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Volume 53 Number 13
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March 31, 2020
Wing leaders answer questions
Image screenshot from Facebook Live
Chief Warrant Officer Rémi Nault (left) and 4 Wing Commander Colonel Dave Moar appear in a 4 Wing Facebook Live Town Hall to answer questions posed by Canadian Armed Forces members and civilians. CLIFF KENYON It was a premiere of sorts, a debut perhaps, as 4 Wing Commander Colonel Dave Moar was star of the show streamed live on Facebook. The live virtual town hall chat on March 26, from a prepared studio at Military Family Resource Centre Society at 4 Wing, was an innovative way for base leadership to reach families and members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) as well as 4 Wing civilian employees, most of whom have been teleworking from home since March 16 when the base “business continuity plan” was put into place. Despite the threat of COVID-19, Col Moar reminded viewers that 4 Wing Cold Lake has a “massive mandate” to fulfill as an operational Royal Canadian Air Force fighter air base with NATO and NORAD commitments. To meet those demands, Col Moar said base leadership has had to choose priorities and establish contingency plans to remain operational. He said 4 Wing normally operates with a team of 2,600 people, including CAF members and civilians. Since March 16, the base has operated with about 200 at work on a daily basis maintaining critical
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operations with some “working day and night.” “We are all working through this uncertainty together. We are all strong and will need a lot of patience during this trying time. We have been ahead of this every step of the way.” CAF members, civilian employees and families were asked to submit advanced questions for base leaders during the broadcast and Col Moar said “hundreds of questions were received, it’s been fantastic.” He pledged to act on challenges faced by CAF members and civilians. “I take my responsibilities seriously.” He said issues he is unable to resolve satisfactorily will be pushed up the chain of command. Asked about child care and the closure of daycare centres ordered by the province, Col Moar acknowledged challenges for some CAF members and civilians when they return to work. “It’s a huge factor for me and my chain of command.” Col Moar said he is working hard on a solution and getting good support from the chain of command and the government of Alberta. In answer to questions, he said he is awaiting “official guidance” regarding the Active Posting Season. So far, house hunting trips for those slated
to move to a new posting outside Cold Lake, are currently on hold. As part of the business continuity plan, workers were designated as Essential, Critical and Routine in determining who would continue working on base and those told to work at home. Similar categories are used throughout the public service. But they are flexible depending on demands. For example, if NORAD increased demands on 4 Wing some of those who are designated Routine may move into the Essential or Critical category. He said there is no time line for the return of workers who have been told to work at home. “Our priority has been to minimize our footprint at work while ensuring we can do the mission.” No decision has been made yet regarding the 2020 Cold Lake Air Show scheduled for July, although ticket sales have been suspended. Col Moar remains hopeful that the event will go ahead as planned. There has also been a pause in training of technicians, many of whom are now working from home. He admitted this is a “mentally trying time for folks” and we need to ensure that we don’t neglect our mental and physical health.
