Maritime Forces Pacific

In the Canadian Forces, Maritime Forces Pacific (MARPAC, French: Forces maritimes du Pacifique, FMAR(P)) is responsible for the fleet training and operational readiness of the Royal Canadian Navy in the Pacific Ocean. It was once referred to as Canadian Pacific Station.

Not to be confused with Pacific Fleet, Pacific Squadron, Pacific Station, or Pacific Naval Force.
Maritime Forces Pacific
Forces maritimes du Pacifique
Active1910–present
CountryCanada
BranchRoyal Canadian Navy
Size6,200 personnel
Garrison/HQCFB Esquimalt
Motto(s)Ready aye ready
Websitenavy-marine.forces.gc.ca/en/about/structure-marpac-home.page
Commanders
Current
commander		Rear-Admiral Bob Auchterlonie
Commander of Canadian Fleet PacificCmdre Angus Topshee

The commander of Maritime Forces Pacific (COMMARPAC) is also the commander of Joint Task Force Pacific (COMMJTFP), holding the rank of rear admiral. COMMJTFP is responsible for all Canadian Forces operations (such as search and rescue or disaster aid) in British Columbia and its adjacent territorial waters. Reporting to the commander is the commander of Canadian Fleet Pacific (COMCANFLTPAC), holding the rank of commodore. This officer commands Canadian Fleet Pacific (CANFLTPAC), and is responsible for the operation and readiness of all warships, auxiliaries and support vessels.

MARPAC facilities

MARPACHQ is located at CFB Esquimalt in Esquimalt, British Columbia, near Victoria.

Whiskey 601 is the regularly used name for an often used naval weapons exercise area off the west coast of Canada. The area's official title was "W-601". The name was usually shortened to "Whiskey"[1] by sailors in the Royal Canadian Navy. Whiskey 601 was notorious for rough seas and bad weather. Whiskey 601 was decommissioned as an exercise area in the 1990s.

MARPAC units

The RCAF unit 443 Maritime Helicopter Squadron is part of 12 Wing Shearwater but is headquartered at Patricia Bay near CFB Esquimalt and works closely with MARPAC. The squadron provides the onboard helicopter detachments for CANFLTPAC ships.

See also

References
  1. "Whiskey Naval Terminology". Readyayeready.com. Retrieved 2015-09-18.
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