Atlantic Fleet Divers Aid In Avro Arrow hunt

A team of divers from Fleet Diving Unit (Atlantic) assist OEX Recovery Group on its Raise the Arrow project.

By Ryan Melanson

Members of Fleet Diving Unit (Atlantic) (FDU(A)) recently lent their support to help recover a piece of Canadian military and aviation history.

A team of eight divers from FDU(A) drove to Lake Ontario to join OEX Recovery Group on its Raise the Arrow project from August 8 to 10, 2018. Now in the second year of the project, OEX's goal is to recover the final 1/8 scale pre-flight test models of the Avro CF-105 Arrow, which are the only known artifacts from the test model program remaining to be found.

The Avro Arrow was a supersonic fighter being developed for the Royal Canadian Air Force with cutting-edge technology at the time, but the program was cancelled by the government of the day in 1959, shortly after the rollout of the first Mark 1 aircraft for test flights.

“These models were launched back in the 1950s, and they’re still sitting out there on the lake bed today,” said Lieutenant (Navy) Zach Johnson, FDU(A) Operations Officer and the lead for the navy dive team on site.

On the civilian side, OEX is led by Osisko Mining CEO John Burzynski, along with several financial partners, as well as the involvement of the Canadian Conservation Institute and the National Air Force Museum of Canada.

The FDU(A) role involved diving to inspect pieces of debris identified as possibly being related to the project after initial surveying with a remotely operated vehicle.

“They had a number of probable targets, and sonar pictures aren’t always perfect, so we went down with lightweight surface supply diving equipment to take a look,” Lt(N) Johnson said.

The lightweight equipment allows for unlimited air, along with two-way communication and live video stream to the surface as the divers cleared debris of sea growth and mussels for a better look.

“We had the archeologist telling us exactly what she wanted us to do while we were down there,” he added.

Unfortunately for the divers who were excited to get a look at a piece of Canadian history, the dives by FDU(A) this year didn’t lead to the discovery of any new models. They did, however, identify other related pieces of debris from the Arrow design tests.

Mr. Burzynski, who was on site for the dives, said the Royal Canadian Navy support was extremely helpful in moving the search along. “They were great help, and our people were all really blown away watching them operate with the efficiency that they do. Having now done two years of work and gathered a lot of information, we’re getting fairly certain as to where the final five models are likely located.”

While no new major discoveries were made during this year’s dives, OEX did find success in raising a previously discovered test model from the water on August 12. Believed to be one of three models built for initial tests on the Arrow’s delta wing design, the model was discovered in August 2017 and has been dubbed the “Grandfather” of the Avro Arrow program by the OEX team.

“Historically, it’s very significant,” Mr. Burzynski said, adding that because of the progressive nature of the testing, these earlier models are crude versions of the Arrow design, built for initial tests of the wing form at supersonic speeds. “Obviously the goal of our search is still to find one of the final five models because they were the exact replicas of the flying jet and the last design testing they did before they went to the production line to start building the planes.”

The recovered model was delivered to 8 Wing Trenton, Ont., and the National Air Force Museum of Canada on August 13. The OEX team completed their work in Lake Ontario for the year soon afterward. Smaller discoveries, like a potential fuselage from a final model, and pieces of the model booster rockets, offer clues for continuing the search in 2019, and the group is confident they’re getting closer to their goal. OEX has about 40 square kilometres left to survey of the 100 square-kilometre area they originally identified.

It’s also expected that the Canadian Armed Forces and FDU(A) will continue supporting the project into next year, and Mr. Burzynski added he would be thrilled to recover a piece of history and put it back into the hands of the military.

“This was intended to be for the air force and for the Canadian Armed Forces in general, so we were strongly hoping when we started this recovery program that the Forces would get involved. It’s been a pleasure to work with everybody and I hope it continues,” he said.

Gagetown To Host 2018 Canadian International Sniper Concentration

Snipers from the Canadian Armed Forces, international militaries and civilian law enforcement agencies participate in the September 2017 Canadian International Sniper Concentration at 5th Canadian Division Support Base Gagetown. Photo: Corporal Geneviève Lapointe, Tactics School, Combat Training Centre, 5th Canadian Division Support Base Gagetown. ©2018 DND/MDN Canada.

By Steven Fouchard, Army Public Affairs

Oromocto, New Brunswick — Staff at the Canadian Army (CA)’s Combat Training Centre (CTC) are preparing to host an upcoming sniper competition, and one organizer says the event is always a great learning opportunity.

“Even now I learn stuff from the new snipers on the ground,” said Warrant Officer Morgan Warren, part of the sniper training team at the CTC’s Infantry School. “We’re not just learning from the top down, but from bottom up as well.”

The 2018 Canadian International Sniper Concentration will take place from September 21 to 28 at 5th Canadian Division Support Base (5 CDSB) Gagetown in Oromocto, New Brunswick. 5 CDSB has hosted the event each year since 1997.

“The competition consists of everything and anything that a sniper will need to do: shooting, observation, determining target distance, and stalking – a lot of shooting events by day and by night,” WO Warren explained. “Essentially we’re trying to test all the skills that a sniper would use.”

Competitors from the United States, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Poland, France and The Netherlands are also expected, along with seven law enforcement agencies from across Canada.

WO Warren said the CA is generally represented by about a dozen teams.

Competing shooters will test their skills with weapons from the very long-range variety (.50 calibre rifles will be used to engage targets at distances of a mile or more) to pistols.

“We’ll also do unknown distance shoots,” WO Warren said. “The competitors will have to determine distance to targets without a laser range finder and try to effectively engage them. And you’re always on the clock and everything is scored.”

“We’ll do the same type of events at night,” he added. “And obviously when it gets dark out, things become more difficult.”

The final event will be a day-long test of the competitors’ stalking skills. With the additional pressure of a time limit, they will have to find their way to a target site and engage while remaining undetected.

“If you get inside of the stalk area undetected, you get so many points. If you get a first round hit, you get so many points. If you get a second round hit you get so many points, and so on,” WO Warren explained.

WO Warren said training snipers exposes him to some of the CA’s very best.

“It’s just a great organization to be a part of. We have a high transfer rate with snipers – we lose a lot of guys to the Special Forces. I’m dealing with very professional people. And the commanders know they can just task these guys and they know they’re going to perform.”

From Africa to the Arctic: Tunisian naval officer sails with the RCN on Op NANOOK

Sub-Lieutenants Ala Majdoub, left, and Hugo Brisson on the bridge of HMCS Charlottetown during Op NANOOK 2018.

By Lieutenant (Navy) Linda Coleman

Sub-Lieutenant Ala Majdoub, a naval officer from the Tunisian Navy, landed at the Halifax airport on August 5, 2018 to begin the adventure of a lifetime.

He was about to spend five weeks sailing in Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Charlottetown on Operation NANOOK, Canada’s largest military operation in the North. He’s also the first member of his navy to sail with the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) and to cross the Arctic Circle.

SLt Majdoub is part of Operation REGULUS, a program that facilitates exchanges between the RCN and partner navies from around the world with the goal of providing at-sea experience, unique training opportunities, and relationship building. Since its inception in 2010, Canada has engaged with over 10 countries through this program, including Australia, Chile, France, Ireland, New Zealand, Peru, Portugal, the United Kingdom, and the United States. It’s now been extended to Tunisia, and SLt Majdoub is the first member of his navy to partake.

A deck and naval system engineering officer back in Tunisia, SLt Majdoub is working as a bridge watch keeper in HMCS Charlottetown and learning the evolutions that take place on the bridge of a Halifax-class frigate.

“It’s been fantastic having SLt Majdoub with us in HMCS Charlottetown,” said Commander Nathan Decicco, Commanding Officer of Charlottetown. “His professionalism and eagerness to learn is evident, and we were equally interested in learning from him. He integrated seamlessly with our officers and sailors, and it’s been a pleasure having him on board. We hope to work with him again one day.”

During Operation NANOOK, SLt Majdoub took the time to tell us more about himself and his experience with the RCN, and here is what he had to share:

Q. Why did you join the Tunisian Navy?

A. Because of the culture in Tunisia, there is a high prestige and importance about serving your country, particularly in the navy. The level of education for engineering in the Naval Military College has a high reputation. The navy also provides an opportunity to work and travel around the world. I am from a coastal city and that’s where my passion for any naval topic comes from.

