By Maureen Geraets-Head
GEILENKIRCHEN, Germany - With Canada’s withdrawal from the E-3A Component and the departure of Col. John “Jack” Backstrom on June 12, 2013, the 32-year long tradition of Canadian leadership of the Operations Wing has come to an end. This was a significant day in the history of the Component.
A one-hour, dual change of command ceremony for the Operations Wing and the Training Wing took place in Hangar 2. With an E-3A and a Boeing 757 cargo aircraft parked in the vicinity of the open hangar doors, Col. John Backstrom, Canadian Air Force, relinquished command of the Operations Wing to Col. Marco D’Asta, Italian Air Force.
Just before this, Colonel D’Asta relinquished command of the Training Wing to Lt. Colonel Knud Holmsgaard, Danish Air Force.
Maj. Gen. Andrew Mueller, E-3A Component Commander, addressed the international military and civilian audience. He looked back at what the Component was able to accomplish under the leadership of Canadian aviators.
The general summarized the past 32 years, “It was under Canadian leadership that the Operations Wing transformed the operation of the E-3A aircraft from largely an airborne early warning and surveillance platform to a modern-day airborne C2 force equipped and ready to provide command and control to the NATO commanders of the 21st century.”
He continued, “It was under Canadian leadership that the E-3A Component deployed to Forward Operating Base Konya to defend the southern flank of NATO during Allied operations. And under Canadian leadership the Operations Wing sustained 24 hour, seven-days-a-week operations for many years supporting NATO operations in Bosnia and Kosovo.”
“And it was under leadership of the Canadian commander who stands here today that we led the Component into Afghanistan to support operations of the International Security and Assistance Force, and also Operation Unified Protector delivering airborne Command and Control capability to NATO operations in Libya,” the General concluded.
General Mueller also thanked the colonel for everything he has done for the E-3A Component and across the Canadian Contingent. Colonel Backstrom and his wife, Sharon, will be heading back to Canada, where he will retire from the Canadian Air Force later this year.
“While the Canadian leadership will certainly be missed within the Component, the 32 years of operational success will forever stand in the history of the Component’s accomplishments,” General Mueller added.
| Date Taken: |
06.12.2013 |
| Date Posted: |
06.19.2013 08:14 |
| Story ID: |
108872 |
| Location: |
NATO AIR BASE GEILENKIRCHEN, NORDRHEIN-WESTFALEN, DE |
| Web Views: |
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