachment_21459" align="alignnone" width="593"] Vice-Admiral Haydn Edmundson, Acting Commander, Military Personnel Command, with the Special Service Medal he struck during a recent tour of the Royal Canadian Mint.[/caption]Courtesy Maple Leaf ~Vice-Admiral (VAdm) Haydn Edmundson, Acting Commander Military Personnel Command (A/CMPC), accepted an opportunity to put his own stamp on things at the Royal Canadian Mint.After receiving precise instructions, the newly minted Vice-Admiral activated the hydraulic press and produced a Special Service Medal. This “striking” performance took place during a recent visit to the historic facility at 320 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, where VAdm Edmundson was guided through the painstaking process required to produce medals at a consistent level of quality required for Canadian military honours and awards.The tour offered a behind-the-scenes look at the many steps required to transform an intricate design into a medal. Since 2007, the Royal Canadian Mint has been manufacturing the bulk of the medals and other forms of recognition—such as bars, medallions, and Memorial Crosses—presented to members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and employees of the Department of National Defence. The vast majority of the more than 16,000 medals issued by the Directorate of Honours and Recognition in 2018 were produced by the Royal Canadian Mint and then shipped across Canada to units for locally organized presentations.As a gesture of thanks and appreciation, VAdm Edmundson presented the MPC Commander’s Coin to Eric Jodouin in appreciation of the Royal Canadian Mint’s steadfast support to the CAF.“What the Mint has enabled us to do is to present medals to those who have earned it while they’re still deployed, in the field,” explained VAdm Edmundson during the presentation. “There is a lot more meaning for our CAF members when they receive recognition in the theatre alongside their sisters and brothers in arms.”Timely presentation of honours and awards has...

[caption id="attachment_21454" align="alignnone" width="590"] Leading Seaman Desi Cozier[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~Following what he describes as an “unforgettable” Warrior Games experience, a Royal Canadian Navy Combat Systems Engineer is helping others with a generous act of chivalry.Leading Seaman Desi Cozier has come to the assistance of the Gallant Knights Charity Sports Association, a newly created non-profit to help injured veterans and current-serving military pay for sporting goods and equipment. Gallant Knights is organizing its first annual 2019 Soldier On Motorcycle Ride and Classic Car Rally. The event will be held in 36 different regional routes in Ontario on Sept. 21 and 28. LS Cozier is selling raffle tickets for the event and hoping Victoria’s defence community will support this initiative. “Now that I have completed my Warrior Games experience, I wanted to help others and give them same healing I enjoyed while at the same time spreading the word about the Soldier On program,” said LS Cozier. “Right now, I have established and organized a meeting with Victoria’s Mayor Helps office to assist with reaching out to community groups as well as MLAs. I’m reaching out to friends, family, CFB Esquimalt, social media and local businesses to buy tickets or help boost our sales in any way they can.”He hopes some of the lucrative prizes in the raffle will catch the attention of motorcycle enthusiasts across the country. Motorcycle manufacturer Harley-Davidson has offered several prizes including an early bird prize of a $2,500 cash credit to be used at its officially licensed motorcycle dealerships, a 2019 Triumph Speedmaster motorcycle, and a 2019 Harley-Davidson Street 750. LS Cozier was among 39 athletes who represented Canada at the United States’ Department of Defence Warrior Games in Tampa June 21 to June 30. The Department of National Defence’s Soldier On program organizes Canada’s Warrior...

