crowsnest issue 5-1 - royal canadian navynavy-marine.forces.gc.ca/.../en/crowsnest/crowsnest... ·...

Vol. 5, No. 1 Spring 2011 Chief of the Maritime Staff

www.navy.forces.gc.ca

A true championof the NavalReserve

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Warship heads forMediterraneanSea

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INSIDETHIS

ISSUE

Photo: Pte Dan Bard

Lieutenant (Navy) Teri Mullin, navigation officer aboard HMCS Toronto,takes a compass bearing as the ship leavesKey West, Fla., during Operation Caribbe.

On the watchNavy assists in

counter-narcotics operation

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2 www.navy.forces.gc.ca

Senior AdvisorCommander Denise LaVioletteDirector, Navy Public Affairs

Senior Editor and WriterDarlene BlakeleyDirectorate of Navy Public Affairs

Crowsnest is published quarterly on the authority of theChief of the Maritime Staff, Vice-Admiral Dean McFadden.Comments are welcome and can be sent to:Directorate of Navy Public AffairsNational Defence Headquarters10ST, 101 Colonel By Dr., K1A 0K2or [email protected]

For the PDF version of this publication and for more information about the Canadian Navy, visit www.navy.forces.gc.ca.

Banner photo, page 1: HMCS Toronto sails through the Caribbean Sea during Operation Caribbe. Photo: Pte Dan BardAll articles written by Darlene Blakeley, except where otherwise noted.

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Op Caribbe:making adifference

By Captain Doug Keirstead

“Excellence with Vigour” is HMCS Toronto’smotto. A motto says a lot about a ship, andToronto’s is bang on. The Halifax-based

frigate arrived home Feb. 18 after a month-longcounter-narcotics operation which saw her take part inthe successful joint interdiction of a 68-bale shipment ofcocaine. The drugs, approximately 1,650 kg with anestimated import value of $33 million, were most likelydestined for distribution in North America.

Toronto deployed Jan. 10, joined by her Canadian AirForce CH-124 Sea King ship-borne maritime helicopterand a CP-140 Aurora long-range maritime patrol air-craft, in support of Operation Caribbe, Canada’s contri-bution to the ongoing U.S.-led, multinational effort tointerdict drug trafficking in the waters of the Caribbean

Basin and East Pacific. Canada Command, the Canadian Forces organiza-

tion responsible for routine and contingency operationsin Canada and continental North America, contributedthe warship and aircraft to Joint Interagency Task Force(JIATF) South, offering powerful surveillance and sup-port capabilities that help law enforcement authoritieslocate, track and intercept illegal activities off NorthAmerica’s coasts.

“Op Caribbe is all about preventing illicit narcoticsfrom entering North America from both Central andSouth America,” says Commander Paul Forget,Toronto’s commanding officer, “and we’re working withour allies in a multi-agency and an international-typesetting to achieve that goal.”

Toronto marked a significant milestone during thedeployment, becoming the first Canadian warship since

A Sea King helicopter conducts a hoist exercise over the fo’c’sle of HMCS Toronto in the Caribbean Sea.

the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding inOctober 2010, to conduct joint operations with anembarked U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Law EnforcementDetachment (LEDET), providing support to law enforce-ment authorities in tracking and intercepting suspectvessels. (See sidebar, page 4.)

“Simply put,” says Cdr Forget, “it has given Canadathe ability to have some teeth in the operation, and bythat I mean we’re now able to actively participate ininterdiction operations whereas, on previous missions,we would simply detect and report what we saw in orderto contribute to the overall intelligence gathering in thearea.”

Master Seaman Donald MacDonald is a naval elec-tronic sensor operator and fire control supervisor aboardToronto. He’s sailed on counter-narcotics missionsbefore, including previous iterations of Op Caribbe.“We’re making a difference down here - it’s keepingdrugs outside the United States and Canada,” he says.“It was all surveillance before, relaying back what mer-chant and air traffic we’ve seen. This time we’ve got alot more horsepower with the LEDET on board.”

The LEDET assistant officer-in-charge says the fightagainst illicit narcotics is a multinational problem thatmust be faced together, and cooperation between navalassets like Toronto and the LEDET pay big dividends inkeeping drugs off North America’s streets and bringingsmugglers to justice. “Toronto is single-handedly respon-sible for the disruption of 68 bales of cocaine beingsmuggled on board a suspect go-fast vessel,” he says.“With the help of the ship’s helo, small boat and Torontoherself, we were able to witness the illicit drug smugglersin jettisoning their contraband and vector in the smallboat for a positive hand-off to the Nicaraguan Navy forprosecution.”

