There’s a new commander of 51 Aerospace Control and Warning (Operational Training) Squadron (51 AC&W (OT) Sqn) at 22 Wing/CFB North Bay.
Major Andrew Baier takes over from Lieutenant-Colonel Andrew Lunn.
Colonel Mark Lachapelle, 22 Wing and Canadian Air Defence Sector Commander, presided over the ceremony.
“I am very happy to be returning to North Bay and am grateful for the opportunity to take command of 51 AC&W (OT) Squadron,” says Major Baier. “This squadron holds a fundamental role in the RCAF and NORAD, using the highly skilled officers and Non-Commissioned Members to train the future control and surveillance experts of the RCAF. I wish Lt.-Col. Lunn good luck as the Commanding Officer of the Canadian Detachment, 552nd Air Control Wing, Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma.”
Members of the squadron, 22 Wing and local dignitaries witnessed the event via virtual technology due to restrictions in place because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Lt.-Col. Lunn’s commitment to excellence, innovative approaches during a global pandemic, and passion for leading change have effectively prepared 22 Wing members to successfully execute the NORAD mission. Under his leadership, newly trained Aerospace Control Officers and Aerospace Control Operators will be better prepared to meet increasingly complex and diverse threats. He should be proud of his command and know that he has truly made a difference especially throughout the pandemic,” says Col. Lachapelle.
“It has been a great privilege to command 51 AC&W (OT) Squadron. The Jaegers met the challenges of providing a robust, no-fail training program during the COVID-19 pandemic head on. They are some of the most dedicated and hard-working operators, instructors, and aviators I have had the honour of working with – the future of the RCAF is in good hands. I wish Maj. Baier all the best adapting to the complex, ever-changing training environment in the RCAF and NORAD,” says Lt-Col Lunn.
