Home for the holidays - Trident Newspaper
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Monday January 11, 2021 Volume 55, Issue 1
www.tridentnewspaper.com
Home for the holidays
HMCS Toronto arrived back in Halifax on December 23 after a five-month European
deployment on Operation REASSURANCE. The homecoming was days earlier than
planned, giving members of the crew the gift of spending Christmas and the holiday
season with their loved ones.
MONA GHIZ, MARLANT PA
2 TRIDENT NEWS JANUARY 11, 2021
HMCS Halifax departs for six-month Operation
REASSURANCE deployment
By Ryan Melanson
Trident Staff
A new year brought a new mission sailors and their families, Cdr Rochon
for the ship’s company of HMCS Hali- added. The unique nature of this de-
fax, who left homeport on New Year’s ployment was accentuated by the lack
Day to join Standing NATO Maritime of family members at the jetty for the
Group One as part of a six-month send-off, with COVID-19 restrictions
deployment to Operation REASSUR- barring the usual large gathering. The
ANCE. ship has been planning extensively
The departure marks the 15th since March, and without downplaying
consecutive deployment in support of the legitimate worries and risks asso-
the NATO assurance and deterrence ciated with the pandemic, Cdr Rochon
mission in European waters, with said he’s confident his crew will be
RCN ships maintaining a consistent kept safe and healthy.
presence since 2014. Halifax will be “COVID challenged us to adjust our
operating with its NATO allies in training, technical and personnel man-
Western and Northern European agement in ways we would have never
waters – they’re set to conduct an imagined. In the face of this challenge,
intense program of operational patrols this team has thrived and succeeded.”
and training exercises, maintaining For the majority of sailors, the big-
NATO’s presence in key regions while gest change will be the lack of along-
also building on their ability to work in side visits through the six-month trip.
concert with the multinational vessels Getting off ship and exploring foreign
that make up the SNMG1 task group. ports is typically a big bonus on this
“This is our commitment to our type of extended deployment, and has
NATO partners that we will continue been made impossible due to the global Cdr Chris Rochon, Commanding Officer of HMCS Halifax, spoke to reporters, and
to work with them, to learn how to bet- nature of the pandemic. This means to an audience watching online via live stream, prior to the ship’s departure.
ter work together, and to assure them spending even more time on board, MONA GHIZ, MARLANT PA
Canada will be a committed partner said PO1 Joyce Farmer, who tried to
now and into the future,” said Cdr put a positive spin on the situation.
Chris Rochon, Halifax’s Commanding “We’ll be very enclosed, but as a
Officer, while speaking to media prior Navy family we are going to have to
to departing. He was backed up at the keep ourselves entertained,” she said.
podium by Cmdre Bradley Peats, who’ll “We’re going to work out, get to
be joining the ship in Europe as Can- know each other, keep in touch with
ada assumes command of SNMG1 for our families, and have a lot of time to
the duration of the deployment. Cmdre ourselves.”
Peats will take over as Commander HMCS Halifax will join their SNMG1
SNMG1, while Halifax will serve as allies in the coming days, and Canada
the task group flagship, replacing the will officially assume command of the
Portugese Navy ship NRP Corte-Real. task group following a ceremony in
It’s an exciting time for HMCS Hal- Lisbon, Portugal on January 18.
ifax, but it’s also an anxious time for
S1 Joannie Auclair, left and PO1 Joyce Farmer, both members of HMCS Halifax’s
ship’s company, show some love before leaving the jetty.
MONA GHIZ, MARLANT PA
12 Wing Shearwater leadership was on hand to see off the ship and its embarked Families and friends watch from the Halifax waterfront as HMCS Halifax departs
CH-148 Cyclone Helicopter Air Detachment. on January 1 for a six-month deployment to Op REASSURANCE..
MONA GHIZ, MARLANT PA HALIFAX & REGION MFRC
TRIDENT NEWS JANUARY 11, 2021 3
VAdm McDonald
named next Chief of
the Defence Staff
By Government of Canada
On December 23, Prime Minister the national response to the COVID-19
Justin Trudeau announced the upcom- pandemic, including support for Cana-
ing appointment of Vice-Admiral Art da’s vaccine rollout through Operation
McDonald, currently Commander of the VECTOR.
Royal Canadian Navy, as Chief of the The Prime Minister thanked General
Defence Staff. Jonathan Vance for his years of distin-
VAdm McDonald will be promoted to guished service leading the Canadian
the rank of Admiral and replace the cur- Armed Forces. General Vance will
rent Chief of the Defence Staff, General continue to serve in his role until the
Jonathan Vance, who will be retiring appointment of the new Chief of Defence
from the Canadian Armed Forces.VAdm Staff takes effect at a Change of Com-
McDonald became Commander of the mand ceremony to be held the week of
Royal Canadian Navy in June 2019. January 11, 2021.
Before his appointment, he command- “At home and abroad, Canadian
ed HMCS Halifax, the Fifth Maritime Armed Forces members have always
Operations Group, and Joint Task Force answered the call of duty, working day
Pacific. Through these and other naval in and day out to keep us and our loved
roles, he circumnavigated the globe, led ones safe. Vice-Admiral Art McDonald
sea-based humanitarian and disaster brings decades of experience in a vari-
relief operations, and commanded a ety of command and staff roles, and I am
multi-national task group in the High confident that he will provide dedicated
Arctic. leadership to the Canadian Armed Forc-
In his new role, VAdm McDonald will es as they continue to respond wherever
oversee the Canadian Armed Forces’ on- is needed to protect Canadians and our
going operations in Canada and around values,” the Prime Minister said.
