Laroche departs, Kenny takes over

Col. Eric Kenny has four major priorities as he assumes command of 4 Wing.
Kenny officially became the head of the base, taking over from outgoing commander Col. Patrice Laroche, in an April 15 change of command ceremony at J. J. Parr.



“It’s a big honour” to command 4 Wing, said Kenny, the son of a military man, who is no stranger to the area. He was born in the hospital that was on the base, and has been posted here several times in his military career.
“I feel like (my family and I) have journeyed home,” Kenny said in his remarks during the ceremony.
He said his top four priorities include the quality of life for 4 Wing members and their families; focusing on NORAD (North American Aerospace Defence Command) on the operations side; having a “trained, effective force,” focusing on pilots and technicians; and integrating Air Force capability with other Armed Forces organizations, such as the Royal Canadian Navy.
In his remarks, Laroche, who is headed to Ottawa, thanked the members of 4 Wing for “your professionalism and dedication,” and said to Kenny, “You are taking over an incredible command. Take care of your folks and they will take care of you.”
Chief Warrant Officer Bob Viel called Laroche “one of the most intelligent men I’ve met in my life” and Kenny “one of the top officers we have in the RCAF (Royal Canadian Air Force).”
Maj.-Gen. Pierre St.-Amand, who facilitated the ceremony, noted appointments to such postings “are not about us. They are about service above all.”
Kenny thanked Laroche for his dedicated service to the base.
“I promise the same passion as I take over,” he noted.
Westlock-St. Paul MP Brian Storseth said he and Kenny are both aware of the issue of affordable housing. While the resolution is coming “slower than I would like,” progress is being made, noted Storseth, adding he is working with the Treasury Board and the Department of Defence on the issue.
Storseth said the recent decision to tax the part of soldiers’ rent that has been frozen, is “unacceptable. I wrote a letter to the Minister (of Defence about it) and it’s absolutely against the spirit of what we’re trying to do with the government.”
Storseth said he hopes to meet with Kenny soon to talk over the issues.