Operational Endurance Put to the Test for the Outcasts at 103 SAR Sqn
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Posting Return to season Kuwait RCN ships sail with Veteran of First Gulf Halifax women win A/R ESPS Patiño Get ready to go War visits Op IMPACT volleyball Pg. 3 Pgs. 5-9 Pg. 10 Pg. 12 Monday, March 21, 2016 Volume 50, Issue 6 Operational endurance put to the test for the Outcasts at 103 SAR Sqn By Capt Paul Hamlyn, time. 103 Sqn is an elite SAR weather and flew directly to the UPAR 103 SAR Sqn unit that maintains a high degree Oil Platform Hibernia to refuel of intellectual and physical before carrying out the success- aptitude. Our stamina through ful mission. Almost nine hours Always on call and ready to an- seven missions in seven days was after beginning the mission, the swer distress calls 24/7, the Out- surely put the test especially that crew landed back in Gander at casts (our official call sign) from most of those missions were in 1:58 p.m. 103 Squadron had their endur- very challenging weather condi- At 3:58 pm the Joint Rescue ance tested lately. The last part of tions. I am proud of the leader- Coordination Centre (JRCC) in February has been an extremely ship throughout our crews that Halifax had another tasking. This busy time for the Gander Royal kept our mission execution safe time, 103 Squadron was tasked to Canadian Air Force (RCAF) unit. and effective. I am also thrilled medevac a patient from Charlot- The Squadron has been tasked a about the support we received tetown, Labrador to St. Anthony, total seven times in seven days from our IMP technicians that NL. Once again, the aircrew was ranging from a marine medevac put the helicopters on the ramp faced with extreme weather con- 350 nautical miles off St. John’s serviceable missions after mis- ditions, low ceilings and visibilit- to a couple of medevacs on the sions at any time of the day and ies compounded with high winds lower North shore of Quebec and night,” said Maj Jean Leroux, and night time operations. The Southern Labrador. Commanding Officer. patient was successfully airlifted During this time, the RCAF On February 23, the Squadron to an awaiting ambulance at the Crewmembers from 103 Squadron prepare to assist in an emergency. CH-149 Cormorant helicopters was tasked to respond to an in- St. Anthony Airport before the SUBMITTED based in Gander were dispatched jured snowmobiler from Aquan- crew returned back to base at from one end of Newfoundland ish, QC. Once on scene it was 1:30 a.m. on February 26. patient was handed over to local 150 nautical miles off St. John’s, and Labrador to the other, accu- assessed that there were two At 6:11 a.m., 103 Squadron EMS. Twelve hours later, the the medevac was carried out mulating approximately 35 hours patients instead of one and both was called upon again, this time Cormorant crew arrived back in without incident and the crew of mission flying time. were airlifted to an awaiting back to the North Shore of Que- Gander at 6:12 p.m. returned to Gander at 1:26 a.m. Missions included life threat- ambulance at Sept-Iles, QC. bec to the small community of On February 29 at 11:28 p.m., “Needless to say, some solid ening injuries such as broken Since being tasked at 2:32 p.m., La Romaine for a medevac of an 103 Squadron was tasked to decision making in difficult limbs and health issues to search- the crew from Rescue 915 arrived injured person. Both the provin- search for a man reported over- situations combined with flaw- ing for an overdue person miss- back in Gander 10 hours later at cial air assets and a crew from due near Norris Arm, NL. At less executions in challenging ing on an ATV. On a number of 12:52 AM on February 24. 413 Squadron attempted the night, along with Ground SAR, weather conditions contributed to occasions the patients were de- At 4:52 a.m. on February 25, rescue but had to turn around due Rescue 905 searched multiple the success of these missions in livered to health care profession- 103 Squadron was tasked to air- to severe weather and high sites where quad tracks had been recent days,” said Maj Leroux. als at the Health Sciences Centre lift a crewmember from the F/V winds. The Outcast crew elected found. While Rescue 905 was “The excellent attitude displayed in St. John’s, and health care Monte Meixueiro located ap- for a different strategy and main- refuelling, the crew was sub- by all elements of the Squadron facilities in St. Anthony and proximately 350 nautical miles tained low altitude throughout sequently stood down. is always a key factor in time of Sept-Iles, QC. from St. John’s. The crew was the flight navigating on the At 8 pm, JRCC Halifax alerted mission surge.” The Command- “This was a very busy opera- faced with an extreme low pres- shoreline using the weather radar. 