Vice-Admiral Art McDonald will be the next Chief of the Defence Staff. the world, and their contributions to
DND
VAdm Baines will be
37th Commander RCN
Operation VECTOR The next Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy will be a familiar face to
Members of the Royal Canadian Air Force’s 436 Transport Squadron supported sailors on the east coast. VAdm Craig Baines served as Commander of the Atlan-
the Public Health Agency of Canada with the delivery of special freezers from Otta- tic Fleet from 2014-2017 before being appointed Commander of Maritime Forces
wa to the northern Territories between December 12-15 to assist territorial health Atlantic and Joint Task Force Atlantic, a position he held until July 2020. His
agencies with COVID-19 vaccine distribution. This mission was conducted as part 33-year CAF career also includes appointments as Commanding Officer of HMCS
of Operation VECTOR, which is the Canadian Armed Forces’ mission supporting Winnipeg and Base Commander at CFB Esquimalt. He was promoted to Vice-Ad-
the Government of Canada’s COVID-19 vaccine distribution and delivery efforts. miral by Gen Jonathan Vance, Chief of the Defence Staff, on January 5, and will
assume command of the Royal Canadian Navy during a ceremony on January 12,
MCPL GENEVIEVE LAPOINTE, CAF PHOTO
replacing VAdm Art McDonald.
RCN PUBLIC AFFAIRS
4 TRIDENT NEWS JANUARY 11, 2021
HMCS Star delivers duff and a
www.tridentnewspaper.com
Editor: Ryan Melanson
ryan.melanson@psphalifax.ca
morale boost
(902) 427-4235 By S1 Bill Jethro Bagunu
Editorial Advisor: Margaret Conway
HMCS Star
margaret.conway@forces.gc.ca
902-721-0560
Editorial Advisor: Ariane Guay-Jadah Festive dinners in the Royal Cana- it’s not a drill, it’s for real!). This in- health, and was something that LCdr
Ariane.Guay-Jadah@forces.gc.ca dian Navy are ripe with tradition and cluded the Officers, Chiefs & POs de- Sowa focused on. Senior leadership
902-721-8341
holiday cheer. On Saturday, Decem- livering boxes of cookies and sweets were also encouraged to reach out
ber 5th HMCS Star’s Festive Dinner with signed cards from the CO to the to their sailors over the holidays to
tradition continued, albeit a little dif- houses of junior sailors, staying true make sure everyone felt included in
www.tridentnewspaper.com ferently. Due to the ongoing pandem- to the tradition of leadership serving the Star family.
ic, only a limited number of sailors its junior ranks during the festive These are indeed strange times. A
Trident is an authorized military publication distributed
across Canada and throughout the world every second were able to attend this year’s festivi- season. large part of why people enlist in the
Monday, and is published with the permission of Rear ties. Canada is experiencing Covid-19 “I love it! For us the Festive Dinner Navy is to travel the world; now ei-
Admiral Brian Santarpia, Commander, Joint Task Force
Atlantic. The Editor reserves the right to edit, condense fatigue, but this didn’t prevent sailors is an opportunity for the sailors to be ther impossible or very limited due to
or reject copy, photographs or advertising to achieve the at Star from making the most of the treated from the Officers, Chiefs and Covid-19 restrictions. This has been
aims of a service newspaper as defined by the Interim
Canadian Forces Newspapers Policy dated April 11, circumstances. Petty Officers… to recognize their tough on all sailors. Many expected to
2005. Deadline for copy and advertising is 10 a.m., 11
business days prior to the publication date. Material must
HMCS Star is a Naval Reserve Di- efforts and allow them to be seated go on promotion courses this year or
be accompanied by the contributor’s name, address and vision located in Hamilton, Ontario. while we do the serving”, said LCdr be deployed and see new parts of the
phone number. Opinions and advertisements printed
in Trident are those of the individual contributor or
Its members fill diverse occupations Sowa. She ensured each vehicle was world. These prospects have been put
advertiser and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or including firefighting, real estate, equipped with hand sanitizer and that on hold and many have experienced
endorsements of the DND, the Editor or the Publisher.
teaching and engineering. Addition- social distancing practices and mask stresses in their civilian lives as well.
Le Trident est une publication militaire autorisée par le ally, Star is comprised of a large etiquette were followed throughout. Despite these challenges, the sailors
contre-amiral Brian Santarpia, Commandant la force
opérationnelle interarmées de l‘Atlantique, qui est number of students in college and During Duff box deliveries, S2 Lab- at HMCS Star have proven to be
distribuée partout au Canada et outremer les lundis university. Star sailors also regularly bé was promoted to S1 by LCdr Sowa. resilient. Many have recently been
toutes les quinzaines. Le rédacteur en chef se réserve
le droit de modifier, de condenser ou de rejeter les contribute their time to the RCN and The rank of Sailor First Class is a a part of Operation LASER, Cana-
articles, photographies ou annonces publicitaires have been deployed on various opera- milestone in any sailors’ career and da’s domestic response to Covid-19.
