Re: Lookout

by Enforcer Mon 20 Jan 2020, 7:02 pm

Soldier On office opens at Naden
By Lookout on Jan 20, 2020

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Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~

If you are an injured veteran or military member looking to improve your level of physical fitness and activity, the director of the new Soldier On regional office wants to hear from you.

The mandate of the Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services (CFMWS) program is to provide resources and opportunities for veterans and current-serving members across Canada with a mind to helping them “adapt and overcome” both physical and mental health injuries through participation in sports and physical fitness activities. Dan Bourgoin, a Personnel Support Services (PSP) employee with over 22 years of experience as a fitness trainer and instructor is the man in charge of the Soldier On Regional Office which recently opened its doors here at the base.

Located on the ground floor of Nelles Block the office is open from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and is one of ten new regional to open across the country. Bourgoin says his first order of business is setting up a dialogue with the military community whether its in-person, over the phone or through Soldier On’s social media platforms. His intention is to gauge people’s interest levels and also find out about the types of activities, sporting goods equipment and support they are looking for Soldier On to deliver.

“My doors are open and I would like to hear from people,” said Bourgoin. “We don’t create events for the sake of creating events, we create opportunities for people who have specific interests in certain sports and activities and we need to establish a network of contacts here in Esquimalt and across B.C. in an effort to help shape our programs.”

While he admits Soldier On is more widely known for its role in organizing Canada’s teams at the widely popular and high-profile Invictus Games and Warrior Games, Bourgoin says the main focus of Soldier On is really to offer year-round activities, support, advice and sports equipment for those looking to enhance their level of fitness. These activities can include sport-specific camps but also group outings like hiking, canoeing and fishing trips too and his organization can also provide participants with the equipment to do it.

He says that patience and a down-to-earth attitude needs to be taken with both participants and administrators when it comes to healing and sports.

“Although they are not an instant, over-night cure-all, good health and peer support have been shown to be helpful tools for many people as they recover from physical and non-physical injuries,” says Bourgoin. “It’s really all about creating an enhanced or more-balanced healthy lifestyle.”

Those benefits pay big dividends says Bourgoin and he should know because for the past 15 years his focus has been at helping members of the military maintain their fitness and combat readiness as both an instructor, trainer and administrator. His work with the Department of National Defence has taken him to PSP headquarters in Ottawa, CFB Borden and Gagetown, Royal Military College in Kingston, Ont., and also military operations in Southeast Asia and Afghanistan.

When Soldier On recently announced it would open 10 regional offices across the country to enhance their level of service, he and his family relocated to Victoria. His office is currently planning for three winter sports events this year. The first two, a ski camp at Mount Washington and a Scuba Diving Camp in Comox, both in Jan. Then in February, Whistler B.C. will again host the Allied Winter Sports Camp a multi-sport event that draws competitors from across Canada and the world.

For more information about Soldier On and its programs visit their website www.soldieron.ca or email Bourgoin directly at SoldierOnBC-CBSanslimites@forces.gc.ca

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Sign-ups on for Allied Winter Sports Camp

Soldier On is looking to attract fresh recruits for its annual Allied Winter Sports Camp which takes place at Whistler BC from February 18 to 27, 2020.

The camp gives ill or injured veterans and currently serving military personnel an opportunity to learn and participate in six different winter sports with other competitors from Australia, United States, United Kingdom.

Event organizers say the intention of the camp is to allow participants the chance to develop new skills, engage with others while personally challenging themselves.

This year’s events will include six competitions involving sledge hockey, alpine skiing, snowboarding, biathlon, bobsled and cross-country skiing with assistance provided through the Whistler Adaptive Sports Program.

For more information about eligibility requirements and Soldier On visit their website:
www.soldieron.ca or contact event organizer Sergeant James MacIntire directly at James.MacIntyre3@forces.gc.ca

http://www.lookoutnewspaper.com/soldier-office-opens-naden/

by **RunningLight** Fri 24 Jan 2020, 2:00 pm

Building civilian-military relationships

By Lookout on Jan 24, 2020

Carrie Stefanson ~

Canada doesn’t have military hospitals, so it’s important for military doctors to see injuries typical of the battlefield. The Canadian Forces Trauma training program began about 20 years ago, and is instrumental in keeping Canada’s military medical personnel trained in advanced trauma care so they can deploy when needed.

