The Terrace Standard,.Wednesday,. July 23, 1997 - AS In aclass of their own New frigates pe ONE OF the navy’s newest , warships, ihe HMCS Cal- gary docked for a night in Kitimat recently, carrying with iu Lieutenant- Governor Garde Gardom who was on a week-long visit to coastal ports. The: stopover also gave Kitimat... residents _ .and others a chance to look over (he Calgary. _By ROD LINK AT FIRST glance it seems as if somebody forgot to put ina couple of ceiling tiles above the dining table in the spacious officers’ wardroom aboard the HMCS Calgary. ~ But ‘an explanation from Lieutenant Arvinder Aujla quickly puts to rest the idea. Look at the fights,’ he says in -pointing to two ., largish ones mounted in the open space and a bracket awaiting another one. They're meant to illumi- nate the eating area because it’s also been designed to act as an emergency medical station should the frigate’s main sickbay be disabled or - filled in case of combat or disastrous mishap. _ This is but one example of how each inch of space aboard one of the Canadian navy’s new frigates can be used for more than one pu.- pose. In many ways it reflects ‘upon the new role given the navy as the century draws to a close, The Calgary is one of 12 new. Halifax class frigates now making up the back- .- bone of the Canadian navy. At $500 million they're the most expensive "ship the navy has produced. - While the Halifax class _ frigates: carry a full load of modem weapons to fulfill military duties, modern technology means ships and crew to do more than one _ job, - --This enhanced, flexibility ‘also has a lol.to do with overall declining budgets bringing the need to do more with what is on hand. ‘In addition to whatever awaits on the high seas, the ivessels have the capabilily to patrol both coasts and as- sist other government de- " partments. "There is more of a co- operative nature now,” ex- plains the Calgary’s combat officer, Lieutenant- apiece, Pea LIEUTENANT ARVINDER Aujla examines the large navigational aid screen on rform many duties Pi the bridge of the HMCS Calgary. Aujia is the ship's navigational officer and the information relayed on the screen through the Calgary's global positioning sys- tem can pinpoint for him the ship's position to within metres, Global positioning information is provided through a satellite system orbiting the earth and it is just one of the modem devices enabling the Calgary to conduct Its duties. The ship's navigation systems also contain charts for waterways around the world. Commander Steve Jorgensen. The Calgary and its sister ships carry on board RCMP officers,. customs officers and fisheries officers as re- quired) when on coastal patrols. “Iv’s important to know who is in our walters and what they are doing,”’ says Jorgensen. Those duties can range from checking fishing boats than those of other coun- ties’ navies. “Were highly regarded ‘by others,” says Jorgensen in relaying exercises un- dertaken by the frigates with other navies. The frigate’s two gas tur- bines can boost the speed up to 30 knots in less than 53 seconds and it can maneuver quickly, It can stop dead in the water in a length and a half. The frigate’s two gas turbines can boost the speed up to 30 knots in less than 53 seconds and it can maneuver quickly. It can stop dead in the water in a length and a half. to tracking sea-bore drug: traffickers to search and res- cue. : “We all connected now to the maritime operations centre in Esquimalt. We’re well suited to undertaking a variety and a multitude of tasks,”’ added Jorgensen. Jorgensen and Aujla had much to say about the frigate’s capabilities. The ship’s anti-air and auti-surface missiles and guns are on equal or better Frigate facts Cost - $500 million for each of the 12 built. Length - 134.1 metres (440 fect, 4 inches). Width - 16.4 metres (53 feet, 10 inches). ' ‘Crew - 224 when its Seak King helicopter is on board. Speed - 30 knots. Range - 11,400 miles at most economical speed. Torpedoes - from launchers on board or from the Sea . King helicopter. Used for anti submarine warfare. Missiles - There are 16 Sea Sparrow missiles to intercept incoming missiles or aircraft. There are eight Harpoons, ‘the primary anti-surface weapon which skims the sea at Yanges greater than 60 miles. “Guns = A Bofors 57mm rapid fire gun mounted forward can engage vessels or aircraft. A Phalanx anti-air sysiem can fire 3,000 rounds a minute to disable missiles which may have avoided outer defences. There arc also six 50 ‘calibre machine guns. Countermeasures - There are four six-barrelled launchers which throw up chaff to confuse enemy homing systems. Alreraft - one Sea Kiug helicopter used for anti submarine - duties. Used for surveillance and for search and rescue. Sea Sparrow missiles are designed to take out