HMCS Fredericton returns home to a celebration - Tridentnews.ca

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2 TRIDENT, MAY 17, 2010 Canada’s Naval Commanders VAdm Harry G. DeWolf, CBE, DSO, DSC, CD By Cdr (ret’d) Len Canfield This is eighth ina series. VAdm Harry DeWolf, who served as Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) from 1956 to 1960, has long been recognized as Canada’s most decorated SecondWorldWar naval commander and an officer who played a significant role in the development of the peacetime Royal Canadian Navy (RCN). DeWolf, a native of Bedford, NS, enrolledas a cadet in the Royal Naval College of Canada (RNCC) near the end of the First WorldWar. Following RNCC training, his career followed afamiliar path for young Canadian naval officers of the time. He served in several ships of the Royal Navy (RN), including HMS President and Excellent (1921- 25),and returned to Canada for service in the destroyers HMC Ships Patriot and Champlain. In 1930 he received his first command, the trawler Festubert; he later served in Vancouver and Skeena and in 1937 attended the RN Staff College at Greenwich. At the outbreak of the Second World War, DeWolf was CO of St Laurent. In 1940, St Laurent took part in the evacuation of British and French forces from France and fired the Navy’s first shots in anger. He was promoted commander and came ashorefor the next two years, serving first as staff officer operations to Commanding Officer Atlantic Coast and then Director of Plans at Naval Service Headquarters (NSHQ). DeWolf’s biographer Michael Whitby says “Exercising... pragmatic nationalism, DeWolf in policy formulation at HQ andat strategic convoy conferences where he represented the RCN view to senior US and British officers, helped find abalance between the RCN’s desirefor increasedautonomy and the demands of war...and earned him recognition as one of the RCN’s most gifted staff officers.” In 1943, DeWolf was back at sea as CO of the new destroyer Haida, the RCN’s top sea scrapper of the Second World War. After several convoys to northern Russia, Haida joined Plymouth Command in January 1944. During the next nine months Haida engaged in a series Honour continued from / Page 1 ues to play in the world today. “As we begin our second century, your Navy continues to protect Canada’s interests at home and abroad,” he said, noting the return to Halifax that morning of HMCS Fredericton after a six-month deployment on OP SAIPH.. The admiral also noted the recent response by Athabaskan and Halifax to providehumanitarian aid to Haiti after adevastating earthquake. “Your navy is as relevant today as it has been throughout its rich history,” he said. “Make no mistake,although most Canadians live far from these rocky coasts, Canada is and has always been intrinsically linked to the sea.” RAdm Maddison invited all Canadians to look towards their coasts and recognize the huge impacts the oceans have on our daily lives. Ninety per cent of world commerce, he said, depends on the ocean highways. And as such, any threat to the free and regulated use of the world’s oceans is therefore a threat to Canada and to our way of life. “As we begin our secondcentury of service, we in the Navy commit ourselves anew to leading a modernized, combat capable, globally deployable fleet, that will be ready aye ready to sail either independently or alongside the fleets of likeminded nations whenever and wherever Canadian security interests are at risk.” This service and sacrifice by the Canadian Navy was exemplified poignantly when RAdm Maddison referred to the death of PO2 Craig Blake, killed May 3 by an improvised explosive device while he and his team were walking back to camp after disarming another IED southwest of Kandahar City. PO2 Blake,anavy clearance diver from FDU(A), was in Afghanistan as an explosive ordnance disposal operator. “Wegrieve the sacrifice of a fall- VAdm Harry DeWolf served as Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) from 1956 to 1960. of successful night actions against German ships in the English Channel and Bay of Biscay. Inlate April, Haida, in company with Athabaskan, encountered enemy ships. When Athabaskan was sunk by torpedoes, DeWolf continued the fight and manoeuvred his ship to rescue 44 of Athabaskan’s crew while under threat of attack. Haida’s success in 1943-44 was due inlarge part to DeWolf’s skill and professionalism. Know as Hard over Harry for his aggressive ship-handling, DeWolf was admired by his crew who respected his cool leadership under fire and his ability to fight his ship. Between 1945-1950, DeWolf’s appointments included CO of Warrior and Senior Officer Afloat (Atlantic), CO of Magnificent and Flag Officer Pacific Coast. In 1950 he was appointed Vice Chief of the Naval Staff, followedby Chairman of Canadian Joint Staff in Washington, and CNS in 1956. DeWolf’s time as CNS was marked by rapid technological changeinnaval warfare, fleet modernization (including new destroyers) and increases in personnel. In his retirement message, he said in part: “Today, I stand down knowing the Navy is in good hands...” In 1992, Admiral DeWolf attended the dedication of DeWolf Park overlooking Bedford Basin and near his childhood home. He died in Ottawa in December 2000. Clarification: The preceding article on VAdm Mainguy contained an editorial error. VAdm Mainguy commanded ships in both the Atlanticand Pacific theatres of operations during the Second WorldWar, not the First WorldWar. en sailor,’’ said RAdm Maddison. “Our hearts go out to his wife Priscilla