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Tuesday, March 31, 2020
A change of command for an air force squadron is usually a time of celebration and ceremony. The change of command this month at 417 Combat Support Squadron (Sqn) was more a moment of reflection with celebration and ceremony on hold as most 4 Wing personnel are working from home instead of at the base to respect the latest direction of physical, social distancing. On March 19, outgoing Squadron Commanding Officer (CO) Major Alexia Hannam signed a certificate (with none of the usual fanfare) to hand over command to incoming CO Major Eileen Sudul. Maj Hannam, who has been the officer commanding 417 Sqn for about two years, in a phone interview with The Courier, praised her successor. “Eileen was my top pick to replace me. She has the technical skills as a pilot. She’s also empathetic, a good leader and very smart.” In an email statement, Maj Sudul said that she was “truly honoured and humbled to become the CO of 417 (CS) Squadron.” “As a member for the last three and a half years, I am so proud and inspired by what this unit has accomplished through dedication and perseverance. I am lucky to be part of such an extraordinary team of ‘Jokers’. I would like to thank Major Alexia Hannam for her transparent, admirable leadership and relentless drive throughout her tenure as CO. No one is happier than I am that Maj Hannam will
be able to continue flying with 417 that I dreamt of, as I had been (CS) Sqn.” planning on remaining a flying Wing Commander Colonel Captain for life; however, it was Dave Moar said although the an unforgettable experience I will change of command was limited treasure. I would like to thank the to signing certificates it was an amazing men and women that we “incredible and significant day that call ‘Jokers’ who helped make that recognized the hard work and job so rewarding and enjoyable.” remarkable success of Maj Alexia As Flight Safety Officer, she Hannam.” oversees safety efforts throughout “It was also a great opportunity 4 Wing. to congratulate Major Eileen “I’m excited about it. I’m Sudul on earning the honour responsible for finding safer ways of commanding an outstanding to do things. I’m looking forward Squadron. 4 Wing is lucky to have to digging in and looking for new these exceptional officers and ways to do things.” pilots now leading two critically Although no longer flying important units,” Col Moar said. regularly, Maj Hannam said she 417 Squadron flies Griffon is available to help out at 417 if helicopters and is tasked with needed. combat support as well as search Asked about her long term and rescue throughout Northern future, Maj Hannam said she can’t Alberta as well as Northern ever imagine a “ job that takes Saskatchewan and the Northwest me out of the cockpit completely Territories. because I love what I’m doing.” Maj Hannam, outgoing squadron commander, was involved in search and rescue missions to the Northwest Territories. She also organized a journey to the Northwest Territories to a remote settlement to deliver donated books. She is also an executive on the board of Elevate Aviation, an Edmonton organization which promotes aviation careers among young women. Maj Hannam is now the 4 Wing Cold Lake Flight Safety Officer. “I’m not sure which is more surreal: the fact that I’m no longer the Commanding Officer of 417, or that I ever was in the first place. Having Command of a Squadron was not a position Submitted
THE COURIER STAFF MANAGER Janae Wandler - manager@couriernews.ca EDITOR/REPORTER Cliff Kenyon - editor@couriernews.ca PRODUCTION COORDINATOR Alina Mallais - production@couriernews.ca ADMIN/SALES Jasmine Ouellette - admin@couriernews.ca
EDITORIAL ADVISOR 4 WING PUBLIC AFFAIRS Capt Julie Brunet
DEADLINE Wednesday at 1500 hrs for the following Tuesday
CIRCULATION 2600 The Courier is published weekly with the permission of the 4 Wing Cold Lake Wing Commander Col Moar. The opinions expressed are those of the contributor and do not reflect those of the Editor, Canadian Armed Forces, or DND. The Editor reserves the right to reject, edit, or condense any editorial or advertising material. Printed by Star Press, Wainwright, AB. Publié hebdomadairement avec la permission du Commandant de l’escadre, le col Moar. Les opinions personnelles exprimées dans ce journal sont celles des collaborateurs et ne représentent pas les opinions de la rédaction, des Forces armées canadiennes ou du Ministrère de la Défense nationale. La rédaction se réserve le droit de refuser, d’éditer ou de condenser tout article et matériel de réclame soumis. Imprimé par Star Press, Wainwright, AB.
MEMBER OF:
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Major Eileen Sudul, piloting a helicopter, has been named CO of 417 Squadron 4 Wing Cold Lake.