Major Philip Dawe heads up Canadian Forces Trauma Training Centre West in Vancouver. He’s a trauma and acute care surgeon at Vancouver General Hospital and comes from a family with a long history of military service. His father and three brothers served in the Canadian Forces and his youngest brother Matthew, died in a roadside bombing in 2007. “If I could save one military person’s life overseas, then my career will be worthwhile,” says Maj Dawe. “Preventable deaths occur in deployed operations and if I could prevent one of those it would be a good day.”

Maj Dawe is the third military surgeon to head up Canadian Forces Trauma Training Centre West. The centre’s mandate is to facilitate trauma training for Canadian Forces physicians, physician assistants and nursing officers. Many of Canada’s military medical personnel have trained at centres in Vancouver and Montreal prior to their deployments.

“As care for the wounded continues to gain more importance in both public opinion and policy, the mutual benefits of a robust civilian-military relationship have become increasingly evident,” says Maj Dawe. “On one hand, lessons learned from our overseas experiences are being delivered to our colleagues at home to enhance patient outcomes. On the other, our colleagues at home have helped us to get ready for those deployments by affording us cross-training and refresher opportunities to ensure we’re providing best-possible care to our troops in our limited-resource deployed environments.”

Dr. Ross Brown, trauma/general surgeon and Senior Medical Director with Vancouver Coastal Health/Coastal Community of Care now working at Lions Gate Hospital in North Vancouver, was the first embedded military trauma surgeon in Canada and is credited with establishing the program in Vancouver. “It’s a win-win for the Canadian Armed Forces, the health authority and the surgeon to have this additional expertise, as well as the health care professionals who are continuously learning new skills.”

http://www.lookoutnewspaper.com/building-civilian-military-relationships

by **Lincoln** Tue 28 Jan 2020, 1:44 pm

South Korea honours Canadian veterans during port visit
By Lookout on Jan 28, 2020

Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~

A close friend and former shipmate of a Korean War veteran was recently overcome by tears while posthumously accepting an Ambassador For Peace medal on his behalf.

They were tears of joy but also remorse says Leading Seaman (ret’d) Roderick Finley. That’s mostly because his good friend Chief Petty Officer Second Class (ret’d) Fred Watson wasn’t around to enjoy the outpouring of gratitude by representatives of the Republic of Korea navy and government.

“I’m not sure if it’s such a great sight to see a grown man cry but there were certainly some tears on that day,” said Leading Seaman (ret’d) Roderick Finley.

On Dec. 19 the 81-year-old Victoria resident was aboard Republic of Korea (ROKS) Munmu the Great for a medal presentation ceremony and reception on the destroyer’s flight deck.

Watson was one of ten medal recipients honoured on Munmu the Great that day. The awards were presented to veterans of the Korean War by South Korea’s Navy Cruise Training Task Group Commander RDML Minsoo Yang and Defence Attaché Colonel Keunsik Moon during the ship’s four-day port visit to Esquimalt.

“The Republic of Korea will always remember the Korean War Veterans, and their courageous actions during the Korean War,” said Colonel Moon. “We are forever thankful and we will continue our efforts to remember and commemorate their sacrifices.”

Four of the ten medal recipients honoured are no longer living.

“He would have loved the moment and I truly wish he was there to see it,” said Finley. “I was tearing up during the ceremony because all the memories of him came flooding back to me. Even though I never served in Korea I was a great pal of his and glad I could do this for him and glad that I applied for this award on his behalf.”

The award includes a medal, pin and commemorative certificate of expression of appreciation from the government of South Korea. It is awarded to foreign servicemen and women who served in the Korean War. It was first awarded to veterans as a special memento for those who returned to South Korea through its Revisit Program.

During the presentation ceremony, the award recipients also a received a monumental statue that represents a smaller version of the Alliance Monument which was installed on the ROK-US Combined Forces Command site in 2019.

The ceremony was also attended by Republic of Korea Navy Cruise Training Task Group, Rear Admiral Yang Minsoo with representation from the Royal Canadian Navy including Deputy Commander Rear-Admiral Chris Sutherland.

Finley served in the RCN for ten years as an Electrical Technician and retired in 1967. He then launched a lengthy career with Hudson’s Bay Wholesale where he worked as an electrician. Watson, a career sailor and Second World War veteran, died in July 1984 when he was 65. He served in the Battle of The Atlantic and during the Korean war aboard HMCS Cayuga.

Watson once commanded the stoker branch of HMCS Assiniboine, with Finley working under him in the engine room for two years. His memories of Watson are all good ones.

“He was laid back and normally easy going as a PO [Petty Officer] and if you ever had a problem, work-related or otherwise he was there to help you,” said Finley. “I never heard a bad word said about him which wasn’t often the ‘norm’ while working on a ship back in those days.”