and his two boys.” Freedom of the City is the highest honour a city can bestow on a CF unit. It grants the privilege for a specific military unit to march through the city with “drums beating, colours flying, and bayonets fixed,” recognizing the unit’s service, and demonstrating the affection, trust and respect of the community. It is analogous to presenting the key of the city to adeserving individual. Deck Opening Friday, June 4, 2010 Featuring Matt Mays and El Torpedo with opening act Black City Avenger • Doors open 1900 • Tickets $20.00 each For more information contact MS MacDougall @ 401-4122 FDU(A) diver represented the best www.fleetclubatlantic.ca PO2 Craig Blake was the first Canadian sailor to fall in Afghanistan. By Virginia Beaton Trident staff lags flew at half-mast in For- Halifax andacross Can- Fmation ada in a somber acknowledgement of the first Canadian Navy sailor to fall in Afghanistan. PO2 Craig Blake,age 37,aclearance diver with the Fleet Diving Unit (Atlantic) (FDU(A)), died after animprovised explosive device (IED) detonated during a dismounted operation on May 3,about 25 kilometers southwest of Kandahar City, in the Panjwayi District. The incident occurred at approximately 4:40 pm Kandahar time as PO2 Blake and his team were walking back to camp after having dismantled an IED near the village of Pay-e-Moluk. PO2 Blake was serving with Task Force 1-10 and had been in Afghanistan for just a few weeks. According to PO1 Paul (Knobby) Walsh, PO2 Blake’s comrades and friends in the diving unit will remember him as adedicated sailor and acolleague whose skills as a diver and as a leader were beyond doubt. “His strong sense of duty was what took him to Afghanistan,” said PO1 Walsh, who also has deployed to Afghanistan to dismantle IEDs. “His country asked him to go. He was leader of a team,and he had a sense of duty to that team.” A native of Simcoe, Ont, PO2 Blake joined the Navy in his late teens and had been in the FDU(A)) since 2000. He and his wife Priscilla had two sons, seven year old Ty and 14 year old Cain. “Craig worked in all aspects of the diving branch,” said PO1 Walsh, adding that PO2 Blake started out in underwater engineering andbattle damage repair before moving into training, “which is where I first got to know Craig well...He was a great guy. He was quiet but his actions spoke louder than his words.” The two men worked together training Navy divers,combat Army divers and Special Forces divers. “Craig was directly responsible for the physical training and he took great pride in that.” Within the diving unit, “Craig was a total professional. When we were on the side, Craig was the guy who would sit in the boat for hours and hours, dressed in all the heavy equipment as the leading seaman standby diver. For that instant reaction to an emergency when something could go terribly wrong, you could simply tap Craig on the shoulder and he would respond. His job was priority one and it was to make sure other people were safe.” PO2 Blake was well known for his dedication to physical fitness. PO1 Walsh said PO2 Blake was an enthusiasticcyclist who wouldbike to work inany weather. He greatly admired Lance Armstrong, seventime winner of the Tour de France and PO1 Walsh observed “When the Tour de France was happening, Craig was always checking the results whenever he hadabreak. He loved watching that race.” In September 2008, then MS Blake participated in the Navy Fitness Challenge as the cyclist member of a triathlon team competing in the open category. His team, named Waterwings, won that category. PO1 Walsh speculated that PO2 Blake had certain characteristics in common with Armstrong, noting “He was really committed to what he thought was right and he never quit….He was tough and he was determined to see things through.” PO2 Blake was also a hockey fan. During the diving unit’s twice weekly hockey games, “Craig never really wore out the blades of his skates, he wore out the ankles. He loved the sport.” PO2 Blake was a loyal supporter of the Maple Leafs and PO1 Walsh said that PO2 Blake named his younger son Ty after Leafs player Tie Domi. While PO2 Blake was quiet anddignified, he respected Domi “becausehe was the guy who stuck up for his friends, like Craig would do.” When PO2 Blake’s elder son Cain began to play hockey on a team in the Shearwater-Shannon Minor Hockey Association (SSMHA), PO2 Blake became a popular and respected volunteer coach for peewee hockey. “He coached so he couldbeinvolved in the sport with his boys,” said PO1 Walsh. “He wanted to give something back. He always gave to people.” In December 2008, SSMHA presented PO2 Blake with the peewee coach of the year award. “I know how much that award meant to him,” said PO1 Walsh. As FDU(A)) rallied to support the Blake family, PO1 Walsh stated “Craig was a kind man and agood man. Wein this unit will never forget him and I hope we do justice to his memory and to his family.” The repatriation ceremony for PO2 Blake took place on Thursday May 6 at 8 Wing Trenton. More than 30 members of FDU(A) were present, as well as dignitaries including Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence, and VAdm Dean McFadden, Chief of the Maritime Staff. The repatriation was preceded by a ramp ceremony at Kandahar Airfield on Wednesday, attendedby more than 1,500 Canadian and ISAF personnel. PO2 Blake was the 143rd CF member to fall in Afghanistan since the mission started in 2002. Centennial stamps unveiled The Honourable John Baird, left, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities; CPO2 Cheryl Bush, Staff Officer CNC; and VAdm Dean McFadden, CMS, unveil a set of two commemorative stamps celebrating the Canadian Navy’s 100th anniversary at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa May 3. The stamps depict the past and present of Canada’s naval service, featuring one of Canada’s first warships, HMCS Niobe, and a modern frigate, HMCS Halifax. To purchase the Canadian Naval Centennial stamps, visit Canada Post’s on-line store or a postal outlet. (MCPL ROY MACLELLAN) 20096474 (DND)
