5th Canadian Division welcomes new Commander amidst increased operations
July 05, 2024 - Defence Stories
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Brigadier General Mark Parsons, Incoming Commander of 5th Canadian Division, salutes along side Chief Warrant Officer Mario Grondin at the Change of Command Ceremony.
Photographer: Corporal Brian Watters, 5th Canadian Division Public Affairs
In a ceremony held on June 22, 2024 at Royal Artillery Park in Halifax, N.S., Brigadier-General Stéphane Masson relinquished command of 5th Canadian Division to incoming Commander, Brigadier-General Mark Parsons.
“I am incredibly proud of the contributions of our Regular and Reserve Force members, our civilians, and the Rangers of the 5th Canadian Division team over my time as Commander,” stated Brigadier-General Masson. “Whether it was Hurricane Fiona in 2022 or the Nova Scotia wildfires in 2023, our team proved that Canadians can rely on us. We will carry that forward into Latvia where the Division will support the largest Canadian Army operation since Afghanistan. Brigadier-General Parsons, you have a highly skilled, trained and ready team to take you into this next chapter for division, and I wish you the best of luck in your new role.”
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Brigadier-General Stéphane Masson hands over command of 5th Canadian Division to Brigadier-General Mark Parsons, in a ceremony presided over by the Commander of the Canadian Army, Lieutenant-General Jocelyn Paul.
Photographer: Corporal Brian Watters, 5th Canadian Division Public Affairs
5th Canadian Division, the Canadian Army centred in Atlantic Canada, provides Canadian Armed Forces soldiers to support domestic and international operations. This year is a pivotal time for 5th Canadian Division, as the Canadian Army commits to a Multinational Brigade in Latvia – increasing the demand on 5th Canadian Division troops to support NATO assurance and deterrence measures in Central and Eastern Europe.
“I want to thank Brigadier-General Masson for getting our soldiers to the state of operational readiness that we’re at today,” stated Brigadier-General Parsons. “As we increase our focus on Operation REASSURANCE, where Canada proudly leads charge as the framework nation for the Multinational Brigade in Latvia; the demand on our troops will be great, and the need for them to remain ready will be high.”
5th Canadian Division currently has over 120 members deployed to 15 different foreign countries. Operation REASSURANCE is the largest commitment with more than 90 members deployed. In October 2024, this number will increase to 200.
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Brigadier-General Stéphane Masson watches as Chief Warrant Officer Mario Grondin is appointed Division Sergeant Major, an appointment previously held by Chief Warrant Officer Mark von Kalben.
Photographer: Corporal Brian Watters, 5th Canadian Division Public Affairs
“5th Canadian Division has demonstrated that they are ready to respond whenever Atlantic Canadians need them, and that will always be the case,” stated Lieutenant-General Jocelyn Paul, Commander Canadian Army. “Starting this year and moving forward we will continue to ask more of the Army centered in Atlantic Canada – to be ready to assure our NATO partners in Central and Eastern Europe and help deter Russian aggression.”
The recent Change of Command ceremony also included the appointment of Chief Warrant Officer (CWO) Mario Grondin to Division Sergeant Major (DSM), assuming the role from outgoing DSM Chief Warrant Officer Mark von Kalben. CWO Grondin is the senior non-commissioned member in the Division and the Commander’s primary advisor.
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