Vanguard Magazine

VICE-ADMIRAL McDONALD BECOMES THE 36TH COMMANDER OF THE ROYAL CANADIAN NAVY Cdr MICHAEL McENTEE (RET'D) IN MEMORY: APPOINTMENT: PEOPLE IN DEFENCE www.vanguardcanada.com JUNE/JULY 2019 41 Vice-Admiral Art McDonald has of- ficially assumed the duties of Com- mander of the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) from Vice-Admiral Ron Lloyd in a ceremony that was held on June 12, 2019. The formal change of com- mand ceremony was presided over by General Jonathan Vance, Chief of the Defence Staff at Her Majesty's Cana- dian Dockyard, Halifax, home of Mari- time Forces Atlantic. VAdm McDonald has served in a variety of command and staff roles throughout his career, most recently serving as Deputy Commander of the RCN. In his new role, he is charged with commanding about 13,000 full- and part-time military members of the RCN and about 3,700 civilians sta- tioned across Canada and around the world. VAdm McDonald said he is humbled and honoured to assume the watch as Commander of the RCN and to be "charged with caring for and enabling the amazing Canadian sailors, my ship- mates – and the families that support them." "Together we will ensure the great people-delivered successes for which the RCN is known for and can contin- ue to be realized. Inspired equally by a rich history and the bright future that the ongoing fleet recapitalization – the largest in our peacetime history – en- sures, today's sailors are equal parts war- riors and diplomats," he said. The same sentiments were echoed by the outgoing Commander of the RCN, Vice-Admiral Ron Lloyd, in referenc- ing the National Shipbuilding Strategy to equip the RCN with modern vessels. He said that the future of the RCN is ex- ceptionally bright and that he could not be more pleased with how the leadership is "embracing the once in a half-century opportunity that the largest recapitaliza- tion in our peacetime history represents." During the ceremony there was a change of appointment as well that saw Chief Petty Officer First Class David Steeves as- sume the role of Command Chief of the Royal Canadian Navy from Chief Petty Officer First Class Michel Vigneault. "I have been exceptionally blessed to finish my career as the Commander of the RCN," said VAdm Lloyd. "On a dai- ly basis for the last three years, the Com- mand Chief and I have had the pleasure and privilege of witnessing firsthand, the incredible difference that Canadian sail- ors are making globally on behalf of Can- ada and Canadians." VAdm Lloyd will now proceed to re- tirement after a distinguished 38-year naval career of which the last three were spent serving in the role as Commander of the RCN. Source: National Defence With a heavy heart, the team at Vanguard media mourns the loss of Mike who died suddenly on May 27, 2019, in Ottawa. We were fortunate to first meet him as one of the at- tendees at the ShipTech Forum. When he retired from the Canadian Armed Forces and went to work at MDA, we had the pleasure of working with him as part of the advisory board for the C4ISR and Beyond conference. Mike had a way of taking complex topics and breaking them into sim- ple terms, to help those of us who known how to spell out the acro- nyms, but not always understand the significance or technical aspects of the implementation of new technologies and its impact and importance. We learned much from him, he certainly did his part to help make this world a better place. Mike was always facilitating intro- ductions and quick in getting to the heart of the matter, a consummate professional. He knew how to make work fun and get the most out of the moment. He knew how to add humour and colour, it would always start with a broad smile, mild chuckle, then an interesting introduction that you were not sure where it would lead, however it was always worth- while. We thank Commander Michael McEntee (Ret'd) for his dedication and service. He will be sorely missed!

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