Pascal L. Belhumeur assumes command of Maritime Forces Atlantic

Rear-Admiral Pascal L. Belhumeur has assumed command of Maritime Forces Atlantic (MARLANT) and Joint Task Force Atlantic (JTFA), succeeding Rear-Admiral Josée Kurtz. The change of command ceremony took place at sea aboard the HMCS William Hall.

As commander, Belhumeur is responsible for the Royal Canadian Navy on the East Coast, domestic operations, search and rescue missions, and leading Canadian Armed Forces responses to natural disasters in Atlantic Canada. He noted that while recruitment has historically been a challenge, the navy has recently surpassed its targets. Belhumeur stated that his primary focus will be on training and developing personnel, emphasizing that “people are our capability.”

This leadership transition occurs amid increased Canadian defense spending to meet NATO commitments. Recent data indicates a significant rise in military recruitment, with the Canadian Armed Forces enrolling 7,310 new members in the previous year, the highest level in three decades.