Wishing you health and happiness this holiday season
By Lookout on Dec 15, 2021 with Comments 0
Shipmates across the MARPAC/JTFP Defence Team, the Formation Chief Petty Officer, CPO1 Tim Blonde, and I would like to wish everyone a wonderful holiday season.
As 2021 draws to a close, we look forward to spending some quality time with friends and family as we’ve all earned a bit of a break. It is also an opportune moment to look back with pride at our accomplishments over the past year.
There is no doubt that COVID-19 continues to impact our daily routines at work and at home. However, we have adapted and our operational successes reflect the tenacity and determination to succeed despite the ongoing challenges.
Chief Blonde and I are very proud of the way the MARPAC/JTFP Defence Team continues to adapt our work environments to remain safe and effective in delivering operational effectiveness for the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) and the Canadian Armed Forces.
As always, we deployed ships and personnel to meet the objectives of the Government of Canada: HMC Ships Brandon and Saskatoon on Operation Caribbe to conduct counter-narcotics operations, HMCS Calgary on Operation Artemis to interdict drug trafficking that supports terrorist networks, and HMCS Winnipeg on Operations Projection/Neon to support United Nations Security Council Sanctions and demonstrate Canada’s ongoing commitment to rules based international order.
During these deployments, our ships participated in operations and exercises, but more importantly forged strong bonds with partner nations and allies around the globe. Notably, we also welcomed the RCN’s newest Arctic Offshore Patrol Vessel, HMCS Harry DeWolf, in October as it circumnavigated North America.
At home, we have also made a difference in everything from rescues at sea to assisting the province and our fellow citizens of B.C. through wildfires and floods.
As we start planning for the challenges that lie ahead for next year, we acknowledge our friends, families, and loved ones for the love and commitment they show us every day. Their support keeps us grounded, energized, and motivated to serve Canada to the best of our abilities.
To each and every one of our Canadian Armed Forces members and civilian employees, thank you for the work that you put in, this year and every year, to uphold our standard of excellence – a standard that, through your hard work, we routinely exceed. Bravo Zulu!
Even without the impact of a global pandemic upon our plans and desires, the holidays can be a significant stressor. Please take the time to reach out and reconnect with your past and present shipmates as they may be struggling this holiday season.
Tim and I wish you all the best of health and happiness for the holiday season. Please take this opportunity to relax, rest, and reset for what will undoubtedly be another busy and demanding year in 2022!
Rear-Admiral Angus Topshee, Commander Maritime Forces Pacific/ Joint Task Force Pacific
CPO1 Tim Blonde, Formation Chief Petty Officer
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