Defence Minister Peter McKay has announced the senior appointments for the Royal Canadian Air Force, including the selection of Major-General (soon to be promoted to lieutenant-general) Yvan Blondin as the new commander of the RCAF. He will assume command of the RCAF, succeeding LGen André Deschamps who will retire, at a change of command ceremony later this fall.

“These promotions and appointments ensure that our men and women of the Canadian Forces continue to benefit from the strong leadership and support that they deserve,” said Minister MacKay.

“The men and women of the Canadian Forces will be well-served by these proven and accomplished senior officers. To each of them I send my sincere congratulations and encouragement as they assume their new posts and responsibilities,” said General Walt Natynczyk, Chief of the Defence Staff. “To my fellow retiring general officers, I thank you for your service, counsel and comradeship. We have been privileged to serve Canada and it has been my honour to be your Chief of the Defence Staff.”

Among the other senior appointments:

• LGen Alain Parent is the new deputy commander of NORAD in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He replaces LGen Tom Lawson who will be promoted to general and become Canada’s new Chief of the Defence Staff, replacing General Walt Natynczyk, who will be retiring.
• Brigadier-General Mike Hood will be promoted to major-general and will become the new deputy commander of the RCAF at National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa.
• MGen Pierre St-Amand will be the new commander of 1 Canadian Air Division Headquarters in Winnipeg, Man.
• BGen Bruce Ploughman will be appointed deputy commander of 1 Canadian Air Division Headquarters in Winnipeg replacing BGen Pierre St-Amand.