Col Colin Marks took command of 3 Wing

On January 26, Colonel Colin Marks officially took over the helm of 3 Wing and Canadian Forces Base Bagotville, succeeding LCol Maxime Renaud, who had been acting there for a few months. Col Marks thus became the 32nd commander of the base since its creation in 1942.

Colonel Normand Gagné, who has held the position for the past three and a half years, attended the ceremony as a civilian since he had already started his retirement last December. The change of command ceremony was presided over by the Commander of 1 Canadian Air Division, Major-General Iain Huddleston.

“Col Marks takes command at a critical time as we prepare the ground for the arrithat val of the F-35 Lightning II. He has trained and prepared for this role throughout his career and is eminently qualified. I take this opportunity to warmly thank the contribution of Colonel Gagné. His commitment and professionalism have been key elements both for the favorable positioning of 3 Wing and CFB Bagotville and for its personnel. We wish him the best of luck for a successful retirement. said MGen Huddleston.

For Colonel Marks, who began his career as a fighter pilot with 425 ETAC in 2005, it is a return to Bagotville after numerous assignments in Canada and abroad. “It is an honor and a great privilege to return to Bagotville as a commander, because it is here that my career as a fighter pilot began. I accept this challenge with humility and I am convinced with the talent, professionalism and support of the personnel of 3 Wing and CFB Bagotville, we will be able to successfully support the missions entrusted to us. “, he specified.

439 Squadron Hangar 3 was packed. No less than three hundred people attended this highly anticipated change of command.

The Bagotville base will experience significant structural growth in the coming years thanks to the imminent arrival of the F-35 Lightning II and the investments associated with this major project. These investments are estimated at 19 billion dollars to acquire 88 fighter planes and build reception facilities. This makes it the largest investment in the Royal Canadian Air Force in the past thirty years.