jugées contraires aux objectifs d’un journal militaire
selon la définition donnée à politique temporaire des tions around the world. having her promoted despite pandem- Moving forward into 2021, the federal
journaux des forces canadiennes. L’heure de tombée des The festivities began with promo- ic restrictions was something that government announced Operation
annonces publi- citaires ou des articles est fixée à 1000
le jeudi précédant la semaine de publication. Les textes tions, awards and presentations. Star’s Command Team viewed as the VECTOR, the mission involving mil-
peuvent être soumis en français ou en anglais; ils doivent Well-earned medals were awarded right thing to do. S1 Labbé, a musi- itary personnel for Covid-19 vaccine
indiquer le nom, l’adresse et le numéro de téléphone du
collaborateur. Les opinions et les annonces publicitaires for service in various operations cian at Star, expressed her gratitude. distribution. When asked about Star’s
imprimées par le Trident sont celles des collaborateurs et including CARIBBE, REASSURANCE “I was so surprised that all I could potential contribution to Op VEC-
agents publicitaires et non nécessairement celles de la
rédaction, du MDN ou de l’éditeur. and PROJECTION. Commissioning do was laugh and smile as I wore my TOR, LCdr Sowa indicated that Star
scrolls and certificates of recognition mask and watched them change my is currently canvassing its members’
Annual Subscription (25 issues): were provided and acknowledged epaulettes; needless to say, it ren- readiness and availability in order
• NS: $37.38 ($32.50 + 15 % HST)
• ON, NB & NFLD: $36.73 ($32.50 + 13% HST) by LCdr Marie-Sonya Sowa, HMCS dered me practically speechless”. She to best support the operation when
• BC: $36.40 ($32.50 + 12% HST) Star’s Commanding Officer. At the added, “I felt appreciated, valued, and it comes into effect in the New Year.
• Remainder of Canada:
$34.13 ($32.50 + GST) festive dinner, the Officers, Chiefs & happy to kick off the season with a No matter what the circumstances,
• United States: $45 US POs would normally serve the Ju- new rank on my shoulders!”. Star sailors regularly step up to assist
• Abroad: $65 US
nior Ranks a complete turkey dinner Additionally, the CO kept the when called upon.
Courier address:
2740 Barrington Street, prepared by Star’s Galley. Covid-19 tradition of switching ranks with the Star sailors are Naval Reservists
Halifax, N.S. restrictions prevented the unit from youngest sailor going and stopped by and thus, also members of their
B3K 5X5
gathering for these festivities, leading S3 Rupp’s front yard to briefly swap communities. Its sailors remain com-
Publication Mail Agreement No.
40023785 the Command Team to adapt the plan jackets. Throughout the day’s festiv- mitted to help support the military’s
Return undelivered Canadian address to: and find a new way to continue the ities, all members of Star were able domestic and international opera-
Trident Newspaper Bldg. S-93 tradition of serving its junior sailors to experience it live via Microsoft tions. But for now, they’ve earned a
PO Box 99000
Station Forces, Halifax, NS B3K 5X5 while following health regulations. Teams from the safety and comfort much-needed break – which perhaps
Return Postage Guaranteed So, the concept of Duff Boxes was of their homes. Surely, activities that tastes sweeter courtesy of the Duff
ISN 0025-3413
born, with the unique catch phrase boost morale and make this holiday Boxes.
Circulation: Minimum 8,500
of ‘Duff No Duff’ (‘Duff’ being naval season feel equally as festive as pre-
slang for desserts, ‘No Duff’ meaning vious years is important for mental
The Officers, Chiefs and POs of HMCS Star delivered boxes of treats, along with a The Naval Reserve Division also held an in-person gathering for a limited number
few promotions, to junior members of their unit over the holidays. of members to receive promotions and awards from Star’s command team.
HMCS STAR HMCS STAR
5 TRIDENT NEWS JANUARY 11, 2021
HMCS Toronto returns from
Op REASSURANCE in time
for the holidays
The family and friends of HMCS Toronto received an early gift on December
23 – the ship and ship’s company arrived back in Halifax earlier than planned
after a five-month deployment with NATO on Op REASSURANCE. Family and
friends reunited with their loved ones at the HMC Dockyard parking lot before
heading home for some well-deserved rest.
S1 Justin Steele won the ship’s First Kiss Lottery to be the sailor off the ship to
reunite with his family and kiss his newborn son for the first time.
MONA GHIZ, MARLANT PA
HMCS Toronto arrives in Halifax on December 23 after five months deployed overseas.
MONA GHIZ, MARLANT PA
Cdr Jeff Dargavel, Commanding Officer of HMCS Toronto, speaks to colleagues
and media after the ship arrived back in Halifax from a five-month Op
REASSURANCE deployment on December 23.
MONA GHIZ, MARLANT PA
Members of HMCS Toronto give a wave as the ship prepares to come alongside.
MONA GHIZ, MARLANT PA
The Honourable Arthur J. LeBlanc, Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia, left, and
Her Honour Mrs. Patsy LeBlanc were at the jetty to welcome HMCS Toronto home. PO1 Baird reunites with his family after arriving home with HMCS Toronto.
MONA GHIZ, MARLANT PA MONA GHIZ, MARLANT PA
6 TRIDENT NEWS JANUARY 11, 2021
The Bedford Range turns 80
By Cdr Brian May
Associate Centre Director and
Detachment Commander, Military Support Unit Atlantic, DRDC
In the opening days of the Second World War, Defensively Equipped Merchant Ship Section of
German aircraft began laying magnetic sea HMC Dockyard in Halifax, and the Nova Scotia
mines in the harbours of Great Britain to create a Light and Power Company installed the DG coils
shipping blockade. The magnetic mine had been and necessary electrical generating equipment in
used previously in the First World War, but their the ships.
now-easy deployment from aircraft created new Initially, a magnetometer that had been de-
operational challenges for the Allied Nations. signed and built in the Dalhousie laboratories
Ships’ vulnerability to this undersea threat lie was fitted inside a heavy, non-magnetic bronze
in the fact that when work is done to the metal box that was fitted with handling ropes. The
structure of a ship in the ever-present earth’s sensor was moved, by hand, along the underside
magnetic field, the ship itself becomes a magnet of of the ship to measure the magnetic signature.
significant size and strength. As the ship moves This difficult and labour-intensive procedure
through the water, it temporarily changes the earned the nickname of keelhauling. The Admi-
earth’s magnetic field in its immediate vicinity ralty considered an open range to be essential for
and this change can be detected by the trigger testing degaussed ships, and approval was given
mechanism of the mine, initiating an explosion. in June, 1940 to begin construction on one. A site Dr. G.H. Henderson, seen Dr. J.H.L. Johnstone.
