2025 In Review: West Coast Navy Highlights

Archana Cini, Lookout Newspaper

From the docks of Esquimalt to deployments far beyond Canada’s shores, 2025 was a year defined by momentum on the West Coast. Across Canada’s Pacific Fleet, sailors, civilians, and families came together for moments that showcased readiness, resilience, and community. In 2025, the Lookout covered more than 100 of these important stories. Together, the highlights below form a broader story of service, connection, and pride between our West Coast, Royal Canadian Navy (RCN), and Defence communities.

JANUARY

• His Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Protecteur is named at Seaspan Shipyards, Vancouver
• All eight Orca-class training vessels sail together for the first time during Photographic Orca Deployment Exercise 2025 (PODEX25)
• Exercise Roguish Buoy unites Canadian combat divers with Naval Reserve and Latvian divers

FEBRUARY

• The Royal Canadian Logistics Service (RCLS) marks its 57th anniversary of service
• Annual Wounded Warrior Run raises over $235,000 in funds for traumaexposed organizations, professionals, and their families
• B-Jetty officially opens at HMC Dockyard
• Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Esquimalt Tritons men’s basketball team secures the 2025 Canada West Regional Men’s Basketball Championship and the CFB Esquimalt Women’s hockey team secures the 2025 Women’s Hockey Canada West Championship
• Naden Band of the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) performs with Katy Perry at the 2025 Invictus Games

MARCH

• The Maritime Forces Pacific (MARPAC) Health and Wellness Expo empowers local Defence community with a tailored showcase of products and services
• Victoria residents gather to honour Canadian lives lost in Afghanistan
• British Columbia (B.C.) Cadet Honour Band leaves lasting impact across the province with music tour
• HMCS Ottawa returns home
• Sailor 1st Class (S1) Sterling Fox recognized as Sailor of the Year for 2024
• HMCS Harry DeWolf halts 26.9M in illegal narcotics

APRIL

• First ever cohort of Marine Systems Technicians (MSTs) graduate
• HMCS Corner Brook deploys
• Local fire departments participate in memorial hockey weekend and raise over $10,000 for BC charities
• Naden Band of RCN collaborates with University of Victoria (UVic) music students in a moving concert
• The local Defence community unites in memory of the sinking of HMCS Esquimalt  

MAY 

• Marine artist John M Horton opens exhibition at Maritime Museum of BC with over 30 renowned Canadian marine and RCN commissioned paintings  
• Victoria gathers to remember and honour those who served Canada during the Battle of the Atlantic 
• HMCS Calgary celebrates 30 years of service to Canada 
• Over 140 Vancouver Island locals participate in annual Navy Bike Ride 
• Indigenous Awareness Week sparks learning and appreciation at CFB Esquimalt 

JUNE  

• Operation (Op) REGULUS brings New Zealand musician to join Naden Band for the first time in a decade   
• CFB Esquimalt celebrates Pride Month with a variety of related events, volunteer work, and learning opportunities   
• 19th annual Navy Run sees over 590 registered runners and raises over $3,800 for Soldier On  

JULY  

• Collaboration with Toquaht Nation powers Canadian Armed Forces to effectively execute Exercise TRIDENT FURY 2025 
• LIBYA 2011 battle honour is awarded to HMCS Vancouver   
• Victoria Cenotaph marks 100 years of service on the grounds of the BC Legislature  
• Command of MARPAC passes from Rear-Admiral (RAdm) Christopher Robinson to Rear-Admiral (RAdm) David Patchell   

AUGUST  

• RCN announces decision to pay off Kingston-class Maritime Coastal Defence Vessels (MCDVs) 
• Exercise GOLDRUSH 2025 builds international partnerships and vital skills in the Pacific Northwest region 
• RAVEN Program holds formal graduation ceremony at CFB Esquimalt to celebrate summer graduates  
• RCN accepts HMCS Robert Hampton Gray as the sixth and final vessel in a new fleet of Harry DeWolf-class Arctic and Offshore Patrol Vessels (AOPVs) 
• Prime Minister Mark Carney visits Canadian Forces Maritime Experimental and Test Ranges (CFMETR) in Nanoose Bay  
• HMCS Max Bernays sets a record for furthest point North reached by an RCN ship

SEPTEMBER 

• Formation Fun Day hosts hundreds of Defence community members for a day of carnival-style fun, food, and games 
• 13th annual Base Commander’s Golf Tournament brings friendly competition to Defence team members and community partners  
• Naden Band marks 85th anniversary of bringing music to the navy 
• HMCS Ships Brandon, Whitehorse, and Saskatoon are decommissioned at CFB Esquimalt 

OCTOBER 

• Mental Health and Wellness Strategy (MHWS) Culture Evaluation Tool Launches across units  
• HMCS Corner Brook returns home  
• Defence on the Dock brings the vessels, people, and trades of the RCN to local island communities for a day of exploration and fun 
• Ship to Shore Industrial Tradeshow showcases cutting-edge technologies, products, and services from industry suppliers 
• DND team successfully reactivates a remote Arctic refueling facility in Nanisivik 
• New display at CFB Esquimalt Naval and Military Museum honours late naval commander Peter Godwin Chace 

NOVEMBER 

• DND apartment complex acquired by government and announced to house Defence team members near CFB Esquimalt in 2026 
• Indigenous Veterans Day is observed on Nov 8 and Remembrance Day is observed on Nov 11 with ceremonies held across Greater Victoria 
• Band of the 5th (British Columbia) Field Regiment participates in annual Concert of Remembrance 
• RCN commemorative event at CFB Esquimalt bids farewell to the Steward trade  

DECEMBER 

• Naden Band performs at its 47th annual Holiday Show and supports Salvation Army with toy drive 
• Offshore Oceanographic Science Vessel (OOSV) Naalak Nappaaluk announced to serve Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) in 2026
• Bay Street Armoury renamed in honour of Canadian war hero General Sir Arthur William Currie