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Tuesday, March 31, 2020
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Stress over COVID-19 not an unusual reaction
D
uring the last two weeks, many of us have been working from home either full time or on rotation in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. Some of you might be enjoying working from home while others are probably somewhat anxious with the disruption in your routines. There has been different reactions to daily news and updates on the response to the outbreak and spread of the COVID-19 virus. Some of you might have been nervous while others might have been less affected by it? Although I am not in the first group, I am very far from ignoring guidelines set by health public official. At this time I am taking all necessary measures to be safe and to keep the people I love safe. I am doing it especially out of respect for those who are particularly vulnerable to the virus. Some other countries have not been as fortunate as they responded later to the novel coronavirus and by consequence have already paid the highest price with thousands of deaths. This brings me to say that I am concerned that if we are not going to do our part by staying home and maintaining our “social distance”, we might have the same fate as other countries. Two things which have been stressed on us, and necessary to stop the virus from spreading further are 1) Hygiene, by washing our hands with soap, avoiding touching surfaces and our faces, and; 2) “social distancing.” The term “social distancing” has been minted to describe our approach to infection control and
Page 3
Padre Zibby Jonczyk
CHAPLAIN’S CORNER
refers to minimizing close physical contact at the individual level by keeping a two-metre distance, and at the community level through closures of public and private spaces as well as cancellations of events where large numbers of people might gather. The latest measure in the Province of Alberta is no more than fifteen people may gather in public (as of March, 27). Allow me to focus on the idea of distancing, although before I continue I must say that I am more comfortable with a term “physical distancing” rather than “social distancing.” For in times like this we need more networking and social connection than ever. There are many people who suffer from depression or might feel isolated for whatever reason. It is important that we offer them emotional support. In one of my previous articles I wrote about the difference of being alone and being lonely. In our modern days, despite all the different social media platforms and technologies designed to connect us, people seem to experience loneliness more often than ever before. Many of you are probably aware of the Sentinel program or perhaps are Sentinels. Normally a Sentinel is someone who keeps his/her eyes open and watches after their colleagues in their units and squadrons. As you may or may not know Sentinels play an important role in prevention, detection and support for their colleagues in distress. In our own families and in our neighbourhoods most people have gone into isolation RINK BOARD - 96”toXprotect 30” themselves and 2.5’) colleague you know others. If you can, check(8’ onX that
that might be alone at home. Isolation for long periods of time can affect people’s mental health, so feeling connected is key. Call them, or Facetime/ Skype with them, even for a few minutes, just to make sure they are ok. You can create a “peer’s chat group” on apps such as Messenger or WhatsApp. Or simply send your co-worker a quick message on Facebook or Instagram, if you happen to be one of their virtual friends. While we maintain the physical distance let us remember that there are those out there who might need us now more than ever, and let us all be Sentinels for each other. God bless. zbigniew.jonczyk@forces.gc.ca DR. ERIC HANSEN Hon. B.Sc. D.D.S DR. MAY CONLIN Hon. B.Sc., D.M.D. General Dentists
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Tuesday, March 31, 2020
Defence Team mental health and coping during COVID-19 COLONEL HELEN WRIGHT, DIRECTOR MENTAL HEALTH, CANADIAN FORCES HEALTH SERVICES GROUP The outbreak of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) may be stressful for people and communities. It is not unusual to feel anxiety about COVID-19 and you will probably worry about the potential impact on yourself and your family. Some distress is common in uncertain situations like this outbreak, and it may cause strong emotions in both adults and children. Everyone reacts differently to stressful situations. The emotional impact of an unusual or urgent situation depends on the person’s characteristics and experiences, their social and economic circumstances, and the availability of local resources. It is normal to feel sad, distressed, worried, confused, scared or angry when experiencing a situation such as COVID-19. However, signs of severe emotional distress, such as persistent insomnia, interpersonal problems, disabling fear, increased use of alcohol or drugs, indicate you should reach out for help. Reactions during an infectious disease outbreak can include: • Fear and worry about your own health status and that of your loved ones who may have been exposed to COVID-19 • Changes in sleep or eating patterns • Difficulty sleeping or concentrating • Worsening of chronic health problems • Increased use of alcohol, tobacco, or recreational drugs • Feelings of helplessness, boredom, loneliness and depression due