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[caption id="attachment_16832" align="alignnone" width="450"] Private John Hill from Vanderhoof Patrol of 4 Canadian Ranger Patrol Group is deployed near Williams Lake as part of Operation Lentus 17-04. Operation Lentus is the Canadian Armed Forces response to the wildfires in the interior of B.C.[/caption]2Lt Cameron Park, 39 Canadian Brigade Group,Canadian Scottish Regiment Land Task Force (Pacific) PAO ~Private John Hill, from Vanderhoof Patrol of 4 Canadian Ranger Patrol Group, is in Williams Lake, B.C., with the Canadian Armed Forces as part of Operation Lentus 17-04, which is providing support to the province to combat the wildfires.Canadian Rangers, along with soldiers of the Canadian Army Reserves and Regular Force from 1 Combat Engineer Regiment are assisting the RCMP in the Williams Lake area.Private Hill and other Rangers are manning an observe and report point with RCMP members on a route into the evacuated city. They are also assisting in monitoring traffic near the evacuated area and providing information on possible dangers to residents.“It’s very exciting, getting prepared, and then finally getting our order to come out and deploy,” he says. “After many years of training and working with the military and other units, everything came into place. As a reservist, being here and helping out my community really brings out a sense of pride and joy from being able to assist those who need it.”

[caption id="attachment_16826" align="alignnone" width="450"] Master Corporal (Retired) Sandy Bate prepares for the Invictus Games. Photo by Peter Mallett, Lookout[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~A military veteran and talented athlete from CFB Esquimalt who endured two painful knee replacement surgeries says her inclusion in the upcoming Invictus Games has re-invigorated her life.Master Corporal (Retired) Sandy Bate is competing in golf at the Invictus Games  in Toronto. She says win, lose or draw, competing in the Games will be a victory.“Being part of Invictus has given me something to shoot for, and makes me feel great that I am part of a team and getting back on track with a healthy and active lifestyle.”That optimism wasn’t apparent following her medical release in 2009 after a 21-year career in the military.Sports was her pride and joy, and her downfall.Whether it was golf, ice hockey, floor hockey, broomball or slowpitch, she was on the team leading them to Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) national and CISM (Conseil International du Sport Militaire) championship titles.  She was recognized for her achievement in sports when she was inducted into the CF Sports Honour Roll in 2007 for multiple sports.“Sports was always a way for me to fit in but when I was unable to participate any longer it became very difficult for me to cope” says the 57-year-old.Injuries slowly began to plague her, including bulging disks in her neck and knee damage. She underwent two knee replacement surgeries on her left knee, one in 2013 and another in 2014, but recovery was fraught with setbacks including two painful manipulations of her artificial knee. “Golf has always been such a huge part of Sandy’s life, so not being able to play the game she loved so much was incredibly hard for her and was having a terrible impact on her,” says...

[caption id="attachment_16822" align="alignnone" width="450"] Photos by Peter Mallett, Lookout[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~Players from the Chilean supply ship Almirante Montt’s soccer team scored a lopsided 17-1 victory over an impromptu team of Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) sailors in an exhibition soccer game at the Colville Road sports field on Aug 11.Approximately 25 players from the Chilean Navy showed impressive ability during two 45-minute halves against an RCN team of personnel from HMCS Regina and HMCS Calgary, including six sailors from the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN), who unofficially dubbed themselves ‘The Coalition Forces.’“It truly was an international friendly and everyone out on the field seemed to be smiling and enjoying the competition,” said Able Marine Technician Joe Mataele of the RNZN.The Coalition Team got some late consolation with a shutout-busting goal midway through the second half, but it was the fun factor and not the final score that seemed to matter most to participants and approximately 75 spectators, who cheered and shouted encouragement to both sides right up until the final whistle.“We knew going into this game that we would be outmatched and that it was only for fun and it was great to see all of the players on our team with good attitudes towards our opponents and enjoying the esprit de corps,” said Lieutenant (Navy) Andrea Leitch, who works as the Logistics Officer aboard Regina.After the final whistle the players from both teams gathered for the traditional post-match handshake before posing for a group photograph in the centre circle.

[caption id="attachment_16819" align="alignnone" width="450"] Photo by LS Valerie LeClair, MARPAC Imaging Services[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~Eighty-five people from 23 different countries were officially welcomed aboard as Canadians in a citizenship ceremony hosted by Maritime Forces Pacific on Aug. 16 at Duntze Head.With an overflow crowd of supporters looking on, the new Canadians took their Oaths of Citizenship, were presented their citizenship certificates, cheered, embraced family members and loved ones and then sang O’ Canada.Youngest among this new group of citizens was 15-month-old Wesley Yuki Lau who comes to Canada from Yokosuka, Japan. Wesley Lau is the newly adopted son of Lieutenant Commander Jimmy Lau, a Submarine Technical Officer in Canada’s Submarine Force, and his wife Crystal Lau, who works as a Registered Nurse at Victoria General Hospital. Although Wesley is young and likely won’t remember the ceremony, LCdr Lau said it’s a moment he and his wife will never forget.“It took a lot of paperwork and we are very happy to get this done before my next posting,” said LCdr Lau. “This moment really marks the beginning of a great new chapter in Wesley’s life and thankfully we will have the pictures to show him when he gets older.”The citizenship process was a fairly stressful one for LCdr Lau and his wife because they were in a race against the clock to have citizenship granted before the family moves to England. After Labour Day, LCdr Lau will be cracking open the books during a 16-month posting in a sponsored post graduate program at the University College of London studying for his Masters in Naval Architecture.Jimmy and Crystal met in 2006 and had their minds set on adopting a child prior to their marriage in 2012. Wesley was placed with the Lau’s in Japan when he was just one-month old in...