Cdr Forget says the motivation amongst the crew washigh as they sailed the seas of the Caribbean in searchof drug traffickers. “The average stuff that we do, we

don’t necessarily always relate to it on a personal level,”he says. “Counter-narcotics operations, like Caribbe, orhumanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations,are all missions that you can relate to on a personallevel, which brings a sense of purpose to what you’redoing. That kind of stuff can impact all of us, membersof our family, our neighbors, our kids, our communities,etc., and that definitely brings the team together.”

Under JIATF South, based in Key West, Fla., Canadahas worked alongside partner nations France, theNetherlands, Spain, the United Kingdom, and theUnited States in multinational drug surveillance andinterdiction operations in the Caribbean Basin and EastPacific since November 2006. Since it began, the opera-tion has stopped over 1,075 metric tons of drugs fromentering North America.

Petty Officer First Class Mike Eisan, Toronto’s seniornaval communicator, joined the ship for Op Caribbeon an attached posting from HMCS Preserver. The20-year veteran has deployed all over the world, onmissions of all shapes and sizes, and he says thisdeployment hits home more than any other. “We'retrying to keep drugs off the streets. It makes me feellike we’re making a contribution down here, and that’swhat I joined the military for,” says PO1 Eisan. “It hitshome, especially if you have family or friends who havebeen affected by drugs, it makes you feel like you’redoing something to stop the flow of drugs going in. It’simportant for all Canadians.”

True to their motto, Toronto crew members are proudof their success on Op Caribbe. Cdr Forget says PO1Eisan’s commitment to the mission is shared amongstthe whole crew, underscoring the impact on everydaylife back home. “When something hits home like this withthe crew, a microcosm of society, then this is somethingthat hits home with the average Canadian,” says Forget.“This is something that the average Canadian can relateto and see the direct affect we’re having on Canadianlives.”

Commander PaulForget on the bridge ofHMCS Toronto

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Members of the U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment conduct operations in the Caribbean Sea.

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By Captain Doug Keirstead

U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Law EnforcementDetachments (LEDETs) are specialized teamsthat sail the high seas on U.S. and allied

naval vessels, conducting law enforcement and inter-diction operations in the fight against drug trafficking,piracy, migrant smuggling and much more. The teamtravelling in HMCS Toronto was from the USCG TacticalLaw Enforcement Team South based in Miami, Fla.

The LEDET’s officer-in-charge (OIC) says internation-al cooperation is a critical element to successful count-er-narcotics efforts in the region. “Coast Guard boardingteams are the primary means by which JIATF [JointInteragency Task Force] accomplishes interdiction andLEDETs have a long history of expertise and opera-tional success in interdicting contraband and bringingnarco-traffickers to justice,” says the USCG officer.“However, without the assistance of naval assets likeToronto, we can’t project our capabilities down range.Canada-U.S. cooperation represents a total force pack-age that can detect, identify, pursue and interdict illegaltraffic.”

Toronto’s commanding officer, Commander PaulForget, says integration of the LEDET with the ship’s

crew was seamless. “The crew of Toronto has had toadapt somewhat, because the integration of the LEDETis something that’s new and therefore we’ve had toadapt our way of doing things on board [such as] set-ting up to support the LEDET participation, or activelysending them off to conduct an interdiction – the wholeprocess by which the ship comes together to make thathappen had to be somewhat revamped in order to sup-port those types of operations,” he explains. “It hasgone exceptionally well. The United States Coast Guardis an incredibly professional organization, and their tac-tics, training and procedures are similar to those thatwe use, which made their embarkation and integrationinto our crew quite simple.”

The LEDET’s OIC says his team members also foundthe experience to be a positive one. “We have foundthe crew to be most accommodating and friendly. Myguys have thoroughly enjoyed working alongsideToronto’s sailors to accomplish a fast-paced and excit-ing mission,” he says. “We are pleased with the suc-cess we’ve had and look forward to future deploymentsin support of Op Caribbe.”

LEDETs: international cooperation essential

A member of the U.S. Coast Guard LawEnforcement Detachment, left, and Canadiansailor Sub-Lieutenant (Navy) Amanda Jayne

scan the horizon during interdictionoperations in the Caribbean Sea.

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By Sub-Lieutenant Tammy Audet

Commodore David Craig took command of theNaval Reserve Jan. 15, leading the way intothe second century of the Canadian Navy.

Honoured guests, family, friends and military person-nel of all ranks filled the Pointe-à-Carcy Naval Complexin Québec City to show their respect for outgoing com-mander, Cmdre Jennifer Bennett, and to welcome hersuccessor. The change of command ceremony,presided over by Chief of the Maritime Staff Vice-Admiral Dean McFadden, was steeped in naval tradi-tion associated with the transfer of command.

