North Bay names its new commander of 22 Wing/CFB North Bay
There’s a new commanding officer for 22 Wing/Canadian Forces Base and the Canadian Air Defence sector in North Bay.
Outgoing wing commander Col. Mark Lachapelle officially relinquished power to his successor in a Friday morning ceremony with a stroke of a pen.
"I’m definitely going to miss it here. Especially all the great people," Lachapelle said.
“This is an amazing community. It’s a family and I’m so happy to have been part of it.”
Lachapelle assumed command in July, 2019 becoming the longest-serving commander at the base.
During his tenure, Lachapelle said he was helped by his team, family, and the community in dealing with the pandemic in the last two years.
"We went through something that has never really been done before and to just have that sense of pride and community that supports the mission is phenomenal," he said.
Lachapelle will travel to Alabama where he’s enrolled in Air War College with his counterparts in the United States Air Force (USAF).
“We will learn about the strategic level of government and the military and understand how those pieces all work together.” Essentially how the government and military work with other agencies when it comes to national security.”
North Bay native Col. Richard Jolette assumes duties with experience as a weapons commander after completing training in 2003. He also served at CFB Bagotville, Quebec.
“It brings me back to my childhood and beginnings in the Canadian armed forces.”
“I love sitting on the scope with young aviators. I see myself in them. The tools that they have now just blows my mind," said Jolette
In 2018, Jolette took over command of the 21 Aerospace Control and Warning Squadron, overseeing North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) operations before being promoted to colonel last year.
The base is looking to modernize operations with a good share of the recently announced $8 billion in federal funding to go towards upgrading technology and equipment within NORAD.
"From what we've heard from the federal minister, it could be significant financially with new capacities and possibilities that are able to come online," said Jolette.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Work stoppage possible as WestJet issues lockout notice to maintenance engineers' union
A lockout notice issued by WestJet to a union representing aircraft maintenance engineers could result in a work stoppage next week.
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
Bodies recovered in Mexico likely 2 Australians, 1 American who went missing: officials
Three bodies recovered in an area of Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutor’s office said Saturday.
BREAKING London Drugs begins 'gradual reopening' on 7th day after cyberattack
Almost a week after all London Drugs stores across Western Canada abruptly closed amid a cyberattack, they began a "gradual reopening" on Saturday.
Quebec police hand out hundreds of tickets to Hells Angels and other bikers before 'first run' meeting
Quebec provincial police handed out hundreds of fines to Hells Angels members and other supporting motorcycle clubs who met for their 'first run' in a small town near Sherbrooke, Que.
Auston Matthews skates ahead of Game 7, status unclear with season on the line
Auston Matthews was back on the ice with his teammates Saturday.
Russia puts Ukrainian President Zelenskyy on its wanted list
Russia has put Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on its wanted list, Russian state media reported Saturday, citing the interior ministry’s database.
Snakes almost on a plane: U.S. TSA discovers a bag with small snakes in passenger's pants
According to an X post by the Transportation Security Administration, officers at the Miami International Airport found the small bag of snakes hidden in a passenger's trousers on April 26 at a checkpoint.