News

James Vassallo, Base Public Affairs ~Coming from a small town in rural Saskatchewan with wheat fields below and a big sky above, a young Jason Boyd wanted to fly.“I wanted to be a fighter pilot as a kid,” says Capt(N) Boyd, sheepishly acknowledging the impact the film “Top Gun” had on him while growing up. “It wasn’t that I was so naïve that I didn’t know we had a navy, but the movie was the only real connection I had to the military.”However, CFB Esquimalt’s new Base Commander did have a connection to public service, something inspired in him by his father who served with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police for 41 years.After being approached by the Royal Military College with an offer to play hockey, get a good education, and a guaranteed job that would also allow him to serve, he jumped at it.“They deemed I wasn’t fit to fly an aircraft but my second choice was a Maritime Surface and Sub-Surface (MARS) officer,” says Capt(N) Boyd. “All I knew was I wanted to do something operational and be in a leadership position. I’ve never looked back since.”His time at the ice rink - supported by what he describes as some of the best lessons in leadership he ever received - gave him an appreciation of how important consistency is, and the ways to be part of, and support a team.“The things you experience in team sports are so applicable to everyday life,” he says. “You face adversity, you learn how to deal with the ups and downs, but you work together to overcome that and accomplish goals. This bonds you with people.”With this philosophy in place, his career as a MARS Officer led him from ships - as a bridge watchkeeper in Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Iroquois;...

James Vassallo, Base Public Affairs ~Early in his time as Base Commander, Commodore Steve Waddell, promoted to his current rank earlier this month, began to address the issues that landed in his sights.He made a plea to whomever was placing sharp objects on the ball fields around CFB Esquimalt to stop, and just come and talk to him about it instead.Seeing the impact of early morning starts – missed breakfasts, childcare conflicts, worsened commutes – he moved Base Divisions to later in the day, making it less formal and allowing people to ask questions or bring forward issues after inspection.Concerned over the availability and condition of residential housing units at remote sites, he worked to change that.By themselves these are perhaps small things, but together they represent something significant: a way of leading, and an understanding of him as a leader.“After almost 28 years in the navy I don’t think I’ve really changed who I am,” he says. “I recognize the value of our output has always been based on the aggregate of the efforts of everybody. Going around talking to people, understanding their issues and validating they’re part of a greater activity, whether big or small, that was always important to me.”That “greater activity” was a deceivingly simple sentiment: get warships to sea for Canadians. In practice there was always the potential for things to become more complex given a diverse civilian and military workforce, significant interdependencies between internal and external organizations, and needs spread over a wide range of areas – hospital services, IT infrastructure, human resources issues, support for military ­families – that go far beyond operationalizing a military.“Unlike a ship, it can be harder to build esprit de corps across a diverse portfolio like the base, but I always reminded people about all the valuable things...

[caption id="attachment_16380" align="alignnone" width="450"] (Centre) Rear-Admiral Art McDonald, Commander Maritime Forces Pacific; former Base Commander Commodore Steve Waddell (left); and incoming Base Commander Captain (Navy) Jason Boyd (right), sign off on papers officially appointing Capt(N) Boyd to his new post during a Change of Command Ceremony at Museum Square, June 22.[/caption]By Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~Last Thursday, with the summer sun in full bloom, Captain (Navy) Jason Boyd became the new Base Commander in a change of command ceremony brimming with warmth and fond farewells.First to the podium was Elmer George representing the Songhees Nation. He gave a special blessing that reaffirmed the unique connection CFB Esquimalt has with the First Nations communities of Greater Victoria.Humour, pride and humility were well woven into Commodore Steve Waddell’s address. Having spent one of the longer terms as the “Fourteenth Mayor” – a month shy of three years – he made certain to acknowledge all units, both military and civilian, for their efforts supporting the fleet.“Spending three years as CFB Esquimalt’s Commander was a unique opportunity to forge deep bonds across the region and witness the incredible contributions our people make to each other, the community and our mission as part of the Department of National Defence,” he said.Then, with the military parade neatly lined row upon row on the museum parade square, and hundreds of spectators assembled to witness the event, Cmdre Waddell, Rear-Admiral Art McDonald, Commander Maritime Forces Pacific, and Capt(N) Boyd all signed the command change certificates signifying the legal transfer and change in leadership.During his remarks, RAdm McDonald likened the Base Commander’s job to that of a Mayor, noting the “city” of CFB Esquimalt has its own fire department, police force, schools, and even a newspaper. Cmdre Waddell, he said, “showed dedication and tact” while fostering relationships both inside...

Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~The opportunity for civilian employment within the Federal Government has become a reality for many post-secondary students looking for short or long-term public service jobs.Several of the Department of National Defence’s new student hires are already at work at CFB Esquimalt and other military bases across the nation. Their presence has been bolstered this year following a report by Canada’s Privy Council in March that urged the government to revamp efforts to attract, retain and develop skilled labour for its civilian workforce.The Annual Report of the Clerk of the Privy Council noted that since over 9,000 public servants have retired within the last year, the Federal Government must now work on innovative student recruitment “in an effort to mobilize the energy and creativity of a new generation of public servants.”Following the report’s release, DND Deputy Minister John Forster made the pledge to hire 1,200 new student workers to its civilian ranks.National Student Hiring Team stood up in March to expedite the student hiring process across DND. Roxana Kendall, team lead, says the 18-member team is specifically focussed on the recruitment and hiring process to make sure the Federal Government meets its hiring targets.Kendall’s hiring team began the first big push to get several post-secondary and secondary students to work across the Formation in its Co-operative Program and Federal Student Work Experience Program (FSWEP).Civilian student employees who work at the base are broken into three categories:Co-Op Program placements, which includes university and college students normally working a 16-week paid work-study term as part of their course of study;FSWEP that enables full-time and returning students hands-on work experience and the ability to apply for targeted job opportunities as well as a general database anywhere in a variety of Federal Government departments; andthe Student Bridge Program that encourages the integration of students with past government work experience into a permanent or term public service position. Placements can range from highly-skilled technical jobs with Base Logistics and Fleet Maintenance Facility,...