Q. How was your experience with the RCN?

A. The experience was excellent because this was my first time sailing outside of Mediterranean waters and up north to the Arctic. I also enjoyed being on a warship as developed as HMCS Charlottetown, and part of a big fleet. This exchange gave me the chance to explore new techniques for navigation and bridge watch keeping. I practised my English and my maritime communication, which is very important for my career. I also got the opportunity to see new places, including St. John’s, Nuuk, Greenland, and Iqaluit, Nunavut.

Q. What was the best part of your experience?

A. The ambiance of the ship and the relationship between the crew and the officers. I also enjoyed meeting and working with new naval officers. Adapting to this new environment has been really amazing and easy for me. The professionalism of the crew and bridge watch keeping during this deployment provided an ideal environment to develop my skills as a sailor. The ship’s program was full of diverse activities to make this exchange captivating. It was also my first time seeing icebergs and whales.

Q. What were some of the challenges?

A. I am still learning communications as a professional mariner in order to be efficient on the bridge in English.

Q. What have you learned through this experience?

A. From everyday sailing to conducting a shoot with the Hammerhead unmanned remote control gunnery target with other warships, every day there is a lot to learn onboard HMCS Charlottetown. The organization and planning needed to make any event possible often rely on the bridge team; therefore, I am learning to help organize those events. Just learning the new electronic navigation system is amazing.

SLt Majdoub heads back to Tunisia upon completion of Operation NANOOK, with memories that will last a lifetime. What’s next for him? He heads back to Bizerte to complete his training at the Naval Academy, and then back to sailing with the Tunisian Navy.

Op NANOOK is held annually and builds on the Canadian Armed Forces’ ability to operate in austere and challenging environments and to provide a rapid response to national safety and security issues. For this iteration of Operation NANOOK, the RCN worked with the Canadian Army, the Royal Canadian Air Force, other Government of Canada agencies, northern community leadership, and allies, including Denmark and the United States. This year’s exercise took place from August 9-29 in the vicinity of the Labrador and Eastern Arctic Seas.

Joined at 40, Corporal Scott Sargent proves his mettle to younger generation

Corporal Scott Sargent (far left) training with fellow members of the Calgary Highlanders. Cpl Sargent joined the Canadian Army Reserve at age 40 in 2015, inspired in part by his grandfather’s service in the Second World War. Photo: Provided by Corporal Scott Sargent.

By Steven Fouchard, Army Public Affairs

Calgary, Alberta — Military service is something many of us would put near the top of any list of things best-suited to the young, but one Canadian Army Reservist shows that age is less relevant than ability.

Corporal Scott Sargent joined the Calgary Highlanders, a Canadian Army Reserve infantry unit in 2015 at the age of 40.

“I’d always had Infantry at the top of my mind,” he recalled. “I knew about the Calgary Highlanders, and a little about the physical challenges. It seemed like the right fit given that I was always very physically active. And I’ve got a bit of Scottish background as well so everything kind of fell into place for me.”

Cpl Sargent completed his Basic Military Qualification (BMQ) in his first year as a Highlander.

“You’re never really sure what to expect going in,” he said. “I knew I had to be ready physically so I guess that wasn’t too much of a challenge. I would try to be up front when it came to the runs. I’m a bit competitive – I wouldn’t ever want to be behind. I like to show the younger generation that I can give my best and still perform.”

Being a somewhat older new recruit was an asset in overcoming the equally tough mental challenges, Cpl Sargent added.

“My BMQ was during weekends, so we had to absorb a lot of information. They’re purposely putting you in stressful situations to see how you react, and I think I was able to handle that a little better initially having a little more life experience.”

During another phase of his training in the summer of 2017, Cpl Sargent said he was pushed to the edge but succeeded thanks in part to camaraderie as well as his own abilities.

“We earned each other’s trust over the summer. There was a bit of a low point: It had been about 36 hours, I’d say, since we’d slept. We were in a trench at about 3 a.m. when it started to rain. That was definitely challenging because you don’t have a lot left in the tank at that point. But those kinds of experiences brought us closer together.”

That phase took Cpl Sargent away from both family and work for two months and he is grateful to his wife, eight-year old son, and employer – Full Blast Creative, a Calgary-based marketing agency – for their support and understanding.

“I feel very fortunate that my employers have embraced it and they understand it’s a part of my life right now. And my family, of course, is very supportive. I certainly lead a very busy life. I have a young family and trying to find that balance is always a challenge for sure.”

Family played a significant part in attracting Cpl Sargent to the Army Reserve in the first place.

“My grandfather was an officer in the Navy in the Second World War. He was certainly an influence on me. He never talked about his experiences in the war until one day, while I was still in university, he described an engagement with the Germans – that was quite an eye-opener.”

And, though it took place nearly a decade before Cpl Sargent joined, a fateful encounter with another, younger soldier provided further inspiration.

“I was on a plane back home to Thunder Bay, Ontario one summer – I would’ve been in my early 30s – and I sat beside a soldier,” he said. “He’d just finished his second tour in Afghanistan and I couldn’t believe it because he couldn’t have been more than 25 years old. And the stuff he was telling me was unbelievable – some of the close calls he’d had. I was very impressed by his demeanor and overall maturity. Eventually, the timing was right and I decided to join.”

When asked if he has any particular ambitions for himself as a Reservist, Cpl Sargent said there are simply too many enticing options available – the range of Reserve mission tasks was expanded recently with the introduction of the Strengthening the Army Reserve (StAR) initiative – to say.

“There’s lots of opportunities that come up – whether deployment or even ceremonial opportunities in Ottawa during the summer,” Cpl Sargent said. “Right now, I’m just enjoying the experience.”

Interested in joining the Canadian Army Reserve? The Reserve accepts recruits from age 16 (with parental consent) to age 56. Reservists serve one night a week and one weekend a month. To join, start by dropping by the local armoury in your community or region.

Note that other new mission tasks available to Reservists include Long-Haul Trucking, Light Urban Search and Rescue and Light Engineer Bridging, among others.

Warships depart for Op NANOOK

HMCS Charlottetown is participating in Operation NANOOK 2018.

Her Majesty’s Canadian Ships Charlottetown and Kingston departed from their home port of Halifax on August 8, 2018 to participate in this year’s Operation NANOOK, Canada’s premier annual northern sovereignty operation.

During Op NANOOK 2018, Charlottetown and Kingston will work with the Canadian Army, the Royal Canadian Air Force, other Government of Canada agencies, northern community leadership, and allies, including Denmark and the United States, in joint maritime defence and security scenarios. These joint engagements are designed to foster greater interoperability amongst partners, and ensure the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) have the ability to effectively respond in the North when called upon by the Government of Canada.

“Our annual contribution to Op NANOOK demonstrates the Royal Canadian Navy’s commitment to the Arctic region,” said RAdm Craig Baines, Commander Maritime Forces Atlantic and Joint Task Force Atlantic. “Operation NANOOK 2018 will provide a unique opportunity for multiple agencies and allies to work together and strengthen our security capabilities in the North. This deployment will also test the ability of the Royal Canadian Navy, Canadian Army and Royal Canadian Air Force to work successfully in a joint environment.”

Op NANOOK is Canada’s largest and best known annual operation in the North and builds on the CAF ability to operate in the challenging Arctic environment to provide a rapid response to issues of public safety and security. Op NANOOK has taken place each year since 2007 and consists of one or two major activities during August and September.

This year, the CAF have amalgamated some northern operations that will now form separate deployments throughout the year, allowing the CAF to work more effectively with other government departments and partner agencies. A more persistent presence in the North through Op NANOOK will enhance the mobility, reach and footprint of the CAF in Canada’s North to support operations, exercises, and the CAF’s ability to project force into the region.

Charlottetown and Kingston will visit various communities in the Arctic, including Iqaluit, Nunavut, and Nuuk, Greenland.

The maritime component of Op NANOOK 2018 will be conducted in the vicinity of the Labrador and Eastern Arctic Seas from August 8 to September 4.

Explore careers on September 29, 2018 at Canada-wide Army Reserve Open House and Job Fair

A Canadian Army Reserve soldier from 36 Canadian Brigade Group participates in Exercise STRIDENT TRACER at the 5th Canadian Division Support Base Gagetown training area in New Brunswick on August 22, 2017. Photo: Corporal Peter Ford, Tactics School, Combat Training Centre Gagetown. ©2017 DND/MDN Canada.

By Steven Fouchard, Army Public Affairs

Ottawa, Ontario — Have you ever considered challenging yourself and becoming an integral part of the Army’s mission by serving part-time as a Reservist? Saturday, September 29, 2018 is a perfect time to learn more: most Army Reserve units, sub-units and detachments across Canada will be opening their doors to the public.

