Monday May 31, 2021 Volume 55, Issue 11 www.tridentnewspaper.com A milestone for naval aviation A CH-148 Cyclone from 12 Wing Shearwater lifts off the stern of HMCS Harry DeWolf during Phase 4 Shipboard Helicopter Operating Limits trials off the coast of Nova Scotia on May 22. These trials marked the first time a Cyclone helicopter has landed on and taken off from the RCN’s newest class of ship, a major success for the Aerospace Engineering Test Establishment (AETE) team. S1 JUSTIN SPINELLO, CAF PHOTO 2 TRIDENT NEWS MAY 31, 2021 RCN ships attend tri-city memorial ceremony ahead of NATO exercise in Baltic By Joanie Veitch, Trident Staff Two Royal Canadian Navy warships participants on the at age 17 and served in the Battle of the were in Londonderry on May 15 for a jetty in Londonderry, Atlantic. special ceremony to mark the 76th an- as well as viewers After departing from Londonderry, niversary of the Battle of the Atlantic, from around the both Canadian ships took part in a having travelled to Northern Ireland world, were able to special at-sea wreath laying ceremony following the same convoy route used watch and listen — before heading to Portsmouth and on by many of the ships that served through live video to the Baltic Sea region, where they will during the Second World War. feed — to the bells be- join other NATO allies for BALTOPS 21 The event, which was hosted by the ing rung eight times exercises from June 6 - 18. Londonderry Branch Royal Naval As- in each of the three Scheduled and conducted by the Unit- sociation at Fort George Pier, featured cities, symbolizing ed States Naval Forces Europe-Africa the ringing of the Convoy Bells in each the sounding of the (USNAVEUR), BALTOPS is an annual, of the three port cities used as trans- eight bells that mark multinational exercise marking its port hubs — St. John’s, NL, Halifax, the completion of a 50th anniversary this year. Both HMCS NS, and Derry/Londonderry — in sailor’s watch. Summerside and HMCS Kingston had recognition of the bond the cities share In Halifax, Capt(N) been scheduled to participate in last and in tribute to the service and sacri- (Ret’d) Earle Wagner year’s BALTOPS event, but were not fice of the allied naval and merchant rang the North At- able to attend due to the COVID-19 pan- sailors, and aviators, who took part in lantic Convoy Bell at demic and subsequent restrictions. the Battle of the Atlantic. Members of HMCS Summerside man the rails as the ship St. Brendan’s Chapel All members of both ships’ com- “Being involved in such ceremonies commemorates the 76th anniversary of the end of the Battle at CFB Halifax. A panies underwent COVID-19 testing always moves me personally. I was of the Atlantic during a ceremony in Northern Ireland. veteran from LaHave, and followed strict pre-embarkation particularly thankful to participate in LT JEFFREY MCBRIDE NS, Wagner joined protocols prior to leaving Halifax on these Battle of the Atlantic ceremonies the Merchant Navy May 4th. as I had family members who served transatlantic voyage, as well as the pas- during the war and had to transit the sage up the River Foyle — as our ships Atlantic,” said LCdr Jeffery Anderson, would have done many times in the Commanding Officer of HMCS Sum- past — it was even more poignant.” merside, one of the two RCN warships, This year’s ceremony offered a tan- along with HMCS Kingston, at the gible connection to both the historical event. “Having just completed the past and the technological present as 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 HMCS Summerside and HMCS Kingston both took part in a tri-city Battle of the At- lantic Ceremony during a visit to Londonderry in Northern Ireland, with simultaneous ceremonies occurring in Halifax and in St. John’s, NL. LT JEFFREY MCBRIDE SISIP.COM TRIDENT NEWS MAY 31, 2021 3 Learning and sharing a part of Indigenous Awareness Week Reflecting on the importance of connection and the tradition of the Eagle Staff By Joanie Veitch, Trident Staff While in-person gatherings Atlantic. She has taught in the of respect and inclusivity for all are not possible for this year’s RCN’s Raven Program — held members of the defence commu- Indigenous Awareness Week, PO1 at CFB Esquimalt, in BC — and nity, past and present. Katerina Stewart plans to look from 2017 to 2019 was a recruiter “It is so humbling to carry for ways to celebrate and connect for the Canadian Forces Aborig- it,” said PO1 Stewart. “It gives a with other Indigenous members inal Entry Program (CFAEP), feeling of great pride, not only in virtually. a program where young people the current