Joint Task Force-Ukraine Welcomes New Commander
News Release
January 17, 2016 - Ottawa
Today, Lieutenant-Colonel Tim Arsenault assumed command of Joint Task Force-Ukraine (JTF-U) from Lieutenant-Colonel Jason Guiney during a ceremony which took place at the International Peacekeeping and Security Centre in Starychi, Ukraine, as part of Operation UNIFIER, Canada’s military training mission in Ukraine.
As commander of JTF-U, Lieutenant-Colonel Tim Arsenault commands approximately 200 Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) personnel. JTF-U includes soldiers conducting training with the Ukrainian Armed Forces in areas such as Small Team training, Counter Improvised Explosive Device training, military police training and medical training.
Quick Facts
- As part of Canada’s response to requests for assistance from the Government of Ukraine, the CAF, with support from Global Affairs Canada, is providing military training and capacity building to Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel to support Ukraine in its efforts to maintain sovereignty, security, and stability.
- Under Operation UNIFIER’s mandate, Canada is participating in a wide range of capacity-building operations on a sustained basis in Ukraine. These operations, coordinated with and complementary to the activities of the United States and the United Kingdom, have been developed in consultation with Ukraine. They consist of the provision of military training to enhance peace support operations interoperability, institutional capacity building, and professional development of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
- Since the start of the mission in September 2015, more than 400 Ukrainian Armed Forces members have been trained in Small Team training, in addition to first aid training, Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Improved Explosive Device Disposal training, military police training and other training under the auspices of the Military Training and Cooperation Program (MTCP).
- Deployed members come from all parts of Canada, depending on the skillset and capability that they bring to the conduct of a particular training program. This rotation is comprised of members from 2nd Canadian Division Support Base located in Valcartier, Quebec, replacing personnel from 2nd Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group based at Garrison Petawawa, Ontario.
- Lieutenant-Colonel Tim Arsenault, an Infantry Officer and graduate from Royal Military College, has served in many leadership positions throughout his career. He most recently served as Commander of 3e Bataillon Royal 22e Régiment since July 2014, and has deployed to Bosnia and Afghanistan.
Quotes
“I am confident that under the Command of Lieutenant-Colonel Arsenault, Joint Task Force-Ukraine will continue to provide effective military training to Ukrainian Armed Forces’ personnel. I extend my appreciation to Lieutenant-Colonel Jason Guiney for his significant leadership on Operation UNIFIER during his time in Command and to the troops for their outstanding performance. “
Lieutenant-General Stephen Bowes, Commander Canadian Joint Operations Command
“I am honoured to have the chance to lead a team of highly qualified professionals working hard to train the Ukrainian Armed Forces. I plan to build upon the excellent work of my colleague Lieutenant-Colonel Guiney and continue to support Ukraine in its efforts to enhance the capabilities of its armed forces.”
Lieutenant-Colonel Tim Arsenault, incoming Commander of Joint Task Force Ukraine
"I am extremely proud of the contribution the Canadian Armed Forces has made over the past months in Ukraine. It was an honour to lead the initial rotation of Canadian soldiers who have shown an ongoing commitment to increasing the capacity of the Ukrainian Armed Forces during this mission.”
Lieutenant-Colonel Jason Guiney, outgoing Commander of Joint Task Force Ukraine
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For pictures of the Change of Command ceremony, please visit: http://www.forcesimages.ca.
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Hon. Harjit Singh Sajjan National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces Military