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[caption id="attachment_19680" align="alignnone" width="589"] Eight sailors from HMC Ships Halifax and Toronto took part in the Snyper Unmanned Arial System Target (UAST) Training Course. The course was delivered by QinetiQ trainers at the Osborne Head Range, Nova Scotia, on Sept. 20. Photo by Mona Ghiz, MARLANT PA[/caption]Maple Leaf ~The Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) is monitoring the potential of future innovations to keep its defence systems and strategies ahead of the curve so potential threats do not become dangerous realities. One of the current innovations it is testing against are micro and mini drones.Drones are a threat that has evolved over time. As they get smaller and harder to detect, and as they gain new capabilities such as the ability to connect multiple drones and form swarms, they have the potential to be dangerous risks to ships at sea.The RCN is keeping track of these new capabilities and is testing the effectiveness of its defence systems against drones of varying sizes and abilities.The Snyper micro Unmanned Aerial System is the first drone “target” being used to provide the navy insight into the effectiveness of its tracking systems against smaller threats through tracking and live-fire exercises.Snyper is a compact, lightweight and cost-efficient drone that is designed to be expendable. Drones are categorized into different classifications, each with unique restrictions of operation. The Class 1 category, such as the Snyper, is the least restrictive classification. The RCN will continue to develop its capability with Snyper and transfer lessons learned to fully support the Force Generation required for the Intelligence, Surveillance, Target and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) program.This is not where the capabilities of the Snyper end. Due to the simplicity of the airframe the RCN is able to request modifications to the platform to meet a variety of needs. An early modification to the airframe...

[caption id="attachment_19675" align="alignnone" width="590"] Diver Jacques Marc of the Underwater Archeological Society of British Columbia swims over the stern wenches on the wreck of the Sophia. Photo by Annette G.E. Smith. Inset: SS Princess Sophia commemorative coin by artist Yves Bérubé. Photo credit Royal Canadian Mint.[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~This week four communities in the Pacific Northwest are preparing to mark the 100th anniversary of the worst maritime accident our region has ever seen.Commemorative events in Victoria, B.C, Whitehorse, Yukon and Skagway and Juneau, Alaska, will remember the SS Princess Sophia and its estimated 367 passengers and crew who were all killed when disaster struck on Oct. 25, 1918. The Canadian Pacific coastal passenger steamship ran aground on Vanderbilt Reef in Alaska’s Lynn Canal during a fierce snowstorm. It eventually sank into the icy waters, killing every soul onboard. Victoria’s Maritime Museum of British Columbia will be remembering the tragedy with the installation of a commemorative plaque that will be unveiled during a ceremony at the Maritime Museum of B.C. beginning at 10:30 a.m. It will be permanently installed in the Parade of Ships Memorial Wall in Victoria’s Inner Harbour. It will also include the unveiling of an enlarged replica commemorative coin, released earlier this month by the Royal Canadian Mint. The coloured coin is 99.9 per cent fine silver and features a depiction of The Unknown Titanic of the West Coast by maritime artist Yves Bérubé.Museum Executive Director, David Leverton has been interested in the story for years. “I first learned about the tragic event back in 1978 while traveling through Skagway, Alaska. There was a song being played on the local radio station by a musician named Steve Hites who had written this amazing song that described the largest marine disaster that had ever occurred along the Pacific Northwest coast....

[caption id="attachment_19671" align="alignnone" width="590"] Photo by Op Caribbe Imagery Technician, HMCS Edmonton[/caption]Captain Jenn Jackson, Op Caribbe PAO ~The Red HatsThey are worn by Sea Readiness Trainers, and any sailor, or anyone who has been around sailors, has likely heard the significance of the red hat, and also expressed a hint of dread at their arrival. The presence of Sea Readiness Trainers in HMCS Edmonton and HMCS Nanaimo makes for a busy time on the ships, which are set to start Operation Caribbe when they get to their area of operation; Op Caribbe is a bi-annual illicit drug interdiction operation.The tempo of scheduled collective training is higher than normal and the frequency of unannounced team training and drills - such as damage control, casualty management, and force protection events - is even higher.  So it means a lot of hard work, little sleep, and lots of learning in order to successfully achieve the objectives set by readiness training.Readiness training can take many different forms depending on the mission or task for which the ship is being trained, such as high-readiness level or mission-specific force employment deployments such as the current training in Nanaimo and Edmonton. Sea Trainers provide the program, based on the Readiness Policy, which focuses on collective training designed to render the ship’s company into a cohesive and effective crew.PreparationWhat many people may not realize is the planning process for readiness training begins well before Sea Trainers embark. Once it is determined a ship requires the training, Sea Trainers plan and prepare ashore for a specific training program; that planning continues while embarked for the program. Sea Training staff dedicate months of work to ensure a program effectively exposes the crew to scenarios they may encounter at sea.Input from the ship’s Commanding Officer aids in the planning and preparation process. “Often, the...

[caption id="attachment_19655" align="alignnone" width="591"] Formation Safety and Environment conduct a controlled burn with BC Fire Services and Esquimalt Fire Department at Rocky Point. Photo by LS Valerie LeClair, MARPAC Imaging Services[/caption]Formation Safety and Environment ~Department of National Defence worked in partnership with Natural Resources Canada and the BC Wildfire Service (BC Coastal Fire Center) to conduct a controlled prescribed burn at the DND Rocky Point Property on Sept. 27 and 28.  “The prescribed burn targeted 15 hectares of land and was the second prescribed burn successfully carried out under this partnership,” said Tracy Cornforth, Formation Environment Officer at the base’s Formation Safety and Environment (FSE) Branch.DND’s Rocky Point property is one of the largest remnants of Garry Oak Ecosystem in Metchosin and on Southern Vancouver Island.  The 1100 hectare property contains notable populations of rare plants and animals which have attracted researchers from all across North America.  Forest fire suppression has had a major impact on the Ecosystem.  Historically, deliberately set prescribed fires were used by First Nations to periodically sweep through Garry Oak meadows, burning off dry grass, shrubs and young trees less tolerant of fire than Garry Oaks.  These fires occurred frequently and prevented the accumulation of forest litter and reduced the overall fire risk.  Fire tolerant Garry Oaks would have survived these low intensity burns and native plants used by First Nations would vigorously re-sprout after these burns.  DND is using controlled prescribed burns to control invasive plant species and conifer encroachment into remaining high value Garry Oak meadows.  This activity helps to reduce the overall fuel load, restore the ecosystem and makes areas more suitable for light military training.