Years later Watson would finish his career at CFB Esquimalt’s Damage Control School in Colwood.

It wasn’t until later years in Watson’s life that the two men’s friendship flourished and it was all by coincidence says Finley. That’s because the two men discovered they were neighbours on the same street in Saanich in the late 1970s and the two fathers and neighbouring families became very close says Finley.

“He was like a father figure to me and I know how much his service in Korea meant to him so that’s why I applied on his behalf for him to be honoured with this medal,” he said.

For more information on how to apply for an Ambassador for Peace Medal visit the South Korean Embassy webpage: http://overseas.mofa.go.kr/ca-ko/index.do

http://www.lookoutnewspaper.com/south-korea-honours-canadian-veterans-port-visit/

by **Luxray** Tue 28 Jan 2020, 7:09 pm

Veteran celebrates the gift of life
By Lookout on Jan 28, 2020

Major (Ret’d) Murray Edwards blows out the candles on his birthday cake. Edwards, a veteran of the Second World War and Korea recently celebrated his 100th birthday with a large group of family and friends by his side.

Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~

A veteran of Victoria’s Princess Patricia’s Light Infantry (PPCLI) celebrated his 100th birthday in style.

A large cheer echoed through the conference room of a Saanich hotel on Jan. 18 as centenarian Major (ret’d) Murray Edwards raised a toast and then blew out all the candles on his birthday cake. Edwards, a resident of Veterans Memorial Lodge, served as a combat instructor in the Second World War for Canada and then on the battlefield in Korea with Princess Patricia’s (PPCLI) at the famous Battle of Kapyong.

“The first hundred years were the best,” joked Edwards before making a wish and blowing out the candles on a large birthday cake.

The crowd of approximately 40 well-wishers included friends, family, members of the PPCLI Association, Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada Association, while Member of Parliament for Saanich Gulf Islands Elizabeth May also joined in the celebration. During the party a congratulatory message from Queen Elizabeth was read aloud while Senator Yonah Martin of British Columbia sent Edwards a video birthday greeting.

Edwards served Canada unconditionally from the start of the Second World War until his eventual retirement from the Canadian Armed Forces in 1969. He was also part of Canada’s Peace Keeping mission in Cyprus and the Third Arab–Israeli War. He once remarked during a previous interview that he is old enough to have attended a Civil War Veterans’ parade in New Jersey, as a young boy. That happened in the late 1920s, in the years after his family had immigrated to New Jersey from England. Edwards eventually moved to Canada when he was a young man and first settled in Toronto where he joined the Queen’s Own Rifles.

He could offer little insight into the secret to long life. He chalked most of it up to having good parents and good genetics while also noting that having an appreciation and understanding the preciousness of life has also been key to his longevity.

“It was in times of combat like Kapyong that you realize all life is by chance and life is a gift, given to you to use the best way you can,” said Edwards. “Life is really about all of the friends you make and that became crystal clear to me in Korea because all the chaps you serve with all become one family.”

These days Edwards’ mobility has been hampered by a stroke and he uses a walker to get around. However, his vivid memories of his military service along with his sense of humour remain fully intact. Edwards is a prolific writer and has kept detailed accounts in several handwritten journals that include photos and battlefield maps – and he is happy to share his stories with anyone who asks.

He traded barbs and jabs with his long-time friend, Commander (ret’d) Peter Chance who will celebrate his own 100th birthday in December 2020. Chance, whom Edwards jokingly referred to as his “junior,” didn’t serve with him in Korea, but was right there beside his long-time friend when he blew out the candles on his cake.

Chance, also a prolific writer of military history served in the Second World War with the Royal Canadian Navy during Battle of the Atlantic. The two have been friends since 1975 when Chance worked for the local branch of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and Edwards was volunteering for the Cadet Corps program at CFB Esquimalt.

“I consider Murray and I to be much like ‘the last of the Mohicans’ because of our longevity and I know he and I both enjoyed this party immensely because it makes us both realize the number of people who appreciate and support us,” he said.

http://www.lookoutnewspaper.com/veteran-celebrates-gift-life/

by Seawolf Wed 05 Feb 2020, 4:27 pm

Tech industry turns to veterans to fill jobs
By Lookout on Feb 05, 2020

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Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~

Information technology executive Patrick Shaw says he has a solution for his industry’s workforce shortfall: teach and then hire more Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) veterans.

The Toronto-based tech industry consultant is turning his attention to the education sector to create this army of highly skilled IT and cyber security experts from veterans and transitioning members of the military.