TRIDENT, MAY 17, 2010 3 At the CFB Halifax Wardroom on Sunday, May 2, 2010 the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence announces the reinstatement of the Executive Curl on Naval Officers’ uniforms and the introduction of the Sea Service Badge, a badge given to any CF member who has more than 365 days at sea. CPL RICK AYER, FIS Changes for Navy uniforms Navy Executive Curl reinstated, while Sea Service Insignia added By Virginia Beaton Trident staff ust days before the Canadian JNavy celebrated its 100th birthday on May 4, 2010, the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence, announced two significant changes to Navy uniforms. “To recognise the exceptional contributions of our Navy, we are reinstating the Navy Executive Curl and introducing a Sea Service Insignia,” stated MacKay. He made the announcement in the Wardroom at CFB Halifax on May 2, Battle of the Atlantic Sunday. Noting that the announcement wouldbefollowedby the Battle of the Atlantic ceremony at the Sailors’Memorial in Point Pleasant Park, the MND observed that the Second World War and the Battle of the Atlantic were pivotal events for the Navy. “It was during this time that our Navy acquired its sense of purpose – and identity – that have carried into the present day….What better time to show our appreciation than during the Navy’s Centennial year” MacKay gave credit to Guy Lauzon, MP for Stormont-Dundas- South Glengarry, who in 2009 introduced a private member’s motion in the House of Commons to reinstate the Navy Executive Curl. “This motion received unanimous support from the House,” noted MacKay. The Executive Curl is a ring above a naval officer’s gold lace or braid insignia. Its origins are believed to be in the Crimean War, when it was called Elliott’s Eye in tribute to the heroic actions of a Capt Elliott. Most navies that use the executive curl are monarchies. The navies of republics may use another national symbol or device above the top layer ofgold lace: for example, the US uses a star. Executive officers were the first to wear the curl but in 1915 engineer officers began to use it and in 1918 other officer branches followed. In the Royal Navy all officers are eligible to use the executive curl but some navies permit only deck officers to use it. The Executive Curl was part of a Canadian Naval officer’s uniform from 1910 until the unification of Canada’s military in 1968. The second change regarding Navy uniforms concerned the introduction of a Sea Service Insignia to recognize maritime service. “The Sea Service Insignia is Canada’s way of saying thank you to all members of the Canadian Forces who have spent at least 365 days at sea, “ MacKay said. He emphasized that all CF personnel are potentially eligible for this insignia. As an integrated military, the Navy, Army and Air Force work together to accomplish missions. For Level 1 of the Sea Service Insignia, personnel must have 365 sea days; for Level 2, 1095 sea days; for Level 3, 1460 seadays and for Level 4, 1825 sea days. “It is a way to acknowledge the importance of naval operations,” whether on a sovereignty patrol or Halifax, NS 6100 Young St. 902-431-1100 Halifax, NS 1668 Barrington St. 902-431-6300 on a deployment,” according to MacKay. RAdm Maddison thanked the MND for the announcement, saying “Thank you to you and to your government for expressing the will of Canadians to support our Navy.” Amherst, NS Amherst Centre Mall 902-667-4835 Bridgewater NS Bridgewater Mall 902-527-2111 Truro, NS Truro Mall 902-843-3388 Yarmouth, NS Yarmouth Mall 902-749-5200 A sentry stands at the Sailors’ Memorial in Point Pleasant Park for the annual Battle of the Atlantic ceremony. HMCS Sackville stands off the park for the at-sea ceremony. CPL RONNIE KINNIE, FIS Remembering the longest battle By Virginia Beaton Trident staff t six bells in the forenoon Awatch on May 2, 2010, the names of HMC Ships, merchant navy ships and RCAF squadrons lost to enemy action during the Battle of the Atlantic were read aloud. During the annual Battle of the Atlantic service at the Sailors’ Memorialin Point Pleasant Park, parade participants andaudience members bowed their heads as they commemorated those who were lost during that campaign, the longest running campaign of the Second World War. Padres LCdr Andrew Cooke New Minas, NS County Fair Mall 902-681-1900 Summerside, PE Mall 902-436-7997 and Lt(N) Jean-François Petitpas conducted the service, which included readings, a psalm, and hymns. ASea King andan Auroradid a flyover and HMCS Sackville, Canada’s Naval Memorial, stood just off the park to conduct an atsea ceremony. Wreaths were laid by organizations beginning with the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence representing the Government of Canada, other veterans’ associations, Silver Cross mother Debbie Sullivan, and groups such as the Atlantic Chiefs’ and Petty Officers’ Association. Charlottetown, PE Charlottetown Mall 902-367-5115 Charlottetown, PE Kirkwood Mews 902-367-3569 20095971
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