SLt M.X. Déry, Acting editor ~The legalization of pot is finally upon us, and while I’m not a user myself, I’m glad that some of my friends will now have the freedom to engage in recreational use without fear of legal reprisal. No longer will they need to find a sequestered spot to purchase illegal drugs on the black market and then smoke them in hiding, usually somewhere outdoors like the woods or a park.With the stigma gone, I shouldn’t be walking in the park at sunset and come across yet another couple sharing a joint during their jaunt on the trails. Ended are the days where I push my son’s stroller with the stench of marijuana permeating around the playground.Nothing really gets me fuming like seeing people carrying bits of burning plant around a heavily wooded area after the worst wildfire season in BC history.I’m not naïve and I know the transition won’t be instantaneous, but pot smokers will need to re-learn where they can smoke. For years they’ve developed a routine of smoking away from house and home, avoiding their landlords or children and smoking somewhere they could walk to, but not in plain sight where authorities could see them.If you plan on trying cannabis for the first time on Oct 17, then I recommend you read the recently amended Capital Regional District (CRD) Clean Air Bylaw No. 3962, which makes all parks, playgrounds, playing fields, public squares and bus stops smoke free. The section outlining where you can’t smoke is only half a page. I can’t remember the last time I spotted a tobacco smoker lighting up where they weren’t supposed to, so if you don’t want to read through the legalese, you could always ask your tobacco smoking friends where they smoke.While you no longer face jail...

Fleet Diving Unit (Atlantic) members have started training on two autonomous underwater vehicles REMUS 100 (Remote Environmental Monitoring Units). These vehicles will mostly be used for seafloor mapping, underwater surveying and searching, to include near and under ice. It will be the first time that the Royal Canadian Navy owns REMUS and FDU(A) members intend on deploying them on board of HMCS Glace Bay during Exercise Trident Juncture 18, in Norway, at the end of October. These vehicles are a great underwater situational awareness asset for the Royal Canadian Navy. Pictured are: LCdr Patrick Fournier, FDU(A) CO; Dalton Sicard, Procurement Officer DMarP; Joseph Podrebarac, Section Head DNCS4; Nick Burchill, Subsea Sales Manager, Konsberg Maritime.

[caption id="attachment_19645" align="alignnone" width="591"] The Vancouver Island Military Museum in Nanaimo displays a 40mm gun from HMCS Nanaimo. Photo credit DND[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~Instead of being turned into scrap, the phased-out 40mm gun of Kingston-class warships will serve as monuments and tourist attractions in their namesake cities and other distinguished locations across the country.Currently, some of the 40mm guns are in the process of being transferred to museums and public parks; one gun weapon system has landed on a golf course.In 2014, the Department of National Defence decided that the 22 Second World War era 40mm NC 1 L 60 gun weapon systems had come to the end of their service life. However, the ships’ Commanding Officers and Materiel Group organizations within DND and the federal government were able to re-purpose them into outreach tools. “A key aspect of the disposal plan was to retain and preserve the unique maritime artifacts, as well as strengthen the relationship with the ships and their namesake cities,” said Lieutenant-Commander Kevin MacDougall, a Naval Combat Systems Engineering Officer who works at Ottawa’s Director of Naval Combat Systems office. “The intent is part of the Navy’s ongoing outreach efforts with the Canadian public. The process will get some of this reconditioned weaponry to far-away inland locations and allow people to see some tangible equipment and take a moment to think about the Royal Canadian Navy.”LCdr MacDougall says the initiative is also a morale booster for the sailors onboard the ships that have an overwhelming sense of pride for their namesake cities. He also notes the donation process is cheaper than the cost of destroying the weapons, which saves the Canadian tax payer money. He says this weaponry has been in the naval inventory since 1943 making them of historical value. The guns were used on...

[caption id="attachment_19641" align="alignnone" width="590"] A before and after sequence of graphics illustrating the Mustard Seed Food Bank before HeroWork began a Radical Renovation of the facility over the weekend and an artists depiction of what the new Mustard Seed Market will look like when work is completed in early November.[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~Sailors from the base rallied around Victoria charity HeroWork over the weekend as it embarked on another renovation of a local charity. Three teams of approximately 20 volunteers each from HMCS Ottawa volunteered their time to HeroWork’s latest ‘Radical Renovation’ project at The Mustard Seed Market Food Bank on Oct. 11, 13 and 14. Volunteers from Base Logistics were also on scene with members of Ottawa last Wednesday and Thursday for the demolition and gutting process at the facility located on Queen St.The sailors were mostly performing demolition and carpentry work on the $500,000 project aimed at converting Mustard Seed’s food hamper program and warehouse into a facility that, when it is completed on Nov 4, will closely resemble a grocery store. Since it was founded in 2010, HeroWork has contributed close to $3-million worth of non-profit renovations in the Greater Victoria region. HeroWork Founder and Executive Director Paul Latour says that he has traditionally depended on volunteers from the Canadian Armed Forces as an important part of HeroWork’s projects.“CFB Esquimalt and the military continue to step up and deliver, bringing large groups of strong, smart and cooperative people to bare on our projects,” said Latour. “They do this at key times as the first weekend of a Radical Renovation is always important to push things forward and get the job done.”Latour says the main intent of the latest renovation project at the food bank is to reduce food waste and increase the dignity of recipients receiving food....