“We envision developing their software skills through training in IT [Information Technology] and cyber security; it will have tremendous value for our industry and for Canada as a country,” says Shaw.

With that in mind, he and his business partner Jeff Musson founder of tech networking group Northof41, launched a fast-track distance education learning program called Coding for Veterans. The program runs in partnership with Ontario’s Durham College and the University of Ottawa. Students can attend similar classes in person elsewhere, but the course is entirely geared towards attending classes from locations across Canada through the computer application Moodle.

It’s all about supply and demand. The information communication and technology sector needs approximately 182,000 staff by the end of the year to fill new cyber security analyst, software programmer, and data analyst jobs.

“We decided we could do something about this,” says Shaw, noting the untapped market of the retiring military members.

In the last 15 years, approximately 140,000 military personnel have been discharged and transitioned to civilian life with another 25,000 more expected over the next five years.

The seed for the Coding For Veterans educational program was planted two years ago following a conversation Shaw and Musson had with a representative from the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS). The CSIS employee commented that transitioning forces members and veterans were “very well positioned” to support the IT field in the private sector.

Fast-forward to late 2019 and the program was ready to launch.

Coding For Veteran’s syllabus says it “vows to provide men and women from the CAF with a unique opportunity to develop highly sought after technical skills, preparing them for success in the rapidly expanding innovation economy.”

Ten students began their studies in December 2019. Each post-secondary institution’s course is geared towards developing a different skill set.

The Durham College courses focuses on introductory software development and basic computer coding required for most computer programmer jobs, such as how to set up a network and ensure its security. Shaw says this instruction would be suitable for those people with limited experience in the field of information technology.

The course at University of Ottawa is more advanced and focuses on cyber security and its management.

Students in the Coding For Veterans program must undergo an introductory phase. At the end of their course work they enter a mentoring phase where they are assisted in finding employment.

The time commitment is roughly five hours a day for eight months, with course instruction on demand and viewable any time of day through the Moodle app.

“We designed our program this way because we wanted to take into account the specific needs of all veterans, including those with commitments at home and to their families, and also those with injuries or other medical issues whose ability to spend five continuous hours of studying may be limited.”

They have already tipped off senior executives at some of Canada’s largest corporations such as IBM and Toronto Dominion Bank that a new breed of IT employees is in the making.

“Most of the people we talked to at these companies immediately said ‘yes, we will take everybody we can get from that program’,” said Shaw.

For more information on Coding For Veterans visit their website: codingforveterans.com

http://www.lookoutnewspaper.com/tech-industry-turns-veterans-fill-jobs/

by Zodiac Sat 08 Feb 2020, 1:16 pm

Legion offers free memberships
By Lookout on Feb 08, 2020

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Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~

The Royal Canadian Legion is encouraging eligible current-serving Canadian Armed Forces members to take advantage of a free membership for 2020.

The free membership dues are part of the Legion’s Veteran’s Welcome Program and all Canadian Armed Forces personnel are eligible, provided they are becoming first-time members.

The Welcome Program waives the annual $50 membership dues. The new promotion is also open to employees of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).

Royal Canadian Legion BC/Yukon Vice President, Master Corporal (Retired) John Scott says the best time for potential new members to join is “right now” so they can reap the biggest rewards from the promotion: a full year of comradery, community leadership and volunteer opportunities, access to member benefits, and a one-year subscription to Legion Magazine.

Scott, who served 18 years in the Canadian Army, is the BC/Yukon Legion’s Membership Committee Chair. He says the free membership promotion is part of the Legion’s efforts to reverse declining membership and the closures of Legion branches across the country.

In recent years, Canada’s non-profit, ex-service organization has seen its membership drop considerably. A 2018 story by The Globe and Mail reported that membership numbers had fallen from 604,000 members in 1984 to 275,000 members.

To combat the decline, the Legion has taken a new approach to its membership criteria. Until recently, membership was restricted to those who served and their immediate families, and graduated cadets. Today, members of the general public are also eligible to become members, advocate for veterans, and find meaningful community leadership and volunteer opportunities

Scott says stronger membership numbers gives the organization a stronger voice in Ottawa when advocating for veteran’s issues with organizations such as Veteran’s Affairs Canada.

“We advocate for improvement for veterans and their pensions, support services, the way veterans are treated, along with a host of other issues,” said Scott. “The successful delivery of this message should also be of great concern for current-serving military members who will one day be veterans.”

