Colonel Oberwarth assumed command of Operation Crocodile

Colonel Oberwarth assumed command of Operation Crocodile

Col. Cayle Oberwarth assumed command of Task Force Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), part of Operation CROCODILE,  in an official change of command ceremony on July 7.

Operation CROCODILE is Canada’s military contribution to the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission (MONUSCO) in the DRC.

“I am honored by the opportunity to command Canada’s military contribution to the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. My highly trained and motivated colleagues and I are ready to face the challenges and opportunities of this mission. In the footsteps of our predecessors, we look forward to maintaining our commitment to the United Nations and to working with our allies to maintain a safe and secure environment in this region of Africa,” said Oberwarth, the incoming commander of Task Force DRC, Operation CROCODILE.

As commander of the task force, Oberwarth will command nine Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) personnel with expertise in operations, liaison, and planning. They are based out of MONUSCO Headquarters in Kinshasa and the forward headquarters in Goma.

The objective of MONUSCO is to protect civilians from threats of violence, while working with local and international authorities to strengthen the Congolese government’s capacity to deliver justice and security for its people.

As of May 31, 2017, MONUSCO incorporated 16,436 soldiers in formed units, 481 UN Military Observers, 2,329 police officers, 791 UN civilian employees, 2,525 locally engaged staff, and 389 UN volunteers.

Canada has been involved with ensuring security and stability in the Congo since 2000.

“I am extremely proud to have led this team of professional and dedicated Canadian Armed Forces members over the past year. I leave this mission with a great sense of accomplishment, and I salute the achievements of the deployed personnel on Op CROCODILE in support of peace and security in the region,” said Col. Pierre Huet, outgoing commander of Task Force DRC, Operation CROCODILE.