In theory, it is easy to protect a ship from these was selected, in Bedford Basin, which had a level here, worked to develop COURTESY OF DALHOUSIE
mines by neutralizing, or at least greatly reduc- bottom at the required depths. A pier and build- degaussing techniques UNIVERSITY
ing, its magnetism. ing were constructed on an uninhabited portion early in the Second
The process of reducing a ship’s magnetism is of the eastern shore of the Basin to facilitate the World War, along with
called degaussing; it’s accomplished by passing attending motorboat and shore-based equipment. his colleague Dr. J.H.L.
an electrical current through specifically placed The facility was put into operation in October of Johnstone.
coiled cables within the ship to create an electro- 1940 and the first ship over this original range, COURTESY OF DALHOUSIE
magnet of opposite polarity to that of the ship. the first in North America, was HMCS Arras on UNIVERSITY
The challenge is, however, that each ship is a November 13, 1940.
magnet of a different size, shape and polarity, and The demonstrated utility of the Bedford Range
so its specific signature needs to be measured for led to the construction of other ranges in Sydney,
the degaussing (DG) system to operate to maxi- Vancouver and Quebec City. Writing in 1944, Dr.
mum effect. Henderson recalled that, “The science of degauss-
In the early days of the Second World War, ing grew up quickly by joint efforts all over the
the Royal Canadian Navy accepted the respon- world. Within some two years, it had reached the
sibility to degauss ships sailing from Canada to point where it was not worth putting in any more
Europe. Canadian scientists had worked closely refinements. The menace of the mine had been
with those of the Entente Powers during the First reduced practically to a nuisance and the cost of
World War to combat submarines and mines, but degaussing became the prime factor.” The core
in September of 1939, Defence Science still had no scientific staff that had been gathered together
formal place within the activities of the Canadian in the opening years of the Second World War
Government. In February of 1940, the Naval Staff formed the nucleus of the newly established HMC
approached two professors at Dalhousie Universi- Naval Research Establishment. This unit exists
ty, Dr. G.H. Henderson (1892-1949) and Dr. J.H.L. today as the Atlantic Research Centre of Defence
Johnstone (1891-1973), to develop degaussing Research and Development Canada. By 1944,
techniques. What information that was available the operation of the ranges was considered to be
at the time, arrived in “MOST SECRET” messag- largely routine business and was turned over to
es from the Admiralty, providing the estimated non-scientific staff; it continues to be operated
sensitivity of the enemy’s mines. Early exper- today by the skilled staff at Fleet Maintenance
imental work was conducted by the staff of the Facility Cape Scott. A chart of the Bedford Range dated July 21, 1945.
DRDC(A)
HMCS Winnipeg marks Hard at work aboard
anniversary of Pearl HMCS Harry DeWolf
Harbour attack S1 Ryan Smith, a Ma-
rine Technician with
HMCS Harry DeWolf,
Sailors aboard HMCS works inside the ship
Winnipeg crew the side in during proficiency
their tropical whites upon sails that took place
entering Pearl Harbour, prior to the holidays.
Hawaii on December 7, The ship is expected
2020. The ship commemorat- to being cold weather
ed National Pearl Harbour and ice trials early in
Remembrance Day and the 2021.
79th anniversary of the infa- CPL DAVID VELDMAN,
mous attack on the naval CAF PHOTO
base, which took place on
December 7, 1941.
S1 VALERIE LECLAIR, CAF PHOTO
7 TRIDENT NEWS JANUARY 11, 2021
People First, Mission Always: Force
preservation and generation in a pandemic
By SLt K.B. McHale-Hall
MARPAC PAO
clinical settings as Base Surgeon others.
and now Fleet Surgeon. LCdr Drake emphasizes the im-
In March, about a week before the portance that members follow their
Base introduced COVID-19 protocols, assigned quarantine protocol.
he started his current position; his “We’re putting a lot of trust in the
responsibilities are extensive. sailors. Where we can, we want to
“My main role is advising Com- allow for a quarantine that still gives
mand Staff in the Fleet, lately on the members the opportunity to spend
topic of COVID-19, as well as being the time at home and with their fam-
senior medical authority on this coast ilies, if possible, prior to sailing.
for all of the operational clinicians.” With the increase in prevalence on
To meet the unique challenges fac- Vancouver Island lately we are
ing military operations, they are forced to consider full quarantine as
using tools specifically developed for the primary protocol. We’re going
the Canadian Armed Forces and now through the tabletop exercises now
more recently for the navy. to determine what triggers specifical-
“We’ve leveraged our scientists ly indicate the requirement for full
at Defence Research Development quarantine. We’re recalculating risk
Canada, who have developed excel- on a daily basis. The Commodore and
lent modeling tools and maps. We I are very hopeful British Columbians
use these and other risk calculators will continue to heed the advice of Dr.
they’ve developed to determine Henry and that we’ll see a significant
the likelihood of bringing a case of reduction in our prevalence on the Is-
COVID-19 on board a ship or into a land such that we can limit the length
unit, based on the prevalence of infec- of quarantine and its impact on our
tion in the relevant community, the sailors and their families.”
length and type of quarantine, com- Prior to Exercise Trident
bined with testing strategies. I do Fury, with less than two weeks
a lot of those calculations in order separating their departures, mem-
to advise on risk. While the virus is bers of HMCS Calgary and HMCS Re-
circulating in our community, we’re gina conducted seven and 10
not going to get to a place where the day quarantine periods respectively,
risk is zero when embarking a ship or and were required to pass two rounds
cohorting a large group, but we need of COVID-19 testing prior to embarka-
to mitigate the risk to a reasonable tion, to combat the increasing risk.
