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173459 Monday, September 9, 2019 Volume 53, Issue 18 www.tridentnewspaper.com Welcome back, MV Asterix MV Asterix arrived back in Halifax on August 26 after more than 500 days away supporting the RCN in various exercises and operations. MONA GHIZ, MARLANT PA Ribbon cutting for Remembering HMCS Exercise RIMPAC logo 2019 Navy 10K new jetty Pg. 3 Kootenay Pg. 6 competition Pg. 11 results Pg. 18 CAF Veterans who completed Basic Training and are Honorably Discharged are eligible for the CANEX No Interest Credit Plan. (OAC) CANADA’S MILITARY STORE LE MAGASIN MILITAIRE DU CANADA Canex Windsor Park | 902-465-5414 173461 2 TRIDENT NEWS SEPTEMBER 9, 2019 Asterix back in Halifax after more than 500 days at sea By Trident Staff After nearly a year and a half at sea supporting Royal Canadian Navy ships and allies around the world, MV Asterix arrived back at its homeport of Halifax on August 26. The interim supply ship, owned and operated by Davie Shipbuilding subsidiary Federal Fleet Services, left Halifax in April of 2018 and has kept a busy schedule that included, but wasn’t limited to, involvement in Exercise RIMPAC 2018 off Hawaii, Op PROJECTION and Op NEON in the Asia-Pacific, and support for Op ARTEMIS and CTF 150 in Middle Eastern waters. In total, the vessel conducted 197 refueling operations with 40 different warships from 12 countries through the 500-day deployment, transferring nearly 31 million litres of ship’s fuel. Asterix sailed a total of 150,721 nauti- cal miles, and conducted exercises, op- erations or port visits throughout the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Ocean, the Caribbean, South China Sea, Ara- bian Sea, and the Persian Gulf. These taskings were all carried out MV Asterix arrived back in Halifax on August 26 . with a mixed crew of civilian mari- MONA GHIZ, MARLANT PA ners and RCN sailors from Naval Re- plenishment Unit (NRU) Asterix, led Asterix members as they reunited is then expected to return to Davie or supporting the enforcement of by Commanding Officer LCdr Trent with their families. Shipbuilding in Quebec for mainte- sanctions on the Korean Peninsula, Nichols, with crews rotating out part- Asterix will now spend less than nance. both the ship and its combined crew way through the deployment to allow two weeks tied up at HMC Dockyard “The last year and half was the ulti- of Federal Fleet Services and Cana- the ship to remain at sea. The Halifax before sailing again to support RCN mate test for Asterix. Whether it was dian Forces personnel performed and Region MFRC hosted an event in warships and NATO allies as part supporting the war against terrorism flawlessly, ” said Spencer Fraser, CEO Windsor Park to welcome back NRU of CUTLASS FURY 19, and the ship in the Arabian Sea as part of CTF150 of Federal Fleet Services. Cirque du Soleil performers visit HMC Dockyard CFB Halifax members working at HMC Dockyard weren’t expecting lunch hour entertainment from two Cirque Du Soleil performers who stopped by the CFB Halifax Dockyard Fire Hall on August 27. Thank you to Leon and Amber, who absolutely amazed us with their acrobatics and grace, and to the Dockyard firefighters for being such amazing hosts. Cirque Du Soleil was in town for its Crystal show that started August 28 and ended September 1. HALEY CÔTÉ, BASE PUBLIC AFFAIRS SEPTEMBER 9, 2019 TRIDENT NEWS 3 Ribbon cutting marks completion of Jetty NJ project By Ryan Melanson, Trident Staff The Royal Canadian Navy has marked another important step on the road to accepting the first Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ship (AOPS), with construction of the new Jetty NJ now complete at the north end of HMC Dockyard. Government representatives, senior RCN leaders, including Atlantic Fleet Commander Cmdre Richard Feltham and CFB Halifax Base Commander Capt(N) David Mazur, and other sailors and CAF members gathered to officially cut the ribbon for the project on August 22. Cmdre Feltham touted the size and location of the new jetty, along with its modern fendering system and utility tunnel, as an upgrade that will allow the dockyard to accommodate greater numbers of larger ships with- out worry. This includes current and future RCN ships and those of our visiting allies, he said. “This project provides critical infrastructure to enable us to do the things we need to do to prepare our ships to go around the world, and it will allow us to execute the missions Government officials, senior leaders, and that the people and the Government members of HMCS Harry DeWolf were of Canada need us for.” on hand to officially mark the completion “It provides a new, safe place at of the Jetty NJ project at HMC Dockyard home to berth our ships, do our on August 22. The new jetty will provide repairs, and to rest and recover,” he berthing