[caption id="attachment_21451" align="alignnone" width="593"] Members of the Naden Grappling Club pose for a group photo during a recent training session at the Naden Athletic Centre.[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~Two navy grapplers are readying members of the newly formed Naden Grappling Team for national competition.MS Lee Thibault, a four-time national military combatives grappling champion and Greco-Roman wrestler, and OS Connor Sher, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu player and bronze medalist at this year’s national championships in Petawawa, are training military members in the discipline of submission wrestling, a unique martial art that borrows techniques from wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu and judo in order to control and ultimately subdue an opponent.The team was founded by OS Sher this past winter as a way to get fellow sailors interested in grappling, the most important aspect of hand-to-hand combat. “Being a proficient, confident grappler is one of the most important things we can learn as a functioning member of the military,” says OS Sher. “Understanding how the human body works regarding its structural base, balance, leverage points and vulnerable areas is invaluable. When it comes to our military duties, being able to confidently de-escalate a situation with the least amount of force possible is always going to be priority number one. Whether it’s controlling an aggressive civilian or detainee overseas or an active aggressor in a naval boarding scenario, its importance cannot be understated.” MS Thibault’s enthusiasm for grappling is also infectious, his optimism unparalleled.“There are so many wrestlers, grapplers and mixed martial artists at the base who compete at their own private clubs, but what OS Sher and I are hoping to do is bring them together to train and fight under one banner.”Grappling teams have sprung up at other bases including CFB Edmonton, CFB Petawawa, CFB Gagetown and 12 Wing Shearwater. The Naden Grappling Team has...

[caption id="attachment_21445" align="alignnone" width="592"] Left: National Order of the Legion of Honour - France. Right: Ambassador for Peace Medal – Republic of Korea[/caption]Dear Editor,I would like to inform your readers about two very special medals that are available for our veterans. These are the National Order of the Legion of Honour from France and the Ambassador for Peace Medal from the Republic of Korea.Our veterans of the Second World War and the Korean War have both fought hard and made tremendous sacrifices and they have both won the greatest level of respect and thanks we can give them. The Government of France is awarding their highest medal to all living Canadian veterans who directly helped to liberate their country between June 6 and Aug. 30, 1944. The Republic of Korea is presenting its Ambassador for Peace Medal to all Canadian Veterans who participated in the Korean War and its peace keeping operations between 1950 and 1955. Living veterans or the families of veterans who have passed away may be eligible to receive this special medal from Korea. If you are a veteran, or know someone who might be eligible for one of these important medals, please contact me. I am an unofficial volunteer who is willing to help you with your application. There is no fee involved.For more information please contact Mr. Guy Black C/O 515 - 95 Moody Street, Port Moody, BC V3H0H2 or email Korea19501953@yahoo.com and include the subject Veterans Medals.Thank you,Guy Black Recipient, Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation and the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers

[caption id="attachment_21442" align="alignnone" width="593"] Photo by Peter Mallett, Lookout Newspaper[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~The crew of HMCS Regina returned to Esquimalt after a six-and-a-half month deployment in the Asia-Pacific and Middle East regions. A large gathering of family, friends and military personnel waved, cheered and flashed homemade signs, flags, banners and balloons as Regina came alongside C2 Jetty in Dockyard on Aug. 19 after 193 days at sea. It was busy deployment for the Halifax-class frigate and its crew. Regina departed Esquimalt on Feb. 6 where it worked with other navies to enhance military cooperation and partnerships in the Asia-Pacific as part of Operation Projection. It then sailed to the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean and participated in Operation Artemis in support of a combined naval task force of 33 partner nations to deter terrorist organizations from using the high seas for smuggling. Regina also participated in Operation Neon, Canada’s contribution to supporting United Nations Security Council sanctions against North Korea. “I am so impressed with the crew of HMCS Regina who represented the Royal Canadian Navy’s spectrum of tasks across the globe throughout this deployment,” said Commander Jacob French, ship’s commanding officer. “It’s a proud day for me seeing my crew reunited with their families after all they’ve accomplished.”The deployments also marked the first embarked CH-148 Cyclone detachment from 443 Maritime Helicopter Squadron, which Cdr French described as “an absolute bonus” and effective at conducting surveillance and searching out vessels of interest. The Cyclone was introduced on the Pacific coast at the start of 2019 as a replacement for the CH-124 Sea King. A Naval Boarding Party from the Naval Tactical Operations Group also embarked Regina for Artemis, assisting in four separate drug busts during the deployment.Regina also made several port visits during its time away including stops in Guam,...