[caption id="attachment_19632" align="alignnone" width="591"] Crewmembers of HMCS Calgary entertained the children of a school and orphanage in Da Nang Vietnam while simultaneously helping to improve both sites with help from the Boomer’s Legacy Foundation.[/caption]After a couple of months at sea, HMCS Calgary and Naval Replenishment Unit (NRU) Asterix volunteered their time while alongside in Da Nang, Vietnam. The crew helped out a school and an orphanage in need, namely the Children Affected by Agent Orange and Da Nang Specialized Future School (for children with disabilities). Volunteer work is often conducted by deployed ships, such as during HMCS Vancouver’s recent deployment on Operation Projection. In all, 24 volunteers visited the Children Affected by Agent Orange, 50 children and young adults aged from 10-25 greeted the sailors. There volunteers painted and provided building material to upgrade the facility with the help of the Boomer’s Legacy Foundation.At the Da Nang Specialized Future School, an orphanage housing 50 children aged 7-15, a separate group of 36 volunteer sailors helped paint and improve the school, while some sailors entertained the children. At both sites, representatives from the Canadian Embassy gave gifts to the children, such as packs of balloons, soccer balls, coloring books, crayon boxes, and hats. The crew from Calgary and Asterix handed out numerous stuffed animals, toys, soccer balls, basketballs, books, crayons, blankets, and mattresses. All items were contributed through the Boomer’s Legacy Foundation. –––Boomer’s Legacy began when Corporal Andrew “Boomer” Eykelenboom, a Medical Technician, was killed in action by a suicide bomber in Afghanistan in 2006.  Andrew spent his free time in Afghanistan helping those in need and he wrote home, “Mom, send me good things for the children, putting a smile on their face is the most important thing.”   The Boomer’s Legacy Foundation is a 100% Canadian charitable organization that was...

[caption id="attachment_19629" align="alignnone" width="591"] Tour de Rock riders roll out of CFB Esquimalt Fire and Rescue headquarters as they embark on the final leg of their cancer fundraiser. Photo by Peter Mallett, Lookout[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~On the final day of their journey, a soggy and cold team of Tour de Rock riders warmed to a hero’s welcome while making a brief stop at CFB Esquimalt Fire and Rescue on Oct 5. A Dixieland ensemble of Naden Band members struck up a rousing rendition of When the Saints Go Marchin’ In as a cheering crowd of approximately 150 well-wishers lined the inside of the Esquimalt Rd. fire hall. Then led by a police motorcycle escort, the team of 22 police and first responder cyclists rode out of the rain and through the giant front bay doors and into the fire hall. Dressed in transparent plastic rain slickers, the men and women were in the final hours of a gruelling, 15-day, 1,200 km cycling tour of Vancouver Island which began in Port Alice on September 22. The annual event serves as a fundraiser for pediatric cancer research and support programs and has raised over $25-million since it began in 1998. This year’s campaign raised over $1.2-million in donations. Esquimalt-based riders Matt Arnsdorf of CFB Esquimalt Fire and Rescue and Sub-Lieutenant Antoine LeBlanc of Military Police Unit Esquimalt were greeted with hugs, slaps on the back and high fives from friends, family members and co-workers after dismounting from their bikes. They then received an official welcome on behalf of the Base Commander’s Office by Commanding Officer, Base Information Services (BIS), Cdr Nick Manley and Fire Chief Steve Mullen.SLt LeBlanc and Arnsdorf both agreed the journey was physically taxing on the body but was well worth it in the end. “It’s been an unbelievable...

[caption id="attachment_19616" align="alignnone" width="591"] HMCS Yellowknife crewmember, Leading Seaman Daniel Cramer (left) presents a decorative paddle to (left to right) mess committee presidents Major Jason Blake and Warrant Officer Daryll Wilts, Joint Task Force (North) Deputy Commander, Captain (Navy) Sylvain Belair, and Formation Chief Warrant Officer Sherri Forward during the ship’s namesake city visit on Sept 12. Photo by MCpl Charles A. Stephen, Imagery Technician[/caption]LS Daniel Cramer, HMCS Yellowknife ~Lieutenant Commander Donald Thompson-Greiff, Commanding Officer HMCS Yellowknife, and a five-person contingent from Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship Yellowknife have just returned from spending three days in the beautiful City of Yellowknife. The ship’s Commanding Officer met with the Mayor Mark Heyck and Honourary Captain Candice Lys, while the rest of the team visited the diamond capital of North America to strengthen the bond between the City of Yellowknife and the ship that bears its name.Sailors worked with the Yellowknife Women’s Society to construct a freestanding storage building to protect the Society’s assets during the coming winter months, in addition to presenting them with a donation on behalf of HMCS Yellowknife’s charity fund. After their hard work, sailors were granted a tour of the Yellowknife RCMP Detachment before attending the Yellowknife Farmers Market. The market was opened by LCdr Thompson-Greiff, and sailors took the opportunity to share their experiences in the navy with the public while enjoying local cuisine.The contingent visited Legion Branch 164, caught up with Honourary Captain Tony Whitford at Tim Hortons, and visited the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre before viewing the remarkable northern lights.The team attended an all-ranks event at Joint Task Force (North) to loan a ship’s bell and present a ceremonial paddle to their brothers and sisters in arms.From there, the contingent stopped by the 6th annual Community Showcase to represent the Royal Canadian Navy and...