[caption id="attachment_16328" align="alignnone" width="450"] The Naden Quartet Band plays on Edmonton’s foc’s’le during a cocktail party.[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) outreach efforts were in full bloom again last week with HMCS Brandon and HMCS Edmonton’s participation in the Portland Rose Festival.The two Kingston-class Maritime Coastal Defence Vessels were moored at the Portland Seawall, June 7 to 12, as part of the Fleet Week segment of the month-long civic festival held each year in June.Two United States Navy (USN) vessels, aircraft carrier USS Bunker Hill, and Independence-class combat ship USS Jackson, along with three United States Coast Guard vessels – USCGC Alert, Bluebell and T/V Ironwood – also participated.The company of all six warships gave guided tours during Fleet Week, an event that celebrates Portland’s more than 100-year relationship with the navy.This was the fifth Rose Festival for LCdr Lucas Kenward, Commanding Officer of Edmonton, who said he relishes the opportunity to represent the RCN at this event.“Portland is a wonderful city and as one would expect they really roll out the red carpet for our sailors with multiple events and activities throughout the Portland region during Fleet Week. The Seawall area in particular is abuzz with many uniformed personnel interacting with the citizens of Portland and its tourists, touring each other’s ships, and exchanging stories of times at sea.”Brandon’s Commanding Officer, LCdr Jolene Lisi noted her ship’s company were “truly overcome by the hospitality of Portland” and also valued their interaction with USCG and USN crew in a social setting.On June 10, the RCN ships co-hosted a Canadian reception with Consul General James K. Hill and Commander MARPAC, who was represented by Commander Michele Tessier, Commander Coastal Forces. Dignitaries such as Vice-Admiral Nora Tyson, Commander USN Third Fleet; Vice-Admiral Midgette, Commander Coast Guard Pacific Area; and Rear-Admiral...

Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~Those living and working in close proximity to McLoughlin Point in Esquimalt will soon contend with increased traffic and noise levels associated with the Wastewater Treatment Plant construction project.Officials from the Capital Regional District (CRD) are awaiting building permits before excavation and controlled blasting commence at the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) construction site.The construction site is in close proximity to Work Point’s military barracks, Naval Officer Training Centre, and military housing units.A spokesperson from the CRD says they anticipate construction to begin ramping up late June with a completion target of 2020.“We are very mindful that construction does have an impact on the local community, and we are making sure the management team and all our contractors consider the traffic and noise impacts as they plan their work,” said Elizabeth Scott, WWTP Deputy Project Director. “There is a traffic management plan developed by the contractor [Harbour Resource Partners] that had input from the public and was approved in May [2017].”Scott anticipates increased traffic of approximately 30 trucks hauling excavated material per day along the McLoughlin Point delivery route, which uses Peters Street and Head St. via Esquimalt Road. The majority of blasting and excavation is expected to wrap up late August, after which truck traffic will vary between five and 15 trucks per day, depending on the construction stage, until the project is done in 2020.Disruptions to traffic on Bewdley Avenue and Anson St. are also expected during geotechnical investigations and construction to accommodate a pipeline that will connect to the existing CRD pumping station at Macaulay Point Park as part of the conveyance system to pump liquid waste to the new treatment plant at McLoughlin Point. Construction will also take place along Victoria View, Patricia Way and Peters Street to accommodate utility servicing and as part...

[caption id="attachment_16321" align="alignnone" width="450"] Photo by MCpl Chris Ward, Imaging Services, CFB Esquimalt[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~Construction crews working on the A/B Jetty Recapitalization Project in Dockyard will begin 10 weeks of controlled blasting operations starting June 21.The use of explosives will be limited to a controlled site and occur up to three times a day on land located near B Jetty and the foot of Rainbow Drive, and is expected to conclude in early September.Blasting is part of the excavation of 11,000m3 of bedrock to allow for proper elevation of the extension of the utility corridor, and new electrical substation, Jetty Interface Building, and filter press building to process oily waste water.Erin Rice, Team Leader Construction Services for Defence Construction Canada, says blasting will be limited to a controlled site and provide no danger to neighbourhood residents. She said pre-blast signals of 12 short whistles followed by an all-clear five-second whistle will likely be the only audible noise for residents.“The blasting activities are limited to very low velocities due to the surrounding heritage structures, and conducted by a team with extensive experience blasting in the dockyard,” said Rice. “We have retained geotechnical engineers to monitor all blast impacts, and the contractor and consultants will both be monitoring activity with seismographs placed in the vicinity.”People working in Dockyard are reminded to heed all safety signage and avoid the area.Blasting on the site will be necessary at some point in 2018, with details and timelines to be announced at a later date.Communications packages explaining further details about the blasting are being sent to effected stakeholders in close proximity to the site, and Rice said a timetable of the blasts will also be made available.Work on the demolition of B Jetty, an initial phase of the $781 million, eight-year A/B Jetty recapitalization...

