Op UNIFIER members earn Badge of the National Army Academy of Ukraine
September 18, 2020 - Lt(N) Kevin Moffat, Joint Task Force-Ukraine Public Affairs Officer
Sergeant Jeff Onions and Corporal Etienne Krou are both familiar faces at the International Peacekeeping Security Centre (IPSC) in Yavoriv, Ukraine.
Both men are part of Joint Task Force-Ukraine (JTF-U), ROTO 9’s Service Support Group (SSG). The SSG is a cadre of highly skilled technicians and logistics personnel who work tirelessly to expedite materials, support facilities and maintain equipment integral to the success of Operation UNIFIER, Canada’s training mission in Ukraine.
“The bulk of my time has been spent maintaining and rebuilding the electrical infrastructure at IPSC” said Sgt Onions, an Electrical Generating Systems Technician (EGS Tech) and 13-year veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). “Luckily, we had some other technicians arrive as part of a TAV (Technical Assistance Visit). We were able to finish a lot of overdue repairs by overhauling the IPSC electrical grid.”
JTF-U ROTO 9’s SSG staff made maximum use of the operational pause at the beginning of the tour (due to COVID-19) to effect repairs and complete overdue maintenance around IPSC. This hard work paid off for the Task Force (not to mention subsequent ROTOs) by increasing safety and the operational efficiency at the SSG compound. However, the team never took their foot off the gas.
Cpl Krou, originally from the Ivory Coast and former resident of Italy, can often be seen manning the zoom-boom, forklift and five-ton truck (as well as other mobile equipment), putting in long days alongside his SSG colleagues. Cpl Krou, a qualified Supply Technician who came to Canada via Europe in the mid-2000s, is not only mechanically inclined, but is exceptionally fluent. He can speak English, French, Italian and two African dialects – a huge tactical asset for CAF operations.
Caption
Joint Task Force-Ukraine commanding officer Lieutenant-Colonel Ryan Stimpson (left) and Task Force Sergeant-Major Chief Warrant Officer Chris Rigby (right) pose with Corporal Etienne Krou (centre left) and Sergeant Jeff Onions (centre right) at the Canadian compound at the International Peacekeeping Security Centre on Sept. 3. Sgt Onions and Cpl Krou (and several other Task Force members) earned the Badge of the National Army Academy of Ukraine for high performance on the mission and for strengthening military co-operation between Ukraine and Canada while on Operation UNIFIER.
Photo courtesy Joint Task Force-Ukraine Public Affairs
“The hidden talents and unique abilities possessed by Task Force personnel is what allows the CAF to be so successful on international missions” said Lieutenant-Colonel Ryan Stimpson, Commanding Officer of Op UNIFIER. “Simply put, our diversity is our strength.”
When asked why he decided to join the Army’s logistics branch six years ago and serve Canada, Cpl Krou simply stated, “It was a lifelong dream of mine to join the Army. I took a trade I knew I would be good at and that would grow me as a professional. It’s been very good so far.”
For their efforts, both Sgt Onions and Cpl Krou were awarded the Badge of the National Army Academy of Ukraine by the academy’s Commandant, Lieutenant-General Pavlo Tkachuk, on Canada Day. The medal is awarded to members recognized for assisting, contributing to and strengthening military co-operation between the Armed Force of Ukraine and the Canadian military. Three other JTF-U members were also be awarded the badge on July 1, namely: Master Bombardier Brett Morgan, Master Corporal Holly Noel and Cpl Tyler Foote.
“It’s hard to believe it’s almost getting to be time to re-deploy back to Canada,” said Sgt Onions. “It has been a good tour; we got a lot accomplished and worked through the pandemic safely. I’ll never forget Ukraine. That being said, it will be nice to get home and spend time with loved ones.”
“It was busy and interesting time in my life. The tour went by quick…” said Cpl Krou. “I made new friends and will have a lot of great memories to share with family when I get back to Alberta.”
When Sgt Onions and Cpl Krou are not hard at work on Op UNIFIER, they have similar hobbies back home in Canada – spending time with those that matter most, their wives and daughters.