A Message from Rear-Admiral Bob Auchterlonie

from Rear-Admiral Bob Auchterlonie Commander Maritime Forces Pacific / Joint Task Force Pacific

Commander, Fleet Maintenance Facility Cape Breton, Captain (N) M Drews, Commander, Fleet Maintenance Facility C

Cape Scott, Captain (N) J.R.M.

Thibault, FMF Defence Team

Members, Shipmates, Navy Team,

Industry Partners, Community

Partners, and Families,

As we celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Fleet Maintenance Facilities (FMF), the backbones of our coastal HMC Dockyards, I am reminded of the incredible work completed daily within these world-class repair and maintenance facilities.

The FMFs have served the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) since their inception on April 1, 1996 when the Ship Repair Unit Atlantic/ Pacific (SRU A/P), the Fleet Maintenance Group Atlantic/ Pacific (FMG A/P), and the Naval Engineering Unit Atlantic/Pacific (NEU A/P) amalgamated to form what we now know as the Fleet Maintenance Facility Cape Breton in Esquimalt, British Columbia, and Cape Scott in Halifax, Nova Scotia. It was at this time that the workforce integrated as military and civilian members, forging the way for the diverse and versatile Defence Team we see today.

With every surface ship and submarine that leaves our dockyards, the FMFs have continued to prove themselves as an outstanding model and critical asset for engineering and maintenance support to the RCN’s Pacific and Atlantic Fleets. Even in these unprecedented times, as we live through a global pandemic, the FMFs have remained true to their mottos of “We Serve the Fleet” (FMFCB) and “Our Purpose is to Serve” (FMFCS). They have, unwaveringly, continued in their delivery of ships and submarines required by the RCN for operations worldwide, proving their ability to change course quickly as required through their agile and dedicated workforce.

It has been a privilege to see the outstanding dedication of the Defence Team members at work within these facilities. Their commitment to excellence is second-to-none, which has only been reinforced throughout this past year. The workforce within these highly specialized facilities are comprised of several departments, all of which play a crucial role in the repair and maintenance of Canada’s Pacific and Atlantic Fleets. With a production team represented by 18 dynamic and highly specialized trades, I am continually shown that there is no task too big or too small for the skilled hands and minds within the FMFs.

These ships are homes to our sailors and the pride of the FMF team who take all measures to ensure they are providing the highest quality work. Undoubtedly, the FMFs could not have achieved all of their successes without the help of our Industry Partners who have been there continuously to provide support and for that I say thank you. Time and time again I see the relationships between FMF workforce and Ship Staff as they often work side by side. For that I say thank you for your continued commitment to work together to serve the needs of our Country. These dockyards have a long history of serving the Navy and every Defence Team Member should be proud of their contribution to the operations of these world-class facilities.

FMF has demonstrated readiness over the past 25 years – readiness to help, readiness to lead in innovation, and readiness to make our ships fighting fit. Thank you Fleet Maintenance Facility Cape Breton and Cape Scott; congratulations on 25 years of excellence.

Yours Aye, Rear-Admiral Bob Auchterlonie