[caption id="attachment_19619" align="alignnone" width="591"] Photo by Katelyn Moores[/caption]SLt M.X. Déry, MARPAC Public Affairs ~After years of churning in the rumor mill, the BEARDFORGEN is finally here! While the new regulation has no meaningful impact on sailors of the Royal Canadian Navy, who could previously grow beards with the approval of their coxswain, it does allow members of the Canadian Army and the Royal Canadian Air Force to grow beards.As a beard grower myself, let me just say, welcome to the club! Now you too can grow, groom, shampoo, and otherwise care for a beautiful, healthy beard using balms, oils and soaps.But before you throw out your razor, stop shaving and arrive at work with patchy stubble, keep in mind you’ll want to prepare for the new bearded you. First of all, can you grow a beard? And I mean that literally and figuratively. In a literal sense, we are not all blessed, or cursed depending on your point of view, with great facial follicle density. A loose collection of long, stray hairs does not a great beard make.Figuratively, do you have permission to attempt to grow a beard from your unit chief? Typically this is a simple one-page memo asking for permission to cease shaving, and the chief will tell you to return in a month for inspection. During that month, you won’t be allowed to shave at all.While that may sound grand, not being able to shave your neck means the three week itchiness can be quite unbearable if you are not prepared.Beard balms and oils can help get over that three week hump. They are leave-in conditioners that hydrate the beard and the skin underneath. They come in different fragrances, or scent free, and in different levels of hold, from firm to relaxedWith any luck, come inspection day your...

[caption id="attachment_19609" align="alignnone" width="591"] Lieutenant Brian Plinke of Canadian Forces Health Services (Pacific) gives a Flu shot to Base Commander, Captain (Navy) Jason Boyd in his office at Naden. This year’s vaccine was made available to military members on Oct. 1. Flu shots are not mandatory but highly encouraged for all members of the military. For further information about three upcoming clinics on Oct 15, 22, and 29 or about drop-in appointments at the base immunization clinic follow CFB Esquimalt’s base intranet splash pages or call 250-363-4140. Photo by Peter Mallett, Lookout[/caption]Canadian Forces Health Services Centre (Pacific) has started to give the flu shot to its members to help them stay healthy this winter. It’s important when deciding whether to get the flu shot that you have the right information about the flu and the vaccine. There are many misconceptions about influenza and the flu vaccine, and these misconceptions can lead to a decrease in the number of people who are vaccinated. Influenza is a respiratory illness caused by the Influenza A and B viruses. This virus usually appears in the late fall and early winter when cold temperatures allow the virus to spread more easily. The flu most commonly causes a sudden high fever, chills, sore throat and cough. The flu can lead to more severe respiratory illnesses such as pneumonia. This is particularly dangerous in the very young and very old, the chronically sick and pregnant women as their immune systems are not as good at protecting them from disease even after they have been vaccinated. Approximately 10 to 20 per cent of Canadians will get the flu each season, about 12,200 will be hospitalized and 3500 will die. The influenza virus is constantly mutating which means that people need to be vaccinated each year. The flu vaccine...

Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~A pair of competitive dancers from CFB Esquimalt will swivel their hips and move their feet to the samba, chacha, rumba, paso doble, and jive at the world championships of Latin dance in Spain this weekend.Husband and wife team Gail Whitcroft, of the Base Selection Personnel Office, and Ron Whitcroft, a carpenter with Real Properties Operations (Pacific), will compete against more than 88 couples from around the world in the Senior 3 Latin World Championships Oct. 12 to 14 at the Bilbao Arena Sports Palace. The 61-year-olds qualified for the prestigious World Dance Sport Federation (WDSF) event after finishing runners-up at the Canadian Closed Championships in Montreal last April. While elated to have the opportunity to compete in Spain, the logistics to make it happen were a challenge. Travelling to Europe is expensive, and the couple have been saving hard for their retirement. But having both beaten back cancer, they agreed to use some money for “living in the moment and living life to the fullest.”Eleven years ago, Ron was diagnosed with prostate cancer shortly after Gail finished radiation treatment for breast cancer. They both fought and won their cancer battles.“Beating cancer and taking up dancing has given us a new lease on life,” says Gail. “We dance because we can. Our story could have gone the other way very easily. That is really a big part of the inspiration and our love for dance.”Entering their first competition was done as a lark. “Our evolution into competitive dancing is a funny thing because the first competition we entered was for the excitement of it all; but after that we knew we were hooked,” said Ron.It took 10 years to master the ballroom dancing syllabus and all 10 disciplines of standard and Latin dance: waltz, Viennese waltz, foxtrot, tango,...

[caption id="attachment_19606" align="alignnone" width="589"] A refurbished BC Transit bus like this one will welcome visitors for an Oct. 17 Open House in Dockyard. The event will be used by the transit authority to build its 25-year transit plan. Photo Credit: BC Transit[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~BC Transit wants CFB Esquimalt employees to have a say in shaping the future of transit in their neighbourhood. Next week, BC Transit is setting up a Transit Future Open House at Dockyard’s main gate on Wednesday Oct. 17 from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. as part of their ongoing public consultation process. “We want to hear from military and civilian employees from the base to find out how the transit system is working for them and if there are any improvements that can be made to transit routes travelling through Esquimalt and View Royal,” explains Lindsay Taylor, a BC Transit Senior Planner. “CFB Esquimalt is one of our key community stakeholders and we are excited to work with them to improve transit service in the area.”As a way to attract attention at the base, BC Transit is bringing their transit future bus; a 40-foot bus that has been retrofitted to use as an open house space. Nine Local Area Transit Plans are being developed to highlight transit service and infrastructure investment priorities over a five to seven-year timeframe within specific areas of the Victoria region. This is part of BC Transit’s larger transit plan that envisions what a community’s transit network should look like 25 years from now. Some initiatives have already been implemented such as new downtown terminal space; bus lanes on selected downtown streets; construction of a West Shore terminal at West Hills that connects to Dockyard through Route 46 during peak hours; and the expansion of the University of Victoria terminal. For more...

