MARPAC Holiday Greetings

As we gather to celebrate this festive season, we want to take a moment to reflect on the past year and express my heartfelt gratitude for each of you – my dedicated military and civilian teammates.

This year was filled with remarkable achievements along with some challenges and opportunities. MARPAC welcomed and commissioned our first Harry DeWolf-class ship, HMCS Max Bernays; HMCS Windsor deployed on multiple surveillance patrols; HMC ships Edmonton and Yellowknife successfully took part in Operation Caribbe; and HMC Ships Vancouver and Ottawa deployed across the pacific on Operation Horizon. We also surged hundreds of people to support RIMPAC 2024 and hosted another incredible Fleet Week in North Vancouver. Our training system has made remarkable strides to streamline training and produced thousands of new graduates in every naval trade and rank level. In service to Canada, our ships have sailed far and wide, from the heights of the Arctic circle to the heat of the equatorial Indo-Pacific.

Your commitment to excellence, on deployment, in training, or within your communities, has not gone unnoticed. We are particularly proud of our progress in fostering an inclusive environment for all personnel. These initiatives are crucial as we prepare for the future and ensure that our Navy remains ready to help, lead, and fight.

As we enjoy this holiday season, let us also remember the importance of family and the sacrifices made by our loved ones. They are a critical support structure, and we encourage you to take this time to connect with them, recharge, and celebrate the joy of the season. Our thoughts are particularly with the deployed members of HMCS Ottawa (including those supporting them from ashore) as they spend a holiday season separated from their loved ones while conducting their mission of promoting peace, stability, and the rules-based international order.

Let’s also keep in mind those who may be facing challenges during this time. A simple gesture of kindness or a check-in with your military and civilian coworkers can make a significant difference.

A reminder that the CAF Member & Family Assistance service is a bilingual counselling service that is voluntary, confidential, and available to military members and their families who have concerns affecting their well-being. 1-800-268-7708 (TTY: 1-800-567-5803 for persons with hearing challenges), 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Civilian DND members have access to the Employee Assistance Program with counselling services available in person, over the phone, through video or chat in English: 1-800-663-1142, or 1-888-384-1152 for people with hearing impairments or in French: 1-866-398-9505, or 1-866-433-3305 for people with hearing impairments. Services are also available 24/7.

As always, we consider ourselves blessed to be a part of the MARPAC team. Together, we will continue to build on our successes and face new challenges with the same determination and enthusiastic spirit that defines us. We wish you all the best possible winter holiday and a joyous New Year filled with happiness and good health. Thank you all for your unwavering dedication to our mission and for the pride you bring to MARPAC.

Yours Aye,

Rear-Admiral Christopher Robinson,

Chief Petty Officer 1^st Class Arvid Lee, &

Master Sailor Hayley LeClair