[caption id="attachment_16816" align="alignnone" width="450"] Two candidates for the Raven Program, OS Nicole Kununak (left) and OS Sam Seven Deers (right), receive maneuvering instructions from AB Nathaniel Lewis, during the day sail on Aug. 14. Photo by LS David Gariepy, MARPAC Imaging Services[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~Thirty-seven members of the Royal Canadian Navy’s Raven Aboriginal Program got a taste of life at sea when sailors aboard three Orca-class Patrol Craft Training vessels treated them to a day sail on Aug. 14.The mostly high-school aged Aboriginal students who hail from communities in Nunavut, North West Territories, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Quebec, Ontario and British Columbia took part in a six-week work study program at CFB Esquimalt designed to give them an up-close look at the Canadian Armed Forces and the many career options available.“The day sail is a fun day for the Ravens but it’s also an educational one as they continue to learn about what life in the Navy is all about,” said Lieutenant Commander Daniel O’Regan, the Commandant of the Raven Program. “After over six weeks together the group is very tight right now and the cohesion and sense of pride they have in themselves is great to see.”On board the Orcas the Ravens were quickly put to work, roving fenders and hauling lines before forming a human chain as, box by box, they loaded the day’s rations into the galleys. The group was given a guided tour of the vessels including the engine room, mess and bridge, where they learned about basic navigation and operations on board, and had a lesson on how to helm the ship.“It was difficult learning how to steer the vessel at first but after some practice it became fairly easy,” explained Raven Ordinary Seaman David Saviakjuk who comes from Coral Harbour, Nunavut, a tiny community on...

[caption id="attachment_16812" align="alignnone" width="450"] Lt(N) Krista Seguin waves the Invictus Games flag at CFB Esquimalt Aug. 16. Photo by LS David Gariepy, MARPAC Imaging[/caption]Will Chaster, Base Public Affairs Office ~The Invictus Games Flag Relay set off from Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt on Aug. 16.Lasting 37 days, the 10,000 km Flag Relay will see 152 Canadians carry the Invictus Games Flag across the country as it visits 22 military bases, 15 legions and more than 50 communities. Its final stop is Toronto where it will arrive in time for the opening of the 3rd Invictus Games, held from September 23 to 30.Founded by the United Kingdom’s Prince Harry in 2014, the Invictus Games are an international multi-sport event involving wounded, injured and ill military personnel and veterans. This year’s athletes will compete in 12 adaptive sports involving everything from wheelchair basketball to archery.In a ceremony held at CFB Esquimalt, members of the public and military witnessed the raising of the flag and heard speeches from visiting dignitaries. These included two of the athletes who will be competing in the upcoming Games: Corporal (Retired) Elizabeth Steeves and Corporal (Retired) Rob Sanders.“The Invictus Games represent a challenge, but one that I am honoured to face,” said Cpl (Retd) Steeves.All participating athletes have overcome incredible struggles due to injuries, both mental and physical, and at this ceremony both atheletes emphasised the importance that these Games play in their lives.“Training for the Games has helped me to better accept the symptoms [of PTSD] and I have regained my self-confidence and self-esteem,” said Cpl (Retd) Sanders.With more than 400 people attending the ceremony, the athletes were touched by the level of support shown for the Games and spoke to how important this support is for them and for wounded veterans and serving members at large.“The journey...

[caption id="attachment_16786" align="alignnone" width="550"] Reviewing Officer, LCdr Lucas Kenward (centre), signs the certificate officiating the command change between Outgoing Commanding Officer, LCdr Todd J. Bacon (right), and the Incoming Commanding Officer, LCdr Kristina Gray (left). Photos by LS David Gariepy, MARPAC Imaging Services[/caption][caption id="attachment_16790" align="alignnone" width="550"] Outgoing Commanding Officer, Lieutenant-Commander Todd Bacon addresses sailors and guests.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_16791" align="alignnone" width="550"] Members of HMCS Saskatoon bow their heads in prayer during the ceremony.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_16792" align="alignnone" width="550"] Incoming Commanding Officer, Lieutenant-Commander Kristina Gray addresses sailors and guests.[/caption]

The 7th annual UrbaCity Challenge just might be the most fun you can have supporting a charity.On Sunday, Sept. 24, hundreds of racers will take on amazing Challenge Stations that test brain and body, in a wild downtown Victoria adventure race.But before race day, the first challenge for all competitors is to fundraise for the Island Prostate Centre.The more racers fundraise, the more perks they get: high donations can bring in bonus prize draws, time reductions, and the ability to skip particularly tricky stations. A commitment to charity can literally mean the difference between first and second place.UrbaCity teams of two choose from the Fun or Fierce category, depending on how intense they like their race.All racers will need to tie up their laces and put on their thinking caps, since UrbaCity Challenge Stations are eclectic tests of physical fitness, brain power, and problem-solving. Teamwork is also the order of the day, as each tricky Challenge Station will push teammates to work together.All charity dollars raised go to the Island Prostate Centre, which cares for local men and their families here on Vancouver Island. As a non-profit exclusively funded by donations, Island Prostate Centre relies on UrbaCity and other community fundraisers to continue their vital work providing early detection, counselling, and care.In 2016, UrbaCity racers, sponsors, and donors raised over $50,000 for Island Prostate Centre, with a 2017 goal of $60,000.To better align with its charity, the UrbaCity Challenge now takes place in September, which is recognized across Canada as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.Visit UrbaCity.ca for more information and to register.

