Wishing you the best of the holiday season

RAdm Bill Truelove and Mrs. Brenda Truelove wish the entire MARPAC team a Merry Christmas and a prosperous new year.

As the year draws to a close and we enter the Christmas/New Year season, I hope that you’ll take the opportunity for some well-deserved leave. It is an important time to spend with family and friends, reflect on the past year, and prepare for the year ahead.

In looking back over the last year, I am incredibly proud of what our Formation has achieved. Operational excellence, our core mission, was evident in our ships, with embarked UAV and Air dets, and submarines deployed on operations and exercises around the globe. I am particularly proud of the tremendous accomplishments of HMCS Regina during her extended deployment on Op Artemis and Op Reassurance and all the units that deployed on Op Caribbe.  I would also highlight the excellent work done by all the participants in Ex RIMPAC.  At the same time, I note with pride the return of Calgary, Winnipeg & Vancouver to the fleet having completed their modernization while also highlighting the return of Chicoutimi to sea; our second operational submarine on the West Coast.

Once again our Joint Rescue Coordination Center provided assistance in almost 3000 requests for assistance; saving lives every day.  Our Joint Task Force Pacific have also been busy conducting a range of operations and exercises across the province. I also applaud the outstanding work done by the Cadet organization; 7000 cadets in 140 Corps/Squadrons – future leaders of Canada all.

At the same time, we have seen the Formation grow considerably as we have taken on responsibilities for the Reserve component, Naval Training System, Advanced Naval Boarding Party and Commander, Canadian Submarine Force.  These steps in our ‘One Navy’ evolution are important and we could not have advanced this work so effectively without your strong leadership and dedication.

All of these successes are the direct result of the tremendous work done by all of you – civilian and military members of the MARPAC/JTFP team.  You are all serving your nation and I thank each and every one of you for this. I appreciate the incredible support provided by the Base, FMF, Fleet, NTS, Reserve component, our lodger units, MFRC and Headquarters, to name some – and there are many others. I understand the increasing workload and challenges you all face, and I am thankful and proud of your continued dedication and contributions to our successes.

In light of recent events, I would also like to thank everyone for adapting so readily to our heightened security posture. These measures have evolved because the safety and well-being of our personnel and families is my primary concern. We need to remain focussed on security as we move into the New Year.

The importance of our families cannot be overstated. They are the ‘Strength Behind the Uniform’ and we could not have achieved all we have without their support and dedication.  My wife Brenda and I would like to thank all your families and express our appreciation to them.

If you are travelling over the Holidays, please do so safely and remain responsible and vigilant in your holiday celebrations. Please also take a minute to think of our extended military family – those who are deployed or on duty – and not home for the holidays. Consider including your holiday celebrations those friends and colleagues who may be alone.  For those that are alone or those working through difficult challenges during the holidays; please remember the range of services available across the Formation to support you if necessary.

In closing, Brenda and I extend our best wishes to you and your families for an enjoyable Holiday Season, and we look forward to seeing you all again in the New Year. As always, I am honoured to be the Commander of Maritime Forces Pacific/Joint Task Force Pacific and to work alongside each and every one of you.

Yours aye,
RAdm Bill Truelove and Mrs. Brenda Truelove
Comd MARPAC/JTFP