Dorothy Westerman
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Aug 01/05) - The new commander of the Northern Rangers is no stranger to the North.

Maj. Christian Bergeron took over command of First Canadian Ranger Patrol Group in a change of command ceremony at Canadian Forces Northern Area headquarters in the NWT capital.

From 1999-2003 he was based in Yellowknife, in charge of the Junior Ranger program.

"For me, an office job would be punishment," Bergeron laughed. "I'm so glad to be back."

The native of Trois Rivieres, Que., said he was asked last September to return to Yellowknife and take over command of the Rangers from Maj. Stu Gibson.

"I said yes right away. I love to be on the land."

In 2003, Bergeron was transferred to Valcartier, Que. For 14 months, he was training officer for the Multinational Force and Observers mission in El Gorah, Egypt.

In his new role, he said he wants to continue on with the established Rangers program.

"And get a better quality of life for the Rangers."

Gibson has been posted to Ottawa as a desk officer in the office of international operations.