“Success in operations is the most fundamentalmeasure of any military organization,” said VAdmMcFadden. “I am here to attest that the navy as awhole could not have succeeded this year, or at anypoint in Cmdre Bennett’s command, without the tremen-dous contributions of the men and women she led inour Naval Reserve.”

Cmdre Bennett took command of the Naval Reservein December 2007. As the first female to command anaval formation in Canada, she remains a role modeland an inspiration to women across the country.

As Cmdre Bennett addressed the room during theceremony, it was clearly with heartfelt emotion that shesaid good-bye. She expressed kind words of gratitudefor all the support she has received from both membersof the military and her family during her time as com-mander of the Naval Reserve.

“It was an honour and a privilege to have command-ed the Naval Reserve for the past three years,” said

Cmdre Bennett. “I have had the rare opportunity to seeall aspects of this organization and the outstandingcapability the Naval Reserve provides to the navy andthe Canadian Forces.”

Cmdre Craig joined the Naval Reserve as a navalcadet in 1974 at Naval Reserve Division (NRD) HMCSDiscovery in Vancouver. What followed would be 37years of training, appointments and vast experience,including service in NRDs Discovery, Carleton (Ottawa)Chippawa (Winnipeg) and Malahat (Victoria), which hecommanded in the mid-1990s.

“To have been given the opportunity to take commandof this formation is truly the fulfilment of my Reservecareer and one of the proudest moments of my life,”stated Cmdre Craig. “I am very much humbled andchallenged to have been selected as your next com-modore.”

Naval Reserve welcomesnew commander

Commodore David Craig, new commander of the Naval Reserve,speaks to guests, family, friends and military personnel gatheredfor the change of command ceremony.

Commodore David Craig,left, Vice-Admiral DeanMcFadden and CommodoreJennifer Bennett sign thechange of commandcertificates during aceremony at the Pointe-à-Carcy Naval Complex inQuébec City Jan. 15.

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A true champion of the

NNAAVVAALL RREESSEERRVVEEI t’s hard letting go. But sometimes, as the famous

line from a classic movie says, when a doorcloses, a window opens. For Commodore Jennifer

Bennett, she leaves behind command of Canada’sNaval Reserve, but will soon take on even moreresponsibility as Chief of Reserves and Cadets atNational Defence Headquarters in Ottawa.

“The hardest part of handing over command wasknowing that I would never work directly in the NavalReserve again and that although I would continue to bea naval reservist, I have had to step back from theorganization and let my successor take the helm,” shesays. “I have been involved with this organization forthe past 36 years and I have come to know the peopleand the organization extremely well. What I will missmost are the people, and although our paths will crossin different circumstances in the future, it will be differ-ent as I will no longer be part of the Formation.”

Cmdre Bennett has many historic firsts tied to hernaval career. She was the first woman to command theNaval Reserve, she will be the first woman to reach therank of rear-admiral in the Canadian Navy when she ispromoted later this spring, and she will be the firstwoman to hold her new position as the CanadianForces’ senior reservist. Yet she remains an emotional,down-to-earth person, sad to say good-bye to thepeople she has worked with since taking commandof the Naval Reserve in 2007, yet looking forward to

future challenges.“I approached the end of my term with very mixed

emotions,” she says.”Satisfaction in knowing I hadmade a difference in the navy and the NavalReserve, proud of my leadership legacy and the workof my Formation under my command, humbled by theoutpouring of appreciation and tributes, relieved at hav-ing weathered the storm of the challenges we faced,but sad to see my term come to an end. No matter howlong your term is, I don’t think you ever feel you havecompleted all that you set out to, so I felt there was stillwork to do and I was leaving too soon.”

Over her term as commander, Cmdre Bennett saysher greatest accomplishments were not personal, butrather those of the Naval Reserve as a whole. “TheNaval Reserve had some tremendous successes inoperations, training and connecting with Canadiansduring my term, and we engaged the navy in discus-sions that will shape the future,” she explains.

She is a firm believer in the unique skills and compe-tencies that naval reservists bring to operational suc-cesses, and she lists the work of maritime coastaldefence vessels, port security in domestic operationssuch as the Winnipeg floods, support to the 2010Vancouver Olympics and G8/G20 meetings in Ontario,port inspection divers engaged in ice diving in theNorth, and the work reservists are doing with NATOand in operations around the world as some of the

highlights of her term. She was also extremely proud ofthe contribution of the Naval Reserve to the navy’s cen-tennial celebrations last year.