level given the task they’re going out Members have also completed
to do.” self-assessments and been screened
He remains up-to-date on the latest for personal risk factors prior to em-
evidence to determine transmission barkation. Once on board ship, masks
risks, to develop protocols for ships are worn for a minimum of four days,
LCdr Mitchell Drake is the RCN’s Fleet at sea should they have suspicious relaxing the use of non-medical
Surgeon on the west coast. cases of respiratory illness present to masks after four days, at the Com-
SUBMITTED
the deployed medical team, or to de- manding Officer’s discretion. Once
termine how to overcome an outbreak a ship is underway, the minimum
scenario. But his primary goal is pre- requirements for a member to join a
“People first, mission always.” LCdr Drake shares the same po- venting such scenarios through risk ship is seven days full quarantine and
sition former Medical Officer now mitigation strategies, including a negative COVID-19 test.
Amidst a global pandemic, this Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bon- pre-embarkation protocols and test- In total, amidst the surge in prev-
core philosophy of the Canadian nie Henry once held during her time ing. alence in the province, an estimat-
Armed Forces is as important now in the Forces. In light of the current Units are following one of ed 1,400 tests will be conducted in
as it has ever been. The objective to pandemic, he now finds himself three pre-embarkation quaran- the two weeks leading up to the
preserve Force health while continu- liaising with her and her staff regu- tine protocols prior to sailing: CAF exercise.
ing Force generation lies at the fore- larly. Both east coasters with home- and BC Public Health guidance with “We don’t have intrinsic testing
front of the minds, and ultimately in towns in PEI, and having attended travel and group restrictions added; a capabilities here in Esquimalt in our
the hands, of military leadership and Dalhousie University in Halifax, modified quarantine; or a full quaran- clinic yet. All of the testing that’s
medical professionals. N.S., for medical school, LCdr Drake tine. happened ashore has relied on Is-
The month of December will see jokingly remarks of the commonali- Modified quarantines and full quar- land Health and their lab staff at
several warships and hundreds of ties. “I don’t have any shoes named antines typically last seven to 14 days, Victoria General Hospital. Despite
sailors at sea off the coast of British after me yet, but there’s still time.” occur in a member’s home or military the pre-existing workloads they face,
Columbia participating in Exer- His career began in the Naval provided accommodations, and come they’ve been eager, exceptionally
cise Trident Fury, all while the prov- Reserves serving as a Logistics with specific restrictions. Modified helpful and flexible in supporting us,”
ince has experienced a resurgence in Officer while studying to become quarantines allow specific essential says LCdr Drake. “It’s been an in-
COVID-19 cases and issued restric- a physician. Since completing his activities to be conducted, and the po- teresting time. Scientists, clinicians
tions to certain activities. The ca- residency in Calgary, AB, he has tential for members to spend the quar- and Commanders have had to collab-
pability to exercise the fleet under served in a variety of roles, from antine period in their homes should orate closely in ways I’ve previously
these conditions can be accredited to deployments with the Canadian set household requirements be met. never seen in my career.”
the efforts of many, including Fleet Army in Europe and the Royal Cana- The strict protocol of a full quaran-
Surgeon LCdr Mitchell Drake. dian Navy at sea in Asterix, to more tine eliminates all interactions with
TRIDENT NEWS JANUARY 11, 2021 8
From d’Iberville to HMCS Moncton
Summerside: Meet Lt(N) Change of Command
William Belanger-Croteau
By Lt Sheila Tham,
Public Affairs Officer
From left to right: Incoming HMCS Moncton Commanding Officer LCdr Travis
Bain, Commander Canadian Fleet Atlantic Commodore Richard Feltham, and
outgoing HMCS Moncton CO LCdr Greg Zuliani about to sign certificates for
the change of command of HMCS Moncton held at the “Trap 4” Officers’ Mess,
building D165 on December 15.
CPL SIMON ARCAND, FIS
Lieutenant William Belanger-Croteau at work on board HMCS Summerside while
on deployment on Operation CARIBBE
Lieutenant (Navy) William Be-
CAF PHOTO
the Dominican Republic, Antigua,
Setting SMART Goals for
the new year
langer-Croteau is a Naval Warfare the Grenadines, the British Virgin
Officer who filled the Deck Officer Islands, and Miami.
position with HMCS Summerside “My favourite port visit was Bergen,
during the ship’s recent Op CARIBBE Norway. There’s a small town in the
By Madison Walsh, MPH, P.Dt.,
deployment. fjords and it was beautiful, the scenery
When approached to discuss his role was jaw-dropping,” he says. PSP Halifax Health Promotion Specialist
in the Royal Canadian Navy, he said, Although he loves travelling, that’s
“I’m 26 years old and the Navy has not his favourite part of being in the The beginning of a new year is ACHIEVABLE
trained me to drive a ship around the Navy. a popular time to set a New Year’s How can the goal be achieved?
world and represent Canada; I think “My proudest achievement was driv- Resolution, with hopes for improve-
that’s pretty cool.” ing in consort with Standing NATO ment in the coming year. Unfortu- REALISTIC
A native of Rimouski, Que., he Mine Countermeasure Group 1 across nately, the majority of New Year’s • Is this a worthwhile goal?
originally joined the Reserve Force the Baltic Sea. I was still a sub-lieu- Resolutions are not achieved. Life • Is this the right time for this goal?
with that community’s Naval Reserve tenant at the time and I was responsi- gets in the way, and it can become • Do I have the necessary resourc-
Division, HMCS d’Iberville, and spent ble for the safety and navigation of my difficult to follow through with es?
seven years there before joining ship within the NATO group. There your goal.
