Changes of Command at the Top

The Army

Lieutenant-General Rick Hillier assumed command of the Army May 30 from the now retired LGen Mike Jeffery in a ceremony at Ottawa City Hall. The Chief of the Defence Staff, Gen Ray Henault presided over the Change of Command parade. Soldiers first. That will be the philosophy of the new Commander of the Army. LGen Hillier was born in Newfoundland and graduated from Memorial University in 1975. After armoured officer training, his first unit was 8^th Canadian Hussars (Princess Louise’s) in Petawawa, and subsequently the Royal Canadian Dragoons.

LGen Hillier has had the privilege of commanding troops from platoon to division and having worked as a staff officer in both Army headquarters in Montreal and NDHQ. He has served twice in both Europe and the United States and has enough time with the United Nations and NATO forces in the former Yugoslavia to, in his words, “be eligible to vote there.”

He served as the first-ever Canadian Deputy Commanding General of III Armoured Corps, US Army in Fort Hood, Texas. Commanded the Multinational Division (South-West) in Bosnia and in Nov. 2001, he became Assistant Chief of the Land Staff.

LGen Hillier said, “Canadians should make the effort to see what true heroes our soldiers are and how they’re recognized in the international community as being a stabilizing force.”

The Air Force

Command of Canada’s Air Force officially changed hands at a ceremony on July 18 at the Canada Aviation Museum.

The new Commander of Air Command and Chief of the Air Staff, Lieutenant General Ken Pennie, assumed command from LGen Lloyd Campbell at a ceremony presided over by General Ray Henault, Chief of the Defence Staff.

“I welcome the opportunity to continue my service to our country and lead the dedicated servicemen and women in blue. We have a great team in place,” said LGen Pennie. LGen Pennie was previously Deputy Commander-in-Chief North American Aerospace Command, Colorado Springs. He has held senior staff positions with operational units, 1 Canadian Air Division and with the VCDS in NDHQ. He holds a Master’s degree and a Doctorate in International Affairs, and is a graduate of the Royal College of Defence Studies in London, England. Now he will oversee the Phase-1 $880-million modernization of the CF-18 Hornets (including new missiles), upgraded Auroras, a new strategic tanking capability and new maritime helicopters.

MARPAC

Command of Maritime Command Pacific passed to Rear Admiral Jean-Yves Forcier on July 15 from RAdm Jamie Fraser at Duntze Head in HMCS Dockyard, Esquimalt, BC. Vice Admiral Ron Buck, Chief of the Naval Staff presided over the ceremony.

RAdm Jean-Yves Forcier, JY to his navy friends, said that though the navy’s role in the war on terrorism is winding down, he has learned always to expect the unexpected.

After two years as commander MARPAC, RAdm Fraser goes to Colorado Springs where he will serve as the Canadian liaison officer with the recently established U.S. Military Northern Command. During the last 20 months, he has overseen the deployment of seven Esquimalt-based warships to the Arabian Sea and the war on terrorism.

Forcier, a native of Trois-Rivières, Que., joined the navy in 1971 and has served in frigates, destroyers and a support ship. He was “Mentioned in Dispatches” later with the Canadian Forces Middle East Headquarters in Bahrain. He commanded Fourth Maritime Operations Group in Esquimalt, BC and in August 1997 he was double-hatted as Chief of Staff Canadian Fleet Pacific.

Cmdre Forcier then served in NDHQ heading Joint Operations and later Navy Personnel before promotion to RAdm and command of MARPAC. He is a graduate of National Defence College and the Master of Arts program from Royal Roads University.

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