Today, Joint Task Force-Ukraine (JTF-U) held a ceremony to welcome Lieutenant-Colonel Kristopher Reeves, who assumed command from Lieutenant-Colonel Mark Lubiniecki at the International Peacekeeping and Security Centre in Starychi, Ukraine.

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“I’m proud to welcome Lieutenant-Colonel Kristopher Reeves, the incoming Commander of Operation UNIFIER. The Canadian Armed Forces men and women deployed in Ukraine will benefit from his leadership and experience to continue delivering outstanding training to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. I would also like to commend Lieutenant-Colonel Mark Lubiniecki and his troops for their dedication to this training mission and for their professionalism during their deployment in Ukraine.”

    —    Lieutenant-General Stephen Bowes, Commander Canadian Joint Operations Command

“After months of preparation, this new Task Force brings together motivated and highly experienced soldiers from across the Canadian Armed Forces who are ready to face head on the challenges and opportunities of this training mission in Ukraine. We look forward to building on the exceptional work of our Canadian colleagues in promoting security in the region through the capacity building and training of our friends and partners in the Ukrainian Armed Forces.”

    —  Lieutenant-Colonel Kristopher Reeves, incoming Commander, Joint Task Force - Ukraine

“For almost seven months, Chief Warrant Officer Rob Clarke and I have had the honour and privilege of leading Canadian soldiers during Operation UNIFIER. We are deeply proud of the progress that has been achieved by the men and women of this Task Force. The Ukrainian Armed Forces are well on their way to NATO compatibility, in part because of the hard work of our Canadian Armed Forces members here in Ukraine, and that is an outstanding legacy to be a part of.”

    —  Lieutenant-Colonel Mark Lubiniecki, outgoing Commander, Joint Task Force - Ukraine

• Deployed members come from all parts of Canada to leverage specific skillsets and capabilities to ensure the success of the training program. Today’s ceremony marks the transition between Rotations 3 and 4, with this rotation being comprised of CAF members primarily from 2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group, based in Petawawa, Ontario.

• The training provided by the CAF, in coordination with our allies, contributes to enhance the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ self-sufficiency in training delivery and their ability to conduct military operations across the full spectrum of conflict.

• By participating in this training mission, the CAF is helping to develop the professionalism and modernize the capacity of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, supporting Ukrainian aspirations to achieve NATO interoperability by 2020.

• Canada’s new defence policy, Strong, Secure, Engaged, ensures the CAF is prepared to engage in capacity building to support the security of other nations and their ability to contribute to security abroad.

• Lieutenant-Colonel Kristopher Reeves is an Infantry Officer and a graduate of the Royal Military College of Canada and of the Joint Command and Staff Program. He is currently the Commanding Officer of the 3^rd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment. He has previously deployed on large domestic support operations here in Canada, a unit exchange to the UK, major international exercises in the US, and two Battle Group rotations to Afghanistan.

Related Products

• Change of Command Ceremony Images

Associated Links

• Operation UNIFIER webpage
• #OpUNIFIER

Media Relations
Department of National Defence
Phone: 613-996-2353
Email: mlo-blm@forces.gc.ca