For more information on how to become a member of your local legion branch visit the webpage: Legion

http://www.lookoutnewspaper.com/legion-offers-free-memberships/

by Lionfield Fri 14 Feb 2020, 5:13 pm

Coining support for veterans
By Lookout on Feb 14, 2020

Peter Mallett, Staff Writer

A military veteran has created a collectable coin for the ill and injured to let them know they are not alone.

The Battle Buddy Challenge Coin, says creator Leading Seaman (Retired) Debbi Ferguson, is a symbol of hope and support.

Those who purchase them for themselves become part of the Battle Buddy family. Those who buy them as a gift become a Battle Buddy, demonstrating that no one gets left behind.

That idea is echoed in the design, with a soldier carrying an injured comrade to safety. On the flip side, two hands interlock in a firm grip, symbolic of reaching out for help, with a maple leaf in the background. The coin has a silver antique finish and comes with a registered number and certificate with the name of the recipient.

Ferguson has also turned the design into a Battle Buddy dog tag, as some people prefer to wear the art rather than carry a coin.

“The purchaser of the coin is saying to the recipient, I have your back and I am there for you in the darkest hour, and will be there to pick you up in your time of need. I will always have your six.”

Ferguson created the coin and dog tag as part of her company Delta Fox Trot Designs, which she opened after leaving the military in 2008. She served for 14 years before a medical release.

She says the concept for the coin and terminology was drawn from Second World War infantry, with each soldier on the battlefield assigned a battle buddy or foxhole buddy. This life-or-death pact required one soldier to keep an eye out for threats while their battle buddy focussed on the enemy.

Her artistry extends beyond the coins and into military themed drawings, paintings, and logo designs placed on t-shirts, ball caps, and stickers.

Partial proceeds from sales go to veteran charities such as the Canadian Legacy Project and Homes for Heroes Canada.

Coin pricing ranges from $19 to $97, depending on the presentation package, personalization, and style of display case. While most sales are domestic, she has sold to the U.S. and to far-away places such as Serbia, Australia, and New Zealand.

“This level of interest has truly made me realize I did the right thing when I created the coins because it helps bring our first line of defence people hope. It is saving lives,” said Ferguson. “As veterans and first line of defence personnel, we all suffer from some sort of work-related injury, and we struggle when not in uniform anymore. Yet, we all understand each other’s pain more than anyone else.”

Delta Fox Trot Design will be at the Feb. 27 MARPAC Health and Wellness Expo in the Naden gym. Ferguson says she looks forward to meeting and hearing the stories of other veterans from Victoria and further afield. To learn more about the company go to deltafoxtrot.ca

http://www.lookoutnewspaper.com/coining-support-veterans/

by **Terminator** Mon 16 Mar 2020, 5:18 pm

FAQs – Canadian Forces Housing Agency Message on COVID-19

By Lookout on Mar 16, 2020

In order to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19, the Canadian Forces Housing Agency (CFHA) at CFB Esquimalt is asking that all occupants requiring housing services to please contact CFHA by phone or by email. READ MORE for more details and FAQs.

In order to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19, the Canadian Forces Housing Agency (CFHA) at CFB Esquimalt is asking that all occupants requiring housing services to please contact CFHA by phone – (250)363-4421 or by email – Cfha-alfc.esquimalt@forces.gc.ca, rather than attending the Housing Service Centre (HSC) in person.

If you have travelled to affected areas, had close contact with a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19 or handled materials known to contain COVID-19, you may be at risk. If you have a fever, cough, or difficulty breathing or suspect you may have been exposed to someone with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) or if you are showing symptoms of Covid-19, do one of the following:

* For CAF members, you must identify yourself to the medical staff at your local military clinic as soon as possible.
* For civilian employees or the general public, call your health care provider or local public health authority as soon as possible.

If you are an occupant of the CFHA-managed housing and if you, any family member or person living in your RHU has a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19, we ask that please call the HSC immediately to report it.

You can visit Canada.ca/coronavirus for more information, including Frequently Asked Questions about the virus and the Government of Canada’s actions. You can also contact the Government of Canada’s information line at 1-833-784-4397.