This the second nation-wide Army Reserve Open House and Job Fair, following a successful inaugural event in 2017.

The 2018 edition will once again be very much in keeping with the Army Reserve’s role in engaging Canadians on the local level – it is comprised of 123 units located in 117 communities. More than 90 per cent of Canadians live no more than a 45-minute drive from an armoury.

Interactive displays and activities will give visitors an idea of the full range of career and learning opportunities available in the Army Reserve and serving Reservists will be on hand to share their knowledge and experience.

While Infantry or Armour may be among the first things to come to mind when most people think of military service, visitors to the open armoury events will be surprised by the sheer variety of opportunities available: communications, logistics, engineering, military policing, and medical roles are just some of the trades making up the Army Reserve mosaic.

Canadians living in remote or coastal communities may want to consider joining the Canadian Rangers, a sub-component of the Army Reserve. Rangers provide a military presence in remote and northern areas of the country by conducting patrols and assisting in search and rescue operations, among many other tasks.

The Canadian Army is meanwhile continuing to implement Strengthening the Army Reserve (StAR). It is an ongoing campaign to continue to build a stronger Army Reserve through a more efficient recruiting process, the assignment of more mission tasks to Reservists, improved training, and better access to equipment – all designed to facilitate growth and integrate the Army Reserve more closely with the Regular Force.

Looking to further your education? Through StAR, the Army Reserve is expanding its Civil-Military Leadership Pilot Initiative (CMLPI). A partnership between the Canadian Army and universities, CMLPI provides opportunities for Reservists to gain credit for their military training with civilian universities.

The StAR initiative is also improving Army Reserve recruitment overall: an expedited process allows individuals to join much more quickly. In many cases, they will be enrolled after a few visits to their local unit, as opposed to taking up to a year as had been the case previously.

Recruits are still required to meet the CA’s stringent standards but the steps are now better synchronized to speed up the process.

“As always, the contributions of our citizen soldiers are vital to operations, whether abroad or at home, as we are seeing now with the wildfires in British Columbia,” said Brigadier-General Rob Roy MacKenzie, the CA’s Director General Reserve. “The Army Reserve working side-by-side with the Regular Force creates cohesion that is vital to operations at home and abroad. Serving Canada in the Reserves is a great way to learn new skills that you can carry over to your daily life and your career or studies.”

See Related Links to find the Army Reserve unit nearest you.

Grad Parade Held For Air Reserve Basic Military Qualification Course

Staff and students take a break from field training for a group photo during the Royal Canadian Air Force Reserve Basic Military Qualification Course 0283, which was conducted at the 5th Canadian Division Training Centre Detachment Aldershot from May 31 to August 10, 2018. PHOTO: Corporal Crystal Roche, GD09-2018-0474-129

By Sara White

Colonel Mark Larsen, Director Air Reserve at Royal Canadian Air Force headquarters in Ottawa, congratulated and encouraged graduates from the RCAF Reserve Basic Military Qualification (BMQ) course during their final parade on August 10, 2018.

Twenty new Canadian Armed Forces members were part of BMQ Serial 0283, an RCAF Reserve-specific BMQ, which was offered for the first time at 5th Canadian Division Support Base Detachment Aldershot, near Kentville, Nova Scotia.

Every recruit who joined the program graduated at the end of the 10 weeks of training. Course candidates came from across Canada, ranging in age from 18 to 51. The top candidate was Aviator Matthew Jamieson, top shot was Aviator Angela Chenier and the peer award went to Aviator Kent Gilroy.

“This is a tremendous showing on the parade square,” Colonel Larsen told the graduates during the graduation parade.

“This has been a great experience: you have been the first solely RCAF course outside of the Canadian Armed Force recruit school in about 20 years, and that’s a significant event. You have done well, your staff have led and Camp Aldershot has hosted. We are expanding our direct intake of Reservists.”

The RCAF’s Regular Force and Reserve Force candidates traditionally take their BMQ at the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School in Saint-Jean, Quebec, which can train about 5,000 people a year. That’s not enough to meet current RCAF recruitment goals, however. Therefore, the RCAF tested running its own Reserve Force BMQ, with instructors coming from nearby 14 Wing Greenwood, Nova Scotia, and its lodger units.

Colonel Larsen welcomed the new graduates into the RCAF “family”.

“We have each other’s back. We are a busy family, engaged in operations at home with air sovereignty and NORAD, and many missions abroad. You will be trained, and called upon to do things in service to your country; you will be continue to be challenged in support of those operations.

“This marks the start of a great adventure.

“Instructors have pushed you to the limits – and past those limits; all with a focus on teamwork, on being a family, and integrating with the informal family that is the CAF.”

Colonel Larsen also congratulated the BMQ’s command team and instructors, and Camp Aldershot for hosting the BMQ.

Fire Team Partners Forever

Aviators Melanie Julien-Foster (left) and Shawna Kelly steal a moment to take a selfie on the 600-metre range at Camp Aldershot, Nova Scotia, during their RCAF Reserve Basic Military Qualification Course this summer. PHOTO: Submitted

By Lieutenant-Colonel Douglas Martin

The Royal Canadian Air Force welcomed 20 new Reserve Force non-commissioned members during a graduation ceremony from basic military training on August 10 at Camp Aldershot, near Kentville, Nova Scotia. Two of the 20 were Aviators Shawna Kelly and Melanie Julien-Foster. They were assigned as fire team partners (FTPs) at the beginning of the course.  

“Fire team partners are the first building blocks of a strong section and platoon,” says Lieutenant Jacob Turriff, course officer for the RCAF Reserve Basic Military Qualification (BMQ) course. “The concept of fire team allows individuals to rely on each other to accomplish tasks that they otherwise would be unable to accomplish on their own.”

Aviators Julien-Foster and Kelly quickly knew the value of having a trusted FTP.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better FTP,” said Aviator Kelly. “We knew each other's strengths and weaknesses and could anticipate when one was reaching their breaking point so that we could help each other to make sure we both made it out on top.”

Students are taught to work at everything with their FTP.  The more time they spend together the greater a bond they develop and the more effective they become as a team.

“One thing I’ve really enjoyed on this course is my friendship with my fire team partner,” said Aviator Julien-Foster. “We are inseparable and that bond has been a significant asset. Long after the course, I think we will remain fire team buddies—our bond will last.”

Throughout the course, when orders are given or tasks are assigned, they are not necessarily issued to a specific individual but rather to a fire team as they are expected to achieve the goal together. “Whether it is something as simple as cleaning their bed space, watching each other’s arcs of fire while one takes a sip of water, or firing while another takes cover—fire team partners do everything together,” said Lieutenant Turriff.

“I know we will be friends for a long time, or as long as she will put up with me,” quipped Aviator Kelly. “Living in the same area and working on the same base will make (our friendship) that much better.”

 The two aviators are assigned to 14 Wing, Greenwood, Nova Scotia. Aviator Julien-Foster will be trained as a supply technician while Aviator Kelly is slated to be trained as an aviation systems technician

Flying Up North

Captain Dmitrii Scurtu, from 436 Transport Squadron, pilots a CC-130J Hercules on a routine mission to Canadian Forces Station Alert, Nunavut, on July 24, 2018. PHOTO: Second Lieutenant Kathleen Soucy

By Second Lieutenant Kathleen Soucy

The challenges of operating an aircraft in the North are numerous.

“The first challenge is, without a doubt, weather,” says Captain Colin Wilkins, a CC-130J Hercules pilot with 436 Transport Squadron, during a planned flight to Canadian Forces Station (CFS) Alert. “Weather can be very unpredictable up North – and change rapidly.”

In order to mitigate risks associated with extreme weather conditions, the aircrew follows a “plan procedure for cold weather operations”, says Corporal Yassabi Siwakoti, an aviation technician. This even includes a special procedure to start and shut down the aircraft when it is extremely cold, involving the removal and storage of batteries inside the aircraft.

Located 1,834 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle, just 817 kilometres from the North Pole, Canadian Forces Station (CFS) Alert is the most northerly permanently inhabited location in the world. The main roles of the station are to maintain a geolocation capability to support search and rescue and other operations, and to provide support to Environment and Climate Change Canada and Arctic researchers. Alert also plays a key role in projecting Canadian sovereignty in the Arctic.

436 Squadron is a primary unit providing sustainment supplies to CFS Alert. The squadron is tasked with one flight every week to bring fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables to personnel stationed there, as well as two Operation Boxtop resupplies a year, during which they provide the station with fuel and dry goods.

