Dutch honour for Canadian task force commander in Mali
News Article / February 8, 2019
Click on the photo under “Image Gallery” to see more photos.
RCAF Public Affairs
“It was a complete surprise,” said the Royal Canadian Air Force’s Colonel Chris McKenna, who completed his tour as commander of Task Force Mali on January 25, 2019.
Colonel McKenna handed over command of the Operation Presence Task Force to Colonel Travis Morehen during a transfer of command authority ceremony held at Camp Castor in Gao, Mali.
But unbeknownst to Colonel McKenna, an addition had been made to the ceremony: Lieutenant Colonel René Le Noble, commander of the Dutch contingent in Mali, co-located with the Canadians at Camp Castor, presented Colonel McKenna with the Dutch Medal of Merit in Bronze.
“We had a close relationship with the Dutch and we gave each other a lot of mutual support—conducting operations and training together,” continued Colonel McKenna. “They were great to work with.
“It’s pretty incredible when another country recognizes your work, but the kudos really belongs each and every member of our Task Force. I’m very proud of what our Canadian personnel accomplished during our first rotation in Mali, supporting the Dutch—and all our Allies—in what is an extremely difficult and highly dangerous operational environment,” he said.
“The work we are doing in Mali is saving lives and safeguarding our Allies.”
According to a Dutch news release, Colonel McKenna received the medal for supporting the Dutch Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol Task Group (LRRPTG) through, for example, medical evacuations, logistical support and tactical air mobility support. As well, says the news release, his leadership style motivated his unit to provide the maximum possible support to the Netherlands.
“By your tenacious attitude towards various players, you have rendered the UN mission in general—and the LRRPTG in particular—a very great service”, said Lieutenant-Colonel Le Noble.
A close relationship between the Dutch and Canadian contingents arose “because of a similar mentality,” according to the news release.
"Because of your proactive attitude, your unit has provided support to Dutch units that far exceeded the expectations and mindset of the United Nations," continued Lieutenant-Colonel Le Noble. "You have always had the welfare of Dutch [and] other international peacekeepers in mind.”
Decision by
THE COMMANDER ROYAL NETHERLANDS ARMY
To Award
THE MEDAL OF MERIT IN BRONZE
To
Colonel C.A. McKenna
Because of
Colonel McKenna’s outstanding achievements as a reliable international partner in providing the Dutch Long-Range Reconnaissance Patrol Task Group with support in the areas of forward aero medevac, logistics and air mobile operations.
His style of leadership motivated his Task Force to deliver the highest level of support to The Netherlands, all while managing significant tactical and political risk.
Because of his perseverance in his relationship with all actors involved, he has been of great value to the UN mission in general and the Long-Range Reconnaissance Patrol Task Group in particular.
Due to his Task Force’s efforts, the Long-Range Reconnaissance Patrol Task Group has been able to develop itself as a highly valued force asset of MINUSMA.
Colonel McKenna has proved himself to be a worthy ambassador of his nation and he has supplied the Dutch forces with a robust package that enabled them to increase their effectiveness greatly.
According to The Netherlands’ Ministry of Defence website, “The Dutch contingent in Mali is mainly involved in conducting reconnaissance and gathering intelligence, serving, as it were, as the 'eyes and ears' of the mission. The Dutch contribution chiefly consists of long-range reconnaissance personnel, intelligence personnel and police trainers.”
Canada’s Task Force is supporting the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), which is part of the Government of Canada’s overall efforts to help set conditions for durable peace, development, and prosperity in Mali.
As of January 22, 2019, Task Force Mali had conducted six medical evacuation missions and flown more than 2,100 hours in support of MINUSMA. The CC-130J Hercules aircraft from the Tactical Airlift Detachment has flown more than 850 hours and has airlifted more than 1.62 million pounds of cargo, in support of Operation Presence-Mali.
The Tactical Airlift Detachment and Operational Support Hub in Dakar, Senegal, has been enabling Task Force Mali with tactical effects by supporting sustainment flights and air transport within the area of operation.