CEFCOM / COMFEC NR-08.009 - February 2, 2008
OTTAWA - Maj.-Gen. Marc Lessard assumed command of Regional Command (South) [RC(S)] today in Kandahar, from Maj.-Gen. Jacko Page of the United Kingdom. As the commander of NATO’s International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) troops in southern Afghanistan, Maj.-Gen. Lessard will be responsible for Canadian and coalition operations in that area until November 2008.
Maj.-Gen. Lessard leads a force of approximately 12,000 soldiers from Canada and 11 other nations. During the Transfer of Authority Ceremony at Kandahar Airfield (KAF) Maj.-Gen. Lessard said that his focus will be to maintain the initiative in the south through an intense series of operations and activities.
“I see two priorities; firstly, to increase security within the region in order to ensure the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan exercises its legitimate authority,” explained Maj.-Gen. Lessard. “The second priority is to coordinate to the greatest extent, the aspects of governance and development within the overall security framework.”
RC(S) encompasses six provinces in the southern region of Afghanistan. These include: Day Kondi, Zabul, Kandahar, Uruzgan, Helmand and Nimruz. The role of RC(S) is to conduct military operations in the south to assist the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in the establishment and maintenance of a safe and secure environment. To accomplish this, RC(S) forces work very closely with their Afghan National Security Force partners in order to extend the government’s authority and influence, thereby facilitating Afghanistan’s reconstruction and contributing to regional stability.
"The appointment of Maj.-Gen. Marc Lessard to Commander of Regional Command South demonstrates Canada's commitment to NATO and to the Afghans we are there to help," said General Rick Hillier. "Maj.-Gen Lessard's leadership will be of great value as we strive towards greater security and consequent increased development in the South of Afghanistan."
This is part of Canada’s commitment to the UN-sanctioned to rebuild a stable and democratic Afghanistan. Approximately 2,500 CF personnel are deployed with Joint Task Force Afghanistan (JTF AFG), - which refers to the Canadian-specific contribution as part of coalition efforts in Afghanistan - about 1,000 are with the Canadian battle group stationed at Kandahar Airfield (KAF). Within the multinational headquarters for RC(S) headquartered at KAF, approximately 200 personnel are Canadian. At Camp Nathan Smith in Kandahar City, Canada also fields a Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) consisting of about 250 soldiers and officials from Foreign Affairs Canada, the Canadian International Development Agency, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
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Biography
MAJOR-GENERAL J.G.M. LESSARD, CMM, CD
COMMANDER REGIONAL COMMAND (SOUTH)
Major-General Lessard joined the Canadian Forces under the Regular Officer Training Plan and graduated in 1978 from the Collège Militaire Royal in Saint-Jean, Quebec, Canada with a degree in business administration.
Upon commissioning, he served in a variety of regimental positions with the 1st and 3rd Battalions of the Royal 22e Régiment (R22eR) in Lahr, Germany, and Valcartier, Quebec. He also served with the Canadian Airborne Regiment in Petawawa, Ontario.
From 1992 to 1994, Major-General Lessard commanded the 3rd Battalion and the 1st Battalion of the Royal 22e Régiment. From 1997 to 1999, he commanded both Canadian Forces Base Gagetown and its largest lodger unit, the Combat Training Centre, an appointment in which he was responsible for the Army's individual training. From 1999 to 2001, he served in Kingston as Commandant of the Canadian Land Force Staff College. His next posting took him to Norfolk, Virginia, as Deputy Commander, Striking Fleet Atlantic; in this appointment, he was responsible for the preparation and the certification of Striking Fleet Atlantic as NATO's first operational Combined Joint Task Force Headquarters. From July 2003 to February 2005, Major-General Lessard commanded Land Forces Central Area, headquartered in Toronto, Ontario. Promoted to his present rank in February 2005, he served as Assistant Chief of the Land Staff from February 2005 to June 2007.
Major-General Lessard’s staff experience includes two postings with the 1st Canadian Division Headquarters in Kingston, Ontario and membership in the Canadian Forces Officer Development Review Board that oversaw training and education for the officer corps of the Canadian Forces. His academic qualifications include graduation from the Canadian Land Force Staff College, the British Army Staff College, and the U.S. Army War College, where he completed a master’s degree in strategic studies.
Major-General Lessard deployed to Cyprus in 1985 as company second in command of the Canadian contingent in UNFICYP, the United Nations Force in Cyprus. From 1993 to 1994, he commanded the 1R22eR Battalion Group in Croatia with UNPROFOR, the United Nations Protection Force; during this time his unit received the Commander UNPROFOR's Unit Commendation for excellence in operations in the Medak, Benkovac, and Obrovac areas. He returned to the Balkans in 1996 as Deputy Commander of 5 Canadian Multinational Brigade, part of the NATO Implementation Force (IFOR) in Bosnia-Herzegovina.
On 2 February 2008, Major-General Lessard took command of Regional Command (South), which is headquartered at Kandahar Airfield in Afghanistan and comprises approximately 12,000 troops from 12 nations.
