Next Afghan commander enjoyed time at CFB Gagetown
Published Tuesday August 5th, 2008 By MICHAEL STAPLES canadaeast news service
Brig.-Gen. Jon Vance takes over command in Afghanistan next year
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CFB GAGETOWN - The man set to take over Joint Task Force Afghanistan early next year says time spent at Canadian Forces Base Gagetown was pivotal in helping get the assignment.
Brig.-Gen. Jon Vance, who commanded The Second Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment (2RCR) from 2001 to 2003, said being in charge of an infantry group was a pinnacle point in his career.
"I was fortunate, blessed, in fact, to have the privilege to command 2RCR," Vance said in a telephone interview from Edmonton. "Not only was it my beloved battalion but it was in New Brunswick. I have a lot of sentimental connections to 2RCR and, therefore, to Gagetown."
Vance, who began his new duties as commander-designate Aug. 1, will takeover Joint Task Force Afghanistan in February 2009 from Brig.-Gen. Denis Thompson.
The new commander said he watched 2RCR fulfill its duties in Afghanistan during their 2007 mission and visited them while they were doing it. The commander of 2RCR at that time, Rob Walker, served as Vance's second in command during his time with the battalion.
"When I was over there, I got that extra special insight into the mission and what's going on because they were my soldiers and I could talk to them," said Vance, who recently turned over command of the Edmonton-based 1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group (1 CMBG) to Col. Andre Corbould. "It helped me understand the mission that much better. I am very proud of the fact that I have that connection with 2RCR and with New Brunswick."
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Published Tuesday August 5th, 2008 By MICHAEL STAPLES canadaeast news service
Brig.-Gen. Jon Vance takes over command in Afghanistan next year
Article Link
CFB GAGETOWN - The man set to take over Joint Task Force Afghanistan early next year says time spent at Canadian Forces Base Gagetown was pivotal in helping get the assignment.
Brig.-Gen. Jon Vance, who commanded The Second Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment (2RCR) from 2001 to 2003, said being in charge of an infantry group was a pinnacle point in his career.
"I was fortunate, blessed, in fact, to have the privilege to command 2RCR," Vance said in a telephone interview from Edmonton. "Not only was it my beloved battalion but it was in New Brunswick. I have a lot of sentimental connections to 2RCR and, therefore, to Gagetown."
Vance, who began his new duties as commander-designate Aug. 1, will takeover Joint Task Force Afghanistan in February 2009 from Brig.-Gen. Denis Thompson.
The new commander said he watched 2RCR fulfill its duties in Afghanistan during their 2007 mission and visited them while they were doing it. The commander of 2RCR at that time, Rob Walker, served as Vance's second in command during his time with the battalion.
"When I was over there, I got that extra special insight into the mission and what's going on because they were my soldiers and I could talk to them," said Vance, who recently turned over command of the Edmonton-based 1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group (1 CMBG) to Col. Andre Corbould. "It helped me understand the mission that much better. I am very proud of the fact that I have that connection with 2RCR and with New Brunswick."
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