Cmdre Bennett has a keen interest in what lies aheadfor the Naval Reserve, having participated over the pastseveral months in discussions and strategic planningmeetings which closely examined the Formation’sfuture within the larger force structure reviews currentlyunder way in the navy and CF. “While my term hasbeen full of wonderful ceremonies and celebrations,there have also been challenges and changes,” shesays. “The current model of Naval Reserve employmentand training, while successful, is no longer sustainable.Over the past year, we have entered a period of trans-formation as the navy prepares for the fleet of the futureand we rebalance our operational and strategic roles.There will be more change ahead but we have been,and will continue to be, active participants in the discus-sions. I am confident that the Naval Reserve willcontinue to generate and sustain specific maritimesecurity capabilities and support a wide range of navaland CF missions through both part-time and full-timecapabilities, and will remain ready to respond and con-tribute significantly to the second century of our navyand the fleet of the future.”

Cmdre Bennett is also well aware that as the firstwoman to command the Naval Reserve, she hasbecome a role model for other women aspiring to suc-cessful careers in the navy. “I’ve always appreciated thewomen who opened doors and served as mentors forme and I have taken great pride in doing the same forthe next generation of women serving in the CF,” shesays. “I’ve been amazed at the impact one can have as

a mentor and role model and how we influence otherswithout consciously setting out to do so. I have beenfortunate to have been able to maintain a humanisticand approachable leadership style and have tried todevelop my subordinates and encourage them to reachfor the highest of goals. I am always humbled when Ihear that I have made a difference or served to inspiresomeone’s career, and I take great satisfaction in see-ing the positive changes that have occurred since Ijoined and knowing that women today are joiningwith the widest possible range of options for occupa-tions and career advancement.”

Cmdre Bennett takes over her new job as Chief ofReserves and Cadets in May. In the interim, she iscompleting second language training and participatingin some of the ongoing strategic reviews impacting theReserve Force in preparation for her new position. “Thisis an interesting time to assume the duties of Chief ofReserves and Cadets as the CF engages in transfor-mation and reviews that are directly impacting theReserve Force and budget realities put greater pres-sure on resources across the Department,” she says. “Ithink that communications will be very critical and in thesame way that I strived to enhance that in the NavalReserve, I will work to do the same with the ReserveForce writ large as we go through a period of potentialchange and uncertainty. I look forward to representingthe Reserve Force and the cadets at the highestlevels and to enhancing policies and programs wherepossible.”

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Commodore Jennifer Bennett, centre, checks out one of the sites atthe 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

Commodore Jennifer Bennett, left, talks to sailors on parade duringrecent Remembrance Day ceremonies.



By Captain Lynne Patterson

On very short notice, the crew of HMCSCharlottetown left Halifax bound for theMediterranean on the bitterly cold morning of

March 2. About 240 sailors, along with a CH-124 SeaKing helicopter detachment, were on board as the shipslipped around 10 a.m.

For two hours leading up to the departure, familiesand friends of the crew gathered on the ship’s flightdeck to say their good-byes to loved ones who could begone for up to six months. The ship will take part in

Operation Mobile, the CF’s contribution to Canada’semergency evacuation response to the situation inLibya.

Despite the quick turnaround for departure,Charlottetown’s commanding officer, Commander CraigSkjerpen, says the ship is ready. “We’re incredibly well-trained, and we’ll have a lot of trainers on board on theway over to get us ready for the mission.”

The exact purpose of that mission is still unclear. “Itmay be bringing people out; it may be bringing in med-ical supplies,” Cdr Skjerpen says, adding that it’s fairlynormal to have these types of questions before a mis-sion. “You can’t always have all the answers. It’s a verydynamic mission, we have to be ready to adapt.”

Able Seaman Raymond Phillips, a naval combat infor-mation operator, says he’s ready. Standing on the flightdeck with his fiancée Beth MacLean and his daughterJade, you can see their mixed emotions. The news ofthe mission was “overwhelming” for all of them. “Weknew a deployment was coming, we just didn’t think itwould be this soon,” says Ms. MacLean. AB Phillipssays he’s feeling “nervous excitement” about his firsttime to sea, because it will give him the chance to dothe job he’s been trained for, and to “make a differencein the world.”

Chief of the Maritime Staff Vice Admiral DeanMcFadden was also on hand before the ship sailed.While speaking to the crew, he reminded them thateverything they’ve been training for up to now was inpreparation for this day. And while no one knew whenthe day would arrive, he says, “When the call came,you were ready. And this nation knows it.”

Warship heads for Mediterranean Sea

Halifax Military Family Resource Centre volunteer Pat Bayne, right,consoles Jessica Parrott, the girlfriend of Leading Seaman JamieLanger, as HMCS Charlottetown departs on Op Mobile.

Chief of the Maritime Staff Vice-Admiral Dean McFadden, right, along with other members of the navy, salute as HMCS

Charlottetown departs Halifax Harbour for Op Mobile.

