2 Canadian Air Division Welcomes Newest Headquarters Commanding Officer

Major Connie Morin relinquished command of 2 Canadian Air Division (2 CAD) Headquarters (HQ) to Maj Jeff Mitchell at a ceremony held Tuesday, 24 May 2022 at the 17 Wing Officer’s Mess.

Members of 2 Canadian Air Division formally transfer command from outgoing 2 CAD Headquarters Commander, Major Connie Morin to Incoming 2 CAD HQ Commander Major Jeffery Mitchell during the Change of Command ceremony at 17 Wing Winnipeg on May 24, 2022. Left to right: Chief Warrant Officer Shillingford (back), Major Morin, Brigadier-General O’Reilly, Maj Jefferey Mitchell, CWO Christopher Culligan (back). Photo: Corporal Bryce Cooper, Canadian Armed Forces

After successfully leading 2 CAD HQ through the numerous demands of a pandemic in addition to her daily responsibilities, Maj Morin is retiring from the Canadian Armed Forces and embarking on a new adventure with Canada’s Public Service. However, she is leaving with fond memories of her time as 2 CAD Headquarters Commanding Officer (HQCO). “I’ve never been part of a unit that has felt more like a family,” she said. “From the moment I walked into the doors of building 86, you’ve always been so welcoming, supportive, and enjoyable to work with.”

In her remarks, Maj Morin expressed tremendous gratitude to her team for their guidance and mentorship, specifically recognizing her Command Team partners CWO (now Capt) Fred Williams, current HQ CWO Chris Culligan, and Maj (now LCol) Warren Hruska who acted in the 2 CAD HQCO role during a period of parental leave. “I always like to think of the unit as a small but mighty machine: continually pushing out work to support the [2 CAD] Command Team and their mission,” she said.

Maj Mitchell, an unwavering Edmonton Oilers fan, joins 2 CAD from a tour as J1 Personnel Management at the Canadian Joint Operations Command (CJOC) in Ottawa and numerous previous administration officer roles at 8 Wing Trenton including at 8 Wing HQ, the Canadian Forces Postal Unit HQ (as Adjutant), and at 436 Squadron. He deployed in 2017 to Adazi, Latvia as the Contracts Officer for the Op REASSIRANCE theatre opening.

Maj Mitchell is looking forward to his new role as 2 CAD HQCO. “It only took me a week to realize that the dynamic around the HQ is one of singleness of purpose: to train the RCAF’s personnel to the best of our abilities,” he said, adding, “and in my capacity my job will be to support all of you to the best of my ability.”

The HQCO is directly responsible to the 2 CAD Chief of Staff to exercise command authority over the structures, resources, personnel and activities of the unit which includes the administration of all military and civilian personnel employed at 2 CAD HQ.

Brigadier General Denis O’Reilly, Commander 2 CAD and Presiding Officer for the Change of Command Ceremony, referred to HQCO as an unsung hero, enabling members to carry out their functions under challenging (sometimes unprecedented) circumstances, and playing a critical role in leading members of 2 CAD through important culture change and upholding unit morale. “Our people are at the core of everything we do,” he said, “if they’re not happy, they’re not going to get the work done.”