[caption id="attachment_21438" align="alignnone" width="593"] MS Jeffrey Haines of HMCS Regina presents a cheque for $9,412 to representatives from Canadian Tire’s charity Jumpstart on Aug. 19 in Dockyard. MS Haines raised the money by performing hundreds of haircuts during his ship’s six-and-a-half month deployment.[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~After a lengthy deployment, HMCS Regina sailors disembarking off the ship last week were some of the most well-groomed sailors in the Royal Canadian Navy. Their expertly cropped crew cuts and neatly trimmed bangs were the work of Master Seaman Jeffrey Haines in his makeshift barbershop ‘Greasy Clippers’. For the past six-and-a-half months, the 34-year-old Marine Engineering Technician has been the ship’s unofficial coiffeur performing his cuts from a corner of the ship’s Stoker Shop, all in support of Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities, a national charity dedicated to helping kids overcome financial and accessibility barriers to sport and play.While most of the ship’s company were reunited with their loved ones, MS Haines walked down the brow with an oversized cheque for $9,412, which he presented to Katlyn Soanes, Regional Manager, Pacific for Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities.“Jumpstart is thrilled to accept this generous donation from Master Seaman Haines,” she said. “We are very grateful for his fundraising efforts and for the support of all of our donors coast-to-coast who help get kids of all abilities off the sidelines and into the game.”Ryan Cane, Senior Manager of Military Recreation and Community Services for Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services (CFMWS), also applauded MS Haines for his “wonderful” efforts that will help support the children of military families in Esquimalt.  Cane noted that Personnel Support Programs (PSP) has also partnered with Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities to provide financial assistance to families with children ages four to 18 in accessing programs and equipment. Last year, $34,000 of support from Jumpstart...

[caption id="attachment_21434" align="alignnone" width="593"] Members of the Pineda and Scott family move groceries into their hotel room in Langford. Photo by Peter Mallett, Lookout Newspaper[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~Two military veterans and their families were displaced last week when a fire gutted their Langford home.The six-bedroom, three-story house located on Bear Mountain is owned by Master Corporal (Retired) Elder Pineda, a veteran who did two tours in Afghanistan, and his wife Catherine, a paediatric nurse at Victoria General Hospital. The couple resided there for three years with their two children, their service dog Lincoln, and Catherine’s mother Diana and father Warrant Officer (Retired) Darren Scott, who occupied a ground floor in-law suite. “We are still in a state of shock, have lost most of our personal belongings, but are very grateful and blessed that everyone is still alive, that’s the important thing,” said Elder Pineda. The fire broke out at approximately 1 a.m. on Aug. 18 while the family was sleeping. Pineda was the first to awake to the smoke alarms and his first concern was making sure everyone got out. A neighbour called 911 while the men tried unsuccessfully to control the blaze with a garden hose before it engulfed the upper floors, which were destroyed in the blaze. The ground floor was spared but sustained extensive smoke and water damage. “No matter how hard we tried to fight the flames back it wasn’t enough and there was nothing we could do,” said Darren Scott, who works at Rocky Point Ammunition Depot as a civilian after a 30-year military career.Pineda is in the final year of studies for his masters degree in communications at Royal Roads University. His final thesis project was stored on his computer, which was lost in the blaze. His graduation from the program has been pushed forward to 2020. At press time, the cause of the blaze was was still being investigated.Scott was able to retrieve some of his late father-in-law’s service medals, but all of...

