From Beaver Tales, September 2023
By Major Scott Bailey, Operations Officer RPOU(P)
During the period of 7 – 14 July 2023, Real Property Operations Unit Pacific (RPOU(P)) was involved in the Change of Command handover activities from outgoing Commanding Officer (CO) for RPOU(P), Lieutenant-Colonel (LCol) David Burbridge, to incoming CO LCol Michael Ulloa. The handover included several briefings from key staff, locations tours through the Pacific region facilities and office calls with the Base Commanders for Esquimalt and Comox. The handover activities centered around a change of command and change of appointment ceremony, that occurred on July 12th at the Chief and Petty Officers’ Mess at CFB Esquimalt.
The Change of Command ceremony was presided over by Real Property Operations Group Commander, Colonel (Col) Donald Henley, accompanied by Formation Chief Warrant Officer (CWO) Albert Levesque. It began with several presentations, beginning with Lieutenant Walter Shyman being presented with his Commissioning Scroll moments before being surprised by a promotion to Captain. Next was 1st clasp (bar) for the Canadian Decoration to LCol Burbridge, signifying 22 years of military service.
After providing his emotional farewell speech, LCol Burbridge formally signed over command of RPOU(P) to LCol Ulloa, which was followed by the presentation of the CO’s Pennant, flowers and chocolates to LCol Burbridge and his family.
LCol Ulloa then began his first task as CO, the formal appointment of CWO Dean Scanlan as the new RPOU(P) CWO, through the signing of the Appointment Scroll and the ceremonial passing of the Unit Drill Cane. This was followed by the brief introductory speech by CWO Scanlan to the Unit.
The Ceremony was finalized by speeches by the Reviewing Officer, Col Henley and the new CO, LCol Ulloa before transitioning to a brief reception. Following the reception, Col Henley held a town hall where he provided an update on national initiatives, especially the next stages of the RPOG Modernization Initiatives (including the “Deloitte Study”) as well as answering a few pointed questions from the audience.
The town hall was finished with presentations of RPOG Commander’s coins to Andrew Twamley and Master Corporal Elizabeth Sleen.
CHIMO!
