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Changeover at Joint Task Force North Brig.-Gen. Greg Loos takes command
Daniel Campbell
Northern News Services
Published Thursday, June 27, 2013
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Dozens of Canadian Armed Forces members stood guard last week as Brig.-Gen. Greg Loos took command of Joint Task Force North (JTFN).
Brig.-Gen Guy Hamel, left, outgoing commander of Joint Task Force North, signs over command of the unit to Brig.-Gen. Greg Loos. - Daniel Campbell/NNSL photo
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Canadian Forces members at JTFN gathered in formation in the dress uniforms of the army, navy, air force and rangers with rifles for the change of command ceremony June 20 -- a military tradition when one commander replaces another.
Lt.-Gen. Stuart Beare, commander of Canadian Joint Operations Command, presided over the ceremony, thanking outgoing commander Brig.-Gen. Guy Hamel for his accomplishments over his three-year command at JTFN, particularly his cooperation with northern governments and police services.
Loos, who previously oversaw the Canadian Forces' cyberspace development, said he'll focus on getting up to speed with the developments at JTFN in the coming weeks.
"There's been some solid progress made here and I have plans for more," he said.
Loos said he understands there is a demand in Ottawa for safety, security and sovereignty up north, but he still needs to figure out exactly how he'll accomplish those demands.
"It'll probably take a few more weeks to get a handle on that."
Loos' right-hand man, chief warrant officer Gerald Blais, who took over for warrant officer Gilles Laroche, said he knows JTFN is a busy unit.
"I want to make sure to strike a balance between operational effectiveness and the members getting downtime with their families," Blais said.
Loos is still waiting for his wife, Mary, and son Ellijah to arrive in Yellowknife in July. He said his family is optimistic about moving up north.
Blais and his wife, Regina Campion are already getting settled in Yellowknife. Their children are both grown-up and on their own in Ottawa and Gagetown.
"We're both excited, we like the outdoors and fishing. It'll be nice being up just the two of us without the kids. I can't wait to explore," Blais said.
Loos and Blais both have a background in communications and electronics, which they say will help them deal with the challenges of communications in the North.
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