While the Royal Canadian Air Force has been operating flights to Alert since the mid-1950s, new technology and more advanced aircraft have not removed all of the inherent challenges when flying in the cold.

Because of the unpredictability of the weather, rerouting to avoid it can be more frequent, which poses an additional challenge. “As you go up North of Iqaluit, the number of airports equipped to welcome a CC-130 Hercules get fewer and fewer and further away from each other,” Captain Wilkins says. As a result, the crew needs to take more fuel with them.

With eight trips to CFS Alert in his logbook, loadmaster Sergeant Patrick Johnson says that “operating in the North demands more preparation and monitoring.” As part of his tasks, he ensures the general security of the aircraft by closely monitoring the cargo compartment, the hydraulic levels, and the chaining of cargo. “The cold weather makes our job more arduous, as it generally takes longer not to only start, but also to load and unload the aircraft,” he says. “For this reason, preparation is key.” 

When operating in the North, the crew is conscious of the likelihood of being delayed. In addition to delays caused by the additional time to warm-up, load and unload the aircraft, there are also delays related to maintenance as the temperature drops. Aircrew and groundcrew need to be warmly dressed to operate outside, and heavier clothing makes it more difficult for them to move freely. The extreme cold conditions also make it necessary for them to take regular breaks to warm-up inside.

Fortunately, the CC-130J Hercules is well suited to operate in the North. The main reason is its ability to operate in cold weather with limited support, at austere fields and in marginal conditions. Indeed, much of the equipment used at CFS Alert is designed to fit inside the cargo compartment of the aircraft.

But even though cold weather is the main challenge, warming weather in the North also poses a challenge. Captain Wilkins said: “in the summertime, you worry about the ground being able to support you”. Austere fields are usually made of dirt, sand, and/or gravel. During the winter months, the gravel runways will freeze, which support more than the maximum weight capacity of the aircraft. But in the warmer months, some of these runways become too soft for the aircraft. “Based on how the runways are built, we sometimes have a weight limitation,” adds Captain Wilkins.

Be it summer or winter, Canada’s North will always prove a challenging place to fly. Adaptability, preparation and maintenance will remain keys to success in operations.

Chief Warrant Officer Tracy-Ann Fisher on the Army Communication and Information Systems Specialist trade

An Army Communications Information System Specialist with Operation PRESENCE - Mali sets up the Land Force Portable Satellite Terminal at Camp Castor in Gao, Mali on June 26, 2018. Photo: Canadian Forces Combat Camera. ©2018 DND/MDN Canada.

By Michelle Savage, Army Public Affairs

Ottawa, Ontario — Long gone are the days of the carrier pigeon. Today’s Army Communication and Information Systems Specialists (ACISS) use cutting-edge technology to ensure functional wired and wireless communication for the Canadian Army (CA).

Chief Warrant Officer Tracy-Ann Fisher, who serves with 31 Signal Regiment in Hamilton, Ontario, had ties to the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) prior to joining the Army Reserve. Her grandfather served as a Despatch Rider during the Second World War and would talk about his exciting experiences delivering critical messages to military units by motorcycle over treacherous terrain.

CWO Fisher had other family members who served in the Forces. When she was a child, her uncle would take her to Remembrance Day ceremonies followed by a trip to the Royal Canadian Legion where she could spend time with Veterans.

While looking for a summer job at the age of 17, she noticed that the Army Reserve was hiring. The Communication Regiment had posted on her Toronto, Ontario high school’s job board and the rest, as she says, is history.

The technology has changed, but the mission remains the same

While being recruited for the Army Reserve for ACISS, CWO Fisher was not entirely sure what the trade entailed. It was her grandfather who made the connection between her trade and his former position as a Despatch Rider. She would be the second generation in her family to work with communication and information systems for the CAF. While the technology has changed, the mission remains the same, she noted.

Always in high demand, ACISS are experts in radio, satellite and microwave broadband technology, fibre and copper broadband technology, and voice and data delivery services.

They spend much of their time outdoors and are likely to be posted to the Signal Squadrons in Petawawa, Ontario; Valcartier, Quebec; Edmonton, Alberta; or the Joint Signal Regiment in Kingston, Ontario. However, they may work for other units in Canada and abroad.

Teamwork and commitment gets the job done

Camaraderie and teamwork have always played important roles in the Army. For CWO Fisher, friendships are one of the highlights of her work.

“The people I work with are one of the best aspects of my job. You can really tell that they have also made a commitment to get the job done because they truly enjoy the work they are doing,” she said.

As the Regimental Sergeant-Major, the most senior Non-Commissioned Member of her unit, CWO Fisher has a clear understanding of how strong teamwork and leadership lead to effectiveness.

“I really like watching a headquarters unfold. You really know you have trained your soldiers well when, like a well-oiled machine, they all know what they are doing and work together to get the job done.”

Army communications technology marches on with satellites and cyber

Another exciting element of this trade is the continual advancement of technology. “There’s a lot of learning, a lot of new and exciting things, such as cyber,” she said. “So I think the best aspect, besides the people that I’ve met and the friendships that I’ve made, is that we’re moving with the technology. We’re always learning, and we’re always challenging our people to reach their potential.”

During her 27 years with the Army Reserve, CWO Fisher has noticed an increased length in ACISS training. “Over my career, the courses have gotten longer to accommodate the growing requirement to teach the technology, teach the equipment and then provide enough time for practical hands-on experience.”

She has also witnessed the emergence of eLearning, which she believes has been a positive change. “It has allowed the Army to expand and open up some opportunities,” she said.

She used Operation HONOUR, which is the CAF’s policy on addressing harmful and inappropriate sexual behaviour, as an example. “When we look at Op HONOUR, you can put a lot of that information out electronically and then it’s always out there. When you’re trying to change a culture, that’s what you need. You need that information out there, all the time, at people’s fingertips.”

CWO Fisher balances family with Army Reserve and civilian employment

Life in the Army seems to be a family affair. CWO Fisher’s husband is also in the Army Reserve as an Infantry Soldier. The couple has two children: a fourteen-year-old daughter and an eleven-year-old son.

CWO Fisher has participated in a number of domestic operations throughout her career.  She aided the community of Brockville, Ontario during the 1997 ice storm and participated in Operation LENTUS in 2017 to help fight flooding in Montreal.

Her hard work has not gone unnoticed. CWO Fisher received a Brigade Commander’s Coin in 2012, a Brigade Commander’s Commendation in 2013 and an Army Commander’s Coin in 2017.

As for her civilian job, CWO Fisher works for the City of Hamilton as a Training and Development Specialist. She believes the Army Reserve has given her skills that are transferable to the civilian world. “Leadership, instructional experience, working with others, teamwork, professionalism – these are all aspects of the Army, and civilian employers appreciate these qualities,” she said.

Path to becoming an Army Communication and Information Systems Specialist:

Reservists are required to work one night a week and one weekend a month. However, CWO Fisher said that there is more work available for those who are looking for it. “Because we [Signals] are a support trade, we are supporting all other units. So besides my unit’s own training on a weekend, we could be out one or two weekends a month, supporting other units.”

While she understands that the Army Reserve might not be for everyone, CWO Fisher believes that everyone should consider giving it a try. “The discipline and the knowledge that you learn, and the friends that you make, you’re not going to find that anywhere else.”

Indigenous War Hero Francis Pegahmagabow The Focus Of Musical Tribute

Company Sergeant-Major Francis Pegahmagabow, shown wearing his military medals, was one of only 38 Canadians to receive the Military Medal with two bars – each in recognition of an act of bravery. Photo: Provided by Chamberfest.

By Steven Fouchard, Army Public Affairs

Ottawa, Ontario — The creators of a multi-faceted musical tribute to Company Sergeant-Major Francis Pegahmagabow hope their treatment of the First World War hero’s story will be a starting point for healing discussions between Indigenous Peoples and Canadians.

Sounding Thunder: The Song of Francis Pegahmagabow combines music, drama and visual elements to tell the story of CSM Pegahmagabow, the most highly-decorated Indigenous soldier to serve in the war.

A performance of Sounding Thunder took place in Ottawa on July 31 as part of Chamberfest, a classical music festival held annually in the capital.

CSM Pegahmagabow earned a fierce reputation as a sniper with more than 300 confirmed kills. He is one of only 38 Canadians to receive the Military Medal with two bars – each in recognition of an act of bravery. The modern equivalent is the Medal of Military Valour.

Hours before the performance in Ottawa, the creative team behind Sounding Thunder sat with an attentive audience at the National Gallery of Canada to discuss its creation.