to being isolated • Common symptoms of other health problems (e.g., a cough) can be mistaken for COVID-19 and lead to fear of being infected • Some people may become more distressed if they see repeated images or hear repeated reports about the outbreak in the media. Some of these fears and reactions spring from realistic understanding of the dangers, but many reactions and behaviours are also fed by rumours and misinformation. Some people may have positive experiences, such as pride in their contribution and finding ways of coping and resilience. Community members often show great altruism and cooperation, and people may experience great satisfaction from helping others. Things you can do to support yourself and your family: • Stay informed, but avoid excessive exposure to media coverage of COVID-19. Periodically check the news and recommendations from trusted sites such as Corona virus disease (COVID-19) and local health authorities. Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories. It can be upsetting to hear about the crisis in a constant stream. • Take care of your body. Take deep breaths, stretch or meditate. Try to eat healthy, well-balanced meals, exercise regularly, get plenty of sleep and avoid excessive alcohol and recreational drugs. • Accept that there may be disappointment or frustration at changing plans such as cancelled or postponed vacations, or family visits. Acknowledge and accept strong emotions. • Try as much as possible to stick to a daily routine, or create new ones to get through this period. If possible, make opportunities for children to play and relax. • Connect with others in your social networks virtually through e-mail, phone calls or social media. Share your concerns and how you are feeling with a friend or family member. Maintain healthy relationships. • Draw on skills that you have used in the past during difficult times to manage your emotions during this outbreak. Relaxation techniques may work
for some people, others may find engaging in enjoyable hobbies or activities is effective. • Maintain a sense of hope and positive thinking. • Focus on the positive aspects of your life and things you can control. For situations that are beyond your control, you may want to shift your emotional response by distracting yourself with another task (cooking, cleaning), going for a walk, taking a bath, talking to a friend on the phone or meditating. • Stay prepared and apply social distancing and preventive measures such as frequent hand washing and cough etiquette. If you are sick, stay home and reach out to medical as appropriate to your situation (e.g., military compared to civilian). During times of increased stress, it is common to enter the Reacting Zone of the Mental Health Continuum. While this is an adaptive response, and most individuals will use their own positive coping strategies to manage the increased demands, it is important to maintain an ongoing awareness of your health and well-being during this time. Note any significant changes in behaviour including listening to friends and family members if they express concern for your well-being, and ensuring that coping strategies remain positive and effective. Mental Health Continuum Model (see below) Source for infographic below Mental Health Continuum Model - Text version This diagram describes the range of mental health—healthy, reacting, injured and ill—and lists the behaviours associated with each part of this range. Healthy behaviours include normal mood fluctuations, calmness and the ability to take things in stride, a good sense of humour, good performance, being in control, normal sleep patterns, few sleep difficulties, being physically well, having a good energy level, being physically and socially active, and limited or no alcohol use or gambling. Reacting behaviours include being irritable or impatient, being nervous, being sad or overwhelmed, expressing displaced sarcasm, procrastination, forgetfulness, having trouble sleeping, having intrusive thoughts, having nightmares, having muscle tension or headaches, having low energy, decreased activity or socializing, and regular but controlled alcohol use or gambling. Injured behaviours include anger, anxiety, pervasive sadness or hopelessness, a negative attitude, poor performance or workaholic behaviour, poor concentration or decisions, restless or disturbed sleep, recurrent images or nightmares, increased aches and pains, increased fatigue, avoidance, withdrawal, and increased alcohol use or hard-to-control gambling. Ill behaviours include angry outbursts or aggression; excessive anxiety or panic attacks; depression or suicidal thoughts; overt insubordination; an inability to perform duties, control behaviour or concentrate; an inability to fall asleep or stay asleep; sleeping too much or too little; physical illnesses; constant fatigue; not going out or not answering phone; and an alcohol or gambling addiction or other addictions. Ask for help if you feel overwhelmed or concerned that COVID-19 is affecting your ability to care for yourself or your family. Reach out to a family member, friend or a professional. • CAF Member Assistance Program (CFMAP) 1-800-268-7708 • LifeSpeak – online health and wellness platform • CAF Medical Clinic nearest you – psychosocial services and mental health program • Military Family Resource Centres • Family Information Line 1-800-866-4546 • Wing or Base Chaplain • Employee Assistance Program (EAP) If it is an urgent or life-threatening situation – call 911.