Last Wednesday, current and past military members converged on the B.C. Legislative Lawn to honour and remember Canada’s Peacekeepers.[caption id="attachment_16774" align="alignnone" width="550"] Parade marching down Belleville St. – Photo by John W. Penner[/caption] [caption id="attachment_16775" align="alignnone" width="550"] Photo by John W. Penner[/caption] [caption id="attachment_16776" align="alignnone" width="550"] Photo by LS Valerie LeClair, MARPAC Imaging Services[/caption] [caption id="attachment_16777" align="alignnone" width="550"] Photo by LS Valerie LeClair, MARPAC Imaging Services[/caption] [caption id="attachment_16778" align="alignnone" width="550"] Cdr Jeanne Lessard, Base Administration Officer, addresses the crowd. Photos by LS Valerie LeClair, MARPAC Imaging Services[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_16771" align="alignnone" width="450"] Military members wave their white cowboy hats with Rear-Admiral Art McDonald at the Calgary Stampede. Photo by Ashley Materi, 3rd Canadian Division Public Affairs[/caption]Ashley Materi, 3rd Canadian Division, Public Affairs ~From July 7 to 16, visitors from around the world flocked to Calgary for “The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.”The Calgary Stampede provided the perfect opportunity for Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members to interact with the public and demonstrate the skills and equipment used by sailors, soldiers, airmen and airwomen.Every year, the military sets up a static display on the grounds during the Calgary Stampede. This year visitors could sit in the cockpit of a CF-18, experience the inside of a fully functional tank, explore a military ambulance, hold a variety of weapons, including a C9A2 machine gun and a M72 light anti-tank weapon, and interact with different military members in charge of each display.41 Combat Engineer Regiment had a mock minefield for guests to comb through with a metal detector. Soldiers demonstrated how to use the metal detector to find pieces of metal buried in the “minefield,” replicating their task of minefield clearing while on a mission.“A lot of countries, what they’ll do is get sneaky with their mines, and they’ll make them out of wood or plastic,” says Corporal Connor Williscroft. “The only metal in there is the fuses that explode.”He explained to visitors that once the Engineers detect metal, they get on their stomachs and prod the ground to determine what they’ve found, be it a landmine, unexploded ordnance or any other piece of metal in the ground, and they deal with it accordingly.The most popular display year after year is the Leopard II tank from Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadians). Master Corporal Justin Monge says that while the tank gets a lot...

PO2 Katrina Bligh, Naden Band ~As Aug. 19 approaches, Canadians from all walks of life will remember the sacrifices soldiers made in the face of insurmountable challenges 75 years ago. The Naden Band of the Royal Canadian Navy will represent the Royal Canadian Navy at four 75th Anniversary ceremonies held in Dieppe, Puys and Pourville over two days.For more information:www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/history/second-world-war/dieppe-raid/75-anniversary-----On August 19th, 1942, more than 6,000 Allied forces initiated the Dieppe Raid, code name Operation Jubilee, on a 16-kilometer stretch of heavily fortified coastline in occupied northern France. That day was to become the bloodiest chapter for Canadian soldiers in the whole of the Second World War.Three years into the war, the Allies were faced with a grim outlook. German U-Boats were inflicting heavy casualties in the North Atlantic, enemy troops were penetrating steadily into the Soviet Union and North Africa, and ‘Fortress Europe’ was considered nigh impregnable. In these dire circumstances, a plan began to take shape to capture and briefly hold Dieppe, a fortified port within striking distance of the Royal Air Force’s fighter aircraft.The objectives of this fledging plan were ambitious. They included the destruction of Dieppe’s military defences, shipping and airfield facilities, power stations, radar, and the capture of documents from the German divisional headquarters at Arques.Simultaneously in Canada, there was growing pressure to get Canadian soldiers to see action after years of training and work ups on British soil. After performing admirably in several full-scale exercises, the 2nd Canadian Division was chosen as the primary force for the raid. In total, 5,000 Canadians, 1,000 British, 50 United States Army Rangers, 58 tanks, and 74 Allied air squadrons, as well as a supporting force of 237 ships and landing craft from the Royal Navy, were slated to fight together in Dieppe.The raid was separated into six...

[caption id="attachment_16760" align="alignnone" width="450"] Personnel from HMCS Regina (left to right): Lt(N) Craig Newman, Lt(N) Jessica MacMillan, MS Jamie Boparai, Cdr Colin Matthews, and SLt Dan Presseau gather on the flight deck with Saskatchewan Roughriders’ mascot Gainer the Gopher and ship’s mascot Gunner the Gopher (right). Photos by Peter Mallett, Lookout Newspaper[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~Gainer The Gopher, the official mascot of the Saskatchewan Roughriders, made the successful jump from football field to frigate, spending a day with sailors aboard HMCS Regina.The furry ground squirrel was accompanied on Sunday Aug. 6 by Roughriders President and Chief Executive Officer Craig Reynolds and two staff.“We were excited to come out to Victoria and visit the ship because it is such a special relationship we have with HMCS Regina,” said Reynolds. “We are very aware of their strong naval connection to our city, and it’s always nice to reinforce that connection to the navy and our football team.”Reynolds presented Commander Colin Matthews, Regina’s Commanding Officer, with a gift bag stuffed with Roughriders souvenirs including a team flag and autographed football signed by members of the team.“The relationship we have with the Riders is absolutely incredible and something we can really rally around,” said Cdr Matthews. “It’s great to have a professional football team that represents our namesake city that is so well connected with us; it raises our morale and gives us all a symbol to rally around.”The trip was a thanks to the ship for flying the Riders colors and being international ambassadors for the team.A barbecue lunch was held under a massive Roughriders’ flag that draped from the ship’s hangar. The flag was donated to the ship by Regina elementary school École St. Andrew in 2014. The ship and her colossal flag promote the CFL team around the world when the...

