Yellowknife (Jul 07/06) - There's a new commander in town and she's ready to defend sovereignty in the North.

Col. Chris Whitecross took over command of Joint Task Force North on July 4 from Col. Norm Couturier.

"I have big shoes to fill," Whitecross says about her new command post.

"And a lot to learn about the North. I hope to build upon what Col. Couturier is leaving behind."

Whitecross came over from the Department of National Defense headquarters in Ottawa.

She is one of the few female commanders in the Canadian Armed Forces and the first female commander to hold the position in Yellowknife.

"I do feel special. It's great for the family," Whitecross says. "It feels like I am making tremendous inroads (for females in the Forces)."

Whitecross is also a wife and mother of three teenagers - two sons and a daughter.

Her family is moving to Yellowknife with her for the next two years. She says they are all very excited to come.

"We all really like the outdoors," Whitecross says. "We are looking forward to getting to know the people."

Lt.-Gen. M.J. Dumais, the head of Canada command, says Whitecross has achieved what very few women in Canada have.

There are in fact few women in the armed forces and this is a significant step for women in the military, he says.

Whitecross' leadership abilities and standard of service in the armed forces is what made her ideal for this post, Dumais says.

Couturier says he is leaving his post with a great deal of amazement at the rewarding two years that he has spent in Yellowknife.

"A big thank-you to the people of the North for their courage, and understanding of quality of life, Couturier says.

"They will always have a special place in my heart, the people of the Arctic, as I fondly call them."

When Couturier leaves he is going to Ottawa to take up a staff position with the Department of National Defense as the Director of Transport Aircraft.