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Archana Cini Lookout Newspaper Service deep beneath the waves is anything but quiet. To Chief Petty Officer Second Class (CPO2) Patricia Inglis, supporting emergency responses; maintaining morale in a confined environment; serving as a communication hub; upholding discipline; participating in briefings; and managing administrative tasks are just some of what keeps a submarine deployment fast paced. CPO2 Inglis is currently posted to HMCS Windsor as the Canadian Submarine Force’s (CSF) first female coxswain. The coxswain is especially vital on submarines where communication with the outside world fades underwater, space grows tight, and tensions run high. Though her appointment as the first female coxswain of a submarine carries historical significance, CPO2 Inglis remains focused on the responsibilities of her job. “I am incredibly proud to be the first woman to hold this position within the Canadian submarine community, and I sincerely hope to honour the legacy,” she said. “But importantly, I hope this reinforces that leadership within the CSF is about real competence, and the ability to connect with crew regardless of background.” To CPO2 Inglis, milestones like this also encourage long-term growth by demonstrating how diverse perspectives and approaches enhance team effectiveness. When it comes to the life of a submariner, what surprises people the most is lack of internet access beneath the surface. “While those serving on ships typically have access to both internal networks and the internet, the experience on a submarine is very different,” said CPO2 Inglis. “We have no access until we return to port, making even checking in with loved ones or reading the news impossible.” Raised in Nova Scotia, CPO2 Inglis didn’t always envision herself in a naval uniform. She first explored a career in tourism and hospitality; however, the sea called. After deploying aboard HMCS Winnipeg for anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of...

Archana Cini Lookout Newspaper When fantasy meets the Fleet, the unforgettable happens. On Apr. 4, the Farquhar Auditorium at the University of Victoria (UVic) swelled with music during the much-anticipated Fantasy, Myths, & Legends concert – a professional collaboration between the Naden Band of the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) and the UVic Wind Symphony. An engaging program featuring music from Moby Dick and Mordor to works inspired by Peter Pan and Firebird, locals agreed on the significance of experiencing military and student musicians performing side-by-side with camaraderie. To many, the evening was a moment of music, connection and mentorship – a testament to the powerful role our military musicians play in shaping future professionals. “The joint concert between the Naden Band and UVic’s Wind Symphony has long been a way to perform outstanding repertoire, provide guidance and mentorship to university students, and showcase a side of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) that isn’t often seen,” said Lieutenant (Navy) (Lt(N)) Benjamin Van Slyke, Naden Band’s Commanding Officer and one of the night’s conductors. When asked what it meant to play with talented university-level musicians, Lt(N) Van Slyke shared, “students get a chance to ‘level up’ their playing. They’re already at the university level and developing into wonderful players, but there’s nothing like the adrenaline surge of playing next to working professionals at the highest level.” The Naden Band performs across Canada and internationally in support of military and community events and has developed a strong reputation for collaborative outreach over the years. When it comes to supporting young musicians, the band prefers to tap into the power of shared performance and scholarships. In this case, proceeds from the evening funded the official Naden Band of Maritime Forces Pacific Scholarship in Music Performance, awarded annually to UVic music students demonstrating excellence in...

Canadian and Latvian Divers Jump From CH-148 Cyclone in High-Stakes Helocasting Jazmin Holdway with contributions by Andrea Modesto Lookout Newspaper Canadian combat engineer diving specialists (combat divers) from Gagetown, Valcartier, Petawawa, and Edmonton joined forces with port inspection divers from three Naval Reserve divisions and Latvian divers to train in this year’s iteration of Exercise Roguish Buoy, the Canadian Army’s only collective dive exercise held this year between Jan. 20 and Feb. 15 at CFB Albert Head in Metchosin, B.C. Helocasting is an insertion technique used when land access is not readily available and involves dispatching divers from a helicopter into the water to conduct operations such as area search and obstacle clearance, according to Master Corporal (MCpl) Mark Suffoletta, a member from 2 Combat Engineer Regiment based in Petawawa, Ont. who was involved in the exercise. He explained how crucial this training opportunity is for combat divers, preparing them for real-world scenarios in which the mobility of friendly forces is at stake. “What I like to say is we’re combat engineers underwater, so we do all the capabilities that combat engineers do, but below the surface,” he said. “When we say obstacle clearance, that’s clearing debris and anything that may impede our forces from coming in.” Captain (Capt) Willis Ripley, exercise director for Roguish Buoy 2025, highlighted the value of training in such dynamic environments. “Helocasting is just one tool in our toolbox,” he said. “It allows us to get members into the water in austere situations where traditional transport isn’t an option. This skillset could be used in scenarios like mine-clearing operations, obstacle removal, or responding to a crash in a remote area.” The exercise tested critical combat engineering capabilities by placing dive teams in a multitude of scenarios including search and recovery of sunken equipment, clearing shorelines from...

