Hetherington new 3rd Canadian Division and JTFW commander

Brigadier-General Wayne Eyre (right) officially passed command of 3rd Canadian Division to Brigadier-General Simon Hetherington (left), with Lieutenant-General Marquis Hainse, Commander Canadian Army (center) as the Reviewing Officer, during the change of command ceremony at the Lecture Training Facility, CFB Edmonton, on 11 July 2016. – MCpl M Ferguson Photo

by Morinville News Staff

Brigadier-General Simon Hetherington was appointed Commander, 3rd Canadian Division (3 Cdn Div) and Joint Task Force West (JTFW) at a change of command ceremony held July 11 at 3rd Canadian Division Support Base Edmonton.

3 Cdn Division represents approximately 5,500 Regular Forces soldiers, 4,600 Reserve Force soldiers, 1000 Canadian Rangers form Patrols in 42 communities and 1,200 civilian employees.

Joint Task Force West is responsible for the conduct of domestic operations in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba, while 3 Canadian Division is responsible for all Canadian Army administration and operations in western Canada from the Pacific Ocean to Thunder Bay.

Hetherington assumed command from Major General Wayne Eyre, who was promoted to Brigadier-General on parade. Brig.-Gen. Eyre will be moving to Ottawa to assume the duties of Deputy Commander, Military Personnel Command.

Eyre commanded 3 Cdn Div for the past two years and led the Division through two domestic operations, including the 2015 Saskatchewan forest fires and during the Fort McMurray wildfires.

“It has been an honour to command the Army in the West, Eyre said. “The men and women of 3rd Canadian Division are exceptional soldiers. I thank you for your resiliency and commend you on your commitment to staying operationally ready in order to support future missions both at home and abroad. For me, this is home, and I will very much miss being a part of the Army in the West.”

Brigadier-General Simon Hetherington, Incoming Commander 3 Cdn Div and JTFW said he is looking forward to the role.

“I am humbled to accept the privilege of being placed in command of this outstanding Division,” he said. “I look forward to working with the soldiers of 3rd Canadian Division across Western Canada as we stand poised to deploy soldiers on operations around the world and home in support of Canadians.”

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