Preserving capacity, General Tom Lawson, Chief of the Defence Staff, Keys to Canadian SAR
Issue link: http://vanguardcanada.uberflip.com/i/1525681
In a ceremony held at National Defence Headquarters Carling on August 1, 2024, Lieutenant-General (LGen) Stephen Kelsey stepped into his new role as Vice Chief of the Defence Staff (VCDS) of the Canadian Armed Forces. Presided over by Gen- eral Jennie Carignan, the Chief of the Defence Staff, the event saw military and civilian personnel from the Defence Team come together to witness this notable transition. LGen Frances Allen, who has retired from the VCDS position, leaves behind an illustrious 41-year career. Her tenure includ- ed notable roles such as Director General Cyber Force Devel- opment and the Canadian Military Representative at NATO in Brussels. LGen Allen, the first woman to hold the VCDS title, was instrumental in advancing critical initiatives like Recon- stitution and NORAD Modernization. "On behalf of the Department of National Defence, I would like to congratulate and welcome Lieutenant-General Kelsey in his new role as Vice Chief of the Defence Staff. His exper- tise and experienced leadership will be of great value to the Defence Team. I would also like to thank Lieutenant-General Allen for a remarkable four decades of service and congratu- late her on her well-deserved retirement," conveyed Stefanie Beck, Deputy Minister. LGen Kelsey, who brings over 30 years of distinguished ser- vice in the Canadian Armed Forces, has demonstrated exem- plary leadership in various capacities. His extensive experience includes operational deployments in Croatia, Montenegro, and Afghanistan. His advanced education and international acco- lades underscore his expertise. As he assumes the VCDS role, LGen Kelsey is poised to continue his legacy of strategic leader- ship and operational excellence on a global scale. Lieutenant-General Stephen Kelsey Takes the Helm as Vice Chief of the Defence Staff The new Vice Chief of Defence Staff LGen Stephen Kelsey at a ceremony led by CDS Gen Jennie Carignan. Also pictured, LGen Frances Allen who passed on the role. Image source: https://x.com/ canadianforces/status/1819075512402137547?s=46&t=p4lFEPcgf9F r62eZ-cDyUA S SIT REP 8 AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2024 www.vanguardcanada.com Breaking New Ground: Enhancing Support for Military Families at Base Petawawa Image Credit: https://x.com/BillBlair/status/1815424083695116658 In a move to bolster support for military families, Parliamen- tary Secretary Marie-France Lalonde led the groundbreaking ceremony for a state-of-the-art Military Family Resource Cen- tre at 4th Canadian Division Support Base (CDSB) Petawawa on July 22, 2024. Representing the Honourable Bill Blair, Min- ister of National Defence, Lalonde marked the commence- ment of this $42 million project aimed at streamlining and enhancing family support services on the base. This upcoming facility is set to unify the Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services Personnel Support Programs and the Military Family Resource Centre, which are currently dis- persed across seven locations, into a single, comprehensive hub. Scheduled for completion by Fall 2026, the construction phase will generate approximately 130 jobs, underscoring its economic impact. Designed with families at its core, the new centre will offer a modern and integrated environment for delivering top-notch counselling, family services, and various programs. It will in- clude recreation spaces and daycare facilities capable of ac- commodating around 160 children. The consolidation of these services will address the current capacity constraints and pro- vide military families at Petawawa with more accessible and well-coordinated support. Additionally, the facility will create contemporary workspac- es for about 90 personnel, ensuring efficient service delivery. Notably, the centre is planned to be net-zero ready and will adhere to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver standards. This aligns with the federal govern- ment's goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. The De- partment of National Defence has already made significant progress, reducing greenhouse gas emissions from its build- ings and non-military vehicles by 35.9% since 2005.