Matt Carlson, Projects Officer at CFB Esquimalt, and Dan Bodden, co-founder of the WWRBC, celebrate as the Wounded Warrior Run BC 2025 concludes at Market Square on Mar. 2. Photo: Archana Cini Archana Cini, Lookout Newspaper  —  The 2025 Wounded Warriors B.C. Run Concludes There is no better fuel than purpose when running 800 kilometres in just 8 days. An unforgettable adventure across Vancouver Island, the Wounded Warrior Run BC 2025 brought together a team of 18 Canadians (eight runners and ten support staff) to raise funds for trauma-exposed professionals in the community. The team’s efforts began in Port Hardy on Feb. 23 and culminated in a spectacular finish in Victoria’s Market Square on Mar. 2. More than $235,313 was raised for Wounded Warriors Canada, funds that will stay local to the island and support recovery, counselling, training, and education efforts for trauma exposed professionals, including Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members, veterans, first responders, and their families. Among this year’s runners was Kevin Whiteside. Many would know him as Captain(N) Kevin Whiteside, Base Commander of CFB Esquimalt, but he chose to run as himself, of his own volition, because he believed in supporting Wounded Warriors Canada and the programs they and other such organizations offer to trauma exposed professionals.  Surrounded by the community, his daughters, and a D.I.Y. Go Dad! poster after the journey, Kevin stressed that it was ultimately family that fuelled him through the eight strenuous days of running. “The toughest moment of the past week was leaving my family on Saturday, and the best moment was getting to see them again now, along with the incredible support from our community” he said. “It’s beyond special to support Wounded Warriors Canada – an organization that doesn’t just help trauma-affected individuals, but also their families and their communities. As a...

Archana Cini, Lookout Newspaper  —  The Naden Athletic Centre came alive on Mar. 6 as the annual MARPAC Health & Wellness Expo returned to CFB Esquimalt. With a lively crowd, engaging demonstrations, and a BBQ lunch fueling the fun, the event brought the Defence community and vendors together to celebrate the power of well-being. Visitors walked away with an array of prizes, valuable products, and meaningful insights to enhance their holistic health. Among the businesses in attendance was Saje Natural Wellness who displayed immersive healing and self-care products. “Ultimately, we’re here to spread well-being to a community that deserves to be healthy and happy,” said Kristina Thiele, Victoria store manager. “It’s rewarding to connect with people who are as excited about wellness as we are.” Throughout the event, Saje fostered conversations around self-care, encouraging military members and civilian employees to unapologetically prioritize themselves and their healing. MĀ Wellness & Yoga also inspired attendees with their mind-body approach to health. Captivating attendees with a soothing booth design, the local holistic wellness studio highlighted the value of preventative measures to the community. Stacy Picard, manager, shared how the MARPAC Expo provided the studio with an opportunity to show up for “those around us.” “People have the power to look after themselves, and we’re here to help them unlock that,” she said. The studio not only engaged visitors in conversations about movement and mindfulness, but also offered acupuncture demonstrations. Wellness vendors extended to include financial services with the attendance of BMO and SISIP, base clubs encouraging new registrations with CFB Esquimalt’s Garden Club, Golf Association, and Model Railroad Club, and base resources including Base Fire Prevention, the Dental Unit, Formation Safety and Environment, Complaint and Conflict Management Services, Defence Advisory Groups, and the Employee Assistance Program. Other notable attractions included an exciting technical shirt...