[caption id="attachment_16318" align="alignnone" width="550"] Warship celebrates Canada 150 in an unusual way[/caption]Lt(N) Daemen Wolch, HMCS Ottawa ~How does a Canadian warship commemorate Canada 150 while deployed half way around the world?In the case of HMCS Ottawa, the answer would be with a specially created “Canada 150” screen, being used by the ship during Poseidon Cutlass 17, while conducting exercises with other navies in the region – part of Canada’s strategic involvement in the South China Sea.Screens are tools used by navies to assist with the assignment of positioning when working with other ships at sea. Different segments of the surrounding area are each assigned a name for the sake of brevity. Often a theme is chosen for the names that reflects the mission at hand. In this case, Ottawa chose to spread some Canadiana to foreign warships.The Canada 150 screen celebrates the sesquicentennial with an ode to the mothers and fathers of Confederation, as well as a nod to the Canadian provinces. The inner sectors are named after Fathers of Confederation: Sir John A. MacDonald, Sir George Archibald, Sir George-Étienne Cartier, Sir Charles Tupper, Alexander MacKenzie, and William McDougall.The middle sectors each bear the name of a Canadian province.Finally, the outer sectors are named after Mothers of Confederation: Queen Victoria, Anne Brown, Mercy Coles, and Luce Cuvillier.The screen was first used by HMCS Ottawa, HMCS Winnipeg and HMAS Ballarat, an Australian warship. The three ships conducted exercises over the course of three days using the Canadian designed screen. The screen was also successfully used with the French ship Prairial during a full day of activities. The Canada 150 screen will be used with other regional partners as HMCS Ottawa continues its mission of global engagement on Poseidon Cutlass 17.The Canada 150 screen will see its next use during Pacific Guardian...

[caption id="attachment_16315" align="alignnone" width="450"] MWO Dave Daly, a Loadmaster with 429 Transport Squadron in Trenton, Ont., secures a RHIB to the floor of a C-17 Globemaster cargo plane. Photo by Peter Mallett/Lookout[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~Traffic Technicians at Base Logistics are being hailed for their work getting 32,000 tons of Naval Security Team equipment airlifted to Busan, South Korea, for their upcoming deployment.The 75-member Naval Security Team will provide port security for Poseidon Cutlass 17, where HMC Ships Ottawa and Winnipeg will be involved in a multinational task group performing interoperability exercises and above and below water warfare training.This is the first time traffic technicians have tackled packing both a C-130 Charter plane and a C-17 Globemaster cargo plane at the Victoria International Airport.Included in the shipments were two Defender Class Rigid Hulled Inflatable Boats weighing more than 10,000 lbs each, security team body armour, and medical equipment.“Deploying equipment on aircraft is not something the RCN normally does, as our personnel usually deploy aboard RCN vessels, and all of your equipment is always with you at sea,” says Lt(N) Tim Turner, Naval Security Team Executive Officer. “This has been a monumental undertaking for the Traffic Tech and other Base Logistics employees, and they have done a brilliant job of moving all the little pieces to South Korea. It has been critical component to making our mission successful.”One key component of the Naval Security Team deployment will be providing “a bubble of protection” around the Canadian warships entering and exiting the harbour in Busan. The team will work closely with the Republic of Korea Navy to provide force protection at sea, and on land to provide protection from threats to and from controlled access points.Traffic Tech Sergeant Andrew Tobin will meet the cargo planes in South Korea to help facilitate the...

SLt Jacob Booth, HMCS Ottawa ~HMCS Ottawa achieved another milestone after successfully completing a layered missile engagement against a Hammerhead target while deployed on Poseidon Cutlass 17-1.After many weeks of training, the exercise concluded with the launch of an Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM) and engagements with the Bofors 57mm Mark III and 20mm Close-in-Weapons-System in an impressive display of firepower.Conducted off the coast of Okinawa, Japan, a first for the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN), the trial demonstrated the capabilities of the ESSM when used in Surface-to-Air in Surface-to-Surface (SASS) Mode against a small boat attack, as might be experienced during asymmetric warfare.The target for the event was provided by QinetiQ Target Systems Canada (formerly Meggitt), a Canadian company based out of Medicine Hat, Alberta.Intended for destruction, these targets provide an opportunity for ships to exercise their skills while employing weapons systems to their full potential.Preparations were extensive and undertaken over countless hours of training and study. From refining a checklist of actions by individual team members, to refining the optimal employment of weapons and sensors, and participating in increasingly complex training scenarios, the operations room worked on every detail to hone their operational skills and warrior spirit. This not only ensured the success of the shoot, but also the defence of the ship against asymmetric threats such as small boats.Although everything was well prepared by the time Ottawa arrived on the range, Fire Control Operator LS Derek Urichuk said the anticipation in the operations room was palpable.“I couldn’t believe the nervous excitement that was felt throughout the ship as we all awaited the shoot,” he says.A very early morning start saw the commencement of checklist items that culminated with a mid-morning action alarm energizing the ship to action stations.Closing at high speed, the target was piloted towards Ottawa to...

[caption id="attachment_16275" align="alignnone" width="450"] Brian Seymour, Collections Manager of the Department of Anthropology of the Royal BC Museum, show artifacts to CFB Esquimalt members during a special collections tour. Photo by William Chaster, MARPAC PA Office[/caption]William Chaster, MARPAC PA Office ~High in the upper floor of the Royal B.C. Museum, in an area not open to the general public, Brian Seymour, an Anthropology Collections Manager, holds a small, angular shard of rock to the light.Surrounding him is a group of 16 people from CFB Esquimalt, gazing intently at the shard.At first glance it resembles a regular stone, but upon closer examination chips and grooves become apparent, too intentional to be from natural causes. This sliver of rock, explains Seymour, is an ancient tool used by a member of a First Nations community hundreds of years ago, carefully shaped and scratched so it could cut or grind plant and animal materials.This tool is one of dozens of artifacts showcased to base members during a museum tour organized by the Defence Aboriginal Advisory Group (DAAG) May 25.“The tour was absolutely outstanding,” said Lisa deWit, an employee with Formation Review and a member of the Wet’suwet’en First Nation. “The archive is a real treasure and I felt we could connect in a meaningful way to our culture and ancestors.”The tour was in honour of Aboriginal Awareness Week.As Seymour took the group through each room, all crammed with historical First Nations’ objects, he gave encyclopedic detail on those items he chose to highlight, such as carved wooden flutes lining a drawer. In another cabinet, he revealed a selection of woven hats, each with a unique design embroidered around the brim, carefully stored so as not to lose their shape.This was the DAAG’s first visit to the First Nations Collections.“It was so popular we filled...