If you have any questions about this email or if you have a maintenance issue that needs to be resolved, please feel free to contact CFHA through our generic email account Cfha-alfc.esquimalt@forces.gc.ca, or by calling your CFHA Customer Service Representative – (250)363-4421. If you require Emergency After Hours Service call 1-800-903-2342.

http://www.lookoutnewspaper.com/canadian-forces-housing-agency-message-covid-19/

by Phantom Wed 29 Jul 2020, 7:42 pm

Kuwait honours Persian Gulf veterans

By Lookout on Jul 29, 2020

http://www.lookoutnewspaper.com/kuwait-honours-persian-gulf-veterans/?fbclid=IwAR2VJPlhRGvV_IRFh1RmFlXhHSnCcieQ0046epnWOe8R-PdkC78sBov5oNA

by Tazzer Thu 06 Aug 2020, 8:59 am

Dr. Bonnie Henry’s military roots

By Lookout on Aug 05, 2020

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SLt M.X. Déry, MARPAC PAO ~

The journey to Dr. Bonnie Henry becoming a household name in B.C. and across the rest of Canada began decades ago as the child of a military family.

She still has the stereotypical answer to the question, “Where are you from?”

“I was born in Fredericton when my father was posted to CFB Gagetown, but I consider Charlottetown my hometown,” she says, because her father was a Major with the Lord Strathcona’s Horse, Canadian Army. “We moved around a lot.”

She grew up in towns across Canada and abroad – from Charlottetown to Calgary to Saint John’s and even as far away as the Netherlands.

But it was summer employment with the Naval Reserves as a Naval Warfare Officer, then known as a Naval Control of Shipping officer, that would lead her to B.C., and eventually to Provincial Health Officer for British Columbia managing COVID-19, the first woman to hold that position.

An interest in medicine led her to Dalhousie University Faculty of Medicine in Halifax, Nova Scotia. While completing her medical degree, she decided to follow her father’s path and join the Canadian Armed Forces.

“Being an armoured corps officer, he was sorely disappointed when I joined the navy,” she quips.

The military, always in need of medical staff, paid for the last two years of her degree.

Like her current position, back in the 1990s she was a female rarity in the medical, navy, and diving world. She spent almost 10 years showcasing how woman can excel in the military domain. During her service, she was a ship’s diver, flight surgeon, and medical diver. Each of those roles required special training that exposed her to physical and mental stressors.

“They were all physically demanding and intellectually stimulating,” she says. “I really enjoyed the physical part as well as the understanding, from a medical perspective, of the occupational challenges life in the military and specific things such as diving or flying have on people.”

She dove with Fleet Diving Unit clearance divers to understand the unique challenges of the underwater environment and their medical needs should a situation arise where the decompression chamber would be required. While she wasn’t the strongest diver, she persevered through the training and managed donning the complex dive gear and operating the heavy dive equipment.

As a medical officer, she sailed in HMCS Annapolis, HMCS Provider and HMCS Regina, and attended to the medical needs of the crew. She recalls many late night knocks at her cabin door from a sailor needing something minor such as a Band-Aid.

“As a medical officer, my job was 90 per cent boredom and 10 per cent panic,” she says wryly. “My role in the ship was also a public health one.”

During port visits, she held the customary briefings to explain the importance of protective measures in foreign cities, from food dangers to sexual safety.

She was even at the forefront of banning smoking in warships. At that time sailors could puff away inside the ship, even in the racks.

“I walked into a meeting and most of the men there were smokers. We had done a survey and 50 per cent of the crew were smokers,” she said.

Despite coming prepared to argue for the ban, it wasn’t required.

“It surprised me that they all agreed smoking was bad and it was banned [inside the ship].”

The uniqueness of sailing in a warship stays with her to this day.

“I remember sailing down to RIMPAC; half way to Hawaii we stopped the ship to have a swim. There is something about swimming in the middle of the Ocean when you realize the closest piece of land is one nautical mile away, straight down.”

In 1995, Dr. Henry retired from the military at the rank of Lieutenant (Navy), exchanging her weighted diver’s boots and sailor footwear for her signature Fluevog shoes. When she joined the civilian workforce, she took with her the many lessons learned about leadership and decision making.

“I learned the importance of understanding what people do to deal with a crisis. In a crisis it is important to make decisions with the best information you have at the time, but often the information is imperfect and there may be things we don’t yet know. Not everybody is comfortable making a decision in these circumstances.”

Her wisdom has grown through her work with UNICEF, the World Health Organization, and dealing with public health crises at varying levels in Canada, such as Anthrax, Polio, Ebola, SARS and H1N1. Now she advises the province on how to handle this global pandemic.

To her health care colleagues currently in uniform thinking of careers after military service, she offers this advice.

“Be confident that the training and experience you have from the military will hold you in good stead in the civilian world as well. That and the extra experience you get from a leadership perspective can be readily transferable. Just don’t expect everyone in the ‘real’ world to follow your advice!”

