‘An important milestone for the Navy’: Maritime Forces Atlantic gets its first female commander

For the first time, the best sailor in the region is a woman.

Vice Admiral Josée Kurtz took over the top job at Maritime Forces Atlantic from Vice Admiral Brian Santarpia on Tuesday in a windswept change of command ceremony on the Halifax waterfront.

“Leaders in the Canadian Forces are selected and they are appointed based on their leadership, their ability, their character and what they bring,” Kurtz said after the ceremony at HMC Dockyard.

“So yes, it’s an important milestone for the Navy that a woman is appointed. But I think ultimately it’s the confidence in leadership that comes into the position.

“So I’m really honored to have been selected for this job. I’m going to give it my best leadership, my utmost dedication, as I’ve done[with]all the other jobs I’ve held. And I’m going to do everything I can to make a to continue to be a good example for all sailors who work here.”

Earlier this spring, the Royal Canadian Navy began offering a one-year trial period for Canadians to join on a no-obligation basis as it faces recruiting difficulties and personnel shortages.

‘A good signal’

Kurtz said she hopes her appointment gives confidence to people thinking about donning uniform.

“There is a place for them,” she said. “I hope and trust that this is a good signal.”

Kurtz said she will use her own leadership style.

“I just bring my own 35 years of experience and maybe sometimes a different lens to look at the problem,” she said.

‘The perfect person’

The best sailor in the land had kind words for Kurtz.

“Rear Admiral Kurtz is a true warrior who has led and taught at all levels in our profession,” said Vice Admiral Angus Topshee.

“I can’t imagine a better career to prepare you to be the perfect person to take command of MARLANT.”

Kurtz’s new command will be her biggest responsibility yet, Topshee said.

“With a workforce of approximately 7,500 military and 2,300 civilians, the mission is essential to the Navy and to Canada,” he said.

“There should be absolutely no doubt that Vice Admiral Kurtz was chosen for this position because of her exceptional leadership, first-class character and undisputed prowess in the profession of arms. And Josée, I know you’re going to hate this next part, but I think we should also recognize the importance of appointing the first woman to command a formation in the Royal Canadian Navy, the first woman to serve on council of admirals and the first woman to rise to this height in our institution.

That last part drew huge applause from the audience of naval buyers and dignitaries gathered in the lee of HMCS Margaret Brooke.

Kurtz grew up in Joliette, Que., and joined the armed forces in 1988.

In 2009, she became the first woman to command a major Canadian warship when she became skipper of the frigate HMCS Halifax.

A decade later, then a commodore, she was assigned to lead NATO Maritime Group Two, one of four naval groups operated by the alliance. It was the first time in NATO history that a woman had been given such an order.

“Recurring theme”

Her last assignment was to direct the Royal Military College in Kingston, Ont.

“Being first isn’t new to Vice Admiral Kurtz,” Topshee said.

“It’s a recurring theme in her career. And that fact reminds us of the enormous amount of work we have to do to achieve the representation within our ranks that we need.”

Topshee also praised Santarpia, the former commander of Maritime Forces Atlantic.

‘You leave us better’

“Brian, you have proven yourself to be one of the best operational planners and tacticians the Royal Canadian Navy has ever produced, and you better leave us for that,” Topshee said.

Santarpia commanded the Maritime Forces Atlantic during the pandemic, “ensuring that the formation remained an operational and adaptable force,” while keeping his team’s safety “first,” the vice admiral said.

Under the command of Santarpia, MARLANT welcomed three new Arctic and offshore patrol vessels. Thirty-seven warships were deployed to operations around the world under his tenure.

“What’s impressive about this achievement is not just the number of players, but how he reshaped the schedule of operations to ensure the RCN delivered on their commitments in a way that was both sustainable and relevant,” Topshee said.

‘The Legacy’

The Vice Admiral pointed out that Santarpia has sent two coastal defense ships to conduct mine countermeasures off the coast of Europe and that the Halifax-based frigate HMCS Montreal is now patrolling the Indo-Pacific region.

“That readiness is reflected in (HMCS) Glace Bay’s commitment today to respond to a submarine situation near the Titanic,” Topshee said.

“That heightened preparedness you brought to us, Brian, is the legacy you leave.”

Santarpia said when he arrived in Halifax the pandemic had just begun.

‘lean in’

“No one is back to work faster than MARLANT,” says the rear admiral, who is retiring.

“Everyone leaned in and worked hard.”

Under his tenure, Santarpia said the formation struck a balance between using the current fleet for operations and using it to secure the navy’s future.

“We’ve done a great job of getting old ships out to sea and maximizing the benefit to sailors, so well done to everyone involved in that work,” he said.