[caption id="attachment_16271" align="alignnone" width="450"] Alexandre Boulé finishes first in the men’s Canadian competitors with a time of 2:35:23. Photo by Corporal Lisa Fenton, Canadian Forces Support Unit (Ottawa) Imaging Services[/caption] CFMWS ~The 49th CISM World Military Marathon Championship (WMMC) was hosted in Ottawa May 28. The event, which took place within the broader Scotiabank Ottawa Marathon, included 83 military athletes from all over the world competing from 22 CISM nations.The hard fought battle ended with a clean sweep from Poland, with Arkadiusz Gardzielewski taking first place overall in the men’s side, and Iwona Bernardelli taking first for the women’s, with times of 2:13:42 and 2:34:46 respectively.The Canadian contingent had another strong showing, with Alexandre Boule coming first among men’s Canadian competitors with a time of 2:35:23, and Kathleen Beaudry finishing strong with a time 3:11:37 for the women’s competitors.Founded in 1948, the International Military Sports Council (CISM) is one of the largest multidisciplinary sports organizations in the world. Created with the mission of promoting peace and international dialogue through sport, CISM allows the militaries of the world to compete peacefully in the spirit of cooperation.The WMMC is one of many world championships that occur in CISM, and this year’s competition saw some of the top runners in the world competing in Ottawa.

SLt Ben Mullin-Lamarche, HMCS Ottawa ~As the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLA(N)) brass band echoed from the jetty in Shanghai, China, HMCS Ottawa came alongside May 26, greeted by Senior Captain Wei, Chief of Staff to the Commander Shanghai Naval Base, and sailors from the host ship Zuxhou.That evening, members of the ship’s company were treated to a reception against a backdrop of the brightly lit Shanghai skyline.There, they mingled with the officers and crew of the host ship and enjoyed a buffet dinner. The reception included speeches given by Rear-Admiral Wang, Commander Shanghai Naval Base, and Rear-Admiral Art McDonald, Commander Maritime Forces Pacific. Both highlighted the importance of relationships and communication between the navies in the Asia-Pacific region.This visit marked Ottawa’s third to the Chinese city, the first being in 2002 and the second in 2008. However, it was the first Royal Canadian Navy ship deployed on Poseidon Cutlass, an operation designed to provide opportunities to conduct diplomatic engagements to other countries in support of Government of Canada objectives.The next afternoon, Rear-Admiral McDonald visited PLA(N) ship Zuxhou, and made an office call on Vice Mayor of Shanghai Xu Kunlin, before coming aboard Ottawa to present awards and promotions.Included in the parade was recognition of some deserving sailors for their work and dedication with Commander Maritime Forces Pacific and Formation Chief coins.“It is definitely a different experience,” said Leading Seaman Tom Eustace, who was presented with a Bravo Zulu Coin by the Admiral. “I was not expecting it at all. It’s nice to be recognized in front of peers.”Following the awards ceremony, the ship’s company prepared a reception for key community, PLA(N) and Canadian leaders in Shanghai, which was hosted by RAdm McDonald and the Canadian Ambassador to China, the Honourable John McCallum.While the ship was hosting events onboard, members...

[caption id="attachment_16264" align="alignnone" width="450"] Carol and Scott Lee and their children Kristen and Graham with a historical survey marker that will be transformed into a headstone for a distant relative. Photo by Peter Mallett, Lookout. Bottom right: Colonel Josiah Greenwood Holmes (right) with Major James Peters at Work Point in 1909.[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~A 19th Century granite survey marker, placed by Dominion of Canada surveyors to establish the bounds of Work Point Barracks in 1887, will become a tombstone for the Deputy Adjutant General of Military District # 11 appointed in 1883.Descendants of Colonel Josiah Greenwood Holmes were at the Work Point Barracks site June 6 as workers from Mortimer’s Monumental Works dislodged the massive granite marker from the ground and hauled it on to a flatbed truck with a mechanical arm.The marker had been cast aside following the demolition of the Work Point’s Officers’ Mess in 2006.“It’s terrific to see this stone finally being pulled from the ground,” said Carol Lee, great-granddaughter of Col Holmes. “This process is helping myself and other family members rediscover our military heritage, and someone who played such an important role in the history of Victoria and Canada.”Col Holmes was born May 28, 1845, in St. Catharines (Upper Canada). A graduate of Royal Military College, he worked as an adjutant (administrator to a senior officer) of A Battery in Ontario from 1872 until his promotion to the Commander of Military District # 11, including ‘C Battery” and the Canadian School of Artillery in Victoria -Esquimalt. He had previously served in the Fenian Raids in 1866 and 1870. He eventually retired in 1909 and passed away at his home in Victoris in 1928.C Battery was gazetted in 1883, and arrived in Victoria in 1887, established to shore up coastal defences to protect Victoria and...

[caption id="attachment_16261" align="alignnone" width="450"] In front of the Arctic display outside the Commander of Maritime Forces Atlantic’s (MARLANT) office, Cdr Corey Gleason, Commanding Officer HMCS Harry DeWolf; RAdm John Newton, MARLANT; CPO2 Rick Bungay, Sea Training Atlantic; and CPO1 Gerry Doucet, Coxswain HMCS Harry DeWolf, display the Polar Flag. Photo by Mona Ghiz, MARLANT PA[/caption]CPO2 Richard Bungay, Sea Training Atlantic ~When HMCS Labrador undertook its maiden deployment in 1954, it was the first warship to travel the Northwest Passage and circumnavigate North America.Throughout its operational history with the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) the ship was unique, as it had created its own unofficial ship’s flag.The Polar bear, a universal symbol of the Arctic and unofficial ship’s mascot, was hoisted while at anchor and entering and leaving harbor, signifying an end of a voyage. The crew called it the Polar Flag and it was a source of pride and cohesion.Fast forward 64 years later, being an enthusiastic student of RCN history and proponent of RCN Arctic deployments, I wanted to link the past with the future of the RCN in the Arctic.I wanted to recreate the flag, and so I proposed the idea to the Commander of Maritime Forces Atlantic who is also interested in the Arctic and its history.The flag has now been recreated and is displayed outside the Admiral’s office as a cornerstone of the Arctic display recently erected.When HMCS Harry DeWolf is commissioned, it will fly this flag as the ship’s company of Labrador once did.To be successful in the Arctic we must look to the past as well as the future, and I believe the reconstituted Polar Flag will serve as a tangible link between our shipmates of the past and a source of pride of Harry DeWolf’s crews of the future.