[caption id="attachment_16757" align="alignnone" width="450"] Commander of Maritime Forces Pacific, Rear-Admiral Art McDonald (centre), salutes HMCS Winnipeg as the ship arrives at CFB Esquimalt. Photo by LS Sisi Xu, MARPAC Imaging Services[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~The return of HMC Ships Ottawa and Winnipeg last Tuesday, after five months away, featured an emotional first kiss and two surprise wedding proposals.First down the gangplank of Ottawa was Sub-Lieutenant Kassandra O’Rourke, straight into the arms of her partner of seven years Eleni Holmes.“I missed everything about her,” said Holmes moments before ascending the ramp to embrace SLt O’Rourke. “I’m extremely nervous and excited right now and hoping I don’t start welling up and crying when we kiss.” Next off the ship was the ship’s cook, Corporal Robert Basso, who slipped to one knee in front of his girlfriend Kacie Sutton.“I had this planned for a while, she had no idea,” he said after proposing in front of a throng of local media and a crowd of more than 1,000 gathered on A jetty to welcome the ships home.When she said “yes” the crowd and crew onboard the ship let out a loud cheer as the two kissed and embraced.“As the ship pulled alongside I didn’t see anyone else but him standing there on the deck waving at me,” said Sutton. “When he popped the question it was a total surprise.”Moments after the proposal, Ottawa’s Commanding Officer, Commander Sylvain Belair stopped by to congratulate the happy couple.“Coming alongside is always special for the entire team, but being able to share in a family moment like this is extraordinary,” said Cdr Belair. “Corporal Basso had this proposal on his mind throughout the deployment, and knowing he was going to go ahead and make it happen was met with great support from everyone.”The emotion of returning home was...

CFMWS ~The 2017 Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Imagery Contest will be open for submissions from now until Sept. 1.This contest is open to the seasoned professional and amateur photographers in the Defence Team, including family members, in eight categories.In addition to the photography contest, this year’s contest will also have two video categories -Actuality and Social Media. Send in real world 30 second to two minute video footage for Actuality submissions, and a 30 second to one minute inspirational message video for Social Media entries.Photographers and videographers will be eligible to win $10,000 in prizes. Participating in the contest automatically enters you in a draw for two tickets to anywhere Westjet flies, exclusing Hawaii.The CAF Imagery Contest also welcomes nominations for the Military Photographer Achievement Award, which recognize the contributions CAF Imagery Technicians have made to the CAF community.Visit www.cafimagerycontest.ca to enter and for full contest details.

[caption id="attachment_16731" align="alignnone" width="560"] Reviewing Officer, Capt(N) Christopher Robinson (centre), signs the certificate officiating the command change between Outgoing Commanding Officer, Capt(N) Clive Butler (right), and the Incoming Commanding Officer, Cdr Christopher Nucci (left). Photo by LS Valerie LeClair, MARPAC Imaging Services[/caption] [caption id="attachment_16732" align="alignnone" width="560"] The Outgoing Commanding Officer, Captain (Navy) Clive Butler is rowed ashore during the Change of Command ceremony. Photo by LS Valerie LeClair, MARPAC Imaging Services[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_16728" align="alignnone" width="450"] From left to right: Outgoing Commanding Officer, Captain (Navy) Christopher Earl; Commander Maritime Forces Pacific, Rear Admiral Art McDonald; and Incoming Commanding Officer, Captain (Navy) Ed Hooper sign transfer of command certificates. Photo by Cpl Blaine Sewell, MARPAC Imaging Services[/caption]PO2 Michael Stone, FMF CB ~On the last Friday in July, under a clear summer sky, Captain (Navy) Chris Earl relinquished command of Fleet Maintenance Facility Cape Breton (FMF CB), a position he has held for four years. Capt(N) Ed Hooper assumed command of FMF CB following the conclusion of his command of the recently-established Naval Training Development Centre (Pacific).Overseeing the ceremony, held at the head of the graving dock, was Rear-Admiral Art McDonald, Commander of Maritime Forces Pacific.During his time as the head of FMF CB, Capt(N) Earl led the unit to complete numerous major maintenance and repair tasks, including extensive work on submarines HMCS Chicoutimi and HMCS Victoria, the repairs to HMCS Protecteur following a collision with HMCS Algonquin, the repairs to HMCS Winnipeg following an allision with a civilian vessel, and significant support to HMCS Protecteur following a major fire while at sea.On conclusion of the change of command ceremony, the unit hosted a barbecue and presented gifts to Capt(N) Earl, who will be moving to a position as Chief of Staff for Director General Maritime Equipment Program Management in Ottawa.

