I joined the Winnipeg two weeks after completing my QL6B course, which qualified me as an Anti Submarine Warfare Director. It was definitely the most challenging training that I have taken at any point in my career. During my time on Winnipeg I participated in RIMPAC 96 and the third NATO deployment of my career to date, in 1997 (not to mention many other trips of shorter duration). The crew I had working for me (and with me) on Winnipeg were second to none and it was these people that allowed the ASW Team to make Winnipeg the BEST in ASW. I doubt I will ever have the pleasure and honour of working with a team like that again in my career.

Some of the ports we visited during NATO '97 were: Cabo San Lucas Mexico, Puerto Vallarta Mexico, Hamilton Bermuda, Plymouth England, Cadiz Spain, Lisbon Portugal, Casablanca Morrocco, Halifax N.S. Canada, St. John's N.F. Canada, San Juan Puerto Rico, Ponce Puerto Rico and San Diego California. This trip provided me with my first opportunity to transit the Panama Canel after 13 years in the Navy. It was a memorable experience... one I hope to repeat in the future.