HMCS Malahat Change of Command

From left to right: Commander (Cdr) Cameron Miller, incoming Commanding Officer of HMCS Malahat; Captain(N) Patrick Montgomery, Naval Reserve’s West Region Captain; and Cdr Gregory Walker, outgoing Commanding Officer, sign the formal Change of Command certificates during the Change of Command Ceremony at HMCS Malahat on Sept. 19. Photo by S1 Sisi Xu, MARPAC Imaging Services, Esquimalt

SLt Donald Den
HMCS Malahat PAO
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On an overcast Saturday afternoon, selected members of the ship’s company of HMCS Malahat, as well as a small number of immediate family and guests, gathered two metres apart on the drill deck for the Change of Command Ceremony between outgoing Commanding Officer, Commander Gregory Walker and the incoming Commanding Officer, Commander Cameron Miller.

The Sept. 19 ceremony was presided over by Special Assistant to the Direct General – Naval Strategic Readiness, Capt(N) Patrick Montgomery.

Accompanying Capt(N) Montgomery was Malahat’s new Honorary Capt(N), Her Honour, Janet Austin, Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia.

This was an unusual change of command for Malahat with COVID-19 health and safety regulations in place. Absent was the traditional Honour Guard, parade, and larger crowds, as only a chosen few members of the ship’s company and family members could attend.

In his outgoing speech, Cdr Walker expressed his pride in the ship’s company’s ability to persevere and thrive in these challenging times, highlighting that it was a “testament to Malahat’s resiliency and adaptability to observe the time honoured tradition of the change of command ceremony during this time.”

Cdr Walker presided as Commanding Officer for two years, including the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and the commencement of Operation Laser.

He acknowledged the “strange and adverse times” the Naval Reserve and all of the Canadian Armed Forces have found themselves in now.  He said it has been an amazing two years, adding “it has been a joy to come to work and see the dedication and professionalism from each and every one of our ship’s company.”

Replacing Cdr Walker is Cdr Miller, who, in addition to having a naval career dating back to the 1980s as a naval communicator, is also the Detachment Commander for the RCMP in the City of Nanaimo.

In his incoming speech, he thanked the navy for the appointment and those meaningful individuals in his life that helped him reach this point.

Also acknowledging the challenging times, he said he would “continue to work for everyone to ensure we move forward in a safe manner with a workplace that is representative of our community and country, free of harassment and discrimination.”

The sentiment was echoed by LGov Janet Austin in her remarks.

“The future of the Forces will reflect the rich diversity of gender, race, ethnicity, culture, sexual orientation, and ability that comprises Canadian society.”

In addition to the change of command, Malahat’s Change of Appointment also took place, as Chief Petty Officer Second Class William Seed replaced CPO2 Al van Akker as Coxswain of the unit.

Following the speeches and the official signing ceremony, Cdr Walker presented flowers to his wife, and Cdr Miller presented Cdr Walker a hand-made paddle, along with a nautical telescope – gifted on behalf LGov Austin and Malahat’s ship’s company.

Traditionally, the change of command would conclude with the entire ship’s company saluting the outgoing commanding officer on the jetty as they were “rowed ashore” in a boat by a ceremonial company of officers.

In this case, due to COVID-19 regulations, Cdr Walker was “taken ashore” on board a Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat while being saluted from the jetty by all those present.

To conclude his acceptance of the new role and responsibility as Malahat’s commanding officer, Cdr Miller turned to the Reviewing Officer, saluted, and proudly proclaimed, “Captain Montgomery, I have the watch.”

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