[caption id="attachment_16258" align="alignnone" width="450"] Photo by Will Chaster, MARPAC PA[/caption]Will Chaster, MARPAC Public Affairs Office ~A crowd of shouting protestors march towards a barricade guarded by a security force wearing dark Kevlar vests. Most of the protestors stop a few feet from the guards, but two walk up to the barricade, screaming with arms waving. In the midst of this chaos, the Kevlar-clad guards remain immovable; calmly they defuse the situation and do not react to the provocation of the activists. After a while the crowd disperses and the guards fall out.A protest scenario was one of many exercised last week by the Naval Security Team (NST) as part of their Validation Readiness Training in order to deploy. The training was implemented by Sea Training Pacific.“We’re making these exercises as close to the real thing as possible so they are prepared for any eventuality,” said Commander Christopher Peschke, Commanding Officer of Sea Training Pacific. The week-long exercise took place on land and at sea, and included everything from low-key activities such as searching bags and checking identification, to high pressure situations such as confronting a crowd of angry protestors or dealing with a car bomb.The 78 NST reservists from across the country underwent weeks of individual training in first aid and weapons drill before arriving at CFB Esquimalt.“There’s such a wide variety of people here; we have everyone from newly graduated university students to school teachers to a dentist. It’s a really interesting crowd,” said Cdr Peschke.Their training involved inter-agency participation from B.C. Ambulance, 11 Field Ambulance, Military Police Unit Esquimalt, Fleet Diving Unit (Pacific), HMCS Vancouver crew, and Sea Training staff.Members of the NST are selected from a pool of reservists who must sign a reserve contract and go through intensive training before being allowed to deploy overseas.Their job...

Will Chaster, MARPAC PA Office ~Animal handling isn’t a skill most firefighters expect to develop, but some members of the CFB Esquimalt Base Fire Hall can put that on their resumes following their actions on  June 7.Around 6:30 p.m. a call came in from a couple out for a walk near Work Point who had found a fawn stuck in a water catch basin.Four members of the Base Fire Hall responded to the call.When they arrived they realized the drain was too deep to simply reach down and get the baby.With the mother deer watching from a nearby field, Firefighter Tyler Werbowski shimmied down into the hole.“I stroked the fawn’s head a bit and then picked it up. It was pretty docile and didn’t struggle or anything which was good,” said Werbowski.He then passed it up to Firefighter Ben Josephson who lowered it to the ground. As soon as its hooves hit the soil the fawn bounded off into the bushes, evidently none the worse for the wear.“We were just happy the little guy was okay,” said Firefighter Josh Peterson.While the mother deer didn’t say thank you, the situation drew praise from their supervisor.“I’m really proud of these guys, they handled the situation very well,” said Geordie Douglas, Deputy Fire Chief.While this isn’t quite in their job description, it’s quite the “en-deer-ing” story that the firefighters will remember for some time.  

[caption id="attachment_16211" align="alignnone" width="450"] Base Commander Capt(N) Steve Waddell, center, signs the change of command certificates that officialises passing command of Port Operations and Emergency Services from outgoing Cdr Andrew Muir to incoming Cdr Greg Walker. Photos by Peter Mallett, Lookout Newspaper[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~With Fisgard Lighthouse as backdrop and a brilliant blue sky overhead, Port Operations and Emergency Services Branch (POESB) held its Change of Command ceremony aboard CFAV Glendale.Base Commander Capt(N) Steve Waddell presided over the on-the-water ceremony held May 29 on the rear-deck of the 95-foot Glen-class tug signing the official Change of Command certificates between outgoing POESB Commanding Officer, Cdr Andy Muir and the incoming Cdr Greg Walker.Cdr Muir, 53, has spent 32 years in the Royal Canadian Navy. With this Change of Command he will retire to become the Superintendent of both Hydrographic Services Offices in Halifax and Esquimalt. He says the new job offer was too good not to accept.“I have had a lifelong love of charts and maps, coupled with my navigation experience and my educational background. It was the perfect change of career opportunity for me,” said Cdr Muir.Cdr Walker, 56, has 22 years as a naval officer, and was previously the Executive Officer for reserve unit HMCS Malahat. He assumes command of a unit that provides coordinated operational and emergency services to the fleet and base, and oversees the management of Esquimalt and Nanoose Harbours for the Department as the Queen’s Harbour Master.POESB consists of three sections: Canadian Forces Auxiliary Vessels (CFAV), the CFB Esquimalt Fire Service, and a small headquarter staff.This is his first command position, but, like Cdr Muir, he also noted the job opportunity was “too good to turn down.” He said he will now focus on providing operational support and guidance to the civilian employees in...