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Chief of the Maritime Staff Vice-Admiral DeanMcFadden and Dr. Tom Traves, President ofDalhousie University in Halifax, shake hands

after signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)Feb. 7. The MOU allows for the two-year secondmentof a naval officer as a Defence Fellow at the universi-ty’s Centre for Foreign Policy Studies (CFPS).

The position is designed to establish and maintainan active relationship between the university and theCF in general, and the CFPS and the navy speci-fically, by which experience, professional knowledgeand scholarly research in maritime security andoceans policy are shared to the fullest extent permis-sible under existing policies. The Defence Fellow’sprimary duty will encompass strategically-focusedresearch as the Director of the Maritime Security inthe 21st Century Project.

Navy signs Memorandum of Understanding with Dalhousie

Photo: MCpl Leona Chaisson

Eight members of the Canadian Forces werepresented with the Sea Service Insignia (SSI)at the inaugural ceremony held at National

Defence Headquarters in Ottawa March 3. Available toall serving CF members regardless of environment, theSSI is a visible and formal recognition for those whohave spent significant amounts of time at sea.

“Recognition of our sailors is vital to the navy’s longterm operational effectiveness,” said Chief of theMaritime Staff Vice-Admiral Dean McFadden, who pre-sented the insignia. “The creation of the SSI is intendedto recognize the efforts of all those who serve at seaand to reinforce the key role that naval operations playin Canadian security at home and in defence and diplo-macy abroad.”

The SSI is hard-earned by all those who havespent sizeable amounts of time away from theirhomes and families in service to the Canadian Navy.It serves as an acknowledgement that life on board aship is demanding and worthy of formal recognition –something that is not always acknowledged withdecorations.

“My sea days don’t all equate to time in an opera-tional theatre, which go towards receiving other awardsand decorations,” said SSI recipient Chief Petty OfficerFirst Class Kenneth Fisher, who has 1,596 sea days.“It’s nice to be able to wear something on my uniformthat shows the time I’ve logged at sea and more

importantly, signifies the sacrifices my family has madewhile I’ve been away.”

All qualified members of the CF, including army andair force personnel who are periodically assigned tonavy ships, will be eligible and authorized to wear theSSI. Four different insignia have been designed andare awarded at four incremental levels, with the firstlevel set at 365 sea days. Subsequent levels are setat 730 sea days; 1,095 sea days; and 1,460 sea days.The SSI will be limited to CF members who wereserving on January 1, 2010 onwards, however; seadays earned prior to then will be counted towardseligibility.

New service insignia recognizes time at sea

From left to right, the first recipients of the new Sea ServiceInsignia: Rear-Admiral Paul Maddison – Level 4; Commander Mary-Ellen Clark – Level 1; Leading Seaman Andrew MacPhee – Level 1;Master Warrant Officer Chris Crant – Level 2; Commander BarryHoule – Level 3; Lieutenant (Navy) Evelyn Brydon – Level 2; ChiefPetty Officer First Class Ken Fisher – Level 4; and Petty OfficerSecond Class Terry Pierangeli – Level 3.

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By Ben Green and Lieutenant (Navy) MichaelMcWhinnie

Sierra Leone. Just the name evokes thoughts ofcolonial era slavery, blood diamonds, rebel-controlled child soldiers and a decade of civil

war ending in 2002. But, as a sailor from Esquimalt,B.C., recently learned, there is room for hope in acountry working towards a long-term restoration ofpeace, security and stability.

Petty Officer First Class Jean-Paul Ayotte is a marineengineering artificer and instructor at Canadian ForcesFleet School Esquimalt. In December, he returned froma six-month deployment to Sierra Leone where heexperienced firsthand the present-day challenges andsuccesses of a country in transition.

Operation Sculpture is Canada’s military contributionto this British-led international military advisory andtraining (IMAT) initiative in Sierra Leone.

“The mission is a well-known and sought-after oppor-tunity within the engineering community,” said PO1Ayotte.

Members of the Canadian Forces have served aspart of the IMAT team since November 2000.Contingent numbers are approximately 65 all ranks,including personnel from the United Kingdom, UnitedStates, Nigeria, Jamaica and eight Canadians. PO1Ayotte was half of a two-person Canadian naval team

Sierra LeoneOne sailor’s efforts

to raise hope

(the other selected from the boatswain occupation) sup-porting the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces(RSLAF) Maritime Wing. Though the principal aim ofthe mission is to help the government of Sierra Leonebuild effective and democratically accountable armedforces, PO1 Ayotte’s focus was on training and mentor-ing their naval personnel in their maritime and civil engi-neering responsibilities.

