Staying Protected at Sea

Monday May 17, 2021 Volume 55, Issue 10 www.tridentnewspaper.com Staying protected at sea The CAF COVID-19 vaccination program is in full swing. Many members across Formation Halifax have already received their initial vaccine dose, and sailors from HMCS Halifax recently rolled up their sleeves for an onboard vaccine clinic at sea. The ship is currently deployed to Operation REASSURANCE alongside NATO partners. Every CAF member has the opportunity to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, regardless of geographic location. S1 BRYAN UNDERWOOD, CAF PHOTO 2 TRIDENT NEWS MAY 17, 2021 From left, Cdr Michelle Tessier, Cmdre Richard Feltham, and Cdr Nicole Robichaud sign documents marking the Change of Command for the future HMCS Margaret Brooke on April 30. FORMATION IMAGING SERVICES New commanding officer for future HMCS Margaret Brooke By Joanie Veitch, Trident Staff Cdr Nicole Robichaud assumed com- chaud said, directing her remarks to “Through the past couple of years Clark said becoming Coxswain of a ship mand of the future HMCS Margaret Cdr Tessier. “I will continue to forge as Margaret Brooke’s team has come has been a goal since he was a young Brooke on April 30, in a virtual Change ahead and build on the culture that together, you have been integral to our sailor and first joined the Navy, noting of Command ceremony presided over you have created within the Margaret success in preparing for the delivery that he always looked up to his Navy by Cmdre Richard Feltham, Command- Brooke, one of inclusivity, of positive of the second AOPS, sharing lessons father, also CPO1 Clark or “Knobby er Canadian Fleet Atlantic. space, of welcoming arms and a place learned, providing tours and training Senior” who was Coxswain of HMCS Cdr Robichaud, who is originally where people are happy and want to and taking our sailors to sea to learn Athabaskan before he retired. from Red Deer, Alberta, was Command- come into work.” the platform. Thank you so much.” Although the future HMCS Marga- ing Officer of HMCS Moncton in 2016 In her farewell address, Cdr Tessier Cdr Tessier also received a Gold ret Brooke and her crew have faced and Executive Officer with HMCS Fred- said she will watch the launch of the Service Insignia from Cmdre Feltham setbacks that have caused delays to ericton from 2018 to 2020. She takes over future HMCS Margaret Brooke “with a at the ceremony, in honour of the more the ship’s schedule over the past few leadership from Cdr Michele Tessier, little jealousy and a ton of joy”, adding than 1,460 days she has spent at sea years — including the ongoing Covid who grew up in Grand Bank, New- that Cdr Robichaud is “exactly what during her 25-year career in the Navy. pandemic — CPO1 Clark said his words foundland and Labrador, and was given this team needs and I know I am leav- In an earlier ceremony — held before of advice to the crew is to continue to command of the future Arctic and ing them in good hands.” the latest round of restrictions were respect one another and to always take Offshore Patrol Ship (AOPS) in 2017. Cdr Tessier also thanked the ship’s put in place in the province, with a positive view. Cdr Tessier is retiring from the Royal company of HMCS Harry DeWolf, the limited in-person and livestreamed “You can look for negatives, but Canadian Navy. first of the AOPS to launch, for welcom- online — CPO1 Steve Clark took over why?” he said. “Don’t sweat the stuff “It is quite unfortunate that you are ing her to their shore office when she the Coxswain position for the future you can’t control.” not able to be the first Commanding first arrived in Halifax in 2018, where HMCS Margaret Brooke from outgoing Officer to take Margaret Brooke to sea she joked that she assumed “squatter’s CPO1 Yves Dumont, who retired from after the four years you have dedicated rights” while she tried to figure out the Navy in January. to both the ship and crew,” Cdr Robi- what “the Pink Palace”meant. In his address to the audience, CPO1 CFB Halifax has implemented a flexibility and reduce dependency on weekend parking posture until further public transportation for everyone. Our notice. This means that all members of base team is working to ensure we can Weekend parking the local defence team – whether or not maximize parking availability to as they have a parking pass – are permit- many employees as possible for as long ted to use General Parking Areas on as we can, which we acknowledge is an Base. Parking within the HMC Dock- important step in responsible business posture at