HMCS Summerside, which is based in were six ships and we were the only The good news is that there are TIMELY
Halifax. Canadians present,” he explained. things you can do to increase your • How long will it take to accom-
It’s actually his second CARIBBE, “I joined the Navy because I wanted chance of successfully achieving plish?
having deployed last year with HMCS to develop myself on a personal and your resolution – such as setting a • When/how often am I going to
Goose Bay and the year prior he went professional level,” he says. “I need- SMART goal. SMART goals are de- work on this goal?
on Operation TRIDENT JUNCTURE ed a job and realized that the Navy signed to help guide your goal-set- • When will I accomplish this goal?
across Europe. He’s enjoying his role allowed me to grow in so many differ- ting, providing a sense of direction, Once you’ve answered the above
as the Deck Officer on Summerside. ent ways, working with all kinds of motivation, and a clear focus. questions, develop your goal by en-
“You get to do more work with your different people.” SMART is an acronym that stands suring that all aspects are included.
hands. I like being in charge of all the He’s not the first in his family to for Specific, Measurable, Achiev- For example, a SMART goal could
weapons, boats, a group of boatswains serve in the military, but he is first in able, Realistic, and Timely. When be: “This year, I will increase my
and I like working with my team out- his family to become an officer. When setting a SMART goal, you will intake of vegetables by filling half
side,” he said. asked whether he would encourage incorporate all of these criteria to my dinner plate with vegetables
“As a kid you read all kinds of books someone to join, he answered suc- help focus your goal, and increase four days a week.”
about pirates and island hideaways, I cinctly – “Do it! … You are given the your chance of success.
think it’s really interesting to be able opportunity to work with so many To get started in setting your Too often, New Year’s Resolutions
to visit those islands and see what great people and see so many different SMART goal, review and reflect on are vague and unrealistic, with
they are really like.” places, and you get paid to do it.” the following questions: no sense of direction or focus. By
HMCS Summerside made a stop in As for what’s next, he plans on head- setting a SMART goal and using the
Curaçao in November for Op CARIB- ing back to Quebec. SPECIFIC above questions as a framework,
BE, but unlike past sails, the crew “I like sailing, but I’d like to be • What exactly do I want to accom- you will feel more in control of your
wasn’t permitted to leave the ship due closer to my family. The Reserves plish? goal, and increase your chance of
to COVID-19 precautions. He was okay allows me the flexibility to choose a success. Happy New Year!
with that, though – he’s had lots of contract in the location I want to be MEASURABLE
opportunities to travel with the Navy. in.” He mentioned that he sees himself • How will I measure my progress?
His past port visits include Azores, the back on the East Coast in a few years • How will I know when the goal is
United Kingdom, Norway, Sweden, for a very simple reason – “I will miss accomplished?
Denmark, Germany, Latvia Portugal, sailing.”
9 TRIDENT NEWS JANUARY 11, 2021
CFB Halifax Sports
Kevin Whittle - MARLANT
and RCN Coach of the Year
Kevin Whittle coached the For-
Recognition Awards
mation Halifax Women’s Slo-pitch
Team to a number of convincing
wins at the 2019 CAF Atlantic
Regional Slo-pitch Championship.
By PSP Halifax The women racked up double digit
victories in 4 out of 5 games, ending
with a pair of 16-run wins over CFB
Though limits on social gatherings meant PSP Halifax was unable to hold the
Gagetown to earn the gold medal.
18th Annual CFB Halifax Sports Recognition Awards in 2018, that doesn’t mean
Team members greatly appreciated
the winners are any less deserving of being acknowledged for their hard work
his level of experience as coach,
and contribution to military sport.
and his ability to create and modify
The unveiling of the 2020 award winners began on social media in December,
drills to improve the skills of all
and will continue, with the remainder of the winners set to be announced in the
players. Unfortunately, the CAF
coming weeks. Stay tuned to Facebook.com/PSPHalifax for the latest. Formal,
National Women’s Slo-pitch Cham-
in-person presentations of these awards and trophies will take place at a later
pionship was cancelled, so he did not get a shot at bringing home the National
date once in compliance with any public health regulations.
gold medal as well.
Winners that have been named thus far include:
Shearwater Men’s Golf - 12
Steven Stuart - MARLANT, RCN Wing Team of the Year
and CAF Official of the Year After three rounds of excellent
There is no off season for Steven golf at the 2019 CAF Atlantic Re-
Stuart. His duties as CAF Chief gional Golf Championship, the 12
Official for Volleyball and Level 4 Wing Shearwater Men’s Golf Team
Officiating designation keep him in were named Team Champions. The
high demand. In 2019 he officiated lowest five daily scores were used
no fewer than 15 volleyball cham- to determine the winning team.
pionships and several Leagues at Shearwater finished with a score of
every level including club, high 1273, beating 2nd place Halifax by
school, College, University, Provin- 26 strokes. Team members included
cial, and National. On the military Team Captain S. Bielecki (240), B.
side, he officiated both the CAF At- MacIntosh (242), S. Cooney (260), Z.
lantic Regional Championship, CAF Coleman (266), S. Maillet (265), and
National Championship and several J. McNally (281). Unfortunately, the
matches at the CISM Military World CAF National Golf Championship
Games in Wuhan, China. was cancelled so they did not get a
Steven has always supported local PSP programming and assisted with var- shot at bringing home the National gold medal as well.