[caption id="attachment_19603" align="alignnone" width="591"] Commanding Officer Fleet Diving Unit (Pacific), LCdr Rick Kappel and Grey Cup trophy handler Jeff McWhinney of the Canadian Football Hall of Fame inspect the trophy and its engraved panels of Grey Cup winners. Photo by Peter Mallet, Lookout[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~Last week, the 109-year-old Grey Cup trophy of the Canadian Football League made a two-day visit to CFB Esquimalt, giving star-struck football fans at the base a chance to get an up-close look. The cup arrived at the base on the morning of Oct. 2 with its first stop at the Base Commander’s Office. Captain (Navy) Jason Boyd, from Rosetown, Sask, was decked out in his Saskatchewan Roughriders jersey.He was visibly excited by its arrival and exclaimed “wow” as the trophy’s handler Jeff McWhinney, dressed in a suit and white gloves, declared “Here it is, the champion’s chalice” while carefully handing it to Capt(N) Boyd.“It was a tremendous thrill and honour to host, and hold, such a legendary piece of Canadian history,” said Capt(N) Boyd. “I can’t believe I got to have a Grey Cup moment both as a Riders fan and a member of the Canadian Armed Forces.”Later in the morning the cup went on public display at the Naden Drill Shed and the Dockyard Gym where CFL fans of all stripes were able to view the trophy and take selfies. McWhinney said several base employees showed up with their families wearing jerseys and hats of their favourite teams.“Visiting the base has made this a magical experience for so many and there were some who said they had direct personal and family ties to the cup, including one sailor whose father played on a Grey Cup winning team,” said McWhinney.McWhinney, along with the other ‘Keeper of The Cup’ Jason Ryan, travel the country showing...

SLt M.X. Déry, MARPAC Public Affairs ~Leading Seaman Mujda Hakime, 25, exemplifies the opportunities available in the Canadian Armed Forces.   She is currently standing guard over HMCS Ville de Quebec in Greece as part of the Naval Security Team during the ship and crew’s rest and maintenance period. The ship is half way through its six-month deployment on Operation Reassurance.It is her journey to become a Canadian naval reservist that elevates her above the norm. She was born in war-torn Kabul, Afghanistan. In 1998, at age six, her family fled to neighbouring Pakistan, where extended family helped get them established. There she was able to go to school instead of working part-time to help support her family.In the first few months all she could speak was Dari, but over time she learned Urdu, the official language of Pakistan. In 2001, her family immigrated to Canada, and she learned her third language, English. She would later add French to her linguistic capabilities.The next summer she joined the Naval Reserve after a friend of a friend told her about a “survival course” where they pay trainees. The idea of being paid to learn skills was novel to LS Hakime; the survival course was in fact basic training for the Reserves. With a father that wanted to be an engineer and a mother that wanted to be a pharmacist, LS Hakime chose to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in electrical and biomedical engineering at McMaster University. During the summer she took Reserve contracts to pay for her studies while she earned her iron ring, the near century-old tradition that acts as a symbol and reminder of the obligations of trained engineers.In the final year of her Bachelor’s degree, LS Hakime went on an exchange to Grenoble, France, for 16 months to complete her degree and...

[caption id="attachment_19573" align="alignnone" width="590"] Heidi Leach-Lackenby and Scooter’s crew receive their award as overall title winner.[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~Heidi Leach-Lackenby won the overall title at this year’s edition of the Canadian Forces Sailing Association (CFSA) Regatta.Leach-Lackenby and her crew in Scooter won four of five races in the sailing competition involving 18 racing teams held in Esquimalt Harbour Sept 22 and 23. Following her win, she was awarded the Frank Heaton Memorial Trophy.This year’s regatta was the penultimate event in the Vancouver Island Racing Series (VIRS) that features 13 regattas with recreational sailors competing on weekends between April and October at yacht clubs around Vancouver Island. CFSA Fleet Skipper Colin Nichols and his team in Jack Rabbit won last year’s CFSA Regatta, while CFSA’s LCdr (Retired) Graham Heath claimed the VIRS overall title. Heath is again in the running for this year’s VIRS title and at press time was in a two-way tie for first-place in the series standing heading into the final race, the Thermopylae Regatta, held over the weekend at the Royal Victoria Yacht Club. The CFSA was established in 1946 and operates from Esquimalt Harbour, located at the foot of Maplebank Road. The club’s mandate is to provide recreational sailing opportunities for military members, their families, DND employees and veterans. For more information about the CFSA visit their website www.cfsaesq.ca.

Col (Retired) Ian Lightbody, Sea King Retirement Committee Chair ~This year will see the retirement of the longest-serving Canadian combat aircraft - the Sea King.  Originally delivered in August 1963 to then HMCS Shearwater, just outside of Halifax, NS, it will finish its service to Canada at the end of this year in Patricia Bay, just outside of Victoria, B.C.Over its 55 years of employment in Canada, the Sea King has served with multiple services and has changed significantly from its initial 1963 configuration. Originally procured by the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) to operate from the aircraft carrier HMCS Bonaventure for Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) roles, it was on the leading edge of rotary wing technology at the time with two turbine engines and the then revolutionary capability to automatically transition to a hover with the push of a button. This allowed a great leap in night and all-weather operations permitting anti-submarine searches with an active dipping sonar.  Additionally, the automatic transition equipment permitted search and rescue operations in bad weather. The Sea King initially flew from the aircraft carrier. At the same time, work had begun on a highly innovative marriage of a medium-sized helicopter with an escort-sized warship.The development of the Helicopter Haul-down and Rapid Securing Device, otherwise known as the Beartrap, allowed the Sea King to continue work on the front lines of the Cold War as one of the principal Canadian contributions to alliance Anti-Submarine Warfare efforts at sea following the retirement of Bonaventure.Following the end of the Cold War, the Sea King changed with the times. After the invasion of Kuwait by Iraq in 1990, the Sea King was modified from an obsolescent ASW platform to a multi-mission helicopter with an emphasis on surface surveillance and control. The addition of a Forward Looking Infra-Red sensor, a door...