serving members but “I like to learn about other learn about the different job and those in the past that have paved Nations and their cultures, to training opportunities available our way. It is an overwhelming connect with other Indigenous to them in the military. feeling.” people and share time together, “I really enjoyed my time with To carry the Eagle Staff is a said PO1 Stewart, who grew up that program. I liked meeting significant honour that involves in northern British Columbia the young people and showing first being chosen and then in a Nisga’a community called them that an Indigenous person receiving teachings and guidance Gitlaxt’aamiks (formerly New is able to make it through and get “to understand and respect” the Aiyansh). to a senior rank. When you come tradition, explained PO1 Stewart, Due to current restrictions from a small community — as who received her teaching in 2016 to stop the spread of COVID-19, many young Indigenous people from Moogly Tetrault-Hamel, In- events to mark Indigenous do — you don’t know about the digenous Advisor to the Chaplain Awareness Week — celebrated opportunities that are available General. each year in the week follow- and what the military has to PO1 Stewart had hoped to carry ing Victoria Day — will be held offer,” said PO1 Stewart. the staff when CPO2 (Ret’d) Eisan online only. A different experi- PO1 Stewart’s career has al- was commissioned as Honor- ence but one that still offers the ready taken her across the coun- ary Captain of HMCS Margaret opportunity to connect with other try and around the world, most Brooke, the second Arctic and Indigenous people from different recently on deployment with Offshore Patrol Ship, last Novem- regions. HMCS Toronto, but she views her ber. This wasn’t possible due to “I know my own community highest honour as the times she COVID-19 restrictions, which was and our traditions, but I always has carried the DND/CAF Eagle especially disappointing as CPO2 like to share and learn from oth- Staff for different ceremonial Eisan was one of the creators of ers, that has always been import- events. the DND/CAF Eagle Staff, she ant to me,” said PO1 Stewart. The Eagle Staff, which was cre- said. A 19-year member of the Royal ated in 2002 as a result of a vision “It would have been so signifi- Canadian Navy, PO1 Stewart shared by CPO2 (ret’d) Debbie cant,” said PO1 Stewart. “Debbie joined through the Aboriginal Eisan and PO2 Chris Innes, is Eisan is a wealth of knowledge. I Pre-Recruit Training Course the travelling symbol of unity for really love learning from her; she PO2 Katerina Stewart is seen carrying the Eagle Staff in and works as Senior Demoli- Indigenous people in the military, has taught me a lot.” June 2019 at commemoration ceremonies in France to mark tion Instructor with Bedford representing Indigenous tradi- the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landing on the beaches of Rifle Range/Naval Fleet School tions and reinforcing the values Normandy. SUBMITTED Navigation school trials state-of-the-art virtual reality training By RCN PA Learning to navigate a ship more tre (Pacific) (NTDC(P)). be greatly enhanced with these new Divisions to maintain navigation and than two times longer than a football “These perspectives will provide a methods,” said LCdr Lee Vessey from ship handling skills in the absence field is no small feat. Virtual reality more rounded experience for students Director Navy Innovation. of available simulators. Fleet bridge training is enabling a powerful and and answer the ‘why do we do that?’ “There is some hard work being done teams could have the opportunity to more effective way of conducting ship questions they might have by providing on design development by the team and practice these same skills prior to navigation training to allow navigators a visual representation to accompany the result will be greater capacity for deployment, or while they are in port to become more effective and aware of the classroom instruction.” training for some of the most challeng- away from available simulators. the challenges before getting behind Through Innovative Solutions Can- ing tasks. It is an innovative use of new Navigation officers and command- the wheel. ada (ISC), the Royal Canadian Navy’s tech that others can learn from in their ing officers may be able to practice a “Students will find themselves in navigation school, NTDC(P), has own organizations.” difficult navigation passage prior to training scenarios where they will partnered with developers from Chaac NTDC(P) is excited to develop and embarking on those routes.