JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. -- Lieutenant General Mike Scaparrotti, I Corps commanding general, had nothing but glowing praise for his departing chief of staff, Canadian Army BGen. Eric Tremblay, during a ceremony honoring Tremblay’s departure and welcoming Canadian Army BGen. Jean-Marc Lanthier as America’s Corps new deputy commanding general of sustainment.
“I knew from the very first time we worked together that you cared for our Soldiers,” Scaparrotti said to Tremblay. “He always did what was right for our Soldiers.”
Tremblay will assume the role of commandant of the Royal Military College of Canada.
I Corps Chaplain (Col.) Ronald Thomas acknowledged the indelible mark left by Tremblay and his family on JBLM .
“He is a caring leader and they are a very giving family,” Thomas said.
Their presence will be greatly missed, he said.
Ceremonial howitzers fired a 21-gun salute in honor of the passing of responsibility between the exchange officers.
As the smoke cleared, Scaparrotti drew attention to Tremblay’s character.
“This is a tradition day as a Soldier " a day we honor a departing senior leader and his spouse and welcome another,” Scaparrotti said.
Tremblay served with absolute distinction, he said.
“It was clear to me that values were the bedrock of your decision making,” Scaparrotti said.
Tremblay was a superb role model, a good friend and confidant, he said.
“You will always have a home at Joint Base Lewis-McChord,” Scaparrotti said.
Tremblay said he gained valuable insight and developed as a leader during his time at JBLM.
“It has been a tremendous experience as the first exchange (general) officer with I Corps,” Tremblay said. “It’s extraordinary.”
The partnership and mentorship from all levels of command has been invaluable, he said.
Tremblay said he and his wife, Lt. Col. Brigid Dooley-Tremblay, also an exchange officer serving in the I Corps G-4, look forward to the changes ahead, but they will always have a fondness for JBLM.
“I’m sure my three boys will forever think about (JBLM) and their experience in the U.S.,” Tremblay said. “Thanks for your support and kindness.”
Tremblay began his military career as a Royal Canadian Artillery officer upon graduating from Le Collège Militaire Royal in 1985. He went on to command troops at battery, regimental and brigade levels.
Throughout his career, he was assigned to 5e Groupe-brigade mécanisé du Canada, 5ème Régiment d’artillerie légère du Canada and served in joint positions within Force Mobile Command, the Vice-Chief of Defense Staff Group, Strategic Joint Staff, International Security Assistance Force headquarters and I Corps among other postings.
Tremblay’s operational deployments include Cyprus in 1987, Bosnia-Herzegovina in 1996 and Afghanistan in 2004 and 2009.
Lanthier said he was thrilled to assume the role of deputy commanding general for sustainment with I Corps.
“Today marks a transition,” Lanthier said. “I’d like to thank (Tremblay) for paving the way. He leaves me with very big shoes to fill.”
Common values and missions unite the U.S. and Canada in a strong bond, he said.
“Being a smaller army, we do things differently,” Lanthier said. “Those differences are what can make us grow.”
The exchange program allows the Canadian Army to get a firsthand view of how the U.S. services do business, he said.
“Our family is very fortunate to have this opportunity,” Lanthier said.
Lanthier is from Limbour, Quebec, and is married to Pamela Lanthier from Nova Scotia. They have two children, Gabriel, 18, and Victoria, 15 years old.
Lanthier brings a distinguished resume to his posting at JBLM.
Among his career highlights are deployments to Bosnia-Herzegovina, Afghanistan, Haiti, command of 3rd Battalion Royal 22 e Regiment Battle Group and chief of staff of the 5th Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group.
He will deploy with I Corps headquarters to Kabul as part of International Security Assistance Forces Joint Command.
Rick Wood: rick.wood@nwguardian.com
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