The old adage of there are never enough engineers applies as much to combat engineers as it does infrastructure support. Since ADM (IE) stood up in 2016, Canadian Forces Real Property Operations Group (CF RP Ops Gp) has balanced their mandate to support domestic infrastructure while managing tasking’s of CF RP Ops Gp military personnel to support Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) operations. Employed within CF RP Ops GP are many of the critical Engineer trades that are in demand to support Canadian operations.

The Vice Chief of the Defence Staff Group has a new Acting Vice Chief of Defence (A/VCDS), Lieutenant General Paul Wynnyk, coming in from Commander of the Canadian Army. He assumed command from Lieutenant General Alain Parent at a Change of Appointment Ceremony on May 28th, 2018, at NDHQ Pearkes. This important event was attended by several dignitaries, including General Jonathan Vance and Deputy Minister of National Defence (DM) Jody Thomas.

This morning, Chief Warrant Officer Alain Guimond officially handed over the position of Canadian Army Sergeant Major that he had held for the past three years to Chief Warrant Officer Stuart Hartnell of the Royal Canadian Regiment. The ceremony took place in the Officers' Mess in Ottawa, Ontario on June 7, 2018.

Photos By: Ordinary Seaman Camden Scott

Earlier today (7 June 2018) in Europe, LGen Whitecross had the honour of promoting Col Darlene Quinn to the rank of Brigadier-General. This well-deserved promotion is a reflection of her tremendous service to the CAF and RCAF. BGen Quinn will be appointed Commander Canadian Forces Europe and posted to Belgium.

We’re excited to be launching a brand-new, upgraded version of our Career Centre in the coming weeks!

Two changes to the CMEA Bursary program were recently approved by the CMEA Board of Directors and Advisors. First, in recognition of increases in the cost of post-secondary education, the value of each of the current six individual bursaries was increased from $1,000 to $1,500.

By Maj Frank Bird CO 1^st Canadian Division HQ and Staff Officer to Director RCE.

April 2018 marks the official handover of the Directorship of the Royal Canadian Engineers (RCE) from BGen Derek Basinger to Col Kyle Solomon.
BGen Basinger held the title from March 2015 and was recognised during the Director RCE Spring Conference by the Col Cmdt CME BGen (R) Steve Irwin for his unwavering dedication to the preservation, maintenance and progression of the RCE during his three-year tenure.

By Ken Holmes, CMEA History and Heritage

By Ryan Melanson – Trident

In March, a group of Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) engineers repaired the HMCS Bonaventure Anchor Memorial which has sat at Point Pleasant Park in Halifax, N.S., since 1973. The memorial is made from the anchor and chain from Canada’s last aircraft carrier, serving as a monument to sailors who lost their lives during peacetime. Over the last decade, it became clear the memorial needed repairs.

The 48^th Annual CME Curling Pigspiel was held on 13-14 April 2018 at the Kingston Garrison Golf and Curling Club. This event, open to all Engineers serving, former, family and friends, saw 18 teams piped onto the ice from Kingston, Petawawa, Ottawa and places in between, battle for the coveted Pigspiel trophy. The two full days of curling were filled with great comradery, a few slips and falls and very good curling. In the end, Kingston’s Dave Barr team won a down to the wire 8-ender edging out the Rockin' Rollers team 11-9.