yard Controlled Access Area will still resumption. be enforced, and reserved/accessible *The Parking Control Office at S90 parking spaces may only be used by in- is currently closed. For emergencies dividuals who possess a relevant pass. or if returning a Parking Pass, please CFB Halifax This Weekend Parking Posture is report to the Dockyard Security Office, being implemented not only to recog- Bldg D247. If the office is closed, please By CFB Halifax Public Affairs, nize the limited numbers working on utilize the Drop Off Box outside the the Base, but also to offer increased Security Office. TRIDENT NEWS MAY 17, 2021 3 A very different Ramadan Muslim sailors observe a month of fasting while on deployment with HMCS Halifax By Joanie Veitch, Trident Staff If he’s not already on duty, Sailor and break the fast together as the sun fighting temptations. Just focusing and them dinner to eat when the sun sets Second Class Yunus Kurt gets up every sets, that practice has ‘gone online’ for reminding myself helps me out through and they can break their fast. day, an hour before sunrise, to have many Muslims around the world this the day.” “I give big thanks to the cooks,” S3 something to eat before beginning his year due to COVID-19 restrictions. During Ramadan, S3 Bitar also likes Bitar added. daily fast — it will be about 16 hours be- Using available technology to talk to take time to reflect on how he can be The end of Ramadan, which falls on fore he will eat or drink anything again. with family and friends from home and of service to others. “Doing good deeds, May 12 this year, is celebrated world- During the month of Ramadan — the read their messages of support has they could be little things or big things, wide with the festival of Eid al-Fitr. most sacred time in the Islamic calen- been a huge help, said S2 Kurt. but I try my best to help people,” he Although the two sailors don’t know dar — Muslims around the world fast “Fasting on Ramadan while at sea said. “It makes you feel better...and it for certain how they’ll mark the event, during daylight hours. For S2 Kurt, has been harder than I thought, when makes their day easier.” they plan to spend the time together, along with S3 Ahmad Bitar, both Naval you don’t have a home to come back to. For S2 Kurt, Ramadan is a time to along with another Muslim sailor Communicators on deployment with That is one of the biggest challenges deepen his faith, noting that he has observing Ramadan onboard HMCS HMCS Halifax, this is a most unusual while sailing,” he said. “It is very diffi- enjoyed talking with colleagues and Halifax. Ramadan. Their ship left HMC Dock- cult being away from my community, supervisors who’ve shown interest in “I don’t know where we will be, but yard in Halifax on January 1, headed however I’ve become used to it since learning about his faith and the impor- probably somewhere in the middle of for Europe and a six-month deployment joining the military, due to the amount tance of Ramadan to Muslims. the ocean,” said S2 Kurt. to Operation REASSURANCE along- of moving I’ve had to do.” Both sailors said that despite the “We’ll celebrate by hugging each side NATO allies. hardships of fasting while at sea, they other and hopefully breaking our fast have felt supported by their shipmates – together.” especially the kitchen staff – for saving INSURANCE THAT GOES WHERE YOU GO Rely on coverage with no exclusions for war, extreme hobbies or sports. Whether you’re on the frontlines or the home front, SISIP Financial’s Term Life Insurance is battle-tested for the rigours of military life. Give us a call to explore your options. 1-800-267-6681 S3 Ahmad Bitar and S2 Yunus Kurt are both observing Ramadan at sea while on deployment with HMCS Halifax. S1 BRYAN UNDERWOOD “This is my first deployment and Although evenings after sundown also the first time where I fasted during during Ramadan are usually social, for Ramadan while in the middle of the Muslims it is also a time to slow down ocean,” said S2 Kurt, who is from Lon- and take extra time for spiritual reflec- don, Ont and joined the Navy in 2018 tion beyond their daily prayers — not “to see the world.” easy to do while on a warship. When Ramadan began on April 12, “It is hard to slow down in a both S2 Kurt and S3 Bitar called their high-tempo program, but it adds an families to wish them well, and have extra sense of accomplishment when continued to stay in touch using Face- you finish that day,” said S3 Bitar, who Time and other messaging apps.

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