Kelley Stark Communications Officer, MARPAC — The Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) is enhancing its capabilities through the newly established Advanced Naval Capabilities Unit (ANCU), which aims to address emerging maritime threats and push the boundaries of naval technology and tactics. This innovative unit focuses on Maritime Interdiction Operations (MIO), [...]

[caption id="attachment_36941" align="aligncenter" width="597"] Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee welcomes guests to the B-Jetty Opening Ceremony on Feb. 5.[/caption] Jazmin Holdway with contributions by Leah Pokocky and S1 Robin Kruger Lookout Newspaper  —  In a significant moment for Canada’s Pacific Naval Fleet, the new B-Jetty at HMC Dockyard at CFB Esquimalt was officially opened on Feb. 5, ushering in a new era of capability for the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN). The ribbon-cutting ceremony was attended by dignitaries including the Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, MP, President of the King’s Privy Council for Canada, Minister of Emergency Preparedness, and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada, as well as Vice-Admiral (VAdm) Angus Topshee, Commander of the RCN. The opening ceremony featured a ceremonial welcome with the National Anthem performed by the Naden Band. Mr. Paul Schauerte, Acting Director General of Infrastructure and Environment, and VAdm Topshee both delivered addresses acknowledging the immense scale of the project and its positive impact on the Navy’s operations and environmental sustainability. Remarks were kept short in consideration for the freezing temperatures of the morning. [caption id="attachment_36943" align="aligncenter" width="400"] The Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, MP, addresses the gathering.[/caption] “You don’t just see a ship, you see a massive capability,” said Minister Sajjan while pointing to HMCS Max Bernays, docked alongside the opening ceremony. He discussed the work being done at Maritime Forces Pacific (MARPAC) and the overall capabilities of the RCN, its personnel and supporting infrastructure. The B-Jetty, which replaces the original A- and B-Jetties built during the Second World War, was designed to withstand the challenges posed by climate change and natural disasters, such as tsunamis. Construction on the project began in December 2019, with the achieved initial operational capability date set for November 2024. The 270-meter long and 26-meter-wide marine structure is built on pipe...

Lt(N) R. Davies, Uncrewed System Officer, ANCU  —  From October to November 2024, Advanced Naval Capabilities Unit (ANCU) took part in Bold Quest 24, a significant multinational event hosted by the United States Joint Staff in Jacksonville, North Carolina. This prestigious event brought together approximately 2,000 personnel from 17 different nations, fostering collaboration and enhancing capabilities among allied forces. The ANCU team had three primary missions during the exercise: to integrate into the intelligence cycle of the exercise, participate in a medical demonstration and practical field test of modern medical networking technologies, and support Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance operations. To achieve these goals, ANCU deployed a team comprised of an Intelligence officer, a medic and Uncrewed Systems operators flying the CU-175 Puma – a miniature fixed wing Uncrewed Aircraft system used both on land and at sea. One of the standout achievements of the ANCU team during Bold Quest 24 was their support for the first successful execution of the Intelligence Requirement Management and Collection Management (IRM&CM) process using solely Canadian assets through Federated Mission Network (FMN). ANCU sailors played a critical role in providing Full Motion Video (FMV) to the FMN and the Mission Partner Environment. This FMV was subsequently transmitted to the Canadian Forces Maritime Warfare Centre and Trinity in Halifax, marking a significant advancement in the speed and efficiency of intelligence collection and processing. Leading the intelligence efforts, Lieutenant(N) Jeong served as the Naval Intelligence lead for Bold Quest 24, heading a team focused on the practical use of Common Intelligence Picture tools and implementing the IRM&CM cycle. Meanwhile, ANCU’s medic, Master Corporal (MCpl) Patterson, integrated with the Royal Navy and the United States Marine Corps to evaluate the United States Air Force Research Laboratories Battlefield Digital Data Collection Kit (BATDOK), to address medical needs and gather vital...

His Majesty Canadian Ship (HMCS) Protecteur during its Naming Ceremony at Seaspan Shipyards, Vancouver on Dec. 13. Photos: Sailor 3rd Class Jordan Schilstra, MARPAC Imaging Services   Teri McKinnon, HMCS Protecteur’s Sponsor, speaks during Naming Ceremony at Seaspan Shipyards.   The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada.   Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee, Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy.