Pacific Navy News

Archana Cini, Lookout Newspaper; with files from the Government of Canada - From Aug 31 to Sept 2, the Fairmont Empress Hotel and the Victoria Conference Centre (VCC) became one of the most secure square kilometres on Canada’s West Coast for the 2026 Indo-Pacific Chiefs of Defence Conference (PACOM CHODS).   The three-day international conference was co-hosted by General (Gen) Jennie Carignan, Canada’s Chief of the Defence Staff, and Admiral (Adm) Samuel Paparo, Commander of U.S. Pacific Command, and held under the theme Strengthening Collective Security: Navigating Challenges in a Dynamic Indo-Pacific Landscape. The conference traditionally rotates annually between Hawaii, home to U.S. Pacific Command, and partner nations across the region, like Hawaii (2024), and Thailand (2025). This year’s 28th PACOM CHODS marked the largest guest list in the conference’s history, with 32 invited countries in comparison to just six in 2016. This is also the second time the conference has returned to Canada, with its 2017 iteration also held in Victoria. The goal of the annual event is to promote mutual understanding and interoperability among senior military leaders while discussing shared challenges and opportunities.  [caption id="attachment_360910" align="alignright" width="300"] Senior military leaders representing 30 delegations and 29 countries gather for a photo during the 28th annual PACOM CHODS conference in Victoria on Sept 1.Photo: Cpl Mark Wanzel, CAF Imagery[/caption]  The Honourable David J. McGuinty, Canada’s Minister of National Defence, welcomed delegates during the 2026 PACOM CHODs opening ceremony by framing the conference around shared responsibility despite differences.   “Our geography may be different; our capabilities may be different; but the responsibility is shared,” said McGuinty. “To protect our people, to defend our sovereignty, to preserve peace, and to be ready when that peace is tested.” He then pointed to a busy year of Indo-Pacific engagement for Canada, including new defence dialogues launched with South Korea, India, and Japan; joint exercises with the Philippines; and the appointment of Canada’s first senior military representative...

Archana Cini, Lookout Newspaper Join us!  Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Esquimalt’s annual Ship to Shore Industrial Tradeshow returns on Tuesday, Oct 6, bringing more than 40 industry suppliers and partners to the Naden Athletic Centre to showcase new technologies, products, services, and opportunities to the local Defence community.  Presented by the Lookout Newspaper and Creative Services, the event will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and feature a variety of indoor and outdoor displays, demonstrations, and engagements for attendees and local industry professionals.   New at this year’s tradeshow is the Industry Connect Hub, a dedicated space that will give Defence community members and industry professionals the ability to meet, exchange ideas, and discover new opportunities for professional growth. Alongside the event’s displays and demonstrations, attendees can also enjoy a complimentary gourmet burger lunch while connecting with the vendors, colleagues, and industry partners around them.  The Ship to Shore Tradeshow is free to attend for all local Defence community members.  Thank you to this year's Ship to Shore sponsor: Thank you to this year's Ship to Shore community partners:   Meet the 2026 Vendors  Western Equipment Ltd   KMS Tools  Point Hope Maritime Ltd   Industrial Plastics and Paints (The Redco Group)  Costco Wholesale  Calgary Police Service  New-Line Hose & Fittings   NLS Products  MarineLabs Data Systems  Willis College  University of Victoria Continuing Studies  Wesco Distribution Canada  Cloverdale Paint Inc  EB Horsman  Helmets to Hardhats  Grand & Toy  Levitt-Safety Limited  Grainger Canada  RCMP E Div Recruiting  Local 258 IBEW  Purolator   Commander Warehouse  Snap-On Tools of Canada  3M   Service First Limited   Fastenal Canada LTD  Testforce Systems Inc  Makita Canada Power Tools  Motion Industries   Velocity Bolting  Fountain Tire  Elec-Tech Sales Ltd  Transition Unit   Recruitment and Talent Strategies Team  Veterans Services  Fleet Maintenance Facility (FMF)  NDWCC   BMO  WestJet  Staples Canada Allredi Blast & Abrasives Canada  And more! 

Archana Cini, Lookout Newspaper, with Michael Erwin RCN veteran Michael Erwin finds purpose after retirement through art. At 63, he returns to school at VISA to develop his creative skills. Now pursuing a BFA, Erwin encourages others to embrace art. - For more than 40 years, the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) gave Michael Erwin a sense of purpose. After retiring in 2021 with no shortage of stories or skills, Erwin found himself facing a question other veterans may know well: who are you when the job that shaped you is gone?  Erwin first began service in 1981, joining as a reservist before transferring to the Regular Force in 1987. By the time Erwin reached retirement, the navy wasn’t simply a career.   “That long in the service leaves a mark,” he said. “The navy became a big part of who I was.”  When retirement approached alongside Erwin’s 60th birthday, he found himself apprehensive rather than excited, unsure what life after what sailors call swallowing the anchor might feel like.  “I thoroughly enjoyed the freedom that came with having no taskings or deadlines; the ability to do as I chose; and the satisfaction of not having to answer to chain of command,” Erwin said, though he added that his wife might disagree on the final part. However, the novelty of unstructured time only went so far.   “One can only drift productively for so long,” he said. “Though my days were filled with activity, there was something missing.” The navy, Erwin realized, hadn’t just given him skills, friendships, and stories over four decades — it had given him purpose.   Erwin had always doodled, on and off, for as long as he could remember, though he’d never taken any formal instruction and considered his artistic ability limited. When people asked what he planned to do in retirement, he’d often say he might “do something with art,” without much of a plan behind...

Archana Cini, Lookout Newspaper SLt Mitchell Keay placed 18th overall at Tour de Victoria 2026, finishing first in his division after two years of training. He reflected on how cycling shaped his confidence and career with the RCN. - Two years ago, Sub-Lieutenant (SLt) Mitchell Keay completed Tour de Victoria’s 100-kilometre (km) distance in 219th place. This August, he crossed the same finish line in 18th place, and first in his division — a result even he admits caught him off guard.  Racing in the men’s 30-34 division at Tour de Victoria this year with the hope of placing within the top 100, SLt Keay posted a chip time of 3:10:43 over the 100 km course.   “Moving through the course, I felt really good,” he said. “It was a punchy and dynamic race, and at the start I felt prepared, excited, and very strong.” SLt Keavy held an average heart rate of 163 BPM throughout the race, close to what he considers the edge of what’s sustainable over three to four hours. A sign, he shared, of dialed-in pacing built on a year of dedicated training.  SLt Keay has served in the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) for more than a decade, first joining in April 2015 and working as a Naval Communicator (NAV COMM) before switching trades to become a Naval Warfare Officer (NWO) in 2023. Today, he works as an Assistant Analyst in the Reserve Management Cell at Personnel Coordination Centre Pacific  PCC(P), facilitating administration for Naval Reserve (NAVRES) personnel employed on the West Coast.  While cycling has been part of SLt Keay’s life since childhood, it wasn’t until the COVID-19 pandemic that it became something more. While living in Hamilton and taking part in Operation (Op) LASER in 2020, he completed his first 100km ride with a roommate.  “It was hard, but I quite enjoyed it,” said SLt Keavy. After relocating to Quebec City to work at NAVRES Headquarters...