[caption id="attachment_19567" align="alignnone" width="590"] Members of the Royal Military College (RMC) Old Brigade and Ex-Cadets march from the RMC parade square through a line of RMC Officer Cadets to the Memorial Arch for a remembrance ceremony. Photo by Steven McQuaid[/caption]Maple Leaf ~The Royal Military College of Canada (RMC) honoured its past and looked to its future during its annual reunion weekend, Sept. 14 to 16, as roughly 400 ex-cadets returned to Kingston to see the 238-strong Class of 2022 begin their journey as future leaders in the Canadian Armed Forces.Guests saw first year officer cadets work as teams to overcome the infamous RMC obstacle course, then watched those same muddied officer cadets march onto the College’s historic Parade Square in pressed and polished RMC uniforms for the badging parade.The parade is one of the most significant events of the weekend, as each officer cadet receives their RMC cap badge from members of the Old Brigade—ex-cadets who joined the Canadian Military Colleges (CMC) 50 or more years ago.“As today’s officer cadets accept these badges from members of the Old Brigade, they also accept the responsibility that comes with being part of this historic institution, and the personal challenge to build a foundation of academic achievement, fitness, leadership and bilingualism,” said Brigadier-General Sébastien Bouchard, Commandant of RMC.Many RMC graduates have distinguished themselves as leaders, including Senator Joe Day, astronauts Mark Garneau and Chris Hadfield, and Senator Romeo Dallaire. Today, the majority of Canadian General Officers and Flag Officers are graduates from CMC.“I have every faith this fine group of young Canadians who joined the College today will live up to the ideals and the example of all those who have marched on this Parade Square before them,” said BGen Bouchard.During the reunion weekend, a new plaque was added to the RMC Wall...

[caption id="attachment_19564" align="alignnone" width="589"] HMCS Regina crew with Club de Souvenir.[/caption]SLt Siobhan Gilbert, HMCS Regina ~Once a year, HMC ships visit their namesake city to participate in local events and further enrich the ties between the ship and their city. On Sept.12, 11 members of HMCS Regina’s crew travelled to Regina, Saskatchewan, led by the ship’s Commanding Officer, Commander Jacob French. The team began their journey with a visit to the RCMP Depot where RCMP recruits are trained. They participated in the high-speed collision avoidance traffic course led by members of the RCMP, followed by a tour of the Depot facilities. This tour, led by RCMP officer Daryl Chernoff, allowed the crew members to see the training facilities for the recruits and the many historic buildings on site. The Commanding Officer also inspected one of the troops under going training for their falling out parade (graduation). Later that afternoon, the crew stopped by Ecole St. Elizabeth to visit Club de Souvenir. Club de Souvenir is a school-based organization for kids interested in military history that helps veterans and charities obtain much-needed funding for various undertakings.In 2013, the club funded the commission of the World’s Largest Saskatchewan Rough Riders flag that the ship proudly displayed upon receipt. The children asked intuitive questions relating to the crew’s responsibilities onboard the ship which were well received by the crew.That evening, the entire crew visited HMCS Queen, the local Naval Reserve Division in Regina. This visit involved a presentation to the local Sea and Navy League Cadets, which included insight into the crew’s roles on the ship; further solidifying their desire to be in the Royal Canadian Navy. To finish off the first day, Regina crewmembers provided an additional $1,000 to their local charity, the Chris Knox Foundation, which works with children fighting Cancer. In total, Regina has raised...

Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~A pair of Esquimalt business owners are making sure Canadian soldiers and air crew deployed to Mali can enjoy a hot cup of gourmet coffee to start their day. Helen Edley, co-owner of Sharkz Coins on Esquimalt Road, is fully aware how much comfort a morning cup of coffee can be to military men and women stationed in far-away places as her spouse served in the Royal Canadian Navy, and they have sons in the Royal Canadian Air Force and Canadian Army.While the Canadian Armed Forces troops in Mali are well-supported and are re-supplied with their materiel and food requirements (including coffee) on a regularly basis, she wanted to add a personal “gourmet” touch to their morning cup of java.While on a short fresh-air walk from her store, she passed by the newly opened Esquimalt Roasting Company, and an idea was brewed.After a quick chat with the coffee business owner Greg Sherwell, an agreement was made to ship large bags of specialty coffee to the military camp in Mali. Sherwell, who opened his new coffee shop last June and grinds fresh coffee on site with a massive industrial-sized coffee grinder, was more than willing to assist when Edley approached him with the idea.“I want my business to be part of the community and the military is a big part of the Esquimalt community, so it made sense for me to be involved in this and other opportunities where I can support community-minded initiatives,” said Sherwell. “It’s nice to think that when someone is far away from home they can enjoy a beverage that might make them feel a little closer to their home.”Last week he prepared the shipment and then Edley shipped the bags of coffee over to Mali through Canadian Forces Base Trenton.“We appreciate the support...

[caption id="attachment_19561" align="alignnone" width="591"] Photo credit: Royal Roads University[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~Today’s students at Royal Roads University in Colwood should be thankful their graduation doesn’t hinge on completing a perilous obstacle course designed for “Roadants.”Retired Naval Lieutenant Douglas Cope remembers having to complete the trial-by-fire, make-it-or-break-it, Recruits Obstacle Course. The Roadants ran their treacherous task through the steep forested ravines and waterways during a time when the scenic West Shore campus served as a military academy. The obstacle course was designed as the ultimate test of physical endurance for first-year cadets of the 1950s and 60s who were nicknamed the Roadants.Cope and other young Roadants attended Royal Roads long before it became a university. At that time, it was known as Canadian Services College Royal Roads, one of the nation’s three military colleges. Royal Roads became a public degree-granting university in 1995 when the military college closed its doors and was absorbed by Royal Military College (RMC) in Kingston, Ont. Cope, 76, was among a group of 20 former soldiers, sailors and air men alumni who were part of Royal Roads 1963 Graduating Class and attended Homecoming Weekend at the Colwood campus, Sept. 7 to 9. The semi-retired engineer and author said returning to the campus and seeing familiar faces gave him an extreme “memory jolt” recalling many of the experiences as torturous but also indelible.“Once you were a Roadant you were always Roadant; the military college experience is very different from what it was when I attended Royal Roads,” said Cope. “The Recruits Obstacle Course was one of the toughest things that we had to do, and I have ever done since, and it left a lasting impression as did all of my experiences during my first year at Royal Roads.”The ‘Roadants’ ReturnLike most university homecoming events, Cope and...