aircraft. or incoming enemy missiles, Harpoon missiles can skim ihe sea’s surface at ranges in excess of 60 miles to target enemy vesscls. Handling these and other weapons is the job of Jorgensen as combat officer and third in line on the chain of command. **]’m the captain’s advisor on tactics and weapons the ship could use — how we class frigates, make it an impr patrol the high seas but also sai could fight,’’ he said. Modern computer systems enhance the ship’s combat abilities, “Remember that before we were on ships that were 30 or 40 years old. There’s been a massive leap in tech- nology from those days of steam destroyers and vacu- um tubes,’’ said Jorgensen. “We're on the leading edge. The new kids coming on board now jump right into it. It’s been a long climb up and it’s fabulous,”’ The crew of the Calgary can close off sections of the ship if they are damaged and re-route communica- tions and electricity around those damaged areas. The one drawback faced by the Calgary is the lack of a reliable helicopter. as the Sea Kings now assigned to it and other frigates spend more, time being maintained then on active duty. And there aren't even enough of the aging helicop- ters — they are older than the majority of the frigates’ crews — fit for duly to ga around. Ajula, the ship’s naviga- tion officer, points out a global positioning system SLEEK LINES of the HMCS Calgary, one of the Canadian navy's new Halifax essive ship. The 12 frigates of the class not only | up and down the east and west coasts assisting Lieutenant Commander Steve Jorgensen on the iis bridge which can pinpoint its location within metres. Charis which can guide the Calgary around the world are available through a compuler database. But Ajula also points out the modem amenities on board which have increased morale within the navy. He shares, for instance, a cabin with another officer that’s comparable in size. . with university dorm rooms or accommodation in log- ging camps. A large and modern galley serves five full-course meal seltings a day. Each setling has three main course offer- ings. Indeed, the galley might be regarded as the most im- portant Jocation.on the ship. “Keep a crew fed and paid and they’re happy,’’ said Ajula. police and federal fisheries officers in a variety of duties. THE SECRET TO a happy crew is a good galley and cook Corporal Faron Brown presides over a grill full of thick steaks aboard the HMCS Calgary. The galley serves up five full course meal settings a day, each offering three entrees. HMCS Calgary's galley also provides baked goods. The crew is served cafeteria style while officers have the use of a comforlable wardroom for their meals. More new ships THINGS ARE locking up for the navy. Not only does it now have the ultra-modern frigates, a new class of marilime coaslal defence vessel is coming on stream. Just as with the frigates, these coastal vessels are to be multi-purpose in their duties. Called the Kingston class, the 12 vessels will have as their primary mission coastal surveillance and patrol. This will involve a wide variety of duties, including general naval operations and exercises, search aid rescuc and sup- port to other government departments such as the RCMP, and federal fisheries and environmental monitoring. Their military role will be as mine detectors and mine sweepers, using state of the art technology. They'll also be able to carry out surveying duties. They'll be crewed chiefly by naval reservists and two regular navy electronic technicians, making for a total min- imum crew of 31 people for coastal palral and survelil- lance, That number can rise to 36 depending upon other duties. Six of the vessels will be based in Halifax and six at - Esquimalt. The prime contract for construction is worth $650 million. Details The vessels are 55,3m long, A mixed gender crew of up to 36 will live in two and three person cabins, Range is 5000 nautical miles. A normal sailing mission is to be 18 days. Maximum speed is 15 knots. Weapons consist of a 40-mm Bofors gun and two 50- calibre machine guns. CORRESPONDENCE FOR THE TERRACE STANDARD. The Mail Bag Misleading position Dear Sir: The July 9 issue of Phe Terrace Standard referred to statements by Father John Smith of Sacred Heart Parish that the Catholic Church does not tolerate homosexuals. Asa parishioner of this parish, I heard father John’s statement myself and I also know the official position of the Catholic Church that is in complete agreement with that statement. It is incorrect that the church docs not tolerate homosexuals. The church teaches tolerance to every human being with no exception, however that does not mean that activities carried out by every human being are approved. It is the lifestyle of homosexuals that the church does not find acceptable. The