Several members of the University of Windsor community took part in a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build connections with the Royal Canadian Navy: the Canadian Leaders at Sea (CLaS) program.
Held Feb. 6 and 7 at Canadian Forces Base Halifax, the event was co-ordinated by the HMCS Hunter, a land-based naval training unit located in Sandwich. Participants enjoyed a day sail aboard Windsor's namesake vessel, a long-range attack submarine.
Commanding officer lieutenant-commander Harrison Nguyen-Huynh of the HMCS Windsor presents honorary submariner credentials to Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research director Mike McKay in the boat's control room.
The program reflects growing ties between the University and the HMCS Hunter under commanding officer and UWindsor alumnus, Lieutenant-Commander Chris Elliott.
"The CLaS program is a unique experience to showcase the people and platforms of the Royal Canadian Navy, with opportunities to see the skills and abilities of the people who serve our country," Elliott says. "Windsor was extremely well represented with our community leaders visiting our namesake submarine. They join the ranks of a very few Canadians to ever dive in a navy submarine."
Participants experienced first-hand naval training and life aboard a submarine, gaining insight into the day-to-day operations of the Royal Canadian Navy and deeper appreciation for role of the navy in protecting Canadian sovereignty and interests at sea, both at home and abroad.
The UWindsor contingent included three alumni: Elliott, honorary colonel Keith Henry and petty officer second class Hash Sameem; history student Ricardo Racz, a corporal with the Windsor Regiment reserves; and director of the Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research, Mike McKay.
"In my day-to-day work at GLIER, I regularly interact with the Canadian and U.S. Coast Guards in the Great Lakes, so have some appreciation for naval customs and have come to respect their work supporting the maritime sector in these freshwater oceans," Dr. McKay says. "This appreciation was reinforced through my interactions with the sailors at CFB Halifax and with HMCS Windsor.
"In particular, I gained deep respect for their attention to detail that was evident in all aspects of operations from planning to execution, all necessary for mission success."
The institute plans to host a visit by the commander of HMCS Windsor in April, when he will be in town for events commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic.
