Category: February 2018

RCN to Field AeroVironment Puma II AE with Mantis i45 Sensor on MCDVs

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AeroVironment, Inc., a global leader in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) for both defense and commercial applications, and MDA, a Maxar Technologies company, announced the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) has acquired the AeroVironment Puma™ II AE, maritime mini unmanned aircraft system, for fielding aboard RCN Maritime Coastal Defence Vessels (MCDV). The Puma II AE systems will include the Mantis i45 sensor and a 360-degree antenna system. MDA partnered with AeroVironment to satisfy the requirement of the Department of National Defence of Canada for the Maritime Miniature Unmanned Aircraft System (MMUAS). “The addition of our…

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NAVSTA Mayport Hosts Canadian Artifact Ceremony

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Naval Station (NAVSTA) Mayport hosted a ceremony to transfer artifacts uncovered from a 1958 jet crash to the Canadian armed forces, Feb. 26. On Feb. 25, 1958, Royal Canadian Navy Lt. William Thomas Barry Troy was flying an F2H-3 Banshee during a joint exercise with the U.S. Navy when he vanished into dense fog off the coast of NAVSTA Mayport. In the aftermath of Hurricanes Irma and Maria, a few of Troy’s items washed ashore on the beach of neighboring Hannah Park. Among the items uncovered were a stenciled float…

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Official Spokesperson’s response to a query on invitation to Jaspal Atwal

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February 28, 2018 In response to a query regarding invitation to Jaspal Atwal, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs Official Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said: “We have seen the recent exchange in the Parliament of Canada regarding two invitations issued to Jaspal Atwal by the Canadian High Commissioner, for functions hosted in honour of the Canadian Prime Minister in India. Let me categorically state that the Government of India, including the security agencies, had nothing to do with the presence of Jaspal Atwal at the event hosted by the Canadian High…

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Whitewater Brewing Company to launch Legion Lager in British Columbia

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Legion Lager by Whitewater Brewing Company was officially launched at a special event at Royal Canadian Legion Branch 83 in Burnaby February 24th.  Five percent of all Legion Lager sales go towards Royal Canadian Legion programs to support Veterans. The beer sold in British Columbia will be brewed in-province. Whitewater Brewing Company was founded by three good friends in 2011 on the banks of the Mighty Ottawa River. The three of us have had had many adventures that have taken us from the incredible rivers of Ontario & Quebec to…

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Calgary Suffers Fuel Spill in Georgia Strait

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In the morning of February 24, 2018, HMCS Calgary in the Straits of Georgia, reported a spill of approximately 30,000L of F76 fuel type to CFB Esquimalt and Environment Canada. Maritime Forces (Pacific) is co-ordinating with Environment Climate Change Canada, Canadian Coast Guard, Transport Canada, and BC Emergency Management. Maritime Forces (Pacific) has launched an investigation into the cause of spill. A thorough investigation will take place and the results will inform our procedures going forward. The Department of National Defense is responsible for the environment and is being supported…

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Littoral Combat Ship Helps the Homeless in Montreal

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A group of sailors from the littoral combat ship USS Little Rock (LCS 9) participated in a community outreach event in Montreal, Canada Feb. 23. Sailors volunteered at the Welcome Hall Mission where they assisted with daily operations by bagging groceries, building chairs and packaging food for the homeless, single parents and at-risk youth. One of the volunteers, Operations Specialist First Class Petty Officer Aaron Huckabaa said, “It was nice to give back to the community. Especially since the people of Montreal have been so welcoming and kind, as a…

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Windsor Sails for Exercise Dynamic Manta in Mediterranean

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The Royal Canadian Navy announced February 24th that submarine HMCS Windsor has sailed for the Mediterranean to take part in NATO Exercise Dynamic Manta-L 18. NATO describes it: “To exercise submarine warfare and ASW (antisubmarine warfare) warfighting capabilities for submarines, ASW surface units and maritime aircraft in order to conduct sea control and sea denial related naval tasks in preparation for future collective defense and crisis response operations.” 20 years after acquisition, it is good to see two Canadian submarines deployed in ASW target duties, with HMCS Chicoutimi currently on…

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Government Finally Realizes How Bad Fighting Harassment Cases in Court Appears

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Defence Minister Harjit S. Sajjan today issued the following statement: “I am pleased to announce that the government and plaintiffs of several class action lawsuits filed on behalf of members of the Canadian Armed Forces relating to sexual assault, racism, harassment, and discrimination have agreed to suspend the current litigation processes. This will allow discussions to begin in order to potentially resolve these matters outside court. “The government will not be proceeding with motions to strike these proceedings. We look forward to commencing these discussions to bring closure, healing, and…

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Artifacts belonging to Lieutenant Barry Troy returning to Canada

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On September 22, 2017 following hurricanes in the Jacksonville, Florida area, a parachute and accompanying items were retrieved from a beach near Naval Station Mayport, which is located near Jacksonville. These items were identified as belonging to Lieutenant William Thomas Barry Troy, a pilot with the Royal Canadian Navy who lost his life on February 25, 1958 when his McDonnell F2H-3 Banshee fighter jet vanished in dense fog following takeoff from Mayport. Lieutenant Troy and the pilots of three other Canadian Banshees had been participating in joint exercises with the…

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