space to four Arctic and Off- added. shore Patrol Vessels and can also accom- Members of HMCS Harry DeWolf modate a wide range of other ships. were on hand to celebrate the official FIS opening, as Jetty NJ will be the ship’s regular berthing place following its Local MPs Andy Fillmore (Halifax), expected delivery to the RCN later Darrel Samson (Sackville-Preston- this year. The 247-metre long jetty will Chezzetcook), and Darren Fisher eventually accommodate four of the (Dartmouth-Cole Harbour) also spoke, Navy’s six AOPS vessels at a time, with Fisher specifically highlighting among other uses. the Bedford Basin artificial reef proj- Federal Minister of Rural Economic ect that was completed to help offset Development Bernadette Jordan rep- any environmental disruption from resented Defence Minister Harjit Saj- the jetty construction. jan at the ribbon cutting, describing A press release states the total con- the construction project as aligning struction project, completed by local with the goals of the Strong, Secure, firms Dexter Construction Company Engaged defence policy, giving the Ltd. and McNally International Inc. Navy the equipment and capability was valued at $113 million and al- to conduct an even greater variety of lowed for the creation of more than operations. 400 civilian jobs in the region. HMCS Ville de Quebec is seen tied up at the new Jetty NJ. FIS 173512 4 TRIDENT NEWS SEPTEMBER 9, 2019 www.tridentnewspaper.com Community Calendar Publication Reunion and event notices must be submitted by email. Schedule [email protected] include the sender’s name and phone number. for 2019 A notice will not be published if the event is to happen more that one year from publication date. Submissions may be edited. January 14 — MFRC & Money Matters January 28 February 11 — MFRC 3036 Sackville Lions Army Cadet Date: Saturday, September 14 coming-of-age of a young brother February 25 Corps Location: H&R MFRC and sister orphaned in isolated cove March 11 — MFRC March 25 — Posting Season Time: 6:30 - 9 p.m. Shearwater site of Newfoundland. Michael will be in April 8 — MFRC & Spring Automotive Date: Starting September 9 CAF members and their families conversation with bestselling author April 22 — Battle of the Atlantic May 6 — MFRC Location: 255 Damascus Drive, are invited to get a head start on and Chronicle Herald columnist John May 21 — Spring Home and Garden Bedford fall by celebrating with the Halifax DeMont. Books will be available for June 3 — MFRC & Family Days June 17 The 3036 Sackville Lions RCEME & Region MFRC at their upcoming purchase. July 2 — MFRC Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps Community Fall Fair in Shearwater. July 15 July 29 — MFRC will be accepting new youth between Things to look forward to include NDWCC Kickoff Event August 12 — Back to School the ages of 12-18 to join the cadet activities for all ages, a pop-up market Time: 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. August 26 — MFRC September 9 corps starting September 9. New ca- with local vendors, food trucks, check- Date: Wednesday, October 2 September 23 — MFRC & DEFSEC dets are welcome to drop by for more ing out the Henderson Sweetman Location: Porteous Field, October 7 — Fall Home Improvement October 21 — MFRC information and to register on Mon- Youth Centre, and hearing about pro- Stadacona November 4 — Remembrance Day day nights between 6:30-9:00pm from grams and services from H&R MFRC Mark the date and come support the November 18 — MFRC & Holiday Shopping December 2 September 9th, 2019 onwards. To join staff. No registration is required. start of this year’s National Defence December 16 — MFRC & Year End Review the unit youth must be accompanied Workplace Charitable Campaign, by their guardian on the first night Word on the Street Halifax Book in support of the United Way and Editor: Virginia Beaton and bring with them government is- and Magazine Festival HealthPartners charities like ALS [email protected] sued photo ID and their health card. Time: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Canada, the Canadian Cancer Society, (902) 427-4235 There are no registration fees. For Date: Saturday, September 14 Heart and Stroke Foundation, and Journalist: Ryan Melanson more information: cadets3036@gmail. Location: Halifax Central many more. The event will feature [email protected] com or Facebook.com/cadets3036 Library food, games, and prizes on the field, (902) 427-4231 Word on the Street Halifax is billed with representatives from various Editorial Advisor: Margaret Conway 615 (Bluenose) Royal Canadian as the largest free literacy event in charities on hand to provide informa- [email protected] Air Cadet Squadron Nova Scotia, and returns for its 24th tion and answer questions. Stay tuned 902-721-0560 Time: 6:15-915 p.m. year on September 14.