The seeds of the production were fittingly planted in Parry Sound, Ontario, near CSM Pegahmagabow’s birthplace and post-war home, the Wasauksing First Nation. James Campbell, artistic director of the local arts organization Festival of the Sound, began to conceptualize the piece there two years ago.

The local community saluted CSM Pegahmagabow in 2016 with the unveiling of a statue in his image, Mr. Campbell’s goal was to craft a tribute that could be more widely shared.

“Music, words, art and drama live and make the story a living thing,” he said.

Armand Ruffo, the Ojibwe writer charged with scripting the piece, recalled a remarkable coincidence that occurred just before he was invited to contribute.

He was sent a copy of Sounding Thunder: The Stories of Francis Pegahmagabow, to review for a literary publication. The book’s author is Dr. Brian McInnes, CSM Pegahmagabow’s great-grandson.

“I was right into the book,” he said. “It’s really a wonderful feat.”

Mr. Ruffo never did write the review, but the book affected him deeply and he embraced the opportunity to contribute to a musical adaptation.

“When the invitation came I said, ‘this was meant to be.’ I’m very honoured to be part of it.”

Dr. McInnes, who narrated the Ottawa performance, said he appreciated the creators’ desire to tell a more complete version of the story – one that goes beyond CSM Pegahmagabow’s remarkable military service, touching on his subsequent role as a political leader and advocate for First Nations Peoples.

“What I think we do in this performance is show more of who he was at his core,” he said, noting that his great-grandfather was himself a musician who played a number of brass instruments.

Dr. McInnes also observed that composer Timothy Corlis’ work on the piece is a blend of Indigenous and European sounds. That approach is fitting, he added, noting that, while CSM Pegahmagabow was subject to all the systemic discrimination faced by First Nations Peoples of the time, he still believed strongly in the idea of a unified Canada. 

“[The production] brings together many traditions,” Dr. McInnes said. “That’s who he was: someone who truly loved the world.”

Mr. Ruffo added that the creators’ intent was to leave audiences with a sense of optimism despite those darker elements.

“It won’t bruise,” he said. “You’ll leave feeling we can do something better.”

Army Instructor Ensures Soldiers’ Hardest Days Are In Training, Not On Deployment

The Canadian Army’s Sergeant Louis-Felix Cote performs just one of the many challenges that come with participating in the New Zealand Defence Force’s Aumangea Programme. Sgt Cote not only completed the course, which tests soldiers’ physical and mental resilience, but was asked to return a year later to serve as a facilitator. Photo: Provided by Sergeant Louis-Felix Cote.

By Steven Fouchard, Army Public Affairs

Oromocto, New Brunswick — A Canadian Army (CA) soldier who completed an intense resilience training program with the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) likens the challenge to “trying to keep a candle lit in a blizzard” and says the experience has made him a better soldier and person.

Sergeant Louis-Felix Cote, a senior instructor at the Royal Canadian Armoured Corps School (RCACS), participated the NZDF’s Aumangea Programme in 2016 and was successful enough that he was invited to return the following year to observe the training as a facilitator.

“It changed a lot in my life,” he said. “I had no idea what I was getting myself into.”

Aumangea is a Maori word meaning to be strong, brave, persistent, determined, forceful, plucky, resilient, resolute, steadfast and tenacious.

Aumangea participants spend 30-plus days in the field where they are given a set of objectives and pushed to their limits through a combination of physical and mental hardships, including sleep- and food-deprivation.

“It was pretty hard-core,” Sgt Cote recalled. “They deliberately put you through failure very often and the idea from that is to see the positive in the negative, get back up quickly, stay mission-focused, objective focused and results-driven.”

“You get to know yourself in a way you've never seen,” he added. “What happens is, once you better that person, automatically you better the soldier. So it's a very interesting approach.”

During his own Aumangea experience, Sgt Cote said, he hit a wall on two separate occasions.

“Where I had that first breaking point was we were going up a hill – and the hills in New Zealand are pretty aggressive. We were walking up this hill and the rucks we carry are usually around the 70-pound mark. At one point my hips were starting to give so I took maybe five, six steps and it would start aching and I felt like I couldn't move. I put out as much effort as I could and just kept on going. So that’s what I got exposed to: just keep working.”

The second instance was during an activity referred to as “The Green Mile.”

“It’s a 60-kilometre ruck march and usually they throw that at you at the end to see what you’ve got left in the tank,” Sgt Cote said.

Several hours in, and following a brief rest, Sgt Cote found himself struggling.

“I was barely able to get back up. If I could make an analogy, it would be like trying to keep a candle lit in a blizzard. That’s pretty much how I felt,” he said. “So I didn’t make it to the 60; I made it to 54 and I was completely shattered after that. But this was mind-over-matter, so I deliberately pushed myself to that state and it showed me what I was capable of doing. And I know next time I can do more than that.”

His Aumangea experience has also changed how Sgt Cote runs his Development Phase 1 course – which immediately follows Basic Military Qualification – for Armoured soldiers.

“You can choose to just do your job or always go that extra mile, so that's what I like to do and I try to bring that training in,” he said. “In the last course, we ran a resilience element. It lasted five hours and it pushed pretty hard. In the end everybody made it and everybody was hurting, and that's good. They get that exposure to the reality of our trade and we make them understand that it can easily get a lot worse.”

“The Army for years has used the phrase, ‘The hardest day you ever face in the army shouldn’t be on operations, it should have happened in training,’” said RCACS Commandant Lieutenant-Colonel Vince Kirstein. “We try to bring individual stress into training. There are specific ways of doing that and it is extremely well-planned, which is what Sgt Cote brings to it.”

Sea King: Going Out With Style

Sea King helicopter CH12417, painted in 1963 Royal Canadian Navy livery, hovers in Shearwater, Nova Scotia, in June 2018. PHOTO: DND, Corporal Cody Chaisson

By Lieutenant-Colonel Travis Chapman

Designed in the late 1950s and procured by Canada through a dynamic acquisition program in the early 1960s, the CH-124 Sea King helicopter has served Canadians with distinction since May 24, 1963. Longevity, avionics and mission system upgrades, and the utility of a medium-lift helicopter came together to create a legacy that ignites a passion spanning multiple generations, unlike any other Royal Canadian Air Force asset.

The CH-124 pre-dates Bill C-243, “The Canadian Forces Reorganization Act”, and so the Sikorsky HSS-2 was acquired as a Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) anti-submarine warfare (ASW) weapon system, and was designated CHSS-2 upon entering Canadian service. A maritime helicopter, it has operated from aircraft carrier Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Bonaventure, St. Laurent-class destroyer escorts and Iroquois-class destroyers, auxiliary oiler replenishment ships, and Halifax-class frigates.

In many ways, Canada’s efforts to embark a large aircraft on a small flight deck revolutionized the concept of organic air support to naval operations by showing the theoretical to be possible. Given the capabilities of a larger helicopter, crews could carry more armament, more fuel, and a suite of avionics—with capacity for growth. Considering the rapid advancement of submarine capabilities in the 1950s, the CHSS-2 became a potent counter-punch to non-friendly submarines. Over time, it proved capable of acting as an autonomous, multi-role ASW weapon system through several permanent and temporary modifications that included radar, sonobuoy processing, GPS, automatic identification system, tactical common datalink, and various iterations of tactical navigation computers, as well as the development of aircraft-specific tactics for crews to employ.

Currently, the Sea King is flown by squadrons belonging to 12 Wing Shearwater, Nova Scotia.

To pay tribute to the history of Canada's esteemed maritime helicopter, Major Trevor Cadeau, 443 Maritime Helicopter Squadron aircraft maintenance engineering officer, initiated a project in December 2017 with technical and operational staff at Director Aerospace Equipment Program Management (Maritime) and 1 Canadian Air Division  to change Sea King tail number CH12417's modern livery to one inspired by the original RCN livery from 1963 (as pictured on aircraft 4005), and previously applied in 2010 to commemorate the Canadian Naval Centennial.

The success of the latest livery project belongs to a large team from Patricia Bay, British Columbia; Shearwater, Nova Scotia; Ottawa, Ontario; and Winnipeg, Manitoba. Essential to its impressive execution were technicians from 12 Air Maintenance Squadron (AMS), and 423 and 443 Maritime Helicopter Squadrons.

Of course, once painted, it had to be reassembled. Again, personnel from 12 AMS, and 423 and 443 Squadrons worked tirelessly, putting the aircraft back together.

