Ottawa, Ontario – The Chief of the Defence Staff, General Walt Natynczyk, announced that the Canadian Forces will stand up 1 Canadian Division at Kingston, Ontario, later this summer.
The role of 1 Canadian Division will be to provide the Canadian Forces (CF) with a rapidly deployable joint command and control capacity in order to allow for a comprehensive approach to operations. 1 Canadian Division will be part of Land Force Command and be located at Canadian Forces Base Kingston using existing infrastructure and base support. It is expected to reach full operational capability by 2012.
“The stand up of 1 Canadian Division builds on the result of lessons learned throughout the mission in Afghanistan and during other national and international missions,” said General Natynczyk. “It represents the CF’s commitment to continuously adapt our culture, doctrine, training, and structures to the world's new realities, and ensure that Canada has a first-class, modern military.”
“The headquarters will allow the CF leadership to meet the operational needs of the current and future operating environments,” said Lieutenant-General Andrew Leslie, Chief of the Land Staff. “It will enhance our ability to readily deploy and command multinational forces anywhere in the world.”
Major-General David Fraser, former Commandant of the Canadian Forces College in Toronto and the first Canadian commander of the Multi-National Brigade (Regional Command (South)) in Afghanistan, has been designated as the Commander of 1 Canadian Division.
"1 Canadian Division will strengthen the Canadian Forces’ leadership role in future international missions," said Major-General Fraser. "It is with great pride that I accept this command appointment."
1 Canadian Division has a tremendous historical link with Canada’s military past, dating back to the First World War when it arrived on the battlefields of France in February 1915. In September 1939, it was once again mobilized for service in the Second World War. 1 Canadian Division was established two more times, once following the Korean War in 1954 and again near the end of the Cold War in November 1989. The distinctive red square shoulder patch of the 1st Canadian Division, which has been worn by its members since the organization’s inception, will continue to be used as a symbol of recognition today.
Photos by Brad Lowe, CFB Kingston