[caption id="attachment_16725" align="alignnone" width="450"] SLt Tawonga Mkanda (left), a Deputy Base Personnel Services Officer at Base Administration, and Amy Lee, Administrative Assistant at Base Administration, sign their names and words of encouragement on the Invictus Games flag at the Naden Athletic Centre. Photo by Peter Mallett, Lookout Newspaper[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~Before the curtain is raised for the third Invictus Games, this year held in Toronto on Sept. 23, a National Flag Tour is being launched at 2 p.m. Aug. 16 at CFB Esquimalt.The Naden location will mark the starting point of the flag tour, which will make stops at 22 military bases, 15 legions, and over 50 communities from as far west as Comox, BC, and as far east as Gander, NFLD.It is an effort to drum up support, interest and awareness for the Games, and its successful use of adaptive sport to assist in the recovery and rehabilitation of ill and injured current and former military members.One hundred and fifty flagbearers, to commemorate Canada’s 150 years of Confederation, will be chosen by organizers to carry the official black flag from coast-to-coast in relay-style fashion. Staff from the Base Commander’s headquarters have assembled a list of local flag bearers to add to the growing list of potential flagbearers.Representatives from the Official Flag Tour partners - the Canadian Armed Forces, Veterans Affairs Canada, Bank of Montreal, Jaguar Land Rover, Via Rail, and President’s Choice - will be on the road with the tour.CFB Esquimalt Invictus athlete, Lt(N) Krista Seguin is competing in sitting volleyball and power lifting and is encouraged by the show of support with the Flag Tour.“It’s a great way to show the people across Canada the power of sport and its effect on ill and injured service men and women, and veterans,” she says. “It will also...

[caption id="attachment_16722" align="alignnone" width="450"] LCdr Meryl Sponder (left) completes an overhead press on the flight deck of HMCS Ottawa during an early morning fitness window. LCdr Sponder was the winner of a Biggest Loser Challenge, losing the most body weight of any of the competitors. Photo by Alyssa Jesson, PSP[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~Spirits rose as waistlines shrunk and pounds melted away on HMCS Ottawa crewmembers during the Biggest Loser Challenge.Twenty-six sailors took part in the three-month challenge during Poseidon Cutlass 17, a five-month deployment to the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.Between April and July, participants attended bi-weekly weigh-ins where their weight, hip and stomach measurements were recorded.Points were awarded based on each percentage of body weight lost and each centimetre decrease on stomach and hips. Results and overall statistical losses of each participant was kept confidential.Ottawa Fitness Marshall, Alyssa Jesson, from Esquimalt Personnel Support Services, organized the competition. She said participants worked towards realistic goals without close surveillance, and support of athletic trainers and nutritional experts like the Biggest Loser TV show.“Unfortunately we couldn’t duplicate the show on the ship,” says Jesson. “But fortunately one of the things working in our favour of having a successful challenge was we had a captive audience, especially during a five-month deployment. Challenges like this are driven by the leadership onboard the ship and interest of the crew.”The ranks of the participants varied from Ordinary Seaman to Lieutenant-Commander and involved several different trades and occupations.Lieutenant Commander Meryl Sponder, Combat System Engineering Officer, was the overall winner of the challenge, and Leading Seaman Corey Moore, a Naval Communicator, finished second.LCdr Sponder said Biggest Loser encouraged her to make healthy choices.“I got involved in Biggest Loser because I’d gained some weight in the previous year. I’d been very busy at work and I had used it as an...

[caption id="attachment_16719" align="alignnone" width="450"] A member of the Ministry of Forests Flathead Unit Crew is greeted by Sergeant Neil Maclean at Puntzi Mountain Airport. Photo by MS Roxanne Wood, 19 Wing Imaging[/caption]Joint Task Force Pacific Public Affairs ~Since the start of Operation Lentus on July 9 in B.C.’s interior, more than 40 members of Joint Task Force Pacific (JTFP), representing all three military environments and several base branches, maintain 24/7 rotations at the Battle Watch Operations Centre located at the JTFP Headquarters in HMC Dockyard.This multidisciplinary team maintains situational awareness of the wildfires, in close liaison with deployed military members, and municipal, provincial and other federal authorities, in order to provide the Commander JTFP with the information needed for him to direct the Canadian Armed Forces support of the emergency response, as requested by the province.“From the moment a provincial emergency was declared, JTFP liaison officers embedded in the Provincial Emergency Coordination Centre and the Provincial Region Emergency Operation Centres were engaged in advising the province as to how the CAF (Canadian Armed Forces) might best assist,” says Rear-Admiral Art McDonald, Commander JTFP. “The JTFP operations team was at work developing plans for how we, as a headquarters, would support a response effort that might include assets from across the CAF inventory. As a result, when the Chief of Defence Staff ordered a JTFP-led response to the provincial request for assistance, the Formation was in a good position to exercise immediate command and control of the assigned forces, and demonstrate CAF readiness.”It is not often the navy leads joint task forces that include Canadian Army and Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) assets in a land-based joint operating area.  However, Army and Air Force staffs within the JTFP HQ construct ensure a seamless assumption of domestic operations command and control owing...

[caption id="attachment_16711" align="alignnone" width="450"] HMCS Toronto leads a sail past during Rendez-vous 2017 in Québec City. It’s the first ship to trial WiFi. Photo by Cpl Andrew Kelly[/caption]Darlene Blakeley, Navy Public Affairs Ottawa ~In an effort to minimize the hardships facing sailors when they head off to work at sea, the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) is working towards having WiFi available across the fleet of Halifax-class frigates and maritime coastal defence vessels.“If having WiFi allows sailors to stay better connected with family and friends while away from home, then this is a positive step forward in reducing the hardships that often disconnect them from the normal world,” says Commodore Casper Donovan, Director General Naval Force Development, who is leading efforts to introduce the capability into the RCN.Part of that effort also means staying in sync with technology given that new devices such as tablets and some laptops, and certainly cell phones, are being developed without an ability to connect to traditional network cables and jacks.“Communicating is a huge priority for the RCN,” says Cmdre Donovan. “We want our sailors to be able to stay connected, not just with their loved ones, but also their social networks. The RCN is being innovative in how it communicates and social media is another means to allow us to communicate on various fronts, both externally and internally, from the top down. If this means Commander RCN can connect broadly and meaningfully with sailors through social media while they are at sea, then it is beneficial to all of us.”In the longer-term, developing a WiFi capability in ships will help recruit and retain new sailors who will see the RCN understands that staying connected is an important consideration, says Cmdre Donovan.“Young Canadians today can’t live without their phones; why would we think they can just...