Not only does the special paint scheme honour the Sea King’s history and exceptional contributions to RCN and RCAF operations over the last 55 years, but the project presented an uncommon professional development opportunity for many aircraft structures technicians. Those involved in the project were able to exercise their own painting skill sets, using the new paint booth in the 12 AMS hangar in Shearwater, Nova Scotia.

In addition to CH12417, team members also repainted aircraft CH12401 in preparation for its induction into the Shearwater Aviation Museum.

Although 423 Squadron ceased Sea King flight operations on Canada’s east coast in January 2018, and has already transitioned to the CH-148 Cyclone, 443 Squadron, which belongs to 12 Wing but is based at Patricia Bay, has been flying the CH-124 throughout 2018 in support of deployed operations onboard HMCS St. John’s, and domestic taskings and advanced force generation at Arundel Castle in Patricia Bay.

On June 13, 2018, a crew from 443 Squadron left Shearwater on a cross-country ferry flight bringing CH12417 from the home of maritime aviation in Shearwater to Pat Bay. 443 Squadron is proud of our history and success with the Sea King, and will enthusiastically fly CH12417 during the fleet’s final six months of RCAF service.

Over the summer, civilians and service personnel can expect to see CH12417 in its new clothes at various airshows, and in the skies over Victoria and Pat Bay. Adding an extra dose of excitement, Cyclones will operate alongside Sea Kings at 443 Squadron from August until the end of December 2018.

Post-retirement, it is expected that CH12417 will remain at 443 Squadron as a “gate guardian”. It will also be present at the Sea King Retirement 2018 festivities planned in Victoria from November 30 to December 1, 2018. The organizing committee is planning an impassioned salute to this workhorse's 55 years of service to Canada, and CH12417 should feature prominently in both the flying and ground events.

The livery is an outstanding testament to our pride in our aircraft and our community's history. It is a fitting compliment to a weapon system that has served generations of Canadians at home, and Canada’s foreign policy abroad, for more than 55 years.

Putting Their Best Foot Forward – Canadian Armed Forces Expanding Options With An Individual Combat Boot Purchase Program

Soldiers of the 128th Battery from 4 General Support Regiment participate in Exercise TURBULENT WINDS to support an Air Defense Troop Sergeant-Major course in the training area of 5th Canadian Division Support Base Gagetown, Oromocto, New Brunswick, in October 2016. The CAF has a new program to equip eligible members with temperate boots that better meet individual fit, form and functional requirements. Offering entitled members greater flexibility and choice when it comes to operational footwear will help match the right footwear with each individual, enhancing ability to perform. Photo: Corporal Peter Ford, Tactics School, 5th Canadian Division Support Base Gagetown. ©2016 DND/MDN Canada.

By Antonia Lafkas, Army Public Affairs

Ottawa, Ontario — Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members will soon be able to step up their choices when it comes to their combat boots.

The CAF has a new program to equip eligible members with temperate boots that better meet individual fit, form and functional requirements. Eligibility for the program is limited to personnel entitled to wear combat boots as part of their regular duties.

Central to this decision is the CAF’s fundamental commitment to ensuring that personnel are properly equipped and ready to serve. Offering entitled members greater flexibility and choice when it comes to operational footwear will help match the right footwear with each individual, enhancing ability to perform.

As of late summer 2018, the first stage of the new boot program will give eligible personnel a personalized fit and a choice of boot styles that will not only fit well, but perform well in the field. Within guidelines, they will be able to purchase boots of their choice that meet specific criteria and submit claims for reimbursement through their units.

The second stage of this program will include a pre-qualified product list, followed by the transition to an online ordering model similar to the way Distinctive Environmental Uniforms are currently managed.

Temperate boots are intended for cool and warm weather conditions, such as those experienced in most parts of Canada during the spring, summer and fall. Specialized footwear such as steel-toed boots or boots designed specifically for hot, wet or cold weather are not included in this program.

Boots purchased under this program must conform to the following guidelines:

• The preferred boot colour is brown, however black and tan are acceptable.
• The boot must be designed to perform well in temperate conditions between +4oC and +35oC.
• Boot height from the side of the combat boot measured from the inside of the boot must be a minimum of 15 cm to a maximum of 23 cm.
• The boot must have a non-marking nitrile rubber outsole that is resistant to fuel, oil and acid.

Lieutenant-Colonel Robin Chénard leads the combat boot working group. “Equipping a diverse team of military members comes with a number of complexities. We are finding that a one-size-fits-all approach is not practical when it comes to operational footwear,” he said.

“The intention of this program is to provide personnel with boots that will meet their individual needs, as well as the needs of service. We hope that this expanded choice will add value and help our members always remain strong, proud and ready to serve."

Some details of the program are still under development. Combat boots for recruits will still be drawn from the existing national inventory and supplied through training facilities. Once entitled personnel have successfully completed their Basic Military Qualification, they will be permitted to buy boots under the plan and be reimbursed for this expense.

The CAF is working to develop this arrangement and to have it take effect as soon as possible. Further information will become available once the program is in place. A CANFORGEN (Canadian Forces General message) and a series of frequently asked questions will be provided to provide necessary details and guidance.

Canadian Army Chief Warrant Officer Andrew Durnford, the Regimental Sergeant Major for 3rd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment, has been involved in the development of the new program and emphasizes the importance of this new approach.

“Making sure our members have the combat boots that are best suited to their operating environment must include boots that best suit their personal needs,” he said. “It is critical to make sure they are equipped for success.”

New MARPAC Commander Gets Down To Business At RIMPAC

HMCS Vancouver is resupplied at sea from MV Asterix during RIMPAC.

By Peter Mallett

Rear-Admiral Bob Auchterlonie’s first order of business as the new Commander of Maritime Forces Pacific (MARPAC) was to fly to Hawaii and take up post as Deputy Commander of the Combined Task Force for the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) military exercise.

Now underway, RIMPAC is a biennial land, air and sea military exercise carried out in and around the waters of Hawaii and Southern California, involving 25,000 military personnel from 25 nations. Canada’s armed forces have substantial assets and personnel in the 26th edition of the exercise, including Her Majesty’s Canadian Ships Vancouver, Ottawa, Yellowknife and Whitehorse, all Pacific fleet warships under RAdm Auchterlonie’s command.

“It’s very exciting to be involved in this capacity – this is the biggest maritime exercise in the world,” he said. “Canada, along with the United States and Australia, are RIMPAC’s founding members, and RIMPAC provides a great opportunity for Canadian Armed Forces members to work with partners from around the globe.”

In his RIMPAC role, RAdm Auchterlonie works closely with Vice-Admiral John Alexander, Commander U.S. Third Fleet, to co-ordinate the multiple components of the Combined Task Force. One of the main goals of RIMPAC is to foster and sustain those cooperative relationships which play a role in helping to ensure the safety and security of sea lanes and the world’s interconnected oceans.

This year’s exercise theme is Capable, Adaptive Partners. Building on that premise, drills span the scope of operations from disaster relief and maritime security operations to sea control in today’s complex war-fighting landscape.

“If you are a young sailor onboard a ship, as I once was, the experience is a great one. They are getting a lot of at-sea experience while learning how to coordinate in a multinational environment,” said RAdm Auchterlonie.

The training program is vast: sailors, soldiers and aviators from all nations will hone their gunnery, missile, anti-submarine and air defence skills, as well as their abilities in amphibious, counter-piracy, mine clearance, explosive ordnance disposal, diving and salvage operations.

Making its debut at RIMPAC this year is the Royal Canadian Navy’s newly leased supply ship Motor Vessel Asterix.

Also involved are approximately 170 members from the Canadian Army’s 2nd Battalion, Royal 22nd Regiment, who joined the U.S. Marines at Camp Pendleton, Calif., for AAV-P7/A1 assault amphibious vehicle (AAV) familiarization.

“Learning the capabilities and limitations of the AAV and understanding how the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, who specialize in amphibious operations, operate in their environment, and to have them share their practices and expertise with us has been a great experience for myself and those who took part in the training,” said Lieutenant Jacob Simard of the Canadian Army. 

The Canadian contingent was rounded out with 75 members of the Royal Canadian Air Force, including a CP-140 maritime patrol aircraft and mission support centre, plus additional Canadian Armed Forces personnel for a national command and support team.

RAdm Auchterlonie says the coordination of RIMPAC has “gotten off to a smooth start”, but the reality of military exercises is not everything always goes as planned. Learning how to react quickly and appropriately to the unexpected is a fundamental part of the training, he noted.

He added that the erupting Kilauea volcano 185 kilometres away and downwind from operations in Pearl Harbor has a potential to become an unknown “X-factor” in the exercise. While the volcano is not impacting day-to-day operations, eruptions and seismic activity are being monitored daily.