ious clinics or events whenever needed. We are very fortunate to have such an
accomplished and qualified official here in Halifax. Formation Halifax Women’s
Slo-pitch - MARLANT and RCN
Barry Noseworthy - MARLANT Team of the Year
and RCN Male Athlete of the Year The Formation Halifax Women’s
Despite the high operational tem- Slo-pitch Team were a force to be
po of the Fleet Dive Unit (Atlantic), reckoned with at the 2019 CAF
Barry Noseworthy has remained Atlantic Regional Slo-pitch Champi-
extremely active in the CAF sports onship. After two early double digit
community. He was a member of victories the team suffered a sur-
both the Shearwater OT Hockey and prising loss to 14W Greenwood. The
Slo-pitch teams in 2019, where he women reasserted their dominance
won a gold medal at the CAF Atlan- by beating CFB Gagetown twice to
tic Regional OT Hockey Champi- win the championship and finish
onship and was named Team MVP with an average margin of victory
at the CAF National OT Hockey of 16 runs. Katherine Brajak was
Championship. named tournament MVP. Unfortu-
Locally, he competed in intersec- nately, the CAF National Women’s
tion and intramural competitions Slo-pitch Championship was can-
where he helped lead his teams to celled so they did not get a shot at bringing home the National gold medal as well.
victory. He also volunteered his time to assist PSP with Community Recreation Team members included K. Brajak, S. Drew, S. Eccleston, C. Fahie, R. Gagne-Leb-
programs, participated in the PO2 Craig Blake Memorial Fitness Challenge, and erge, L, Gladu, K. Godfrey, C. Hawkins, N. Hinkley, V. Lee, S. Lillington, E. Rowe,
coached his son’s baseball and hockey teams in whatever spare time he had left. A. Vassallo, and K. Watson. The team was coached by Kevin Whittle.
Olivia Clarke - MARLANT and Gabriel Auclair - 12 Wing and
RCN Female Athlete of the Year RCAF Male Athlete of the Year
Olivia Clarke got an opportunity Gabriel Auclair is often referred
to participate on the highest stage to as the “Gentle Giant” by mem-
for military sports in 2019.It start- bers of 406 (M) OTS in Shearwa-
ed in May at the USA Volleyball ter. As an athlete in the 109+ kg
Championship in Columbus, Ohio Masters Olympic weightlifting
where the CISM Women’s Volleyball category, he posted impressive
Team tested themselves against a results in 2019. None more so than
field of 20 teams. A strong showing his dramatic win at the 2019 World
earned them a berth into the CISM Masters Olympic Weightlifting
Military World Games in Wuhan, Championship. Team Canada was
China. Olivia was named co-captain sitting second in the team stand-
of the Canadian team for the event. ings behind the USA with Gabriel
Her leadership on and off the court last to lift. He lifted a total of 138
helped motivate the women to a kg for the snatch and 177 kg in the
sixth place finish; the highest the clean and jerk, for a total of 315 kg.
team has ever finished at a Military World Games. In her spare time Olivia also Not only did he finish first in his weight class and help Team Canada earn the
volunteers as Coach of the Ambrae Junior High Women’s Volleyball Team. gold medal, he also set three Canadian Masters records in the process.
TRIDENT NEWS JANUARY 11, 2021 10
CFB Halifax Sports Volume over intensity
Recognition Awards
By Deva Carr
Fitness and Sports Instructor, CFB Halifax
By PSP Halifax to competition, intensity is critical
to prepare for the unknown and the
Katherine MacAskill - 12 Wing unknowable. But during this short
Female Athlete of the Year window in a training year, it is just as
Duties within 12 OSS in Shearwa- necessary to rest and recover, short-
ter and a busy home life (currently en practices and take days off. These
on mat leave with her third child) high intensity sessions are the ones
left little free time for Katherine that might have reporters and camer-
MacAskill in 2019. Despite this fact, as present, further perpetuating the
she remained extremely active in ideal. However, for the other 350 days
soccer competition. She co-cap- of the year, practice makes perfect.
tained the Formation Halifax Wom- Losing a training day because you
en’s Soccer Team to a CAF Atlantic In sport there is a pervasive are too sore from your last practice
Regional Championship; won both idea that in order to succeed you should be seen as a training failure.
summer outdoor and winter indoor must leave everything on the field In order to improve consistently you
championships with the Halifax every time, that the champions win will be better off delivering a play-
City Whitecaps in the Metro Senior not because of technical skill, but ful practice effort. This still means
Women’s Soccer League; and because of all the sweat and blood working hard, and as you are able to
attended a training camp for the they poured out. Giving 110 percent train more efficiently, you can endure
CISM Women’s Soccer team where she earned a roster spot. effort, though mathematically im- longer sessions. Not because you are
possible, is expected from you – if stronger, but because you use less
you expect to improve. This men- of your mental capacity when your
tality inevitably leads to injuries, skills are ingrained. You won’t tire
lost training time and the mental out on game day if you don’t tire out
Army cadets accepting anguish that results from being on
the bench for the big game.