[caption id="attachment_16682" align="alignnone" width="450"] Firefighters and emergency workers line the highway to greet local citizens following the rescinding of the fire evacuation order in 100 Mile House, B.C.[/caption]Land Task Force, Public Affairs ~More than 450 Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) personnel have been deployed to B.C.’s interior in response to the Province of British Columbia’s request for assistance in battling more than 170 wildfires.The mission is Operation Lentus 4-17, and was assigned to Joint Task Force Pacific (JTFP) by the Chief of the Defence Staff in early July for rapid disaster relief aid to the province.Within hours of the mission start, the Royal Canadian Air Force sent fixed and rotary wing aircraft to the area with relief supplies. While there, they are transporting injured persons, conducting aerial reconnaissance, and bringing in much-needed firefighting equipment.Air Task Force - Pacific has flown more than 50 sorties in response to specific wildfire response tasks.A second request was made to the Government of Canada by the province for increased CAF assistance on July 17. A contingent of 225 Canadian Army soldiers from Edmonton Garrison conducted a two-day road move to Williams Lake. These 3rd Canadian Division soldiers are members of a Joint Task Force (West) Immediate Response Unit and are now operating as the JTFP Land Task Force - Pacific. The road move was conducted with more than 60 vehicles of various types, including 10 Light Armoured Vehicles, which are uniquely suited to working in difficult conditions.Their job is to assist the RCMP in providing information to the public, as well as observation and reporting tasks at assigned points along access roads in the Williams Lake and 100 Mile House area. They will also assist with ground evacuation of persons in distress and the ground delivery of essential aid to affected areas.Of note, 37 Canadian...

[caption id="attachment_16679" align="alignnone" width="450"] A view of the trench Nova Scotia artist and Afghanistan War veteran Jessica Lynn Wiebe built at the First and Second World War Monuments on the campus of Acadia University.[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~The newest project by artist Jessica Lynn Wiebe involved filling and stacking 550 sandbags around the First and Second World War monuments at the Acadia War Memorial in Wolfville, Nova Scotia. The former Canadian Armed Forces Reservist, now an Artist in Residence at the MacPhee Centre for Creative Learning in Dartmouth, N.S., says her performance art piece was physically demanding to create, and unorthodox.In late May, as part of King’s County Uncommon Common Art Exhibit, Wiebe and a team of participants (veterans and civilians) built a trench wall around the war monuments located on the Acadia University campus.“Monuments tend to merge with the landscape over time and become invisible in our every day. The temporary trench built around the war memorial protects memory and disrupts the invisibility,” explains Wiebe. “This performance-based installation investigates the physical experience and sacrifices of war that monuments represent. It is about linking a new generation of soldiers and their experience of war with former generations, and at the same time bridging the gap between civilian understanding and military experience.”The 29-year-old graduate of the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design draws inspiration from first-hand experience. Wiebe was an artillery gunner with the 26th Field Artillery Regiment in her home province of Manitoba, and in 2008 deployed to Afghanistan with the 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI).“Coming home from that experience [in Afghanistan] changes you,” says Wiebe. “Art does not always have to be cathartic or have healing power, art can be art. But I also believe it is important to artistically document Canada’s role in Afghanistan.”Her ink...

[caption id="attachment_16676" align="alignnone" width="450"] Capt Jacqueline Zweng (left) and Lisa Magee during the 2017 Wounded Warriors Battlefield Bike Ride.[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~Saddle sore, fatigued and sweaty, Captain Jacqueline Zweng walked up to the Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing in Ypres, Belguim, with a wreath in hand. It was 8 p.m. and she had been asked to represent Wounded Warriors at the nightly service that has occurred uninterrupted since 1928. The memorial’s giant triumphal arch and cavernous Hall of Memory on its underside are located at the beginning of the main road that led Allied soldiers to the front line. Within the hall are the names of 54,395 Commonwealth soldiers who died in the First World War, but whose bodies were never found or identified.It was mid-way through the Battlefield Bike Ride and Capt Zeng was feeling the exhaustion, both mentally and physically, that comes from biking hundreds of kilometres a day across the France and Belgium countryside.“The Menin Gate was exactly the perspective I needed. Up there on the gate and hall were engraved the names of each of these thousands of soldiers, most of whom didn’t make it past their 25th birthday. Some of them died the first day they walked into the battlefield. That experience made me rethink my own journey in life, the preciousness of life, and how lucky I am to have survived cancer. It’s also given me an overwhelming inspiration and an incredible feeling of confidence going forward to make the most out of every day, moment and second.”Her journey to France in June to join 140 other cyclists for the 600 kilometre nine-day ride in support of Wounded Warriors really began two years before.In 2015 she was diagnosed with breast cancer. This led to a partial mastectomy, chemotherapy and IV treatments every three...