Should a real-life emergency develop in the region, RAdm Auchterlonie says participants are well versed and well equipped to respond.

The exercise concludes August 2, 2018.

Key Canadian appointments at RIMPAC

Other key Canadian appointments in the RIMPAC leadership team are: Captain (Navy) Matthew Coates, Deputy Commander Combined Maritime Component Command; Colonel Michael Atkins, Deputy Commander Combined Air Component Command; Colonel Dennis O’Reilly, Combined Air Operations Centre Director; and Captain (Navy) Matthew Bowen, Third Fleet Deputy Exercise Director.

The three phases of RIMPAC

The Harbour Phase is designed to build professional and personal relationships between military members from other nations. They meet face-to-face for briefings, training and detailed planning. The aim is to allow participants to get to know their exercise colleagues; finalize details of plans; and lay the foundation for professional and successful operations.

The Force Integration Phase involves a structured and detailed training program. It develops the skills of the units that take part. It is aimed at enabling participants to operate at the task force level. It exercises each nation’s ability to operate in a robust command and control setting with other nations. This phase also includes a variety of live training at sea, underwater, on the ground, and in the air.

The Free Play Phase tests military unit skills during a scenario. Component commanders and subordinate units respond to scenarios that become more and more intense. These include realistic situations that nations could face in the Pacific Rim. As a result, military units and members that take part experience challenging, full-spectrum operations. These cover surface, submarine, air and land threats.

Courtesy of Lookout

Endangered Burrowing Owls Get Head Start

Burrowing owls are tiny, weighing approximately 160 grams. They are an endangered species and there may be as few as 400 female/male pairs remaining in Canada, according to Environment Climate Change Canada. Photo credit: Warrant Officer Derrick Steeves

National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces

Underground within a wildlife conservation area on Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Suffield lives a very rare species that’s getting a head start in their new home with the help of scientists and soldiers.

A head-starting project for Burrowing Owls, an endangered species within Canada, achieved a milestone this spring with the release of eight adult owls into the CFB Suffield National Wildlife Area.

There may be as few as 400 female/male pairs of Burrowing Owls remaining in the country, according to population estimates from Environment and Climate Change Canada  (ECCC).

The Burrowing Owl head-starting process began in 2016 when owlets were taken from the Base and surrounding lands as part of a conservation program in partnership with the Calgary Zoo and ECCC.

Head starting is a conservation technique whereby owlets are captured in the wild, raised in captivity, and then later released back into their original habitat. The owls are released as one-year-old pairs to breed in their new nests. This is the first time an endangered species has been released onto the Base after spending time being cared for in captivity.

The goal of this cutting-edge project is to determine if the head-starting process will improve the survival rates of young owls, in the hope of ultimately giving this endangered population a crucial boost in Canada.  

Now in 2018, some of the owls have come full circle and have been released to their parents’ original nesting grounds within the CFB Suffield National Wildlife Area. 

Burrowing Owls are the only birds of prey in Canada that nest underground. The project team built artificial nest burrows to accommodate the new owls within the CFB Suffield National Wildlife Area, not far from sites where wild Burrowing Owls continue to nest. Canadian Armed Forces members played an integral role in the project by safely clearing burrowing sites of any potential hazards, and digging the burrows with the guidance of scientists from the Calgary Zoo, ECCC and the Base.

The CFB Suffield National Wildlife Area was selected as the ideal location for this project, because it contains natural habitat for Burrowing Owls. They have been faring better in this protected area than in many other sites in Canada.  

Quotes

“One of the most unique aspects of this project is the collaboration between Canadian Armed Forces members and environmental experts from so many agencies. CFB Suffield is honoured to support Environment and Climate Change Canada and the Calgary Zoo with this ground-breaking project by providing access to the habitat within the CFB Suffield National Wildlife Area and providing logistical support.” “inline quote content here" 

Danny Laganière, Base Environmental Officer, CFB Suffield

“Endangered species like Burrowing Owls need our help, and they need it now. Novel partnerships can be extremely powerful to enable science and trigger decisive action.  Who would think that the Calgary Zoo would be working with the Department of National Defence, as well as Environment and Climate Change Canada, to help save species? Indeed, we now literally stand shoulder to shoulder releasing burrowing owls into the wild. We are so proud to work together to restore this precious part of our Canadian natural heritage.” “inline quote content here” 

Dr. Axel Moehrenschlager, Director of Conservation & Science, Calgary Zoo

“This project is a good example of how collaboration among the partners can have a positive effect for recovery of a species. Releasing the captive-reared young back into the wild is definitely helping to boost population numbers.” “inline quote content here” 

Dr. Troy Wellicome, Senior Species at Risk Biologist, Environment and Climate Change Canada

Quick Facts

•  Burrowing Owls are small, predatory birds that weigh approximately 160 grams (weighing a little more than a baseball), and are similar in height to a pigeon. The Burrowing Owls studied within the CFB Suffield National Wildlife Area can migrate as far as Mexico.
•  CFB Suffield is located in southern Alberta, approximately 50 kilometres west of Medicine Hat. CFB Suffield is the largest military training area in Canada, measuring 2,700 square kilometres, and is host to some of the largest live-fire training exercises in the country.
• The CFB Suffield National Wildlife Area is significant due to its substantial size of 458 square kilometres. Unlike any other military Base in Canada, CFB Suffield is the only Base to have a conservation area within its boundaries managed by the Department of National Defence. No ground military training occurs within this area to protect the integrity of native grasslands and wildlife habitat. This controlled access area is not open to the public.

New “Collaboration Room” Named After Battle Of Britain Mechanic

The ribbon-cutting for the opening of the Russell Bragg Collaboration Room at the Canadian Forces School of Aerospace Technology and Engineering took place on June 11, 2018. From left are Aviator Emery Clifford and Aviator Christopher Underwood, who initiated the creation of the collaboration room; Corporal Katherine Ballard, student council chair; Brigadier-General Dave Cochrane, 2 Canadian Air Division commander; and Chief Warrant Officer Pierre Jetté, 2 Canadian Air Division chief warrant officer. PHOTO: Master Corporal David Hardwick, BM04-2018-0203-08

From 16 Wing Borden

In September 2016, senior staff of the Canadian Forces School of Aerospace Technology and Engineering (CFSATE), located at 16 Wing Borden, Ontario, visited the training facility at Royal Air Force Cosford in Shropshire, United Kingdom. During their stay, they observed a collaboration room: a place where students gather to study collectively and assist one another.

Inspired by this concept, senior staff set forth the idea to incorporate collaboration rooms as a learning tool for students at CFSATE in hopes that they would be a symbol of teamwork and perseverance—essential qualities fostered in aircraft technicians.

The project came to fruition on June 11, 2018, when the commander of 2 Canadian Air Division (2 CAD), Brigadier-General David Cochrane, accompanied by the Chief Warrant Officer Pierre Jetté, 2 CAD’s chief warrant officer (CWO), opened the Russell Bragg Collaboration Room at CFSATE.

Colonel Andrew Fleming, 16 Wing’s commander, and CWO Necole Belanger, 16 Wing’s CWO, along with Lieutenant-Colonel Eric Rhéaume, CFSATE’s commandant, and CWO Daniel Campbell, CFSATE’s CWO, were also present for the ribbon cutting ceremony.

Major Greg Vardy, commander of CFSATE’s Lancaster Squadron, assembled the project team in February 2017: Mr. Tony Gale, Mr. Rob Northey and Corporal James Taylor. They approached the student leadership council to actively involve CFSATE’s students in the vision for this initiative. Student council education representatives, Aviator Christopher Underwood (from 8 Wing Trenton, Ontario) and Aviator Emery Clifford (from 14 Wing Greenwood, Nova Scotia) were instrumental in developing goals for a room where students could come together with ideas for projects and find a quiet place to meet for study.

In September 2017, the project team and student council met to choose a name for the collaboration room. After extensive research by the students and the presentation of a proposal to the council, students voted to name the room the Russel Bragg Collaboration Room.

Russell Mackie Bragg, born near Calgary, Alberta, was a member of the Royal Canadian Air Force. As an aero-engine mechanic on the Hurricane aircraft, he served with distinction in 1940 during the Battle of Britain. His dedication and perseverance contributed greatly to ensuring serviceable aircraft were available to meet the daily German Luftwaffe raids.