“The work ethic of the RSLAF personnel was exem-plary. They approached every activity with enthusiasmand embraced each task as a learning opportunity,”said PO1 Ayotte. “Perhaps their greatest challenge isfinding resources to support their modest fleet.”

During the time of his deployment, the Sierra Leone

Top: Military quarters in Sierra Leone are modest at best asillustrated by these accommodations at Murray Town Base.

Above: Petty Officer First Class Jean-Paul Ayotte (in Republic ofSierra Leone Armed Forces rank) prepares to lead repairs on adefective stern drive.

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fleet consisted of one PB105 Shanghai ClassRiverboat, three 32-foot Dauntless Class Cutters, and afew Intershore Patrol Crafts. The riverboat, named SirMilton, is considered their flagship.

“They have around 250 personnel serving in theirnavy and are required to stretch an operating budget of800,000 leones (approximately $200) per month. Theirfuel allocation is 4,000 gallons per month for the entirefleet. Sir Milton would consume that amount in a five-day patrol, which illustrates the tough choices they arefaced with,” explained PO1 Ayotte. “Despite their dedi-cation and enthusiasm, I saw an obvious need to investin basic seamanship training.” So he helped initiate aprogram focussing on improved firefighting, damagecontrol and navigational skills.

PO1 Ayotte counts the design and construction of aboat shed amongst the more gratifying initiatives of thetour. “With financial support from AFRICOM, the U.Sregional military command, we were able to create afacility incorporating classrooms, office space, tool stor-age and a controlled environment for maintenance andrepair of their ships.”

The pragmatic engineering side of PO1 Ayotte wasevidenced by his choice of departure gift. The custom isto exchange plaques or other such mementos. Wishingto leave something more lasting and practical, he pur-chased some copper pipe and went to work.

“Conditions in their military quarters are rudimentary,but now at least those RSLAF officers and their familieshave fresh-running potable water – and I have arenewed appreciation for many of the things we take forgranted here in Canada,” he says.

The past and future efforts of Canadian Forces per-sonnel, including sailors such as PO1 Ayotte, are sup-porting the long-term restoration of peace, security andstability in Sierra Leone.

“The adventure was extraordinary and that sense ofhaving made a difference, I think, is the reward we allsought when we joined the CF,” says PO1 Ayotte.

Vessels of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces are securedtogether.

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By Carmel Ecker

Captain (Navy) John Mason (Retired) leans in close to thestatue sculptor Nathan Scott is working on. If it weren’t forthe singular colour – that of light gold – it could be his twin.

The ear-to-ear grin, the mischievous crinkled eyes, the 1940s navaluniform with the square rig, even the rack of medals lining his leftchest are an exact match to the 87-year-old sailor.

With decades of experience behind him, Mr. Scott has done it again- immortalized a Victoria citizen, this time a Second World War naval veteran.

When complete, the piece will form the second part of the Homecoming Statue Plaza at Ship Point inVictoria. It will be unveiled May 1, Battle of Atlantic Sunday.

“I think it’s a nice addition to the project,” says Mr. Scott, who created the Homecoming Statue. “It just drawsthe past into the present.”

The statue depicts Capt(N) Mason on a bench, holding a newspaper from VE Day and looking with fondmemories at the homecoming scene before him.

As Capt(N) Mason looks at the clay likeness of himself in Mr. Scott’s studio, he says, “It’s quite an honour.This is quite a day in my life I must say.”

Naval veteran immortalized

Photo: Carmel Ecker


HMC Ships Vancouver, Winnipeg, andProtecteur departed in early February for theHawaiian Islands, where they supported a

two-week course designed to help train prospectiveU.S. Navy submarine commanding and executiveofficers.

In addition, the exercise, which ran from Feb. 14-24,allowed Canadian warships to develop their anti-sub-marine warfare (ASW) capabilities by simultaneouslyhunting and evading submarines in U.S. waters.

With more than 40 countries operating submarinesworldwide, the exercise benefits both Canada and herallies.

“Training in anti-submarine warfare is essential if weare to retain the ability to control our own waters and tooperate elsewhere in the world safely and effectively insupport of CF operations and objectives,” saidCommodore Peter Ellis, commander of the CanadianPacific Fleet. “Our participation in this exercise providesus with a high level of training at the unit and commandteam level which is extremely valuable in the develop-ment and refinement of Canadian procedures and tac-tics.”

The frigates each carried a CH-124 Sea King helicop-ter from 443 Maritime Helicopter Squadron at Patricia

Ships participate inU.S. submarine course

Bay, B.C., and a CP-140 Aurora long-range maritimepatrol aircraft from 407 Maritime Patrol Squadron atCFB Comox, B.C., completed the task group. U.S.Navy assets included Los Angeles-class submarines,as well as destroyers.

