Dear family and friends:

On behalf of the Commander Joint Task Force – Impact (JTF-I), Brigadier-General Colin Keiver, a big hello to everyone. March has seen rotation changes for some units. This is the last letter Brigadier- General Keiver and I will send as we will head home at the beginning of May.

Weather

The weather in March has overall been nicer. With just a little bit of rain, we have seen an increase in the daily temperature, reaching nearly 30°C by the end of March in certain locations. However, warmer weather also brings sand storms. Luckily, it has not been as drastic as last year.

Visits & Ceremonies

Following a 9-month deployment, Lieutenant-Colonel Tim Kenney relinquished command of the Impact Training and Coordination Unit to Lieutenant-Colonel Jay MacKeen. The ceremony was held at Camp Canada, on 1 March, under the authority of Brigadier-General Keiver. Thank you to Lieutenant-Colonel Kenney and Chief Warrant Gallant, outgoing Regimental Sergeant-Major (RSM), for your leadership and best of luck to Lieutenant-Colonel MacKeen and Chief Dugal, incoming RSM, for the important tasks ahead.

Part of our Building Partner Capacity (BPC) effort, the Jordanian Armed Forces (JAF) now have 10 qualified Joint Terminal Attack Controllers (JTAC). The Commander and I were in Jordan in early March to visit the JTAC course live fire exercise. Thanks to Captain Andrew Burke and Warrant Officer Mike MacIntyre for their outstanding instructions.

On 11 March, it was time for the transfer of command authority (TOCA) of the Role 2B Hospital between Canada and the Expeditionary Medical Unit (NEMU). The ceremony took place at Camp Érable in Erbil, Iraq. On 31 March, the Canadian Role2B mission finally ended. Congratulation to everyone who had been part to this unit since November 2016. You should be very proud of your accomplishments.

On both the 11th and 12th of March, the Commander and I were at Camp Taji and Camp Gran Capitan in Besmaya to visit our Explosive Threat Training Teams (ET3) part of the Route Clearance Package Training Team (RCPTT) and the Explosive Ordinance Disposal Training Team (EODTT). We also took advantage to visit and fly with the Tactical Aviation Detachment (TAD) who are at Camp Taji supporting the NATO Mission in Iraq.

It seems not that long ago I was writing about Lieutenant-Colonel Trevor Teller taking command of Air Task Force – Iraq (ATF-I). Well, following a nine-month deployment, it was his turn to relinquish the ATF-I command to Lieutenant-Colonel Walter Stark. The TOCA ceremony took place on 21 March at Camp Canada, Kuwait. Preceding the TOCA, the ATF-I CWO appointment was also transferred between Chief Warrant Officers Rob Sullivan and Marc Beaumier. Safe return home to Lieutenant-Colonel Teller and Chief Warrant Officer Sullivan.

Honours and Recognitions

On 1 March, and hours before his return to Canada following his 6 month deployment, Master Warrant Officer Rob Lutz, was awarded the Achievement Medal for fostering Coalition cooperation. He received his award for Commander 386 Air Expeditionary Wing. Congrats Rob!

Following the Role 2 TOCA to NEMU, the Commander and I were able to award this last rotation with their General Campaign Stars – EXPEDITION (GCS-EXP) and end of tour coins. To her surprise, Master-Corporal Richard was awarded the JTF-I Command Team coin for her foresight and initiative.

At Camp Taji, the Commander presented the RCPTT with their end of tour coin, and also awarded the JTF-I Commander’s Commendation to Corporal Sagaria for outstanding performance under extremely challenging conditions. It was followed with the JTF-I Command Team coin to Master-Corporal Ethier for his performance that went well beyond his rank and training. While in Besmaya with the EODTT on 12 March, Brigadier-General Keiver awarded the team with their GCS-EXP while I presented them with the end of tour coin. At the same time, we awarded Sapper Brochu with the JTF-I Command Team coin for displaying outstanding dedication and skills.

On 23 March, Brigadier-General Keiver awarded the JTF-I Commander’s Commendation to Master- Corporal Rogers from ATF-I.

Promotions

Congratulation to Warrant Officer Young for his promotion to his new rank which occurred on 22 March. He is currently deployed as a Combat Support Services mentor with the JAF and part of Canadian Training Assistance Team – Jordan. The next day, Sergeant Spence, JTF-I Postal clerk, was promoted to his new rank. He received his promotion from Lieutenant-Commander Lau, Deputy Commanding Officer Operational Support Hub–South-West-Asia.

Social Media

Over the last few months, you have seen an increase in our Social Media activities. Please continue to follow us and tell your friends and families to do the same. It is important to know what great work our sailors, soldiers and aviators do in the Middle East. Here are the links: Twitter (https://twitter.com/TaskIraq) and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/JTFIraq).

Final Note

Let me take this opportunity to welcome the new Command Team, Brigadier-General Michel-Henri St- Louis and Chief Warrant Officer Jeff Aman, as they take over JTF-I for the many months ahead. Brigadier-General Keiver and I would like to thank everyone who has served with us on Operation IMPACT since 19 June 2018. Your professionalism, dedication and leadership have made our job easier. However, it would not have been possible without the continuous support you, families and friends, continue to provide to the men and women of our deployed CAF members and for that we thank you!

It was been an honour and a privilege to serve on JTF-I. Sincerely,

Eric

Eric Bouffard Chief Warrant Officer Joint Task Force - IMPACT [email protected] ITCU Change of Command

JTAC Exercise

ATF-I Change of Command and Appointment

Honours & Recognitions

Promotions