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Jonathan Vance appointed Canada's new chief of defense staff

Xinhua, April 28, 2015 Adjust font size:

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper named Monday Lieutenant-General Jonathan Vance as new chief of the defense staff.

In a statement, Harper said Vance's years working with key allied forces and partners, his combat experience, his strategic leadership, and his experience in counter-insurgency and counter- terrorism warfare will help position the Canadian Armed Forces for continued success.

Vance, currently commander of Canadian Joint Operations Command, will replace General Tom Lawson, who will retire after having served in the position since October 2012.

Vance has had a distinguished career in the Canadian Armed Forces with significant experience. He has previously served as Deputy Commander, Allied Joint Force Command Naples in Italy. He also served as Director of Staff, Strategic Joint Staff, National Defense Headquarters as well as Chief of Staff Land Strategy for the Canadian Army.

He also twice led the Canadian task force in Kandahar, Afghanistan -- in 2009 and again in 2010.

Vance assumed his position as Commander of the Canadian Joint Operations Command in September 2014. As part of his duties, he has overseen both the air and ground deployments against the so- called Islamic State (IS) as well as Canada's contribution to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Endite