Welcoming the new Base Commander

Photo by Leading Seaman Mike Goluboff, MARPAC Imaging Services

A/SLt Michelle Scott, MARPAC PA ~

CFB Esquimalt has made history – welcoming its first Logistics Officer to the position of Base Commander (BComd) in a ceremony held June 27.

In the Logistics Branch’s fifty-one years of history, Captain(N) Sam Sader is the first to take the helm as BComd of CFB Esquimalt, a position typically bestowed upon Naval Warfare Officers.

“I am honoured to have been appointed by the Admiralty and I assume this command with a great sense of pride and responsibility,” he said.

Despite this auspicious appointment, Capt(N) Sader remains humble, “I believe every incoming Base Commander strives to enable the best support to the Fleet and Formation, regardless of their professional background,” he explained.

He leaves his most recent position in H.M.C. Dockyard as the CO of Base Logistics where he oversaw the installation of the first Vertical Lift System on a Canadian Base. The VLS project took a mere 15 months from inception to installation and transformed this supply chain process through digitization.

Capt(N) Sader has held a variety of positions throughout his years in the CAF – including time within three of the current base branches. This comprises of serving onboard HMCS Ottawa, leading the Forward Logistics Site team and being seconded to the Naval Boarding Team; serving as the LogO for Maritime Operations Group 4; and supporting numerous OP CARIBBEs, RIMPAC and HMCS Victoria’s first operational deployment. He was also a section head within the Directorate of Naval Logistics in Ottawa. All positions and experiences he feels will enable him to fulfill his duties as BComd.

“Naval Logistics is a multi-disciplinary field that aims to optimize resource use to deliver the most effective support to operations, and that is very similar to the base’s mission,” he explained.

Outgoing BComd, Capt(N) Jason Boyd is confident that Capt(N) Sader will move into his role seamlessly.

“During his time as Base Logistics Officer, I found Capt(N) Sader to be both an outstanding leader and a trusted advisor,” said Captain (Navy) Jason Boyd, outgoing Base Commander. “He worked tirelessly to improve efficiency through innovation and was able to manage great change while also taking care, and boosting the morale, of the people under his command. His thoughtfulness, dedication and hard work leave me with no doubt that Sam will make a tremendous commander of CFB Esquimalt.”

Taking the watch as BComd, Capt(N) Sader plans to get his fix on the chart before making any major changes to the way the base does business.

“My command priorities will be aligned with those of the Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy and the Commander of Maritime Forces Pacific. Specifically, I will always strive to empower the Base Defence Team, enable excellence in operational support, evolve the modernization of base business, and engage with our community partners.”

At least one thing that will remain the same through the transfer of base commanders, is the desire to put people first.

“Capt(N) Boyd’s first advice to me was to take care of people, which I fully intend to do. I believe that when you take care of people, they take care of the RCN business.”