New Commander for 31 Canadian Brigade Group

LONDON, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Aug. 22, 2014) - Canadian Armed Forces

Command of 31 Canadian Brigade Group (31 CBG) passed from Colonel Brock Millman to Colonel Kevin Bertoia In a ceremony conducted today during Exercise STALWART GUARDIAN 2014. The change of command ceremony took place at No. 2 Fire Hall in Thorold, Ont., in the presence of Brigade soldiers and dignitaries.

Following two years commanding the Brigade, which consists of thirteen Reserve Army units in garrisons from Hamilton to Windsor and north to Owen Sound, Colonel Millman will assume new responsibilities as the Assistant Chief of Staff (Support) at 4^th Canadian Division Headquarters in Toronto.

Colonel Kevin Bertoia, who has most recently been the Deputy Commander of 31 CBG, began his career in 1993 as an armoured officer with the Elgin Regiment (RCAC) of St. Thomas, Ont. He retrained as a combat engineer officer when his regiment was re-roled to become 31 Combat Engineer Regiment (The Elgin's).

Concurrent with the change of commanders, the Brigade's most senior non-commissioned appointment also changed hands. Chief Warrant Officer Sean Wilkins assumed the position of Brigade Sergeant Major from Chief Warrant Officer Dave Ellyat. CWO Wilkins' new appointment follows a long career with the Essex and Kent Scottish of Windsor, Ont.

Quick Facts

• 31 Canadian Brigade Group (The Army in Southwestern Ontario) is one of three Reserve Force brigades in 4^th Canadian Division (The Army in the majority of Ontario).

• 31 Canadian Brigade Group Headquarters is located in Wolseley Barracks, London, Ont.

• London, Ont., home of the headquarters of 31 Canadian Brigade Group, has been the site of a military headquarters commanding southwestern Ontario Reserve Force units since the establishment of the first Military Districts in 1855.

• Exercise STALWART GUARDIAN: Approximately 2,000 soldiers from Regular and Reserve units of 4th Canadian Division are participating in Exercise STALWART GUARDIAN 2014 in the Niagara Peninsula. The dates of the exercise are August 16-24, 2014, although personnel will be in location from August 13-27, 2014. Exercise STALWART GUARDIAN 2014 provides a credible and demanding scenario for 4th Canadian Division personnel and tests the leadership's command and control skills in a dynamic battle space.

Quotes

"I cannot easily express the pride I have in the soldiers of 31 Canadian Brigade Group that I have been privileged to command, although I depart the brigade with sadness in my heart, I know that I am passing the brigade to a very capable successor in Colonel Bertoia."

"It is with great pride that I find myself appointed to command 31 Canadian Brigade Group. I am humbled by the responsibilities and trust inherent in this command appointment and look forward to commanding the excellent soldiers, non-commissioned officers, and officers who make up each and every unit in the Brigade."

"I would like to congratulate Colonel Brock Millman for his outstanding performance over two years in command of 31 Canadian Brigade Group. To Colonel Bertoia I also offer my congratulations on taking command of 31 CBG, I have no doubt he will count this as one of the best jobs of his army career."

Associated Links

http://www.army-armee.forces.gc.ca/en/31-cbg/index.page

http://www.army-armee.forces.gc.ca/en/central/index.page