Army Commander visits Canadian soldiers deployed in Latvia and Ukraine

From: National Defence

News release

May 11, 2018 – Ottawa – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces

The Commander of the Canadian Army, Lieutenant-General Paul Wynnyk, travelled to Latvia, Ukraine and Germany this past week to meet with deployed Canadian soldiers and conduct senior-level military engagements with our international partners. This trip marks Lieutenant-General Wynnyk’s last trip to visit Canadian troops in his capacity as Commander of the Canadian Army.

Lieutenant-General Wynnyk visited soldiers at Camp Ādaži Latvia and met with the leadership of the Canadian-led multinational NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battlegroup Latvia. The Commander also met with Mr. Raimonds Bergmanis, the Latvian Minister of Defence to discuss the strategic security environment and new opportunities for continued collaboration.

While in Ukraine, Lieutenant-General Wynnyk met with soldiers currently deployed on Operation UNIFIER and strengthened our partnership with the senior command of Joint Task Force-Ukraine (JTF-U).

During his time in Europe, Lieutenant-General Wynnyk also took the opportunity to meet with the new Commanding General of U.S. Army Europe, Lieutenant General Christopher Cavoli, in Wiesbaden, Germany, to discuss the security environment in Europe and both armies’ roles in supporting our North Atlantic Treaty Organization Allies and European Union partners.

Additional multimedia

A Canadian soldier from the enhanced Forward Presence Battle Group Latvia, asks a question to Lieutenant-General P.F. Wynnyk, Commander of the Canadian Army during the Canadian Contingent Townhall at Camp Ādaži, Latvia on May 6, 2018. Photo: Corporal Jean-Roch Chabot, eFP Battlegroup LATVIA Public Affairs © DND / MND 2018
Lieutenant-General Paul Wynnyk, Commander of the Canadian Army and Chief Warrant Officer Alain Guimond, Army Sergeant-Major, inspect the members of Operation UNIFIER upon arrival at the International Peacekeeping and Security Centre in Starychi, Ukraine, 8 May, 2018. Photo: Captain Karyn Mazurek, JTF-Ukraine Public Affairs Officer © DND / MND 2018

Quotes

“I am extremely proud of the performance and dedication of all soldiers on Op REASSURANCE and Op UNIFIER that I have witnessed not only this week, but during my tenure as Commander Canadian Army. Their professionalism, commitment, and the strong relationship they have forged with our allies and partners has been outstanding.”

Lieutenant-General Paul Wynnyk, Commander Canadian Army

Quick facts

  • Under Strong, Secure, Engaged: Canada’s Defence Policy, the Canadian Government commits to the Canadian Armed Forces contributing to the security of allies and partners today and into the future.

  • The Canadian Armed Forces has deployed hundreds of troops in support to two rotations so far to NATO’s enhanced Forward Presence Battlegroup Latvia under Operation REASSURANCE. The Battlegroup is training with the Latvian Land Force Mechanized Infantry Brigade, with which it works hand-in-hand to deter aggression and, if necessary, help defend the people of Latvia. 

  • Op UNIFIER is the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) mission to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The operation’s focus is to assist with military training to help Ukraine improve and build its military capacity. To date, over 1000 troops have deployed through six rotations to Ukraine under Op UNIFIER.

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Contacts

Media Relations
Department of National Defence
Phone: 613-996-2353
Email: mlo-blm@forces.gc.ca 

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