article puts the Catholic church in a misleading position in the public. Furthermore, the reference to racial discrimination by the church based on scripture is another blatant false - suggestion of intolerance. John Krisinger, Terrace B.C. There’s a difference Dear Sir: I have been reading far too many articles and letters stating that people who choose not to have their chil- dren taught about homosexuality are intolerant and homophobic. I must spell out the difference between homosexual and homosexualily, One is a person while the other is an action, and each are separate, which is an important distinction, For instance, while she may hate his ac- tions, Alma Vermette still loves Kevin as a person. What we, as parents, are concerned about is the blur- ring of the line between tolerating homosexuals as people and tolerating the action of homosexuality. I myself have had homosexual friends, and have respect for them as people, even though I do not approve of their choice of lifestyles. They understand this and respect my position. I don’t think that there is a parent in the province who would object to a course in general tolerance. This would cover differences in race, religion, creed, sexual preference, etc. without focusing on certain groups or condoning actions that people might find objectionable. Not only would changing the emphasis of the pro- posed curriculum eliminate the tension created by con- centrating on one divisive issue, but would also be designed to promote tolerance for all people —- which is a far healthier goal. Keith Olson, Terrace, B.C. Not a preferred lifestyle Dear Sir: We, the parents, protesting the new curriculum that ihe BCTF plans to bring in this fall are not guilty of in- tolerance. If anything, we're too tolesamt,. 2. ir; What we're guilty of is loving our kids so, much that we ‘do- not-want “them‘ taught ‘that homosexuality: is normal, a preferred lifestyle. : . Nancy Penner, Terrace, B.C. Recall our MLA Dear Sir: Once again Helmut Giesbrecht has opened up a hostile argument with his constituents (letter io the editor, The Terrace Standard, July 16). Not since the Trudeau one finger salute have we seen a politician so disdainful of those he is supposed to represent. Mr, Giesbrecht’s job is to represent all of the con- stituents of Skeena. Nothing more and nothing less. Whether you are a parent, a forestry worker, a health care worker, a sawmill worker, a student, a businessman, a heterosexual, a city councillor, a school board member, a fishing guide or a taxpayer, your MLA does not represent you. In fact he is openly hostile towards you to a degree unprecedented in B.C. political history. . Perhaps this is a goad reason to make Mr. Giesbrecht the first politician in Canadian history to be held ac- countable by recall. Lorne Sexton, Terrace, B.C. Seek the goodness" Dear Sir: The tragic deaths of Michael Mauro, David Nunes . and Mark Teves on July 12, have shocked the com- munity of Kitimat. Michael, David and Mark -were good young men. They came from wonderful and beautiful families. Donny Oliveira, who remains: in critical condition, is likewise a good man and he too comes from a good and beautiful family. : This tragedy cannot be comprehended, There is no logical explanation. It is a hideous crime and a waste of human fife. It is not right. The implied accusations of loud music, slashed tires and other stories that are being circulated do not help at this time of loss. What bas precipitated here has far deeper repercus- sions. What we can realize at this time is that this trag- edy is an act that is void of God’s presence and void of God’s goodness. The community of Kitimat and people everywhere need to seek and hold onto this goodness, In seeking goodness we turn away from the temptation of hatred, anger and vengeance that has festered the tragedy, It is only by rejecting these temptations that we will . remain in solidarity and rise above these days of sor- row. As we are buman beings made in God’s image and likeness we must refuse to do anything contrary to ’ this dignity. In light of being made In God’s image and likeness we must remember that the person who did this crime is also a human being. He has parents, siblings, ex- tended family and friends. At the same time, what he did was evil, for which he will have to accept responsi. bility, but like the rest of us he too can avail himself of God’s mercy and forgiveness. We pray that he will turn himself in and allow the families and the community to proceed with the healing process, Let us pray and support one another at this time of great sorrow. May we hold to the truth that somehow God will once again bring light out of this deep dark. ness, bring healing andrestore peace. : a . Father Terry Brock, Pastor Christ the King Parish, Kithuat