CONTACT: Mr. Tim Jones, (315) 334-6536

FOR RELEASE: Friday, Jul 08, 2011

ROME, N.Y. (07/08/2011)-- The Canadian Forces Detachment at the Eastern Air Defense Sector officially changed commanders this afternoon during a formal ceremony at the New York Air National Guard facility. Lt. Col. Dave Pletz, a CF-18 pilot, assumed command from Lt. Col Joe MacMillan, who finished his three-year tour of duty as Canadian Detachment Commanding Officer. Lt. Col. Pletz’s new responsibilities will include leading the 15-member Canadian Detachment and serving as part of the EADS staff. "Canadian Forces personnel are a critical part of EADS daily operations and play an essential role in protecting the North American airspace," said Col. John Bartholf, EADS Commander. "On behalf of the unit, I want to welcome Lt. Col. Pletz and his family to EADS and thank Lt. Col. MacMillan and his family for their service and wish them well in their new assignment." A formal change-of-command ceremony is a long-standing Canadian military tradition marking the public transfer of command responsibilities. Canadian Brig. Gen Chris Coates, Deputy Commander of the Continental United States North American Aerospace Defense (NORAD) Region, based in Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., presided over the ceremony. The Eastern Air Defense Sector is headquartered at Griffiss Business and Technology Park in Rome. Staffed by active-duty New York Air National Guardsmen and a Canadian Forces detachment, the unit supports the North American Aerospace Defense Command’s (NORAD) integrated warning and attack assessment missions and the U.S. Northern Command’s (USNORTHCOM) homeland defense mission. EADS is responsible for air sovereignty and counter-air operations over the eastern United States and directs a variety of assets to defend one million square miles of land and sea. CUTLINE: Lt. Col Joe MacMillan, left, outgoing Commanding Officer of Canadian Detachment Rome, and Lt. Col Dave Pletz, right, incoming Commanding Officer, sign formal orders as part of a change-of-command ceremony held this afternoon at the Eastern Air Defense Sector in Rome. Brig. Gen Chris Coates, the Deputy Commander of the Continental U.S. NORAD Region, center, served as the Presiding Officer for the ceremony. The formal change-of-command is a longstanding Canadian military tradition that signifies the public transfer of command responsibilities.

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