[caption id="attachment_19558" align="alignnone" width="591"] Tour de Rock riders (left) Matt Arnsdorf of CFB Esquimalt Fire and Rescue and SLt Antoine LeBlanc of the Military Police Unit Esquimalt pose for a photo during a stop in Comox, Sept. 26. Photo by Matt Rutherford, Tour de Rock[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~Cyclists riding in the Tour de Rock will make a 20-minute pit stop at CFB Esquimalt Fire and Rescue this Friday on the final day of their two-week journey.Guided by a police motorcycle escort, the riders will ride through the bay doors at 9:45 a.m. and into the rear parking lot to a hero’s welcome. Esquimalt-based riders Matt Arnsdorf, of CFB Esquimalt Fire and Rescue, and Sub-Lieutenant Antoine LeBlanc, of Military Police Unit, are part of the 22-member team of police and first responders that are currently in the midst of a 1,100-kilometre journey across Vancouver Island in support of Cops for Cancer and pediatric cancer research and support programs.Last week, Deputy Fire Chief of Operations Geordie Douglas was kept busy organizing the event and said he is encouraging the entire defence community to turn up and cheer on the team.“The whole department is really excited to see the riders coming to our station house,” he said. Throughout their journey riders have been getting logistical support from 2017 Tour de Rock Rider Chris Day who is taking part in this year’s ride as a member of the team’s support crew.On Oct. 3 the riders will traverse the Malahat Pass before attending events in Sooke, West Shore, Oak, Bay, Esquimalt and Saanich and finishing off with their Grand Finale in downtown Victoria at Centennial Square on Oct. 5.For more information about the Tour de Rock visit their Facebook Page or website at www.tourderock.ca

[caption id="attachment_19549" align="alignnone" width="590"] PO2 Robyn Jutras receives a RCN Commendation presented by Capt(N) Christopher Robinson. Photos by SLt M.X. Déry[/caption]SLt M.X.Déry, MARPAC Public Affairs ~Naden Band bassoonist, composer and honorary member of the Submariners Association of Canada, PO2 Robyn Jutras received a Commander Royal Canadian Navy Commendation last week. It was presented to her by Captain(N) Christopher Robinson, Commander Canadian Submarine Force.The award is in recognition of her outstanding services to the Royal Canadian Navy by composing the Dolphin March, the first submariner military march.The commendation reads: “Through this composition, she showcased her exceptional dedication, technical expertise and musical innovation. It both honours the service of submariners and represents their spirit.”PO2 Jutras was humble in speaking about her second major composing success, the first being the Centennial March for Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry.“I am honoured, obviously, this is far and beyond anything I expected for what I consider to be doing my job and a more enjoyable part of my job,” said PO2 Jutras, adding that she exalts in the positive response from submariners. “Making people happy is the best part about writing music.”Capt(N) Robinson thanked PO2 Jutras and the band for their efforts in bringing this musical piece to life.“Marches provide a unifying function, more than just at formal dinners, like mess dinners, but it is something that everyone can identify with and particularly this march has the tie into the sound of the klaxon,” said Capt(N) Robinson. “The dive klaxon, in the olden days, is how everyone throughout the submarine was made aware that the submarine was proceeding to dive into the water. It is something that resonates anywhere you go in the world; submariners recognize the klaxon. So, it is really thrilling, not only to have a march, but to have one that incorporates such a...

[caption id="attachment_19552" align="alignnone" width="589"] Left to right: Leading Seaman Meghan Heal, Master Seaman James Willoughby and Leading Seaman Erik Stirler showcase the Royal Canadian Navy’s new Maritime Miniature Unmanned Aerial System, a CU-175 PUMA. Photo was taken on the fo’c’sle on board HMCS Edmonton Aug. 2. Photo by LS Mike Goluboff, MARPAC Imaging Services[/caption]MS James Willoughby, MMUAS Detachment ~The Royal Canadian Navy recently acquired a new capability in the form of a Maritime Miniature Unmanned Aircraft System - the CU175 Puma. The all-environment Puma is intended to provide a beyond-visual-line-of-sight intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance capability to Kingston-class vessels. It has a flight endurance of approximately three hours, can operate to an altitude of up to 10,500 feet, and carries a payload of enhanced optical and IR cameras that can capture still and video imagery. The system and its impressive imagery capability were initially observed onboard HMCS Edmonton during sea acceptance trials in August. The Kingston class do not carry a maritime helicopter, so the addition of the Puma’s capability to search and monitor from the air, providing razor-sharp imagery, is expected to greatly enhance operational effectiveness. The Puma will be operated by two new Maritime Miniature Unmanned Aircraft System Detachments, one at Maritime Operations Group Five in Maritime Forces Atlantic and one at Coastal Forces in Maritime Forces Pacific. The newly-minted Detachments, comprised of select personnel from the Naval Combat Information Operator and Weapons Engineering Technician trades, recently completed their initial training with Canadian Special Operations Forces Command personnel at 4th Division Canadian Support Base Petawawa. The east and west coast Detachment members were put through their paces by their instructors. The three-week course included theory of flight, mission planning, launch and recovery procedures, and basic and advanced flight manoeuvres. Although most of the training was land-based, the theory...

Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~One of Canada’s most famous sports trophies is making a two-day port call at CFB Esquimalt this week.The Grey Cup, the championship trophy of the Canadian Football League (CFL), will be on display at various locations Oct. 2 and 3. The cup’s visit is sponsored by the CFL, the Canadian Football League Hall of Fame and Canada Company, a national non-profit that provides post secondary scholarships to the children of military members that died on duty or by suicide attributed to military service.After making a brief stop at the Base Commander’s Office, the 109-year-old trophy will be available for viewing between 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 and 3 p.m. at the Naden Drill Shed on Oct. 2. On Oct. 3 the trophy will be on display at the Dockyard Gym between 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. Then it will cross Esquimalt Harbour to Colwood to the Fleet Diving Unit (Pacific) Mess for a noon to 1:30 p.m. showing. Then after another appearance at 443 Maritime Helicopter Squadron, the Cup will be transferred to CFB Comox. The Grey Cup was commissioned in 1909 by Canada’s Governor General Earl Gray and donated as a championship trophy contested between four regional Rugby Football Union leagues. It has the names of all 105 champions engraved on its base, with the University of Toronto Varsity Blues as the first and the Toronto Argonauts as the latest. This year’s Grey Cup will take place Nov. 25 at Edmonton’s Commonwealth Stadium. The last time the Grey Cup visited CFB Esquimalt it was in celebration of the B.C. Lions’ 2011 Grey Cup victory over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Vancouver businessman and Canada Company member Daniel Whittle, a former Clearance Diver with the Naval Reserves during the 1980s, helped organize this year’s visit. Whittle is owner...

SLt M.X.Déry, MARPAC Public Affairs ~When the B.C. government requested assistance from the Canadian Armed Forces during the wildfires this past summer, Joint Task Force Pacific (JTFP) stood up a Battle Watch Operations Center in CFB Esquimalt in order to coordinate assistance where required.The Intelligence Section of JTFP was given the task of determining the areas near the fires that were at risk, and, where possible, evacuation operations that might be required during the months of wildfire activity.“We tracked hundreds of fires, routinely doing analysis on the threat these fires posed to civilian populations, and finding ways for the Canadian Armed Forces to assist residents,” said Acting Sub-Lieutenant Alex Webb, Intelligence Officer.He oversaw and directed a team of analysts working to track fires, and predict where and how fire or smoke could impact flight operations, and ultimately evacuations.“We sifted through topographic and cartographic data to determine the ­hazards to our fire-control teams, easing the burden on B.C. Wildfire Service firefighters and helping enable their work on the most threatening fires,” he added.Working in consort with Capt Frédéric Bok, Intelligence Officer from 5th Service Battalion, he lead four Intelligence Operators, acting as analysts during the 16 hour days, doing quality control checks on the written reports and verbal briefings provided daily, and managing the flow of information from multiple sources.“Daily, the team produced briefings, environmental analyses, airfield operability summaries, evacuation projections, and any other products requested from them by the soldiers working to combat the fire,” said A/SLt Webb, adding that it was an impressive feat for operators from all over Canada who had to learn the idiosyncrasies of B.C. in order to work effectively.Three Intelligence Operators were deployed from seven Intelligence Company in Ottawa, and one from two Intelligence Company in Toronto.“The Intelligence section for Operation Lentus provided command with tremendous...

Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~Award-winning triathlete Lieutenant (Navy) Nico Lightbody is celebrating an impressive first outing at the World Ironman 70.3 Championships after a top 100 finish.He finished the 1.9-kilometer swim, 90-km bike ride and 21.1-km run with a time of 4:16:03 in the multi-sport competition held in Nelson Mandela Bay, South Africa, on Sept. 1. Lt(N) Lightbody, winner of the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) 2017 male athlete of the year award, says he was encouraged with his 89th place overall finish in a field of 3,764 competitors. “I am extremely happy about my results because the calibre of athletes at the race is extremely high and it’s nice to race against the best triathletes in the world.” He and the rest of the competitors battled rain and slippery conditions for the cycling and running portions of the race. The good results came despite a leg cramp during the running portion, which he was eventually able to overcome. He was especially impressed with his swimming performance, where he finished tops in his age 25 to 29 age category, recording a personal best of one minute faster than his previous time. As part of his New Year’s resolution, Lightbody is considering doubling down on race distances towards competing in full ironman event that involves 3.86 km of swimming, 180.25 km bicycle ride and a 42.20 marathon.

[caption id="attachment_19533" align="alignnone" width="590"] The joint team of soldiers from Second Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry and The Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary’s). From left: Sergeant Lance Bevan, Master Corporal Lucas Roy, Private Mike Albrecht, Private Donovan Scott, Master Corporal Jed Jackson, Corporal Nicolas Cazelais, Private Matthew Dimmers, Private Carlee Smith (kneeling), Corporal Jonathan Dick, Corporal Matthew Rees, Corporal Devin Barett, Corporal William Cable, Lieutenant Evan Machin (kneeling), Master Corporal Denis Byrne and Private Jordan Oakley. Photo by Private Jordan Oakley, 2 PPCLI[/caption]Lieutenant Cameron ParkThe Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary’s) ~Soldiers from The Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary’s) and Second Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (2 PPCLI) returned from a joint excursion to Schjelderup Lake on Aug. 31. The purpose of the five-day trek was to replace a damaged marble plaque at the lake dedicated to Lieutenant-Colonel Roger Schjelderup, DSO, MC and Bar, CD. Led by Lieutenant Evan Machin of The Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary’s) and Sergeant Lance Beavin of 2 PPLCI, the team moved through complex, mountainous terrain to Schjelderup Lake.They carried a 45-pound bronze plaque and the myriad of tools required for the replacement and mounting. “I kind of underestimated what the mountain would look like,” said Corporal Matthew Rees of 2 PPLCI. “I thought we would go up one steep embankment and ride a ridge all the way down into a valley and then see the mountain, but that wasn’t the case. The ridge turned out to be a series of what I would call mountains, being from Manitoba.” As they moved through the challenging terrain members of the expedition reflected on the challenges faced by Lieutenant-Colonel Schjelderup during his wartime service. He was born in Smithers, but grew up in Comox, British Columbia. In 1937, at the age of 15, he summited the...