[caption id="attachment_16208" align="alignnone" width="450"] The traditional keel-laying for the future HMCS Margaret Brooke was held at Irving’s Halifax Shipyard in Halifax, Nova Scotia, where a coin was placed on the ship’s keel by Olivia Strowbridge, the first woman in a trade supervisory role in the shipyard and its first female certified ship spray painter. In shipbuilding tradition, the coin will remain within the ship’s structure for its entire life and will invite good luck to the vessel and crew throughout its service. Photos by Mona Ghiz, MARLANT PA[/caption]Ryan Melanson, Trident ~The second of the planned Harry DeWolf class Arctic Offshore Patrol Ships (AOPS) recently passed an important date in a ship’s life, with the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) and Irving Shipbuilding holding a keel-laying ceremony for the future HMCS Margaret Brooke. The small gathering took place at Irving’s Halifax Shipyard Assembly Hall on May 29.The ceremony involves placing a coin on the keel of the ship, which will remain in place throughout its years in service, and is meant to bring good luck to all those who sail in it. The coin placed on the future Margaret Brooke may bring extra good luck, thanks to the four-leaf clover depicted on it.The ship is named after LCdr Margaret Brooke, an RCN Nursing Sister decorated for gallantry during the Second World War, who was known to carry two four-leaf clovers in a silver locket for good luck following her survival of the sinking of the ferry SS Caribou off the coast of Newfoundland in 1942.LCdr Brooke was named a Member (Military Division) of the Order of the British Empire for her bravery and attempts to help others during that deadly wreck.She died in early 2016 in Victoria, and it was recently announced that her niece, Margaret Elizabeth Brooke, will be the sponsor...

Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~Cool wet conditions didn’t deter military and civilian personnel who took to their two wheel rides for the inaugural Navy Bike Ride in Esquimalt on June 2.More than 300 cyclists took part in the 10-kilometre non-competitive, family-friendly ride organized by Personnel Support Programs (PSP).Riders set off from the Naden Drill Shed and wound their way through two loops of the course that stretched through both Dockyard and Naden. Most riders took between 30 to 45 minutes to complete the course.Vice-Admiral Ron Lloyd, Commander Royal Canadian Navy, took part in the race. VAdm Lloyd is an avid cyclist who makes the 50 kilometre round-trip commute from his home in Orleans, ON, to his office in Ottawa. He gave the cyclists a pre-ride pep talk in the Naden Drill Shed, joking about his cycling gear and that “sailors and spandex normally don’t mix.”“I can’t be more pleased how the navy has embraced this event,” he said after completing the ride. “There was energy and excitement in this event and everyone seemed to have completed the course with smiles on their faces.”On May 20, he was one of approximately 700 cyclists who participated in a similar ride in the National Capital Region.Matt Carlson, CFB Esquimalt Navy Bike Ride organizer and PSP fitness coordinator, said this year’s inaugural bike ride was an overwhelming success.“Despite the less than ideal weather conditions we had an excellent response,” said Carlson. “One can clearly see our employees and military personnel embrace the concept of a healthy lifestyle with regular physical activity and fun such as this ride.”Carlson noted that several steep inclines on the course, wet conditions, and morning traffic caused some safety concerns. He said PSP will look to make alterations to the race course for next year’s event.Special thanks to Babcock Canada and BMO who come on board as event sponsors.

[caption id="attachment_16200" align="alignnone" width="450"] HMCS Calgary crewmembers practice evacuating a casualty under the supervision of a CFB Esquimalt USAR team instructor.[/caption]Will Chaster, MARPAC PA Office ~Urban search and rescue has now expanded to include Royal Canadian Navy sailors through the launch of a new training program.The HMC Ship Disaster Response Course trains sailors on light urban rescue to enable them to assist in a disaster, such as the 2016 New Zealand earthquake.The first to trial the program was 110 crewmembers from HMCS Calgary, which is currently in refit. They spent three days at Work Point’s search and rescue training area from May 23 to 26.Under the guidance of 12 trainers from the CFB Esquimalt Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team, sailors worked through multiple stations that simulated a disaster zone. This involved working together in teams in order to shore up structures and extract casualties from under debris.“This course is designed around the equipment that all ships embark while on deployment,” says Petty Officer First Class Chance Sheffield, Operations Chief of CFB Esquimalt’s USAR team. “Medium and heavy USAR teams require specialized gear and training, so we’re drilling the crew in non-structural ‘light’ USAR techniques based on the equipment they will have at their disposal.”Ships carry rappelling gear, medical equipment such as spine boards, and basic tools, but lack the specialized kit of dedicated heavy and medium USAR teams. These include heavy duty saws for cutting through thick concrete blocks and advanced lifting equipment such as air bag systems for raising heavy pieces of debris.“The first part of the training focused on recognizing damage to structures and advanced first aid techniques, while further training concentrated on working together as a team in disaster situations. This had a special eye towards interoperability with other nations in the event of an incident...

[caption id="attachment_16197" align="alignnone" width="450"] CPO1 Daniel Mercier, Fleet Chief Canadian Fleet Atlantic, lifts PO2 William Duff as part of the Give A Lift campaign. Replacing the Ice Bucket Challenge, this is the new fundraiser for ALS awareness. Photo by Mona Ghiz, Marlant Pa[/caption]Virginia Beaton, Trident ~Receiving a diagnosis of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) can change a life in a minute.So can a decision to participate in the Give A Lift for ALS campaign. This fundraiser, a follow-on to the wildly successful Ice Bucket Challenge two years ago, is a grassroots campaign to raise awareness of ALS. All money raised goes to fund research into the disease through the Adaptive Canuck ALS Foundation, a charitable foundation managed by Canadian ALS patients and their families. Tax receipts are provided.The Give A Lift challenge is asking for people to accept this challenge, especially between now and Father’s Day, June 17. The idea is to lift someone up, in as creative a way as possible, take a photo, and share it on social media. Nominate three friends to do the same, using #ALSlift and including alslift.org in the post.CPO1 Daniel Mercier recently took up this challenge. He chose to lift PO2 William Duff who was recently diagnosed with ALS. His wife is also military and the couple has two young children.