[caption id="attachment_21424" align="alignnone" width="592"] After being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2017, Lt(N) Dale Molenaar used an exercise routine to regain strength and confidence. Photo by Ryan Melanson, Trident Staff[/caption]Ryan Melanson, Trident Newspaper ~After being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2017 and suffering his first relapse from the neurological disease, Lt(N) Dale Molenaar found himself in poor health. His symptoms started with numbness in his arms and legs, and progressed to include balance and vision issues.His diagnosis was closely followed by nine months of paternity leave, and by the time he returned to work at Fleet Maintenance Facility Cape Scott (FMF CS) in the fall of 2018, he knew he needed help.“Things weren’t going good. My balance and vision were still off and my confidence was totally shattered,” he said. “I didn’t trust myself walking down the street without a cane.”He sought out professional help from the resources available to him as a military member, starting with Occupational Therapist Amanda Campbell and Dr. Alex Swift at CF Health Services Centre Atlantic, who then referred Lt(N) Molenaar to the PSP Reconditioning Program. Targeted exercises got him moving again, and he was monitored to ensure measurable results were seen, including improvements to his balance, which began to restore confidence.Lt(N) Molenaar’s MS is the relapsing-remitting type, which means periods of remission offer a chance to build muscles and bounce back from setbacks that occur while symptomatic. Without hard work and motivation, however, that can be very difficult.“Exercise is very important for MS. Once I lose some sort of function, it’s tough to get it back. Going through rehab forced me to get exercising and go through some uncomfortable movements,” he said. “It wasn’t necessarily that I couldn’t do it, but I was scared to do it.”Thanks to his work in the gym and the...

[caption id="attachment_21421" align="alignnone" width="592"] CPO1 Janet Graham-Smith at Albert Head CTC on Vancouver Island. Photo by Captain Peter Fuerbringer, Public Affairs Officer, Albert Head CTC[/caption]Captain Peter Fuerbringer, AHCTC Public Affairs Officer ~CPO1 Janet Graham-Smith is almost embarrassed at the intimation that she’s a trailblazer of sorts, but after an hour listening to her remarkable life’s story, there really isn’t another way to describe her. Her ability to set big goals and simply stick with it until she succeeds is a character trait that has enabled her to accomplish many firsts throughout her 35-year career in the Canadian Armed Forces. CPO1 Graham-Smith grew up in Nova Scotia near Canadian Forces Base Greenwood. As a child she would see military people and male army cadets doing interesting things on the base, which at the time were unavailable to her as a girl. The only community programs open to her were Brownies and Girl Guides, which she joined as an outlet for our adventurous spirit. But in 1975 things changed. Girls were given the right to take part in the Cadet Program, and in that same year, she joined the local Air Cadet squadron and stepped off into what would lead to an extraordinary life. “I wanted to join cadets so badly because I knew they got to do really interesting things that weren’t available in other programs,” says CPO1 Graham-Smith, “So as soon as girls were allowed to join, I did, and never looked back.” She thoroughly enjoyed her cadet career, experiencing leadership, aviation, drill, orienteering and travel to other parts of Canada. “As a teenager, we got the opportunity to rebuild a glider during the winter and then fly it in the spring. What other 16 year old gets that opportunity? That to me is what made me so excited to go...

Courtesy Maple Leaf ~The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) has issued direction and guidance in an update to the current tattoo policy for military members.The tattoo policy was updated to reflect the more mainstream acceptance by society for body art. The updated policy expands the eligibility of suitable applicants interested in joining the military. “As the Canadian Armed Forces Chief Warrant Officer, I’m always observing who we are as a force and how well we are reflecting those we serve,” said Chief Warrant Officer Guimond. “Tattoos are more and more mainstream in Canada and that’s what this policy update is all about. Greater control over your personal appearance is good for the morale of our people and it helps us attract future members to our team. As part of the CAF leadership, I’m proud of how we are modernizing our work culture and we will continue to do so.”The new policy states that tattoos are now only prohibited on the face and the scalp. Members can request an accommodation if they have, or intend to have, cultural or religious-based tattoos on the face and scalp. Exceptions are also being made for cosmetic tattoos that are natural looking in shape and colour.Restrictions also include tattoos displaying any connection with criminal activity, nudity, or promoting or expressing hatred, violence, discrimination, or harassment on the grounds prohibited by the Canadian Human Rights Act.In order to be eligible for enrolment, recruits are subject to the same rules on tattoos as existing members. Any non-compliance with the policy can result in administrative and disciplinary measures.