The exercise tested the ability of Canadian ships andaircraft to work together in a coalition led by deputyfleet commander Captain (Navy) Paul Dempsey andelements of Canadian Pacific Fleet staff. This type oftraining allows the navy to evaluate its effectiveness atdetecting, classifying, tracking, localizing and ultimatelyengaging or evading submarines as a task group. TheCanadian ships and aircraft used all their underwatersensors and weapons systems, including exercisetorpedoes, providing invaluable experience for ASWspecialists.

Leading Seaman Kyle Sutherland, naval weapons technician onboard HMCS Protecteur, tackles maintenance on theship’s close-in weapons system while en route to Hawaii.

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Above: HMCS Winnipeg departs Esquimalt Harbour Feb. 3 forHawaii, where she participated in a U.S. Navy submarine command-ers’ course.

Left: Lieutenant Bianca Einsfeld, an air navigator with 443 MaritimeHelicopter Squadron, points to the submarine silhouette painted onthe CH-124 Sea King helicopter signifying an “exercise submarinekill” during the U.S. Navy submarine commanders’ course.

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By Gerald W. Pash

Captain (Navy) Jim Heath has been in theCanadian Navy for 34 years. In the summer of2008, he was posted to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii,

to serve on the staff of the Commander U.S. NavyPacific Fleet. Sponsored by the Commander MaritimeForces Pacific (MARPAC), the position was originallyestablished to provide liaison for training and exercises,but in 2004, the position was designated “homelanddefence officer”. It is now a formal exchange officerbillet and a vital aspect of Canada/U.S. defence rela-tions in the Pacific.

“I am the homeland defence advisor to the UnitedStates Navy’s Commander Pacific Fleet,” explains Capt.Heath. “That means we draft, comment on and writehomeland defence documents to support that part ofthe U.S. Navy’s mission in the Pacific Region.Commander Pacific Fleet here in Pearl Harbor is thesenior U.S. Navy presence in the Pacific. CommanderMaritime Forces Pacific is the senior Canadian Navypresence in the Pacific. My location, here at U.S. NavyPacific Headquarters, provides excellent synergybetween those two national efforts. One needs to knowwhat the other one is doing. We need to be able tocooperate and work together in what are very largeareas of mutual interest, national responsibility andpotentially joint operations. The unique relationship thatexists between our two countries’ military, particularlyon the West Coast with the navy, is important to main-tain. It takes a permanent Canadian presence to main-tain that relationship.”

Capt(N) Heath offers two recent events as evidenceof the value of having a Canadian embedded in theU.S. Navy command. The first was the 2010 WinterOlympics in Vancouver. Because of its location inCanada’s largest Pacific port and the contiguousnational border, the Olympics had significant maritimesecurity concerns for the U.S. and Canada.

“The United States was prepared in its own right torespond to any maritime threat generated by theGames,” says Capt(N) Heath. “The strong working rela-tionship that we have allows that effort to be coordinat-ed across the border. It was my staff at U.S. NavyPacific Fleet that coordinated the level of U.S. Navysupport that was assigned to contribute to the U.S.effort on their side of the border. We drafted the plan,we conducted the ongoing liaison between Canada’sMaritime Forces Pacific Headquarters, the U.S. ThirdFleet, and the U.S. Coast Guard to bring the plan

together on the U.S. side of the border and coordinateit with the Canadian effort.”

The second example is the recent appearance ofillegal marine migrant ships approaching North Americafrom across the Pacific.

“My staff coordinated the U.S. Navy and U.S. CoastGuard effort in parallel with the Canadian response,” heexplains. “We were both aware of each country’s plan.There were no control issues regarding each country’sassets. The U.S. Navy and Coast Guard were there toprovide a backstop to Canada’s efforts in support of theRCMP and Canadian Border Service should somethinggo bad. Or, if in fact the migrant ship changed courseand became a problem for the United States, Canadawas then likewise in a position to support a U.S.-ledresponse to the migrant ship as opposed to carrying outthe Canadian-led response. It’s my ability to use myCanadian contacts to make liaisons either formally orinformally which allows me to provide that coordinationfrom the U.S. side of the house.”

The Pacific Fleet area of responsibility comprises 36countries. Thirty-four are ocean states. Six of thelargest navies in the world are stationed in the Pacific.Forty per cent of the world’s seaborne trade, including70 per cent of the world’s oil, passes through the Straitof Mallaca. As a result, Canada, like the U.S., has aninterest in the entire region.