[caption id="attachment_16194" align="alignnone" width="450"] Kent Hehr, Minister of Veterans Affairs, meets with Military Family Resource Centre social worker Kaitlyn Ross during his visit to the Colwood Pacific Activity Centre May 30. Photo by Peter Mallett, Lookout[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~Last week, the Colwood Pacific Activity Centre played host to a Member of Parliament.Kent Hehr, Minister of Veterans Affairs, held a briefing at the centre to highlight the new role Military Family Resource Centres (MFRC) across the country will play in assisting medically-releasing veterans and their families.“The Military Family Resource Centres are the cornerstone of Canada’s military communities and it is the group of people in this room today that make the magic happen,” said Hehr. “By opening up Military Family Resource Centres across the country to veterans and their families we are emphasizing they always were, and still are a part of the military family.”The 2017 budget spells out additional resources for those who served in the Canadian Armed Forces, in particular, a Veteran Family Program for medically-releasing veterans. It was piloted at eight MFRCs, including Esquimalt, and will now be available at all 32 Centres.“We have participated in the pilot program for the past year-and-a-half,” said Kaitlyn Ross, a social worker who coordinates the MFRC Esquimalt’s Veteran Family Program. “As an organization, we will continue to provide transition support services for military families that need assistance.”Hehr, who also serves as Canada’s Associate Minister of National Defence, made note of the re-opening of nine regional Veteran Affairs Offices and the hiring of 400 support staff. He also outlined the government’s new financial commitment to veterans, families, and caregivers with the rollout of multiple new programs and supports that include: The introduction of the Family Caregiver Relief Benefit that offers in-home caregivers a $1,000 per month, tax-free benefit to those caring...

[caption id="attachment_16191" align="alignnone" width="450"] Sculptor Illarion Gallant speaks during the unveiling and dedication of the Hospital Hill Memorial Sculpture he designed called “Lost Airmen of the Empire” at the Victoria International Airport June 1. Photo by MCpl Chris Ward, MARPAC Imaging Services[/caption]Captain Peter Ryan, 12 Wing PAO ~Several hundred people attended a dedication June 1 on the north side of the Victoria International Airport, overlooking 443 Maritime Helicopter Squadron, for those posted to the Royal Canadian Air Force Station Patricia Bay, and who died during the Second World War.The memorial consists of 25, 12-foot high, Corten steel, Cooper’s Hawk feathers with the names and ages of each fallen member cut into the feathers.The memorial is located on Hospital Hill, named for the base hospital at the time.Over 5,000 personnel trained as pilots, navigators, armourers and mechanics as part of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. This was the third largest training centre of its kind in Canada at the time.A total of 179 people perished while posted to, or working at, RCAF Station Patricia Bay, or were aboard aircraft from that base.The occasion was marked by a Trooping of Colours by 443 Maritime Helicopter Squadron, remarks from dignitaries, and a flypast featuring a variety of RCAF aircraft.“It was an honour for 443 Squadron to be part of this event and to participate in the planning sessions leading up to the memorial dedication to the Lost Airmen of the Empire,” said LCol Shawn Williamson, 443 MH Squadron commanding officer. “This memorial overlooks 443 Squadron at Victoria International Airport and serves as a reminder of past sacrifices, and the important role our RCAF members in the maritime helicopter community carried out in the defence of Canada aboard Royal Canadian ships deployed on missions around the world. We are proud members of this...

DND ~Recognizing the commitment and sacrifice that Canadian Armed Forces members - and their families - make for Canada when a member deploys abroad, Defence Minister Harjit S. Sajjan, Finance Minister Bill Morneau, and Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale have announced the Government’s intention to exempt the military salaries of all Canadian Armed Forces personnel deployed on named international operations from federal income taxes, up to and including the pay level of Lieutenant-Colonel.This tax relief would also apply to police officers deployed on international operational missions.This measure is part of a broader package of administrative changes and new measures included in Canada’s new Defence Policy, which will be made public on June 7, 2017.These changes ensure that Canadian Armed Forces personnel and police officers deployed on designated international missions are recognized for their sacrifice and that of their family.While the number of CAF personnel on deployed operations changes from day-to-day, there are currently approximately 1,450 Canadian Armed Forces personnel deployed on international military operations.The Government intends to make this measure retroactive to Jan. 1, 2017. These changes will not affect the assessment and awarding of existing hardship and risk allowances earned by Canadian Armed Forces personnel deployed abroad.

[caption id="attachment_16149" align="alignnone" width="450"] A preview of a 3D virtual reality program was unveiled during a Canada 150 celebration at St. Peter and Paul’s Anglican Parish May 5. Photo by Scott Johnson[/caption]Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~The authors of a 3D virtual reality program are working to transport viewers back in time to Esquimalt in the 19th Century.Local optometrist Victor Flett is part of a community group developing a three dimensional snapshot of what Esquimalt’s Songhees Nation and Britain’s Royal Navy base looked like in the 1860s.A sneak peak of their project was offered to those attending the St. Peter and St. Paul’s Anglican Parish Canada 150 event on May 5. Strapping on a pair of Google Cardboard viewing glasses, people could see what both the church and some of the structures in Dockyard looked like during that period.Flett says the project is an excellent method to document and celebrate the shared histories of both First Nations people and Esquimalt’s military community.“The histories of both these communities are permanently connected in an amazing way, from the first contact and the establishment of the Royal Navy base and colonization, through the Esquimalt Village and Fort Victoria, which led to the Confederation of Canada 150 years ago.”Technical assistance is being provided by The Fireflight Group, a consulting organization for indigenous and local communities, and Gord Holden, Director of the Immersive Technology Department at the Kelowna-based Heritage Christian Online School.Holden and Flett began work on the software in December 2016. In the past, Holden has developed graphic software to show students famous historical sites such as Rome’s Coliseum and Egypt’s pyramids using Active Worlds Software.He says this latest project is a change for him as an educator because First Nations students will become a crucial part of the project, helping them to write their...

