There’s been a change of command at Joint Task Force North.
During a formal ceremony at the squadron hangar last Thursday, Brig.-Gen . Mike Nixon officially assumed command of JTFN from Maj.-Gen. Greg Loos.
Loos assumed the position back in 2013. His next post will be in Ottawa, where he will serve as chief of staff for the assistant deputy minister of information management with the Department of National Defence.
Nixon comes to Yellowknife from Gagetown, N.B, where he was the commanding officer of the combat training centre there. He’s also served in Somalia, Bosnia and Croatia.
“I’m looking forward to the move North,” Nixon told Moose FM. “I’ve served in many places in Canada and throughout the world but never North of 60.
“Being able to be in command of a joint organization anywhere is phenomenal and made all the more special by being in the greatest part of Canada.
“From my previous experiences in command, I’ve always tried to foster a family environment. The military is a family starting at the regimental level and moving all the way up.
“Fostering that environment here in Yellowknife even more than before is something I’ll be able to bring to this team. There’s a phenomenal group of people here so it’s going to be an easy transition.”
Soldiers, sailors, airmen, RCMP and members of the public attended the formal ceremony, which also saw Chief Warrant Officer Ronald Beyerbach take over for Chief Warrant Officer Gerald Blais.