As the pandemic continues around the world, B.C. residents should continue to follow Dr. Henry’s advice: “Be kind. Be calm. Be safe.”

http://www.lookoutnewspaper.com/dr-bonnie-henrys-military-roots/

by Tazzer Thu 06 Aug 2020, 9:01 am

HMCS Fredericton returns to a different world

By Lookout on Aug 05, 2020

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Ryan Melanson, Trident Newspaper ~

After 141 days at sea that brought unexpected difficulties and tragedy, HMCS Fredericton and crew were finally reunited with their families, friends, and colleagues when they arrived back in Halifax July 28.

“We all know we’re returning to a very different world than when we left Halifax six months ago, but I can’t tell you how great it is to be back on Canadian soil,” said Commander Blair Brown to a small crowd at HMC Dockyard, and to thousands who watched online to see the ship come alongside.

Rather than having a crowd of family members waiting as sailors disembarked, the crew was bussed to Windsor Park to reunite with loved ones in a way that complies with physical distancing guidelines.

Before reaching shore, the ship was met at sea by Gen Jonathan Vance, Chief of the Defence Staff, and Harjitt Sajjan, Minister of National Defence, who spoke with the crew to privately thank them for their work under exceptionally difficult circumstances.

On April 29, Fredericton’s CH-148 Cyclone helicopter, code named Stalker 22, crashed during operations off the coast of Greece, with six CAF members losing their lives – Capt Brenden Ian MacDonald, Capt Kevin Hagen, Capt Maxime Miron-Morin, MCpl Matthew Cousins, SLt Abbigail Cowbrough, and SLt Matthew Pyke.

Despite the loss of their friends and shipmates, the crew carried on with their mission through a COVID-19 environment that made it impossible to get rest away from the ship while in port or to travel home on leave.

“Our role in Operation Reassurance was vital, and our ship’s company displayed tremendous resilience, a positive attitude, and unwavering commitment to that mission,” said Cdr Brown.

Others who were present at the jetty for the arrival included family members of Fredericton’s fallen sailors and aviators, who received flowers and condolences from Cdr Brown and other members of senior Royal Canadian Navy and Canadian Armed Forces leadership in attendance.

“The loss of our shipmates and the crash of Stalker had a profound impact on all of us. It was felt by every single one of us on board every day, and it’s left a space in our hearts that will remain there for the rest of our days. I extend my deepest sympathies and condolences,” said Cdr Brown.

As part of Canada’s ongoing commitment to Operation Reassurance, HMCS Toronto is now en route to join NATO allies and continue the mission of ensuring stability and security in Central and Eastern Europe.

http://www.lookoutnewspaper.com/hmcs-fredericton-returns-different-world/

by **SniperGod** Wed 28 Oct 2020, 4:13 pm

HMCS Windsor prepares for return to sea

By Lookout on Oct 28, 2020

Ryan Melanson
Trident Newspaper
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Excitement is building among HMCS Windsor personnel as the submarine wraps up the last phase of its Transitional Docking Work Period (TDWP) and gets set to sail for the first time since 2018.

“The closer we get to it, the more and more excited my crew and I are becoming. Being alongside isn’t ideal for any sailor, so we’re all chomping at the bit to get back to sea,” said LCdr Drew Matheson, Windsor’s Commanding Officer.

Windsor entered the submarine shed at HMC Dockyard in Halifax in October 2018 to begin its Transitional Docking Work Period (TDWP), undergoing deep maintenance work along with modernization upgrades over the last two years.

The TWDP’s purpose is to set the Victoria-class sub on its new operational cycle, which is planned to be nine years of service followed by three years of maintenance, a change from the previous six year/two year cycle. In order for that to happen, Windsor was required to go “back up on the blocks,” as LCdr Matheson describes it.

The two-pronged TDWP approach involved work on key pieces of maintenance to fix up the wear and tear from a busy sailing period from 2014 to 2018. That period saw Windsor deployed to Europe multiple times, with participation in exercises Joint Warrior and Trident Juncture. The sub also spent more than three months operating in the Mediterranean in 2018, a first for the Victoria-class fleet.

On top of the maintenance and repairs, the boat also underwent capability upgrades, receiving the new state-of-the-art BQQ-10 sonar, as well as an overhaul to its weapons systems. Windsor will now be armed with the Mk 48 MOD 7AT torpedo, an upgrade from the previous Mk 48 MOD 4M.

“In order to employ that, we had to make significant upgrades to our weapons capability through our torpedo handling system, our weapons discharge system, and our fire control system,” LCdr Matheson said.

