CIOR sails ahead

By Lt (N) Johanna Wickie, CIOR Presidency Public Affairs Officer

With fair winds and following seas, 60 members of the CIOR family had the unique experience of setting sail aboard HMCS Glace Bay and HMCS Summerside, two operational ships of Canada's Navy crewed almost entirely by members of Canada's Naval Reserve, during the Halifax In-Between Meeting on 26 October 2007.

“We have an opportunity here of showcasing the effectiveness of reservists in an operational environment,” said Captain (Navy) Carman McNary, President of CIOR. “When we knew we were coming to Halifax, we knew we were going to sea.”

The ships represent two of Canada’s 12 Maritime Coastal Defence Vessels that were commissioned between 1996 and 1999. They are responsible for a wide range of littoral duties that include sovereignty and fisheries patrols, drug interdiction, route survey as well as ongoing training.
Major General Robert Nester, United States' CIOR Vice President, on the bridge of HMCS Glace Bay with the ship's crew.

The crews of HMCS Glace Bay and HMCS Summerside demonstrated a wide range of capabilities and skills including conducting maneuvers, man overboard drills, weapons displays and a light line transfer between the two ships.

CIOR members participating in the Halifax IBM set sail on HMCS Summerside.

The value of the experience was immediately recognized. For many it was the first exposure to an operational naval reserve.

“It’s good fun,” said Major Ian Webster (United Kingdom), Military Competition Committee Chair, “but it also reinforces why we’re here. These folks really know what they’re doing. They are true professionals.”

Captain Martin Simonsen (Denmark), Acting Chair of the CIMIC Committee, further commented, “This is much better than taking a historical military tour in Halifax. This is about why our organization exists.”

During the daysail, two working groups took place. The first, under the direction of CIOR’s Secretary General, Major Derek Cheff, reviewed and validated the overall matrix for the 2008 Istanbul Congress. The second, led by Captain (Navy) McNary, focused on the strategic vision and mission of CIOR.

Both working groups were deemed to be very productive and their results were presented on the final day of the In Between Meetings.

“We came together really well and achieved consensus,” said Captain (Navy) McNary.

“The opportunity of seeing a functional reserve seemed to motivate us even further in forging ahead to serve the interests of reservists who do great work on behalf of their respective nations,” he reinforced.