Corporal Bragg, later commissioned as an officer, was made a member of the Order of the British Empire for his contributions during the Battle of Britain. His recommendation reads, in part: “he was always in the forefront directing others and setting an example for all. It has been due to his unrelenting efforts that his present unit was transferred from older to newer aircraft in record time. He has been responsible for the fine serviceability record of the unit [No. 1 (RCAF) Squadron and has rendered outstanding services throughout.” He continued to serve with the RCAF until injured in a motor vehicle accident in September 1945.

The aircraft structures team of Master Corporal Brandon Wilkie, Master Corporal Kevin Roy and Mr. Denis Antille designed the room’s door in the shape of an aircraft panel. A laser-etched image of Russell Bragg in front of a damaged Hurricane aircraft highlights the entry. With the assistance of Corporal Taylor and Aviator Clifford, the Technician’s Creed was published in both English and French and is displayed in the room alongside “Rusty” Bragg’s biography.

“This room is in line with the three fundamental vectors we enforce here at CFSATE: professionalism, teamwork and excellence,” said Lieutenant-Colonel Rhéaume. “Professionalism, because it is in support of professional qualities that students are accountable, teamwork, because this room is focused on sharing and group thinking and, finally excellence, because this is what this institution is all about, providing the student with the resources and environment to stimulate and optimize their learning”.

Brigadier-General Cochrane said he was impressed with the drive and initiative of the student council and further reinforced to student council members that they are the RCAF’s future leaders.

Initiatives for this room continue to develop; there are plans for adding additional resources such as networked computer stations and a smartboard to aid in the success of students and their aircraft maintenance education at CFSATE.

Royal Air Force Marks 100th Anniversary By Inspiring Canadian Youth

As part of RAF100 celebrations, approximately 15 Royal Canadian Air Cadets attended the “CF-18 Warbird U” at Vintage Wings of Canada in May 2018. PHOTO: Vintage Wings of Canada website

From the British High Commission Ottawa

To celebrate 100 years of the Royal Air Force (RAF), school and cadet groups across Eastern Ontario and Western Québec are having an exclusive opportunity to learn about how pilots from the British and Canadian armed forces continue to work together to support peace and security around the world.

With inspiring future generations being such a big theme of RAF100 celebrations, the United Kingdom’s Naval and Air Attaché to Canada, Commander Neil Marriott of the Royal Navy, called on Ottawa-based RAF exchange officers Squadron Leader Drew Anderson and Squadron Leader Andy Wilson to offer a series of informative and exciting visits for school and youth groups, in partnership with volunteer group Vintage Wings of Canada.

During each session, 30 teenagers have been invited to visit Vintage Wings' impressive aircraft collection at the Gatineau Airport, where they receive an informal presentation on the history of the RAF by current Air Force service members. They also learn about Canada’s role in the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan during the Second World War, and how the RAF and RCAF continue to cooperate today.

At least seven school and cadet groups have been participating in the “ground schools”, including trips planned for the coming weeks.

“We’ve got a fantastic opportunity here to help the next generation learn a little bit of our shared history while at the same time maybe inspiring some of them to consider a career in aerospace," said RAF Squadron Leader Drew Anderson, who is currently on exchange with the RCAF. “The volunteer staff at Vintage Wings of Canada have been fantastic and everyone is fully supportive of our RAF100 outreach activities. It’s also important to remember that this is not a museum—these aircraft actually fly—and these youth are really excited to get so close to such beautiful and functioning classic aircraft.”

“As an organization, we are all about inspiring young people,” said Don Buchan from Vintage Wings, “so the RAF100 commemoration gave us the catalyst we were looking for to put together an interesting and informative program that we could use to reach a lot of local youths.”

The RAF is capitalizing on its centenary year to Commemorate 100 years of extraordinary success, achievement and sacrifice, Celebrate the professionalism and dedication of today’s RAF, which is airborne 24/7 supporting UK and allied interests around the world, and Inspire future generations by telling its unique story.

“The focus of these events is to celebrate the history of the RAF and demonstrate its close relationship with the RCAF over the last century and today, at home and overseas,” Commander Marriott told the youths in attendance.

“We will inform you of the significant scientific leaps in aeronautics that were required to form the modern Air Forces of today, hopefully inspiring you to be Canada’s future scientists, engineers, medical professionals – or even pilots.”

Ships Return After Successful Op Caribbe Mission

HMCS Whitehorse returns to Esquimalt, B.C., after a successful mission on Operation Caribbe.

By Lieutenant (Navy) Paul Pendergast

As Her Majesty’s Canadian Ships (HMCS) Edmonton and Whitehorse returned to their home port of Esquimalt, B.C., in early May, the sight of family and friends cheering from the jetty as the ships approached brought a smile to the faces of crew members.

There was a palpable sense of pride in a job well done, and handshakes and congratulations from fleet staff for a successful Operation Caribbe. Since departing Esquimalt on February 16, the two ships seized and disrupted approximately 2,856 kg of cocaine while working with the U.S. Coast Guard and embedded Law Enforcement Detachments during the operation.

Whitehorse had one of the biggest busts so far in 2018 for Joint Interagency Task Force South, seizing approximately 1,520 kg on April 5. 

“I am very proud of what the men and women of Whitehorse have accomplished on Operation Caribbe,” said Lieutenant-Commander Collin Forsberg, Commanding Officer of Whitehorse. “Their hard work and determination to succeed on this mission kept yet more illicit drugs from reaching North America.”

Edmonton had its own success on April 3, seizing approximately 461 kg of cocaine in international waters in the eastern Pacific off the coast of Central America.

“The efforts, professionalism and determination of the crews on our ships, and those of our U.S. allies, has led to yet another successful Operation Caribbe,” said LCdr Brian Henwood, Commanding Officer of Edmonton. “I extend my thanks to the men and women whose dedication to this mission, both at sea, in the air, and ashore has kept our streets safer due to their efforts.”

A successful mission is the cumulative result of months of planning and preparation, combined with a lot of hard work and long hours, and that includes everyone on board, from the command team to the newest junior sailor.

But there is something more required to stay motivated for the entire length of a long mission. “The adversity and sacrifice experienced by the crew leads to a feeling of family, because we are all in it together,” said LCdr Forsberg. “We started using the phrase ‘The Whitehorse Way’ to create a positive unit identity, and to encourage people to aim for a high standard in everything they do.”

The ships embarked extra personnel in San Diego and conducted force generation training during the transit home. This meant a busy schedule of seamanship and engineering drills to allow members to advance their training packages.

Both ships have full sailing schedules ahead during the summer and fall, and some crew members will be heading off on career courses or postings. But for now, the crews of Edmonton and Whitehorse are enjoying their well-deserved post-deployment leave by getting reacquainted with loved ones.

Courtesy of Lookout.

HMCS Vancouver remembers Canadian soldiers in Hong Kong

The Commanding Officer of HMCS Vancouver, Commander Christopher Nucci, accompanied by Coxswain Chief Petty Officer 1st Class Steve Wist, lay a wreath at the Cross of Sacrifice at the Sai Wan War Cemetery.

By Lieutenant (Navy) Tony Wright

During its port visit to Hong Kong on May 6, 2018, the crew of Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Vancouver paid tribute to Canadian soldiers who died defending Hong Kong from the Japanese during the Second World War and are interred at the Sai Wan War Cemetery.

The island of Hong Kong fell to the Japanese on Christmas Day 1941 following 17 days of fighting by British, Canadian, Indian and Chinese soldiers. There were 290 Canadian soldiers of the Royal Rifles of Canada and the Winnipeg Grenadiers who lost their lives during the battle, and most are buried at the Sai Wan War Cemetery in Hong Kong.

Of the Canadians captured after the battle, 267 eventually perished in prisoner of war camps. The Sai Wan Memorial at the entrance to the cemetery bears the names of over 2,000 Commonwealth servicemen who died in the Battle of Hong Kong, or in captivity, and have no known grave. Many of the names are Canadian.

Rear-Admiral Gilles Couturier, Deputy Commander, Royal Canadian Navy; Commander Christopher Nucci, Commanding Officer, HMCS Vancouver; Coxswain Chief Petty Officer 1st Class Steve Wist; Jeff Nankivell, Consul General to Hong Kong; and 20 crew members travelled to the Sai Wan War Cemetery to visit the graves of the war dead and lay a wreath in remembrance.

Vancouver’s sailors were able to walk through the cemetery to visit the graves and were given a brief tour by historian Tony Banham. After some words of remembrance by RAdm Couturier for those lost, Cdr Nucci and CPO1 Wist laid a wreath at the Cross of Sacrifice, found in the Canadian section of the cemetery.