International Stories

Regina Goes West

By Lieutenant (Navy) Rory Matheson and Leading Seaman Royal Savoie

PACIFIC OCEAN – Instead of heading home with the other Canadian warships following Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercises, HMCS Regina headed further away. No, she was not lost, but instead embarked on a goodwill tour of Northeast Asia called WESTPLOY 2006.

Credit:  Pte. Leona Chaisson, Base Imaging, CFB Esquimalt Leading Seaman Julie Greer, Bosun, and Lieutenant (Navy) Trent W.S. Nichols, Deck Officer from HMCS Regina help conduct a tour for staff and students of the Pu Dong Training Base of the Special Olympics in East Shanghai, China. Shanghai the second stop in a series of Westploy ports in Japan, China and South Korea.

The transit to Japan gave the crew a very welcome and needed break from the ship’s hectic schedule. The transit had nearly one morale event scheduled per day, allowing everyone onboard to socialize and enjoy themselves. Besides Bingo nights and banyans, there was a number of charity fund raising events. The Combat Systems Engineering (CSE) department hosted a charity casino night, raising $2 700 for a Regina sailor and his family going through a tough time back home. 

Crew also took part in a much-enjoyed swimex.  For nearly an hour, the crew jumped off various parts of the ship and splashed around in the 28-degree crystal blue water.  For many, it was the first time swimming in a pool with a 5 350 meter deep end!

The mood of the ship turned reflective August 8, when off-watch personnel gathered to commemorate the 62nd anniversary of the sinking of the first HMCS Regina K-234.  The corvette was sunk off the southwest coast of England during World War II, and 30 sailors lost their lives. The current ship’s Padre led the ship’s company through a special memorial service of prayers and song.  

The 12-day transit concluded August 11, when the ship pulled into Sasebo, Japan - the first of six port visits during WESTPLOY. The schedule has now filled up for the crew, who will attend a number of military, cultural and recreational functions in each port.

Lieutenant (Navy) Rory Matheson is a Publics Affairs Officer with Maritime Forces Pacific.

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