[caption id="attachment_16146" align="alignnone" width="450"] Photo by A/SLt Robyn Hawco, HMCS Ottawa[/caption]A/SLt Robyn Hawco, HMCS Ottawa ~The officers and crew onboard HMCS Ottawa kept the stationary bike wheels spinning for a full 12 hours May 20 during their shadow Navy Bike Ride.This is the inaugural year for the Navy Bike Ride and the officers and crew didn’t want to miss out, even though the ship is currently deployed on Poseidon Cutlass 17.With a total of 90 participants, Ottawa kept going all day, despite the heat and the humidity. From 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. riders cycled on stationary bikes in the flight hangar for 30 minute blocks at a time – with up to four riders participating at a time.Some riders chose to do multiple blocks throughout the day, scheduling their rides around watch times and operational requirements. Participants were encouraged by shipmates and there was a steady stream of spectators throughout the day.Chief Petty Officer Second Class Kevin Jones, Logistics Chief, spent time on and off the bike – encouraging riders and keeping spirits high. Chief Jones believes that engaging and participating in ship-wide activities at sea is a driving force for a ship’s morale.“The Navy Bike Ride was a great way to promote fitness, raise funds for those who are less fortunate and to get that valuable face time with as many other sailors as possible. Fun activities and events at sea bring a ship’s company together and ensures that morale can thrive,” he says.The Navy Bike Ride was an opportunity to raise funds for the ship’s official charity, the Perley Rideau Veterans Health Centre located in Ottawa’s namesake city. Money was raised by assigning drills, either sprints or hill climbs, to the Command Team, Heads of Department and Chief Heads of Department. Drills could be assigned for a...

[caption id="attachment_16143" align="alignnone" width="450"] Simon Fraser University NATO Field School students are welcomed on board HMCS Brandon.[/caption]Will Chaster, MARPAC PA ~Students from Simon Fraser University (SFU) got an inside look at one of the largest Canadian Forces Bases in Canada with an aim to better understand the military’s role in NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization).Thirty-one students, all part of the university’s NATO Field School, toured CFB Esquimalt and HMCS Brandon May 16.The NATO Field School introduces students to Canada’s role within NATO and the Canadian Armed Force’s responsibilities, both domestically and internationally.After a walking tour of dockyard, the group headed to the Wardroom for a special briefing on Operation Reassurance and the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) efforts to support NATO activities. The presentation was given by Lieutenant-Commander James Brun and Chief Petty Officer First Class Michel Vincelette.Last year the base sent three military members to the university for their Global Model NATO Summit, and then hosted a group of 70 international students on a tour of the base.“This was an amazing opportunity for students to get real exposure to the navy and understand the vital functions they perform,” said Jazlyn Melnychuk, Student Leader of the SFU NATO Field School and Vice President and Founder of the SFU Model NATO Club.Students also visited 19 Wing Comox and CAF training facilities in Chilliwack before departing to Europe to visit NATO Headquarters in Brussels, the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe in Mons, and the NATO Defense College in Rome.

Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~The Military Family Resource Centre (MFRC) is making baby boxes available to new and expecting military parents, free-of-charge, beginning May 29.Designed for infants under the age of six months, the baby boxes contain a custom-made mattress that can be used with the box as a bassinet, a onesie, diapers, wipes, nursing pads, baby lotion, plus an assortment of discount coupons.“This latest program we are offering is another great way the MFRC is connecting and supporting military families with new children,” said Scott Branch, MFRC Children’s Service Coordinator. “The boxes are essentially a starter kit for new parents.”MFRC staff have also added reading materials on breastfeeding, raising a military child, and information on family care support programs available in the community.The baby boxes are inspired by an initiative that began over 75 years ago by the government of Finland and their efforts to address alarming infant mortality rates. The self-contained boxes distributed to mothers served as a care package and also as a bassinet, and in the end helped greatly contribute to a downward trend in the infant mortality rate.The boxes meet Health Canada Standards and are manufactured by the Baby Box Co. They normally retail for approximately $150. Branch said there are currently 60 baby boxes in stock and the company will supply more as needed.To obtain a baby box, military families must first register for the program through a link on the MFRC website at www.esquimaltmfrc.com/welcoming-baby-box/. It is recommended that families pick up their box in advance of their due date or in the first three months after the birth of the child.

SLt Sully Heraud, HMCS Ottawa ~Two months into Poseidon Cutlass 17, Her Majesty's Canadian Ships Winnipeg and Ottawa left Port Klang, Malaysia, to go their separate ways.Winnipeg sailed west for India, while Ottawa went south towards international waters for a multinational exercise led by the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSS) in celebration of their service’s 50th anniversary.As the sun began to rise, Ottawa, accompanied by French Marine Nationale ship Prairial, met eight more warships from Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Philippines and the United States of America. This made for an impressive sight as the Canadian frigate joined one of the area’s largest naval gatherings in recent years.The 6th Western Pacific Naval Symposium Multilateral Sea Exercise (WSMX) was a multi-ship, multi-nation exercise led by the Formidable-class Singapore ship RSS Stalwart.The ships were divided into two groups, with Ottawa commanding South Korean, Filipino, French and American ships. The second group was commanded by RSS Stalwart.Lt(N) Ryan Stanley, weapons officer, was pleased to see how Ottawa’s participation fulfilled Poseidon Cutlass' main objectives.“This exercise was an outstanding opportunity for HMCS Ottawa to act as Surface Action Group (SAG) Commander for a multinational exercise, thereby increasing the Royal Canadian Navy’s reputation for professionalism on the international stage, as well as displaying Canada’s engagement in the Indo-Asia-Pacific Region,” he said.The main focus of the exercise was communication and procedural interoperability between countries that speak different languages and rarely operate together. Serials included manoeuvres, screen exercises, flag hoisting competitions, flashing light competitions, and other activities designed to promote cooperation at sea over the two day program, culminating in a large group photo with ships in close formation.Leading Seaman Madeline Kuiper, naval communicator, tells of the difficulties of coordinating with so many different navies at one time.“Establishing communications with another nation is a different challenge every time, let...