By LCol David Burbridge and  CWO Bruce Blanchard Canadian Military Engineers (CME) Branch Formation Europe​

The Corps Forestiers Alliés en Aquitaine 1917-1919 (CFAA) has been working for the last five years to raise awareness of the rich history of the allied forestry corps and organize the installation of interpretive plaques at notable locations within the Gironde and Landes Departments of the Aquitaine region of France. These were the sites of Canadian, American, and British forestry operations.

In this issue:

• New Defence Strategy integrates energy and environment
• ADM(IE) Elizabeth Van Allen travels to the North
• What can the Office of Disability Management do for you?
• RP Ops employee mentors girls at skilled trades camp
• ADM(IE) personnel receive Issue Management Award
• France remembers the Canadian Forestry Corps
• Real Property Operations Central staff member receives 2017 Client Service Award
• CWO Levesque receives Warrant Scroll
• Two-hundred UXO retrieved from 87-year-old shipwreck

Changes within the Canadian Forces Real Property Operations Group

On 26 July members of the Canadian Forces Real Property Operations Group (CF RP Ops Gp) welcomed their new leadership. The Change of Command/Change of Appointment ceremony was held at the Royal Canadian Air Force Mess in Ottawa.

By Colonel Mark Gasparotto, MSM, CD (Ret'd)

By Capt JP Cote, Requirements Officer, Det Comox RP Ops (Pacific)

CWO Troy Chiasson led in the presentation of CMEA Bursaries to three recipients connected to the NRC Chapter:

• Daniel Mateus - MCpl C. Mateus-Rodriguez’s son (Ottawa)

• Peter Berghuis – Maj H. Berghuis’ son (Ottawa)

• Brianna Tremblay - Maj (Ret’d) S. Tremblay’s daughter (Ottawa)

A fourth bursay was awarded to Jaimie Hepditch - CWO Hepditch's daughter (Ottawa).

In Wainwright, MWO Kevin Legg, SSM RPOU (West) Det Wainwright presented the CMEA Bursary to Antoine Gendron, son of WO R. Gendron (Ret'd).

  Another year has gone by and our Canadian Military Engineer Community remains very strong. From opening new operations to fighting fires in Canadian communities, we continue to provide outstanding operational support to Canada.

Under the authority of the Chief of Military Personnel, Col Martin Gros-Jean, CD, was appointed the new Branch Advisor for Canadian Military Engineers. On the 02 November 2017, he has assumed his new responsibility during the Change of Appointment ceremony presided over by the Canadian Armed Forces Chief Military Engineer, MGen J.S. Sirois, OMM, CD.

See CME Senior Appointments