PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. –The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) held a Change of Office ceremony for the Deputy Commander today at Peterson Air Force Base from 9:30-10:30 a.m.
Canadian Lt. Gen. Marcel Duval assumed the position of Deputy Commander, NORAD, from Canadian Lt. Gen. Charlie Bouchard. The presiding officer was Gen. Gene Renuart, Commander, NORAD and USNORTHCOM.
Although Lt. Gen. Bouchard remarked that NORAD is stronger today and continues to grow, his focus during the ceremony was on its people and the city that hosts NORAD headquarters.
“I’ve had the chance to say thank you to the Chamber of Commerce. I’ve had a chance to say thank you to the city (of Colorado Springs). I’ve had a chance to say goodbye and thank you to my fellow warriors in our headquarters as well,” he said. But he took this opportunity to thank the families of the U.S. and Canada who are supporting the servicemen and women of both countries in doing their job.
"It is a great honor to succeed Lieutenant General Bouchard as Deputy Commander of NORAD," said Duval. "NORAD is a tremendous example of Canadian-American cooperation, and I look forward to working with all the men and women who serve with NORAD in both nations."
Chief of the Defence Staff for the Canadian Forces, Gen. Walter Natynczyk, and the Chief of the Air Staff for the Canadian Air Force, Lt. Gen. Angus Watt also attended the ceremony.
NORAD is a bi-national United States and Canada organization charged with the missions of aerospace warning and aerospace control for North America.