103 Squadron of a crewmember ing Officer added, “The New- tional tempo for this time of year, sure system mixed with freezing The crew used the local police on board the Canadian Coast foundland and Labrador people but it is through our rigorous rain and strong winds forecasted emergency vehicle lights to dir- Guard Vessel Cygnus, who deserve the best SAR services training program that we can over the Avalon Peninsula. The ect them to the landing site. A needed to be medevaced to the and 103 Sqn consistently strives successfully face multiple SAR crew elected to maintain a more doctor and nurse accompanied Health Sciences Centre in St. at contributing a high caliber air tasking in a very short period of northerly routeing to bypass this the patient to Sept-Iles where the John’s. Located approximately power to the equation.” Inclusion and respect a focus on International Women’s Day By Ryan Melanson, Capt(N) Stephane Lafond, history of women in military Trident Staff Commanding Officer of FMF service in Canada, from early Cape Scott and Champion for the roles during the Northwest Re- While the CAF should be com- MARLANT Defense Women’s bellion in 1885 and in the First mended for the important role its Advisory Organization (DWAO), World War, to the recommenda- women members have come to gave introductory remarks for the tions of the Royal Commission play in all operations, that does- event. As with DWAO initiatives, on the Status of Women in 1970, n’t mean there isn’t work still to he said he was encouraged by the and through to today, where be done, a local leader in di- number of both men and women opportunities for both men and versity and inclusion told audi- who attended the event, high- women exist in all CAF occupa- ence members during an event to lighting the point that issues tions. celebrate International Women’s While progress was made affecting women in the CAF Day at CFB Halifax. incrementally over decades, and should be of importance to all International Women’s Day is included struggles with sexism celebrated each year on March 8, members. Ann Divine, founder and CEO of Ashanti Leadership and Professional and proper recognition for hard and the MARLANT Employment “Today is about women, but Development Services, speaks to a crowd of defence team representat- work, Divine said she feels proud Equity group and Defense Wo- it’s not about women solving the that Canada is now considered to ives as part of International Women’s Day on March 8. problems alone. Today is about men’s Advisory Organization LS PETER FREW/FIS HALIFAX be at the forefront among its hosted this year’s event in Juno understanding the issues so that allies in terms of gender integra- Tower’s Nova Scotia Room. Divine, the founder of Ashanti government and private sector as a collective, we can look at tion in its Armed Forces. The many RCN, RCAF and Leadership and Professional groups in areas like race relations those issues and find the way to “Canada is a world leader in Army members and officers Development Services, who has and gender parity in the work- move forward.” heard from keynote speaker Ann also worked as an advisor to place. Divine spoke briefly about the See WOMEN / Page 2 Having a meeting? Got your coffee fix? Visit Tim Hortons today at CANEX Shearwater. FRESH Store Hours: Mon-Fri 0700-2100 Satrday 0900-2100 Sunday 1200-2100 LE MAGASIN MILITAIRE DU CANADA CANADA’S MILITARY STORE COFFEE Beverages and baked goods fresh to go. 2 TRIDENT NEWS MARCH 21, 2016 BASF called to action Breakfast in style By Mike Bonin, in support of security BPAO The tables were set perfectly; the cutlery was in order and napkins precisely folded. The food was augmentation well presented, plentiful and delicious. The service was top- By Hilary Wright, notch. Assistant Base Public Affairs “Welcome to the QL3 Steward Officer presentation, we hope you will enjoy your meal,” announced OS From left to right: OS Sophie On Friday, January 29 members Thomas Caccoitti, one of the Michelle Labbé, OS Brayden of the Defence Team would have seven students being tested. “I Baxter and OS Tara Kocil pre- seen the Base Auxiliary Security would now like to go over the pare breakfast as a part of their Force (BASF) stationed at Rain- menu.” QL3 Steward's training. An in- bow Gate D192, Admiral’s Gate The Stewards’ basic course tensive 44-day training schedule D-189, Centre Gate, and Niobe comprises 44 days of training.