Preserving capacity, General Tom Lawson, Chief of the Defence Staff, Keys to Canadian SAR
Issue link: http://vanguardcanada.uberflip.com/i/1538953
6 AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2025 www.vanguardcanada.com S SIT REP Royal Canadian Air Force has a new woman Commander HMCS St. John's departs for Operation REASSURANCE Lieutenant-General Jamie Speiser-Blanchet assumed command of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) from Lieutenant-General Eric Kenny, during a change of command ceremony on July 10, 2025. She is the first woman to be the Commander. "It is a privi- lege to assume command of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) at such a pivotal time in our history, as we reflect on a century of service and prepare for the challenges ahead," Lieutenant- General Speiser-Blanchet stated in a press release. "Under Lieutenant-General Kenny's leadership, the RCAF has embraced change, advanced modernization, and proudly celebrated our Centennial." She added "As we move forward, I remain focused on strengthening our culture, supporting our personnel and their families, modernizing our capabilities, and deepening the partnerships that make us stronger — all with the aim of ensur- ing the RCAF continues to deliver air and space power, now and into the next century." Lieutenant-General Speiser-Blanchet is the 22nd Commander of the RCAF and has served in many roles throughout her career, including as a CH-146 Griffon tactical helicopter pilot, and numerous staff and command roles, and she deployed in support of United Nations and North Atlantic Treaty Organization operations. She most recently served as the Deputy Commander of the RCAF. Photo: https://x.com/CanadianForces/tatus/1943353139555336398 HMCS HALIFAX sails through the Atlantic Ocean during Operation REASSURANCE on July 20, 2019. Photo: Corporal Braden Trudeau His Majesty's Canadian Ship (HMCS) St. John's departed Halifax on July 13, 2025, to begin its Operation REASSUR- ANCE, where it will join Standing NATO Maritime Group Two (SNMG2) as part of Canada's continuing contribution to NATO's collective defence in European waters, until Decem- ber 2025. SNMG2 is a core part of the maritime component of the NATO Response Allied Reaction Force and provides a continuous maritime capability to execute NATO missions, demonstrating solidarity and strengthening interoperabil- ity between Allied naval forces. Operation REASSURANCE is Canada's largest overseas military operation, supporting NATO's deterrence and defence measures in Central and Eastern Europe since 2014. "The deployment of His Majes- ty's Canadian Ship St. John's is a demonstration of Canada's unwavering commitment to maintaining peace in Europe," Rear-Admiral Josée Kurtz, Commander of Maritime Forces At- lantic and Joint Task Force Atlantic stated in a press release. "This deployment is more than another rotation, it is a signal by Canada that we stand together with our allies and part- ners to protect a principled and peaceful international or- der." On July 7, 2025, HMCS Edmonton and HMCS Yellowknife also deployed to support Standing NATO Mine Countermea- sures Group One. The ships will operate in European waters, advancing NATO's maritime security and mine countermea- sure operations.