Acting Chief of the Defence Staff promoted to General

On August 13, the Acting Chief of the Defence Staff (ACDS), Wayne Eyre, was promoted from Lieutenant-General to General.

The ceremony was presided over by Mary Simon, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada.

“His work has been absolutely critical in helping Canadians from coast to coast, while pushing forward with the important work of transforming the Canadian Armed Forces. I am truly grateful for his work.” Minister of National Defence

Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of National Defence, congratulated Eyre for his continued dedicated service to Canada and the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). According to Minister Sajjan, Eyre has ensured stable leadership and progress for the organization this year.

Work Critical Helping Canadians

“His work has been absolutely critical in helping Canadians from coast to coast, while pushing forward with the important work of transforming the Canadian Armed Forces. I am truly grateful for his work,” he added.

In response to his promotion, Eyre released a letter addressed to all members of the CAF.

“It is a great privilege to wear this rank, it does not change my approach to you, to the work we must do, or to being your Acting Chief of the Defence Staff. My message is one of stability – we will continue to defend this great country, and protect our population, while rebuilding the CAF after a very tumultuous period,” he wrote.

Acknowledged Institutional Instability

Eyre acknowledged the institutional instability the CAF has seen over the last year. Specifically, he mentioned how the increased operational requirements on domestic and international fronts and a challenging COVID-19 environment have made people’s lives unpredictable in all aspects.

In his letter, Eyre continued to state that the CAF’s support is needed, and despite the challenges and the unpredictability, the responsibility to serve Canada as a nation is constant.

“While we face complex challenges internal to the CAF, our support is still needed – and vital,” he added.

CAF Reconstitution Plan

To complete tasks in an unpredictable environment, earlier this summer, Eyre noted the CAF Reconstitution Plan was issued.

CAF Reconstitution Plan Focus:

• prioritizing effort and resources on people,
• rebuilding strength while making necessary changes to CAF culture on readiness and on modernization to develop the capabilities and
• adapt the structure necessary to respond to evolving character of conflict and operations.

“This plan will form the foundation of our activities over the next several years and is absolutely necessary to ensure we are fit to succeed in our increasingly dangerous world,” Eyre informed.

About General Eyre

General Wayne Eyre grew up near Wadena, Saskatchewan, and spent his high school years in Medicine Hat, Alberta. When he was 12, he joined Army Cadets and later attended Royal Roads Military College and Royal Military College.

Upon commissioning in 1988, he joined 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI), and has spent a lot of time in deputy command or command positions, including commanding 3rd Battalion PPCLI, 2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group, 3rd Canadian Division, and Joint Task Force West, followed by Deputy Commanding General – Operations for XVIII (US) Airborne Corps, Deputy Commander Military Personnel Command, and for a short time Commander of Military Personnel Command.

On August 20, 2019, he became Commander Canadian Army and ACDS in February 2021.

General Eyre deployed to Cyprus, Croatia, Bosnia, and Afghanistan twice with the Canadian Operational Mentor and Liaison Team in Kandahar. In addition, he advised 1-205 Afghan National Army Brigade in combat, and as the Commanding General of NATO Training Mission – Afghanistan.

Korean Article

More recently, “he was the first non-U.S. Deputy Commander of United Nations Command Korea in its 69-year history, and as such is the most senior Canadian officer ever permanently stationed in the Asia-Pacific region,” according to a press release.

Eyre was also involved in the 1997 Manitoba floods, the 1998 British Columbia forest fires, 2010 G8 Summit and commanded the military response to both the 2015 Saskatchewan wildfires and the 2016 Fort McMurray evacuation.