CEFCOM NR – 10.017 - September 9, 2010
OTTAWA – Command of Joint Task Force Afghanistan was transferred from Brigadier-General (Brig.-Gen.) Jonathan Vance to Brig.-Gen. Dean Milner during a ceremony today at Kandahar Airfield. The ceremony was attended by key Afghan and coalition force leaders along with members of the Canadian task force operating in Kandahar Province.
“Canadian soldiers will confront unique challenges as the combat mission in Afghanistan begins its final year. I have no doubt that Brig.-Gen. Milner is the perfect choice to guide our forces through this period of transition,” said General Walt Natynczyk, Chief of the Defence Staff. “Brig.-Gen. Milner’s exemplary track record and motivation to succeed will ensure a strong handover to our Afghan, NATO, and coalition partners, ensuring the mission continues in the positive direction set by Canadians.”
“Brig.-Gen. Vance and those before him have made significant contributions to the security situation in Kandahar Province,” said Brig.-Gen. Milner. “I am proud to have been chosen to lead this task force as we work with our Afghan and NATO partners to ensure a brighter future for all Afghans.”
The 2,830 Canadians who make up Joint Task Force Afghanistan include all Canadian Forces personnel deployed in southwest Asia on Operation ATHENA and Operation ARCHER, Canada’s two missions in Afghanistan. Members of Joint Task Force Afghanistan work alongside their Afghan partners, and are committed to bringing peace, stability, and good governance to Afghanistan.
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NOTE TO EDITORS/NEWS DIRECTORS:
Brig.-Gen. Milner’s biography can be found at: http://www.cmp-cpm.forces.gc.ca/dsa-dns/sa-ns/ab/sobv-vbos-eng.asp?mAction=View&mBiographyID=683
Still imagery of the Transfer of Command Authority will be available at: www.combatcamera.forces.gc.ca Video b-roll can be downloaded at: http://www.combatcamera.forces.gc.ca/common/combatcamera/news
For more information about Joint Task Force Afghanistan, please visit: http://www.cefcom-comfec.forces.gc.ca/pa-ap/ops/jtfafg-foiafg/index-eng.asp
For more information on Op ATHENA, please visit: http://www.cefcom-comfec.forces.gc.ca/pa-ap/ops/athena/index-eng.asp
For more information on Op ARCHER, please visit: http://www.cefcom-comfec.forces.gc.ca/pa-ap/ops/archer/index-eng.asp
