Change of Command: Colonel Leroux takes over Op CALUMET

August 10, 2021 - Defence Stories
By:  Julie-Anne Labonte, Captain, CAF

Sinai, Egypt

On July 25, Colonel Pierre Leroux took over command of Op CALUMET from Colonel Corey Frederickson. Op CALUMET is Canada’s participation in the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO), an independent peacekeeping operation in the Sinai Peninsula, Egypt, in which Canada has participated since 1985. The ceremony was presided over by the MFO Commander, Major-General Evan Williams of New Zealand.

All thirteen member nations of the MFO were well represented as several dozen people gathered to take part in the change of command.       

Addressing the crowd for the first time as Commander, Colonel Leroux began by acknowledging the contributions of the outgoing contingent and his intention to build on the solid foundation laid by his predecessor. To symbolize this handover, as a hockey and military history buff, he went on to quote the words from the poem by Canadian Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae In Flanders Fields, inscribed on the walls of the Montreal Canadiens’ dressing room: "To you from failing hands we throw the torch; be yours to hold it high."

In addition to his duties as Commander of the 55-member Canadian contingent, Colonel Leroux also assumes the role of Chief of Liaison for the MFO, a crucial role requiring the qualities found in military diplomacy: cultural sensitivity, analytical temperament, high professionalism and the ability to build relationships to work towards a common goal. Over the next 12 months, he will lead a multinational team of 15 military personnel to facilitate communication, coordination and cooperation among the members of the Peace Treaty in order to maintain the credibility of the MFO while contributing to the maintenance of regional stability.