Drouin, left, shakes hands with Governor General David Johnston in this file photo from 2014. RCAF Photo

MGen Christian Drouin assumed command of 1 Canadian Air Division (1 CAD) from MGen David Wheeler on June 21, 2016 at a ceremony at 17 Wing Winnipeg, Man.


LGen Michael Hood, Commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force, presided over the ceremony.

Before this appointment, MGen Drouin was the Deputy J5 Strategy, Policy and Plans at the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and U.S. Northern Command at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado.

MGen Wheeler will lead the Canadian Armed Forces Targeting Implementation Initiative at the National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa.

As Commander of 1 CAD, MGen Drouin also assumes command of the Canadian NORAD Region (CANR) and the Joint Forces Air Component Command for the Canadian Joint Operations Command.

“Responsibility for all RCAF operations is a huge undertaking and 1 Canadian Air Division has thrived under MGen Wheeler’s leadership,” said Hood.

“Notwithstanding a high tempo of operations here at home and abroad, Gen Wheeler kept the RCAF flying in formation with our joint partners and allies. As MGen Drouin takes command, I know that we will continue to project the air power needed to meet RCAF’s challenges worldwide.”

“I thank the airmen and airwomen of 1 Canadian Air Division and the Canadian NORAD Region for their sacrifices and outstanding contributions these past two years,” said Wheeler. “They are the backbone of our success, allowing us to fulfill our duties to our partners and allies and help the RCAF project the reach and air power needed to support our operations around the world. I also want to thank my family for their unrelenting commitment and sacrifice. I’m pleased to hand this command over to MGen Drouin and I leave this post with complete confidence our people are in highly capable hands.”

“Let me say how fortunate and proud I am to return to the home of RCAF operations in Winnipeg,” said Drouin. “1 Canadian Air Division and the 12 RCAF wings under it serve a critical role in providing air power in support of all Canadian Armed Forces operations. I look forward to this amazing opportunity to command such a great institution and the dedicated men and women in its service.”