Sailor’s billet in Hawaiihighlights unique relationship

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Captain (Navy) Jim Heath in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii


In the coRight: Navy divers Master Seaman Dan Larche, left, and LeadingSeaman Louis Comeau-Martel, showcased the unique world of navydiving to dive professionals and the public during the 2011 DiversWeekend at Vancouver Aquarium Jan. 22 and 23. The mine counter-measures specialists from Fleet Diving Unit (Pacific) also used theoccasion to network and meet divers from the Canadian CoastGuard, Fisheries and Oceans, Work Safe B.C., and other dive compa-nies and equipment providers.

Below: The commanding officer of maritime coastal defence vesselHMCS Whitehorse, Lieutenant-Commander Angus Fedoruk, left,Leading Seaman Christopher Burnett, Master Seaman John Hodson,Master Seaman Greg Andrews and Sub-Lieutenant Carrie Dolan posewith Sourdough Sam Feb. 25 during the 2011 Yukon SourdoughRendezvous Festival in Whitehorse, Y.T. The navy, along with othermembers of the Canadian Forces, were on hand to help the citycelebrate the annual festival from Feb. 25-27.

Right: A ceremonial Guard of Honour,including several members of thenavy, was on hand Feb. 14 to open thethird session of the 39th BritishColumbia Parliament. The guard wassupported by an artillery saluting bat-tery from 5th (B.C.) Field RegimentRoyal Canadian Artillery and theNaden Band of Maritime ForcesPacific.

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Above: Crew members from HMCSVille de Québec participate in theQuébec Winter Carnival canoe raceFeb. 6. The canoe race, over a dis-tance of 3.2 kilometres, is undeniablythe carnival’s most popular attraction.Each year, several courageous teamscompete with one another during atumultuous ride along the St.Lawrence River between Québec Cityand Lévis.

Right: Rollande Simoneau, left, chair-woman of L’Ordre de BonhommeCarnaval, Carnaval de Québec mascotBonhomme, and Rear-Admiral PaulMaddison, deputy commander ofMaritime Command, stand togetherafter the presentation of the 2011medallion of l’Ordre de BonhommeCarnaval to the navy Feb. 3 in QuébecCity. The presentation was made inhonour of the navy’s 100 years ofservice to Canada. Each year, l’Ordrede Bonhomme singles out an eventor organization that has especiallydistinguished itself in the previousyear.

Photo: Cpl Marc-Andre Gaudreault

Photo: Fréderic Lavoie


Feedback is always welcome and can be sent to [email protected]


(Editor’s Note: It’s a long way from the sea, but PettyOfficer Second Class Steve Greidanus, a navalreservist from HMCS Prevost in London, Ont., hasspent the past several months serving in Afghanistan asa civil-military cooperation (CIMIC) operator. While heis helping rebuild schools and other infrastructureprojects, his main task is mentoring local leadership innew government procedures currently being developed.He shares the following insights into his job.)

The role of a CIMIC operator varies greatlydepending on the situation you are walkinginto. Some places are more dangerous than

others. I am in a relatively calm place, so I have theprivilege of working more in a mentoring role with theleaders of local villages. I advise them to look at abigger picture, how best to spend limited funds on theirvillage, and how to be responsive and reactive tovillage residents. This job is definitely not for everyonebut luckily, I have a diverse background that gives memuch to draw from.

My studies at the University of Western Ontario inLondon, Ont., my construction background (includingmy own company), and 15 years of service in theCanadian Forces – all these experiences help me workwith people from many backgrounds. This diversity ismy biggest asset here in Afghanistan; it allows me tocommunicate better through my interpreters, being able

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to break down explanations to their essential elements.Just recently, I met with a new village leader and

other respected elders of a more religious nature. Iexplained that my role is to help the new leader decidewhich projects and programs he wants to proceed withto improve the village, and to help him present theseprojects to the provincial government for fundingapproval. In essence, my job will be done when he andothers can confidently say, “We no longer need thisCanadian to help us present our projects, and we willno longer be bullied by Taliban who want to tell us whatto wear or how late we are allowed to be outside. Thisis our village, we are proud of our village; we will notallow the Taliban to hold us back. We can manage ourown security and we are now ready to move on, on ourown.”

The village where I have just started work has severalthousand residents. There is a school that can holdseveral hundred students. It needs only minor repairs,and they should have it open before my time here isdone. They have many needs for fresh water, both fordrinking and for irrigation. Infrastructure is limited, but ifthey continue with the type of meetings that I wit-nessed, I am confident they will succeed.

When I return home from Afghanistan I know I will beable to look my son and daughter in their faces andsay, “Be proud, Daddy helped some people and Daddymade a difference.”

Petty Officer Second Class Steve Greidanus of HMCS

Prevost stands with a group of Afghans during a visit to

a school that will soon be opened in Maruf Kariz.

crowsnest issue 5-1 - royal canadian navynavy-marine.forces.gc.ca/.../en/crowsnest/crowsnest... ·...

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