8 Wing/CFB Trenton welcomes new Wing Commander

Administrator | Aug 11, 2015 | Comments 0

Brigadier-General Lowthian and wife Nancy escorted from 8 Wing Trenton change-of-command ceremony by Elvis. MPP Todd Smith photo

Members of 8 Wing/CFB Trenton welcomed Colonel (Col) Colin Keiver, as its new Wing Commander during a change of command parade Tuesday.

Brigadier General David Lowthian said farewell to 8 Wing/CFB Trenton Tuesday morning in a ceremony full of pomp and pageantry. Brig.-Gen. Lowthian is shown here making his speech with the 8 Wing headquarters building and the signature water tower in the background. Ross Lees photo

Col Keiver succeeds Brigadier-General (BGen) David Lowthian, who had been in command for the past two years.

“David, you have maintained 8 Wing as a centre of excellence for global operations. Always ready to support the Canada First Defence Strategy, promoting and protecting Canadian values here at home and internationally,” said Major General Dave Wheeler. “I want to personally thank you for your outstanding dedication and loyalty to our Royal Canadian Air Force.

“Colin, welcome back to 8 Wing/CFB Trenton. Your leadership and experience has brought you here to lead Canada’s hub of air transport operations and I am confident you will excel as Wing Commander.”

8 Wing/CFB Trenton is the hub of air mobility operations in Canada. From delivering supplies to the high Arctic to airlifting troops, equipment and humanitarian loads worldwide, 8 Wing/CFB Trenton is at the forefront of Canadian military airlift with its fleets of tactical and strategic transport and Search and Rescue aircraft. Daily flights to the four corners of the globe are routine for this wing which is highly responsive to international events.

“From supporting Operation REASSURANCE in Eastern Europe, Operation SIRONA in Sierra Leone, Operation CALUMET in Egypt, and Operation IMPACT in Kuwait to maintaining a Search and Rescue team, 8 Wing/ CFB Trenton has been nothing less than excellent ” said Brigadier General David Lowthian.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank each and everyone one of you, military and civilian who have provided such support and excellence during my time here. Nancy and I will certainly miss our 8 Wing family.”

As he officially took command of 8 Wing, Col Keiver said he looks forward to his tenure as the Commander of 8 Wing. “[…] I stand here before you today and pledge that you will have my absolute dedication and commitment to you every single day of my command,” he said. “I’d like to thank Brigadier-General Lowthian for setting me up for success.”

A pilot by trade, Col Keiver has served all over Canada and around the world. This is his second posting to 8 Wing/CFB Trenton, previously commanding 436 Transport Squadron from 2010-2012 where he lead the introduction of the CC-130J into Royal Canadian Air Force service while concurrently supporting operations in Afghanistan, Libya and countless other locations at home and abroad.

Upon being awarded his wings in 1994, he began his long relationship with the CC-130 Hercules aircraft. His operational tours include six years at 435 Transport and Rescue Squadron in Winnipeg where he specialized in Air to Air Refuelling. As well he completed a three year exchange tour with the United States Marine Corps beginning in 2001 which saw Col Keiver deploy extensively throughout the Middle East, Africa and Asia.

Brig.-Gen. David Lowthian, foreground, takes the salute from new 8 Wing Commander, Col. Colin Keiver and an Honour Guard in front of the ceremonial gates on the parade square at CFB Trenton. Ross Lees photo