[caption id="attachment_16672" align="alignnone" width="450"] Members of the Naval Fleet School (Pacific) Sail Training Program aboard Sail Training Vessel (STV) Goldcrest before departing for training. Photo by Peter Mallett, Lookout Newspaper[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~Royal Canadian Navy sailors are on the water this summer to develop their basic seamanship skills in Sail Training Vessel (STV) Goldcrest.The three-decade old, 36-foot CS 36 Sloop rigged sailboat yacht was adapted by the military for sail, adventure, and navigation training. Last year, the Sea Training Centre in Naval Fleet School Pacific launched a sailing program for new recruits enrolled in the Canadian Forces Regular Officer Training Program (ROTP). Since then, more than 150 officer cadets have boarded Goldcrest and headed out Esquimalt Harbour for an on-the-water experience far different than a warship platform.“The seamanship learned on a sailboat makes a sailor a better Maritime Surface and Subsurface Officer [MARS],” says Edith Eaton, Officer in Charge of the Sailing Program. “The skills learned on a sailboat apply to all trades and occupations of the navy. For example, a new MARS officer can be in command of a small vessel, learn all of its intricacies and systems, and how they work together, and then in turn have a better appreciation of what it takes to operate an RCN vessel.”Most officer cadets participating in the program have no prior sailing experience, and spend one to three weeks with up to a crew of eight. Their successful completion of week one can earn them a competent crew certification by the International Sail and Power Association for their sailing, anchoring, docking, and crew overboard skills. They may earn more advanced Day Skipper certification if they complete a second week in the program, and Coastal Navigation for those who do all three weeks of study. Students may also receive Transport Canada Pleasure...

[caption id="attachment_16668" align="alignnone" width="450"] Crewmembers enjoy a barbeque on the flight deck, served up by the Chiefs and Petty Officers.[/caption]SLt Mairi Anderson, HMCS Ottawa ~Everyone knows that familiar feeling on a Sunday night of Monday looming with its return to work, and that the weekend just wasn’t long enough.How often have you wished you had just one more day, one more Sunday to enjoy your weekend?HMCS Ottawa, currently transiting the Pacific from Japan to Hawaii, got to experience the joy of an extra Sunday as they crossed the International Date Line from west to east July 23. Known as “Double Day” in HMCS Ottawa, July 23 came twice in 2017. “Eggs? Eggs? You want eggs? Two? Can I interest you in three?” called out Lieutenant (Navy) Julian Yates, the ship’s Logistics Officer.To make the ship’s second experience of July 23, 2017, special, the Wardroom served breakfast to the Master Seaman and Below in a reversal of ranks. Junior sailors called out their breakfast order to the heads of their departments while joking ran up and down the meal line. Everyone in Ottawa was relieved the next day when the cooks took up their regular station on the steam line and the morning eggs arrived as ordered.For those to whom Sunday is a day of reflection and prayer, the Padre on board, Captain Joachim Nnanna, offered a bible study to celebrate having two Sundays back to back.“We have a wonderful congregation on board the ship and they ask the really hard questions. Double Day brought up the theological question of which is the real Sunday, the real day of rest? The fact that the crew asks these kinds of questions points to a deep spirituality and an attitude of seeking answers that attracted me to military Chaplaincy in the first place.”Some sailors...

[caption id="attachment_16664" align="alignnone" width="450"] A member of Land Task Force - Pacific shows a returning resident of Williams Lake, B.C., the evacuation alert and order areas during Operation Lentus. Photo by MCpl Malcolm Byers, Wainwright Garrison Imaging[/caption]Land Task Force, Public Affairs ~As the wildfires continued to rage in B.C.’s interior last week, the Province of British Columbia requested additional assistance from the Government of Canada. Following that request, Canadian Army members made their way to the interior to join the Royal Canadian Air Force in supporting wildfire fighting efforts.The majority of the land forces are from 1 Combat Engineer Regiment (1 CER) in Edmonton, Alberta. They arrived in Williams Lake July 21, and linked in with partner organizations already in place to manage traffic observation and reporting points.“We’ve been ready for this deployment; vehicles were ready to go and we were itching to get out the door,” said Corporal Thomas Hart, a combat engineer working alongside three other Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members and a RCMP officer at an observation and reporting point south of Williams Lake. “By coming out here we get to help fellow Canadians in a real-life situation, dealing with a real-life problem, where we can have a beneficial and positive impact on their lives.”Farther south, CAF members had the opportunity to welcome residents of 100 Mile House home after the evacuation order was downgraded to an evacuation alert on July 22.Soldiers saw lots of weary but grinning faces as locals returned home following nearly two weeks away.“It’s been very rewarding to work in our own community, which we don’t always get to do,” said Master Corporal Roger Beverage, a Canadian Ranger with the 100 Mile House patrol. “Also, it’s been a new experience working so closely with other agencies such as the RCMP and Regular Force.”Once...

[caption id="attachment_16660" align="alignnone" width="450"] Royal Canadian Mounted Police Superintendent (Retired) Robert Boyd receives an honorary membership to HMCS Regina’s wardroom by the ship’s Executive Officer, Lieutenant-Commander Andrew Graham and Base Commander, Captain (Navy) Jason Boyd.[/caption]James Vassallo, Base Public Affairs ~This is a story about connections: between a ship and a land-locked city, between those who protect us from threats at home and those who protect us from threats abroad, between a man and his uniform, between a father and son.Two weeks ago, a special donation was made to HMCS Regina that brought all those connections together into one shadow box to be displayed in the ship.On the ship’s flight deck, with members of the crew in attendance, Superintendent (Retired) Robert Boyd, a 41-year veteran of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), bestowed his Red Serge uniform to the ship. It is to replace another one that went missing during the ship’s mid-life refit.Also on hand to witness the event was former Regina Commander, Captain (Navy) Jason Boyd, son of Superintendent Boyd.“The idea that a piece of my father will be immortalized with this ship for as long as she sails, it’s a feeling that’s hard to describe,” he says.The backstory of how this uniform came to the ship begins last year when Lieutenant-Commander Andrew Graham assumed the job as Regina’s Executive Officer.“I began to learn about this link between the City of Regina’s Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the ship,” he says.The RCMP Academy, Depot Division, which trains future Mounties, is located in Regina, the ship’s namesake city. Over time the ship has acquired Mountie memorabilia such as artwork of the iconic front-wise facing bison head. It has also added a little Mountie flavour to the ship with red-yellow-blue striping painted on doors, and two graphic plates of a mounted...