ENTERTAINMENT Tuesday, March 31, 2020
The Courier News & Publishing
Page 5
HOROSCOPES
Crossword ACROSS 1. Curved symmetrical structure 5. One’s partner in marriage 11. Male admirer 12. Spend in a period of dormancy 16. Popular Easter meal 17. Doc 18. Bearing a heavy load 19. Gratitude 24. The Mount Rushmore State 25. Driving 26. Girl 27. British thermal unit 28. Makes a mistake 29. A defined length of time 30. Lions do it 31. Large quantities 33. Become less intense 34. Famed peninsula 38. Emerges 39. Rare Hawaiian geese 40. Dance style 43. Drove 44. Measures speed of an engine (abbr.) 45. Yankee hero Bucky 49. Midway between west and northwest 50. Monetary unit of Samoa 51. Makes clothing 53. Spielberg’s alien
54. Agreeable to the taste 56. Injury treatment protocol 58. Cools your house 59. Imaginary line 60. New convert 63. Some do it to their windows 64. Wore away 65. Work units DOWN 1. Remove body tissue 2. Harvester 3. Roadside living quarters 4. Excessive self-confidence 5. Lapp 6. Bicycled 7. Entrance to a passage 8. Western U.S. state 9. Grain towers 10. ‘Westworld’ actress __ Rachel Wood 13. Commercial 14. One who left a will 15. Makes it through 20. Within (prefix) 21. Sea patrol (abbr.) 22. Cigarettes (slang) 23. A doctrine 27. Constrictor snakes 29. Atomic #73 30. Baseball stat 31. Female sibling 32. A soft gray metal (abbr.) 33. Southern constellation
34. Belgian city 35. Go in again 36. In a different, more positive way 37. A place for sleeping 38. Blood type 40. Syrian news agency (abbr.) 41. A salt or ester of acetic acid 42. Millihenry 44. Populous Israeli city __ Aviv
45. Widen 46. Magical potion 47. Acknowledging 48. Private romantic rendezvous 50. Cavalry sword 51. Terabyte 52. Artificial intelligence 54. Bullfighting maneuver 55. Breezed through 57. Santa says it three times 61. __ and behold 62. 36 inches (abbr.)
CAPRICORN - December 22 - January 19 Capricorn, you feel confident moving forward with a relationship after a heart-to-heart talk. Now this week you can cultivate this relationship even further. AQUARIUS - January 20 - February 18 Share your thoughts and feelings with someone who is unbiased if you want an accurate assessment of what you need to do to improve, Aquarius. A willing listener is quite helpful to you. PISCES - February 19 - March 20 Pisces, you will need patience in spades this week. Others may not be able to maintain your pace, so give them the benefit of the doubt. ARIES - March 21 - April 19 Aries, others want to lure you into their shenanigans, but you don’t need to worry about falling prey. You stick to your own ways of doing things. TAURUS - April 20 - May 20 Taurus, you may need to take a different and unusual approach to get things accomplished this week. Do not be afraid to take the bull by the horns if it is necessary. GEMINI - May 21 - June 21 Thinking outside of the box is something that you do with frequency, Gemini. Although others may not be sure of your unconventional methods, you always get things done. CANCER - June 22 - July 22 Cancer, anxiety about starting a new path or chapter in your life is completely normal. Look forward to all of the positive things that may be in store soon enough. LEO - July 23 - August 22 Lend a helping hand to someone who may need a vote of confidence or some words of support this week, Leo. Your efforts will be appreciated very much. VIRGO - August 23 - September 22 Make the most of luck that comes to you this week, Virgo. Do not speculate why such good fortune comes your way, but embrace it with an open heart. LIBRA - September 23 - October 22 Do not rush to judgment on any situation or person for the time being. All of the facts have not come to light or sharpened. But the truth will soon reveal itself, Libra. SCORPIO - October 23 - November 21 Scorpio, someone close to you needs space this week, so give them some room to breathe. Find a way to keep busy as this person works through what he or she needs. SAGITTARIUS - November 22 - December 21 Sagittarius, a competitive coworker is pushing hard to be on top. Use this as motivation as you to strive to become the best version of yourself you can be.
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Page 6
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Signs of Spring time at 4 Wing
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Tuesday, March 31, 2020