NR-10.002 - June 18, 2010
YELLOWKNIFE , NT – A change of command ceremony held at Joint Task Force North (JTFN) this morning marked the relinquishment of command from Brigadier-General David Millar to Brigadier-General Guy Hamel.
A change of command ceremony is a formal, symbolic passing of responsibility, authority and accountability of command from one leader to another. Brigadier-General Hamel joins JTFN from his previous post as Commander of Canadian Forces (CF) Base Borden and Formation Commander for Canadian Forces Support Training Group.
“I am proud and honoured to be here in Canada's North and to have the opportunity to work with the members of Joint Task Force North, Area Support Unit (North), Regional Cadet Support Unit (Northern) the Canadian Rangers, Junior Rangers and 440 Transport Squadron in continuing to achieve the mission of the Canadian Forces in the North,” said Brigadier-General Hamel. “This new challenge that my family and I are about to embark on will be full of adventure and rewards, and we are looking forward to the opportunity to experience the people and culture of the North over the next two years.”
The formal ceremony was presided over by Vice-Admiral A.B. Donaldson, Commander of Canada Command. “I would like to recognize Brigadier-General Millar for his extensive accomplishments, particularly his efforts to enhance the working relationships between other key government and non-government agencies in the North,” said Vice-Admiral Donaldson. “His commitment to enhance the Team North approach in order to ensure that the CF is ready to respond to the safety and security needs of Canada in the Arctic is one that I am sure that Brigadier-General. Hamel will continue to foster.”
“It has been a privilege to command the CF in the North, especially at a time when dynamic changes are putting a spotlight on the need to enhance our collective capability to respond to safety and security emergencies,” said Brigadier-General Millar. With our Territorial and Federal government partners, and with the people of the communities throughout the North, JTFN has made significant strides in building capability and increasing readiness. I am honoured to hand over command of JTFN to Brigadier-General Hamel so that he and his command team can continue to provide safety and security to northerners.”
After commanding JTFN for the past two years, Brigadier-General Millar will be moving to the Foreign and Defence Policy Secretariat in Ottawa as Director Operations, Defence/International Security at the Privy Council Office
At this same ceremony, Chief Warrant Officer Gilles Laroche assumed the duties of JTFN Chief Warrant Officer from Chief Warrant Officer Mark Saulnier, who is posted to Heidelberg, Germany as the Command Sergeant Major for the Allied Force Command Heidelberg. Chief Warrant Officer Laroche last served as the 22 Wing Chief Warrant Officer.
As one of six regional commands reporting to Canada Command in Ottawa, JTFN is responsible for the conduct of all routine and contingency operations in Canada's North. JTFN is headquartered in Yellowknife, NT with two headquarter detachments in the Yukon (Whitehorse) and Nunavut (Iqaluit). JTFN's area of responsibility includes the Northwest Territories, the Yukon and Nunavut - a vast region encompassing approximately four million square kilometres, or one-third of Canada's land mass.
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Note to Editors: For more information, please contact Mrs. Jennifer Wright, Public Affairs Advisor, Joint Task Force (North) at (867) 873-0700, ext 6922, or (867) 444-9228 (Cell), or email: jennifer.wright2@forces.gc.ca .
