Rear-Admiral Christopher Robinson, OMM, CD
Maritime Forces Pacific
As I pass over command of Maritime Forces Pacific (MARPAC) and Joint Task Force Pacific ( JTFP) to Rear-Admiral David Patchell, I want to express my deepest gratitude to the extraordinary team that has stood watch with me during these past three and a half years.
With your unwavering support and dedication, MARPAC has stood strong as Canada’s leading presence on the Pacific Coast. Through challenging times, your resilience, agility, and professionalism has ensured that we not only met our operational commitments but also advanced efforts to reconstitute and strengthen our force. Together, we navigated a global pandemic while continuing to support overseas operations, domestic disaster response through Operation (Op) LENTUS, and vital regional search and rescue missions.
Our ships — His Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Winnipeg, Vancouver, and Ottawa — deployed to the Indo-Pacific under Ops PROJECTION, NEON, and HORIZON, reinforcing Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy. Meanwhile, HMCS Saskatoon, Yellowknife, and Edmonton deployed in support of Op CARIBBE, interdicting thousands of kilograms of illicit narcotics into North America. In 2024, clearance divers from Fleet Diving Unit (Pacific) deployed to the Solomon Islands under Op RENDER SAFE, continuing their vital mission to remove explosive remnants of war from the world’s oceans. Closer to home, they responded on short notice to assist in the recovery of a Royal Canadian Air Force CH-147F Chinook helicopter that had tragically crashed in the Ottawa River. Their expertise and professionalism under challenging conditions were instrumental in the safe, successful recovery of the aircraft.
At home, our Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) team supported British Columbia’s 2023 record-breaking wildfire season by responding to countless search and rescue callouts — each one a testament to courage and commitment. We also saw the arrival and return of several key capabilities that will shape the future of our fleet. The completion of the B-Jetty project brought much-needed pier space to the dockyard, followed by the groundbreaking for the A-Jetty recapitalization. HMCS Max Bernays was commissioned as the first Harry DeWolf-class ship on the West Coast, joining Canadian Fleet Pacific. HMCS Protecteur, the first of the Navy’s new Auxiliary Oiler Replenishment (AOR) ships, was launched and commissioned with another AOR, HMCS Preserver, soon to follow. After nearly 13 years laid up, HMCS Corner Brook returned to sea and, alongside HMCS Windsor operating out of Halifax, marked a milestone with two Canadian submarines at sea simultaneously. Corner Brook is now deployed, patrolling the Pacific Ocean in defence of North America. The dockyard also welcomed the new Haro-class tugs, adding vital strategic capability to our operations on the West Coast.
Joint Task Force Pacific has also been very active leading the CAF response to the worst forest fire season in recent history with back-to-back Op LENTUS deployments in 2023. They also played a critical role in maintaining the flow of goods across the country by directing efforts under Op PALACI to keep east-west rail and road corridors open — preventing an estimated $3 billion in annual economic losses. Finally, they have completely rebuilt our defence of Canada plans, and brought new energy and focus to Op LIMPID.
In response to the Royal Canadian Navy’s (RCN) personnel challenges, MARPAC has taken a leading role in driving meaningful change. We created two key leadership positions — Director of Naval Personnel Management and Director of Naval Civilian Management — to better coordinate and strengthen our workforce. Under their leadership, coordinated through the Personnel Coordination Centres, we’ve gained the flexibility to quickly adapt and scale our personnel efforts even under ongoing strain. One of the most successful outcomes of this work is the Naval Experience Programme, which has welcomed hundreds of enthusiastic Canadians into our ranks. Their energy and commitment are strong reminders that the RCN remains an employer of choice across the country.
As I pass the watch, I do so with immense pride in what we have accomplished together. Thank you for your service, your sacrifice, and your steadfast commitment to Canada and each other.
Fair winds and following seas.
