Message from Colonel Guillette
My family and I are very happy to be back in the Province of Quebec and in particular in the Saguenay Region where people have welcomed us so warmly.
I am very proud to have taken command of 2 Wing Bagotville on July 26. This position allows me to serve our country and the Royal Canadian Air Force ( RCAF) for the first time in this province after more than 28 years in the Canadian Armed Forces.
Over the past two years, 2 Wing has achieved a high level of operability through the efforts and leadership of Colonel Boucher. Because of my previous employment at the Combined Air Operations Center in Winnipeg, I have had the opportunity to see the high level of performance of 2 Wing. My intention is to keep 2 Wing on track and to continue to support air expeditionary operations in Canada and around the world, guided by the principles of mission adaptability, integration of teams of specialists and speedy response.
In the immediate future, I want to maintain support for Operation LENTUS, where 2 Wing provides key expertise to the Air Task Force in British- Columbia in order to counter the forest fires ravaging the region; 2 Wing members will remain in place as long as they are needed.
2 Wing's collective training is about to begin. This annual work- up training, which culminates with Exercise Phoenix Warrior, will also be maintained. During this period, the new staff will be brought to the same high level of preparation as the others and our equipment will be verified, making sure all are ready to support future expeditionary and domestic operations.
My long- term vision during my command is based on three main pillars, which I call enduring priorities:
the well- being of my staff and their families;
teamwork;
and domestic and international operations.
As the number one priority, 2 Wing will take care of its members and their families. I want to maintain a healthy and respectful work environment for all by promoting good physical and mental health. We will need to ensure that our families are always supported, both in garrison and during a deployment.
2 Wing is an integral part of Bagotville. Its staff works closely with 3 Wing personnel, with military and civilian employees at Canadian Forces Base Bagotville, and with our partners in the communities of the Saguenay and Lac- St- Jean regions. I want to strengthen the teamwork approach among all of these important players in order to meet the objectives of the RCAF.
Without these first two pillars, it would be impossible to support the third pillar, operations. 2 Wing will be at the forefront and always ready to support expeditionary operations, both domestically and abroad, in a tailored, integrated and rapid manner. To achieve this, I want to highlight three operational priorities that will enable us to support domestic and expeditionary operations:
Security and Force protection. Prioritizing Force protection ensures that all deployed members operate in a safe and secure environment.
The mission. When preparing for expeditionary deployments, we must focus on the mission and develop a "warrior spirit".
Communications. It is essential to communicate our intentions effectively and unequivocally, not only within 2 Wing but also with all internal and external organizations with which we cooperate.
2 Wing has some work to do, but I have no doubt that it will continue to respond to the call and serve the RCAF and our country, supported by my three priorities: promoting the well - being of members and their families, teamwork and operations. I firmly believe that my command vision will set the way forward in a manner that will benefit everyone. Supported by my team, I am looking forward to work- ing with each of your organizations.
My family and I look for- ward to meeting you. It is an honor for us to be here with you. Hope to meet you soon!