Go Bold #76: Commodore David Mazur on optimizing HMCS Max Bernays for RIMPAC 2024 and implications for the entire Harry DeWolf Class

It is the eve of the 2024 iteration of RIMPAC -- the Rim of the Pacific exercise -- which is hosted by the United States Navy.RIMPAC is the biggest naval exercise in the world and it is held primarily in the waters around Hawaii. RIMPAC 2024 will see 29 nations, 40 ships and numerous aircraft participate. One of those ships is His Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Max Bernays, the newest ship in Canada's Pacific Fleet.HMCS Max Bernays is a Harry DeWolf class Arctic and Offshore Patrol Vessel (AOPV). These ships operate primarily in a constabulary role and have the ability to carry out a number of missions.At approximately 6,500 tons, Canada's AOPVs have a lot of capability with their special spaces, large quarterback, large flight deck, and the ability to operate in first year sea ice. Being a new class of ship means that they are not without issues however, so we will discuss some of them in this episode.What's not commonly known however are some of the operating limitations that exist due to the lengthy process to certify capabilities for the class.Joining me to speak about the Royal Canadian Navy's participation in RIMPAC 2024 is Commodore David Mazur, the Commander of Canada's Pacific Fleet. It is ships under his command that are participating in RIMPAC, They are: HMCS Max Bernays, HMCS Vancouver, and the Combat Support Ship MV Asterix.  Our focus of this episode is to discuss the rationale for the Navy to deploy HMCS Max Bernays to RIMPAC 2024 -- it will be the first of Canada's new AOPVs to take part in the exercise -- and to discuss the process to configure the ship to best contribute to the exercise. You'll learn that there is a lot of forethought to this decision, and much effort to unlock capability in the ship. In doing so, the Canadian Pacific Fleet is unlocking capability for the entire Harry DeWolf class.Our chat took place on 18 June 2024, the day that HMCS Max Bernays set sail for Hawaii. This episode is a fascinating discussion with candid perspective, so I'm confident you will come away from this episode with a better understanding of Canada's Arctic and Offshore Patrol Vessels, and an appreciation for a senior military leader who I have great respect for.My thanks to Commodore David Mazur for his time, insight and candor.Go Bold!