During the two weeks leading up
in practice. Remember – the best ath-
lete is the athlete that trains the most,
not the hardest.
new members
By 3036 Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps
The 3036 Sackville Lions RCEME Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps
will be accepting new youth between the ages of 12-18 to join the cadet
corps. New cadets are welcome to email us to set up a registration and
information phone call: cadets3036@gmail.com. There are no registration
fees. For more information, email: cadets3036@gmail.com or go to Face-
book.com/cadets3036
New Training Coordinator
for CAFATP
By Canadian Armed Forces Sports
A locally posted physiotherapist is the
newest member of the Canadian Armed
Forces Athletic Trainer Program
(CAFATP). Captain Boriana (Bonnie)
Stefanov is a Physiotherapy Officer
currently posted to CF H Svcs C(A), and
Spreading holiday cheer
in a previous life, she was a NCM in the
Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess
Mary’s) for over a decade before train-
ing to be a physiotherapist and transfer-
ring to the Regular Force. On December 15, the Formation Chaplain team and local Defence Team members
Capt Stefanov became involved with came together at the Base chapel to assemble care packages for members spending
CAFATP in 2015, and was the trainer the holiday leave period alone. A joint effort between the Chaplains and senior
for the CISM Men’s Volleyball Team Chiefs, this project was part of a larger effort to boost morale of single members
for two years prior to her deployment over the block leave, as many are not able to travel to other provinces due to ongo-
on OP REASSURANCE in 2019. She ing public health restrictions. Over 100 packages were assembled and delivered to
assumed the CAFATP Training Co- members in the week leading up to Christmas. Many thanks to the Chaplains and
ordinator position in early 2020, and Chiefs for always considering the welfare of our members; to Missy Sonier at PSP
is currently responsible for CAFATP Halifax for collecting items for the packages; and to all members who assisted
course development and delivery, and with this wonderful project.
Capt Boriana Stefanov is the new Train-
the maintenance of training standards CFB HALIFAX PUBLIC AFFAIRS
ing Coordinator for the CAF Athletic
Trainer Program. within the Program.
SUBMITTED Congratulations to Capt Stefanov!TRIDENT NEWS JANUARY 11, 2021 11
Findings of COVID-19 Faces of Base:
Defence Team Survey now Teresa Murphy
available By CFB Halifax Public Affairs
By DND incredibly rewarding, and has made
some amazing friends along the way!
The Department of National De- We will continue to monitor the Teresa enjoys sewing, crocheting,
fence (DND) and the Canadian Armed needs of all personnel and provide the baking and making homemade choc-
Forces (CAF) would like to thank the support required. olates in her free time. Since the start
27,000 Defence Team members who Since the start of the pandemic, of the COVID-19 pandemic, she has
participated in the COVID-19 Defence DND/CAF have put into place pro- used this creative prowess to support
Team Survey. grams and resources for members of her colleagues and friends, making
Your feedback and, especially, the Defence Team in order to support non-medical masks and hanging them
your candid comments have already their physical health and mental on a tree by her office. The masks
begun to help inform organizational wellbeing. In addition to the already are free for anyone you would like to
approaches to supporting personnel existing resources and support offered take one (or more!); she has even been
and their families as we navigate the through the Canadian Forces Member making masks for children of BAdm
COVID-19 crisis and as the organiza- Assistance Program and the Employee employees with various popular char-
tion prepares for the future. Assistance Program, we have taken acters on them. Teresa keeps the tree
The survey was designed to under- further action. We have initiated very well stocked and always has a
stand the experiences and require- several COVID-specific programs and bright cheery smile when telling folks
ments of Defence Team members created some helpful resources. to help themselves. All of this has
stemming from the COVID-19 pandem- Rest assured we will continue to been done for her own enjoyment, at
ic. The results highlight some of the support our members as this situation Base Administration’s own her own expense, and to help support
challenges Defence Team members evolves. Your responses to the survey Teresa Murphy grew up in the others at this challenging time. Bravo
have faced, many of which are due are helping inform organizational Valley and went on to attend Zulu, Teresa. Thank you for all that
to the substantial changes to work decisions that will be critical to our the NSCC in Middleton, Nova you do!
arrangements, concern about family continued operations, and our success- Scotia, receiving two diplomas
members, and the added pressures of ful reintegration. and a subsequent Bachelor of NEW YEAR, NEW FACES
having to navigate daycare and school Results from the survey are now Arts degree in 2000. While at- CFB Halifax is always looking for
closures. available to Defence Team members tending university, Teresa began new Defence Team members to show-
Despite these challenges, respon- at https://www.canada.ca/en/depart- working a temporary job at DND, case and celebrate on social media via
dents expressed favourable views ment-national-defence/campaigns/ moving onto a casual position our Face of Base series. And we’re all
regarding the support they have covid-19.html. with Construction Engineering about giving out those Bravo Zulus
received from their immediate super- (now Real Property Operations) to our inspiring community! If you
visors and from DND/CAF. then into the CFB Halifax BAdm would like to nominate a CAF or
office as the Juno Tower Confer- DND colleague, employee or friend to
ence Coordinator from 2009-2018. give them a well-deserved shout-out
In Teresa’s current role, she is this year, be sure to email the Base
responsible for the Delegation Public Affairs team at cfbhalifaxpub-
of Authority Coordination and licaffairs@gmail.com or CFBHali-
Payment Card Reconciliation for faxPublicAffairs@forces.gc.ca with
BAdm. She finds working with your submission. We look forward to
DND members and staff to be highlighting our 2021 Faces of Base!
Base Commander’s
Commendation
CFB Halifax is proud to report that Rene Gannon, our interim Base Employment Eq-
uity Officer, was awarded a Base Commander’s Commendation on December 18, 2020.
Commended for her professionalism, initiative and enthusiasm – which were the catalyst
for the implementation of numerous employment equity initiatives – Rene is recognized
nationally as a subject matter expert in the field of employment equity. Her contributions
to various professional development sessions and town halls were insightful, informative
and impactful, leaving a lasting impression on all those in attendance. Rene’s passion
for addressing employment equity issues is rooted in her deep concern for the welfare
of others. Her commitment to the Public Service and the Navy are truly remarkable.
Although Rene is returning to FMF Cape Scott in the New Year, we will always consider
her part of our Base family, and look forward to her continued contributions as civilian
Co-Chair of the Defence Visible Minority Advisory Group. Congratulations!
CFB HALIFAX PUBLIC AFFAIRSYou can also read
