Maritime Component Commander visits HMCS Regina!

Publication date: 30 November 2012

By Lieutenant (Navy) C.D. Walkinshaw

Rear-Admiral David Gardam, Commander of Maritime Forces Atlantic (MARLANT) and Joint Task Force Atlantic (JTFA), joined HMCS Regina for two days at sea on 23 November 2012.

Already double-hatted in his force-generation and regional force-employment responsibilities, RAdm Gardam is also the Maritime Component Commander for Canadian Forces operations, and advisor to the Commander of Canadian Joint Operations Command. It was this third role that brought him to his rendezvous in Kuwait with HMCS Regina.

"It was a privilege to welcome RAdm Gardam on board Regina. Having the opportunity to personally explain both the current operations and the challenges facing your ship face-to-face is important," said Commander Jason Boyd, the Esquimalt-based frigate's Commanding Officer. "The realities of life in the Arabian Sea are constantly changing, so the opportunity to provide a mid-mission update to our Canadian commander is highly valuable for a deployed ship."

During his visit, RAdm Gardam took the opportunity to explain his responsibilities as Joint Forces Maritime Component Commander, an organizational construct that may be unfamiliar to the crew of a West Coast ship. All naval units deployed on named operations fall under his responsibility, he said, and he reports to the Commander CJOC in this role.

"Today, the CF has HMC Ships Ottawa and Regina both at sea on named missions," said RAdm Gardam. "Both these ships are from the Pacific Fleet, and they are reporting to the Maritime Component Commander, who happens also to be Commander, MARLANT and JTFA!"

Visits from Canada's senior naval leaders always boost morale in the ship's company. "It makes me proud to show off what we are accomplishing," said Able Seaman Corey Bliss. "The Admiral's visit demonstrates that people with incredibly busy schedules are willing to come and see what we are doing, and remind us what we are doing is important."

During his presentations to the ship's company, RAdm Gardam shared some of the feedback that he had received during his recent meetings in Bahrain with the leadership of Combined Maritime Forces: Regina has earned an excellent reputation as a "workhorse", a "go-to" ship, and one of the most capable of CTF-150.

RAdm Gardam obviously enjoyed his time aboard Regina. When it was time to disembark, he told his aide, "You go. I'll stay at sea."

Lt(N) Chris Walkinshaw, a Naval Reservist from HMCS Carleton, is the Public Affairs Officer deployed on Rotation 1 of Operation ARTEMIS with HMCS Regina.