Like most other Royal Canadian Navy and Canadian Armed Forces units, Windsor experienced a work stoppage in the spring when the country locked down to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. But despite a two-month interruption, work on the TWDP stayed ahead of schedule, and the boat was taken from the submarine shed and lowered back into Halifax Harbour in early August, earlier than expected. LCdr Matheson said dedicated work from FMF Cape Scott personnel, as well as his own sailors, was key to making that happen.

Workers from FMF Cape Scott are still on board now that Windsor is back in the water, finishing up the final pieces of maintenance while the crew begins powering up their main systems and beginning alongside trials.

“They’ve put it all back together, and now we have to prove that it works. When you’re adding new capabilities on board, that always comes with heavy trials and testing to make sure we have full acceptance of the system,” said LCdr Matheson. “If everything goes smoothly, we’ll camber dive the boat to prove its watertight integrity alongside, and then we’ll proceed to sea.”

LCdr Matheson also thanked Formation Safety for their support since Windsor went back into the water, and said that team has been on board extensively making sure the most up-to-date COVID-19 policies are being followed in accordance with the Commander Canadian Submarine Force’s goal to provide a safe work environment for anyone who boards a Victoria-class submarine.

Looking ahead, the sub will enter its tiered-readiness program at sea after proving its dive integrity, bringing both Windsor and its crew back into fighting shape. Beyond that, Canadian submarine movements are classified, but LCdr Matheson said his crew is looking forward to conducting their business at sea with a modernized and operationally available platform.

“The Defence Policy directs us to modernize the Victoria-class Submarine and to operate them at home and abroad, supporting Canada’s national interest and its international commitments. That’s what we intend to do.”

http://www.lookoutnewspaper.com/hmcs-windsor-prepares-return-sea/?fbclid=IwAR1s7NiRuG6E9Q4Mp9r1AimH-_XgD_jktHBKIDABiAjJvKUX0ZVxz-eCRT0

by TangoZulu77 Tue 17 Nov 2020, 7:54 am

Veteran’s poem recalls liberation of Europe

By Lookout on Nov 16, 2020

Lookout - Page 4 20181013_113340-1-960x1024

http://www.lookoutnewspaper.com/veterans-poem-recalls-liberation-europe/?fbclid=IwAR3rRYvb4fMMZBfW6srlnxH1JvkwXjnkRvP9o4T_5q3XpEE1po1BtuW8N1A

by Sandman Sun 24 Jan 2021, 8:51 pm

Veteran sees Invictus rewards despite postponement

By Lookout on Jan 24, 2021

http://www.lookoutnewspaper.com/veteran-sees-invictus-rewards-despite-postponement/

by Charlie Tue 26 Jan 2021, 8:18 am

Canada assumes command of Standing NATO Maritime Group One

By Lookout on Jan 25, 2021

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DND / CAF
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Commodore Bradley Peats officially assumed command of Standing NATO Maritime Group One (SNMG1) during a change of command ceremony held in Lisbon, Portugal, Jan. 18.

Cmdre Peats assumed command from Commodore José António Mirones of the Portuguese Navy.

SNMG1 is one of four NATO Standing Naval Forces (SNF) that provide the Alliance with a continuous naval capability and presence that forms the core of the Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (Maritime). It is a multinational deterrent force that carries out a robust programme of operational deployments and complex training exercises and events with national navies to build and maintain the highest levels of readiness, interoperability, and war fighting capabilities.

NATO is a cornerstone of Canada’s international security policy. It is also one of our most important multilateral relationships. Canada’s membership in the Alliance enables meaningful cooperation with Allies and partners to strengthen transatlantic defence and security, preserve the rules-based international order, and lead or otherwise contribute to international peace, security and stability efforts abroad.

“I am honoured to have the opportunity and privilege of leading SNMG1 and look forward to building upon the successful deployment of Commodore Mirones, his flagship Corte-Real, and the outgoing SNMG1 staff,” said Cmdre Peats. “In an uncertain global environment, we are proud to contribute to NATO’s assurance and deterrence measures in Western and Northern European waters, including the Baltic Sea, North Sea, Norwegian Sea, and their maritime approaches.”

HMCS Halifax is currently deployed with Standing NATO Maritime Group One as part of Operation Reassurance, Canada’s contribution to NATO regional assurance and deterrence measures. Halifax is now the flagship for the SNMG1 command team and headquarters staff throughout the remainder of its deployment.

http://www.lookoutnewspaper.com/canada-assumes-command-standing-nato-maritime-group-one/

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