[caption id="attachment_16636" align="alignnone" width="450"] Rear-Admiral G. Couturier, Deputy Commander Royal Canadian Navy, watches Commander S. Belair, Commanding Officer, HMCS Ottawa, break open the sake casks at a reception onboard Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force Ship Umigiri on July 11 during a port visit to Tokyo, Japan, on Poseidon Cutlass 17. Photo: Royal Canadian Navy Public Affairs[/caption]SLt Kassandra O’Rourke, HMCS Ottawa ~The skyline of Tokyo brimmed with skyscrapers as Her Majesty’s Canadian Ships Ottawa and Winnipeg came alongside Harumi Passenger Terminal July 11, in Tokyo, Japan. Welcoming them on the jetty were members of the Port Authority and the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), including a band dressed in impeccable white uniforms.That evening members of the Royal Canadian Navy were hosted on board JMSDF Ship Umigiri.It was a reunion of friends as the Japanese and Canadian warships have been transiting together since early July, and had the pleasure of attending receptions together in Kure, Japan.The reception and hospitality was impressive as everyone enjoyed sushi, tempura and other Japanese delicacies while sharing stories of the last few weeks of naval exercises.Rear-Admiral Gilles Couturier, Deputy Commander Royal Canadian Navy, was present for a reception onboard Ottawa July 13, co-hosted by the Canadian Ambassador to Japan, His Excellency Ian Burney.Members of the government, academics, business and diplomatic community came together to enjoy unique Canadian food and drink, and to celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday and the ongoing relationship with Japan. The event further enhanced Canada’s diplomatic and military ties in Japan, including the mutual commitment to peace and stability in the Asia Pacific region, highlighted in many of the remarks offered during the official speeches.The following day a group of sailors from Ottawa and Winnipeg made their way to Onagawa in the north east of Japan. While there, they visited with the Mayor, His Worship Yoshiaki Suda,...

Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~Calling home or catching up with friends on social media just got a whole lot easier on board surface warships thanks to a new policy by the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN).New regulations greatly expand the areas ships’ companies can use their cell phones and other personal mobile devices.Chief Petty Officer Second Class Carl Dixon, Information and Security Systems officer for Joint Task Force Pacific N6, says the new policy takes effect immediately.“This is a time where the RCN emphasizes our motto that says: People First, Mission Always. This new policy is a progressive one that allows sailors to have a much better quality of life while they are away from their loved ones, all the while maintaining a high degree of security,” says CPO2 Dixon.Most high-tech gadgets including cell phones, tablets, E-Readers, game consoles, Blu-Ray players, wireless speakers, smart wear and virtually any device capable of wireless transmission, can now be used in almost every location on a surface vessel. Their use continues to be restricted in areas where classified processes is taking place, such as the bridge and Operations Room.The old policy limited the use of wireless technology to the flight deck, quarter decks and hangar of Halifax-Class Frigates, and similar areas on other RCN vessels. While RCN ships do not transmit a Wi-Fi signal, sailors will now be able to make personal phone calls and use data from bow to stern, when they are in range of their private carrier’s signal.MARPAC Information and Protection Officer, Robert Sayle says the policy change had been in the works for some time, and after a careful review of the policy by senior leadership, the thumbs up was given for the changes.“There has been a big push for this initiative and a risk analysis was recently done by DND...

[caption id="attachment_16630" align="alignnone" width="450"] LS Michael Hodgson shows off his Harley Davidson Road King at a parking lot in Dockyard. He will join 300 riders in the Military Police National Motorcycling Relay and will ride his bike from Victoria to Jasper, Alberta, the first leg of the coast-to-coast fundraiser for visually impaired children. Photo by Peter Mallett, Lookout Newspaper[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~Leading Seaman Michael Hodgson is revving up for the Military Police National Motorcycle Relay (MPNMR).Straddling his 2017 Harley Davidson Road King, the sailor will join other motorcyclists July 30 as they venture from Victoria to St. John’s, NFLD. He won’t go the full distance across Canada, but rather tackle the first leg of the event that covers British Columbia up to Jasper, Alberta.In total, about 300 people will ride to raise funds for the Military Police For Blind Children.“While the relay is a lot of fun it’s also an inspirational experience because we are helping out a great cause,” said LS Hodgson. “We have fun, and stop in the towns along the way. Last year people shouted support out of their cars and lined the streets as we entered town.”The MPNMR is the world’s longest annual motorcycle relay, travelling more than 10,000 kilometres from coast to coast each year with stops at Canadian Armed Forces establishments and points of interest along the way.Founded as a way to build camaraderie between military police and motorcycle enthusiasts, the relay is now open to anyone who wishes to ride for a day, a province, or coast to coast. In 2016, the relay raised $60,000 for the charity and organizers are hoping to match and even surpass that goal.LS Hodgson has set a personal goal of $1,000 for this year’s ride, and says he believes the whole effort is for a more-than-worthy...