Vincent and Cirillo Honoured By Comrades

Canadian Armed Forces members deployed on Operation IMPACT are commemorating Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent and Corporal Nathan Cirillo by naming two of their locations after the members.

One of the locations of Air Task Force Iraq has been named Camp Vincent, in honour of Royal Canadian Air Force Warrant Officer Vincent. Likewise, the operations base of Canadian Special Operations Forces Command in Iraq is now called Patrol Base Cirillo, in honour of Corporal Cirillo, a Canadian Army Reserve soldier with The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada.

“The naming of Patrol Base Cirillo and Camp Vincent will allow personnel deployed to those areas, as well as allies who visit the installations, to mark the passing of two proud Canadians, and all those who died in the service of their country on home soil,” said Lieutenant General Jonathan Vance, Commander, Canadian Joint Operations Command.

The dedication of Camp Vincent and Patrol Base Cirillo by members deployed on Operation IMPACT is an initiative generated by the deployed CAF personnel intended to pay tribute to both Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent and Corporal Nathan Cirillo, as well as others who died in service on home soil.

“The tragic deaths of Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent and Corporal Nathan Cirillo have saddened all those who wear the uniform,” said Vance.

The naming of Camp Vincent and Patrol Base Cirillo coincides with Remembrance Day, which is commemorated annually to remember Canadians who served in the military in past conflicts and especially those who paid the supreme sacrifice.

“Camp Vincent honours a member who exemplified helping others as a member of the Joint Personnel Support Unit. PB Cirillo honours a soldier who was standing guard protecting those who could no longer protect themselves and he sought no recognition for this service. The officers and troopers of CANSOFCOM felt an inherent link to our own identity in that sense. The naming of our PB and the air operations base honours the sacrifice of these two members and Canada’s commitment to confront threats to our nation,” said Brigadier-General Michael Rouleau, Commander of Canadian Special Operations Forces Command.

RCAF Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent, a member of the Joint Personnel Support Unit, Integrated Personnel Support Centre St-Jean, died as a result of injuries sustained in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec, on October 20, 2014.

Corporal Nathan Cirillo was a member of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada Princess Louise’s based in Hamilton, Ontario. He died as a result of injuries sustained while on duty at the National War Memorial on October 22, 2014.

Operation IMPACT is the Canadian Armed Forces’ contribution to the Middle East Stabilization Force, the international coalition assisting security forces in the Republic of Iraq who are fighting against the ISIL.