Change of Command at 8 Wing CFB Trenton

Major-General Christian Drouin, 1 Canadian Air Division Commander (centre), Colonel Mark Goulden, incoming 8 Wing Trenton Commander (centre-left), Colonel Colin Keiver, outgoing 8 Wing Trenton Commander (centre-right) are joined by Chief Warrant Officer Jacques Boucher (right) and Chief Warrant Officer Troy Zuorro (left) during the signing of the Change of Command certificates during a parade at 8 Wing/Canadian Forces Base Trenton this morning. – 8 Wing CFB Trenton photo

Colonel (Col.) Mark Goulden was welcomed as 8 Wing/ Canadian Forces Base Trenton’s newest Commander during a Change of Command ceremony Friday.

Chief Warrant Officer Troy Zuorro presents the Wing Commander’s pennant to 8 Wing/Canadian Forces Base Trenton’s newest commander, Colonel Mark Goulden. 8 Wing CFB Trenton photo

“We are here today to say thank you – and to bid a fond farewell – to your outgoing Wing Commander Col. Keiver. We are also formally welcoming Col. Goulden on board as he begins the next chapter of his career as 8 Wing /CFB Trenton’s newest Commander,” said Major-General Christian Drouin, 1 Canadian Air Division Commander

“It is an honour and privilege to follow in Colin’s footsteps and continue his great work,” said Goulden. “As your new Wing Commander, I look forward to working with all the women and men of 8 Wing to continue our tradition of excellence in operations by supporting our members and their families all while completing the mission safely. My wife Deborah and I along with my boys Max and Sam are eager to reconnect with our family and friends in the Quinte West region.”

Col. Goulden, a graduate of Trenton High School, has spent much of his career at 8 Wing Trenton.

First, in 1994 he was posted to 436 Squadron (Sqn) as a line pilot on the CC-130 Hercules supporting international operations in the former Yugoslavia, Central Africa, Honduras and East Timor. Next he instructed at the Tactical Training Flight at 426 Sqn before returning to 436 Sqn as the Deputy Commanding Officer in 2006 and Commanding Officer from 2012-2014. He commanded the Tactical Airlift Unit for Operation ATHENA in Afghanistan in 2007, and in 2009 trained with the United States Air Force in Arkansas and with the National Guard in California on the Hercules.

Col. Goulden was also part of the crew to deliver the first CC-130 Hercules J-model to 8 Wing in June 2010.

Col. Goulden has held positions at Canada Command, the Directorate of Aerospace Requirements and the Canadian Forces Aerospace Warfare Centre. He is a graduate of Trenton High School, Seneca College, the Royal Military College of Canada and the Canadian Forces College. He arrives from the Strategic Joint Staff at National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa.

Col. Keiver will be moving with his family to Ottawa and taking on the role of Director Defence Program Coordination at National Defence Headquarters.

“When I look back at all the missions, exercises and operations that this Wing has done in the last two years, I have to say I am most proud of the people. I am constantly amazed by the talent here and it will be the people on the base and the community of Quinte West that I will miss the most,” said Keiver.

From delivering supplies to the high Arctic to airlifting troops, equipment and humanitarian loads worldwide, 8 Wing/CFB Trenton is the hub of air mobility operations in Canada. 8 Wing is responsible for Search and Rescue operations over a large area under the jurisdiction of the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre Trenton. CFB Trenton is also home to the famous SkyHawks.