Photo By Sgt. Avery Cunningham | U.S. Army 11th Airborne Division Soldiers fold the U.S. flag during retreat at Joint...... read more read more
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The 11th Airborne Division welcomed a new deputy commanding general of operations, Canadian Brig. Gen. Robert McBride, while also saying farewell to their outgoing DCG-O, Canadian Brig. Gen. Louis Lapointe, during a ceremony at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, July 19, 2023.
“We’re so glad you’re here,” said U.S. Maj. Gen. Brian S. Eifler, commanding general of the 11th Airborne Division. “The experienced leadership you’ll add to the newest Army division is going to be awesome. Welcome to the team.”
The deputy commanding general of operations serves an important role as second-in-command, focusing on maneuver and training throughout a division.
“It being an Arctic division, one of the things that I’ll have to focus on is the cold weather training and readiness that we have to do for the division,” said McBride, who arrived to Alaska from Edmonton, Alberta where he commanded the 3rd Canadian Division Support Group. “I’ll be able to learn a lot, and help this division solve and manage complex problems to be the premier Arctic fighting force in the world.”
McBride’s service as the former chief of staff and officer commanding operations squadron with Joint Task Force 2, Canada’s Tier 1 special operations unit, brings a wealth of experience to the division.
“We spend a significant amount of time on operating, surviving, and thriving in extreme cold weather conditions,” he said. “As the U.S. is developing their Arctic capabilities with the 11th Airborne Division, it’s important for a Canadian officer to be here to continue to strengthen that bond.”
The partnership between the U.S. and Canada goes back to World War I, when 40,000 Americans fought alongside the Canadian Expeditionary Force, and the tradition is being kept alive with the 11th Airborne Division, who have had a Canadian DCG-O since 2014.
Lapointe, who served in the DCG-O position from 2020 to 2023 is headed to serve as the commanding general of the 1st Canadian Division in Kingston, Ontario.
“I am humbled and honored to have had the opportunity to serve alongside some of the finest men and women this nation has to offer,” said Lapointe. “I carry the spirit of the 11th Airborne division with me.”
| Date Taken: | 07.19.2023 |
| Date Posted: | 07.24.2023 23:03 |
| Story ID: | 449791 |
| Location: | JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, AK, US |
| Web Views: | 206 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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