Meet CFB Shilo’s new boss
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The new base commander at CFB Shilo says his priority will be to deepen connections between the base and the surrounding community.
Commanding officer Lt.-Col. Jack Nguyen took over leadership of the Shilo base in June after a ceremony and a parade. In an interview with the Sun on site, Nguyen said he’ll focus on relationships within Westman.
“Absolutely it’s about the community here,” he said.
The new commanding officer will be responsible for overall leadership and management of the military base, and the well-being of personnel. He said the most important aspect will be building bridges — as he returns to the province where he was born and raised.
Nguyen met with Brandon Mayor Jeff Fawcett, Brandon West MLA Wayne Balcaen and MP Grant Jackson after the ceremony.
Brig.-Gen. Robbin Dove, commander of the 3rd Canadian Division Support Group, gave his support for Nguyen during a speech at the ceremony. Dove said it was a good time for Nguyen to make his way back from the United Kingdom.
“There’s going to be a lot going on in the Canadian Armed Forces over the next few years,” Dove said. “This is an exciting time right now.”
Speaking to the return to the province where he was born and raised, Nguyen said joining CFB Shilo “brings a deep sense of homecoming.” He said the role is “an incredible honour,” and “it was a long road of hard work to get here.”
Nguyen joined the Canadian Armed Forces in 2002. He was deployed to Afghanistan in 2007 and 2008, Kuwait and Iraq in 2017, and Beirut in 2019. He holds a bachelor of science from the University of Manitoba, a master of defence studies from the Royal Military College of Canada, a master of business administration from Athabasca University, and is a graduate of the Joint Command and Staff Programme.
Outgoing base commander Lt.-Col. David Cronk gave a speech at the ceremony too, before being driven off parade grounds as a symbol of changing leadership. Cronk was commander for two years.
“I am proud to hand over command of CFB Shilo to a trusted friend,” he said. “The pride in this moment comes not from personal achievement, but from being a part of something greater.”
“I will carry the memories of this team forward with me always.”
» cmcdowell@brandonsun.com
New base commander at CFB Shilo, Lieutenant-Colonel Jack Nguyen, stands with his mother Diem Hong (left), and sisters Robin Arevalo and Helen Hoon after the recent change-of-command ceremony. Nguyen said his priority would be building connections between the base and the surrounding community. (Photos by Connor McDowell/Brandon Sun)