CF Real Property Group Commander Visits RPOU(W)

Published September 4, 2024

Photo 1 – (L-R) CF RP Gp CWO, CWO Sean McGinn, Section Edmonton RO, Capt James Hammond, and CF RP Gp Comd, Col Eric Fortin during Operational Service Medal – Expedition presentation.
CF RP Gp Comd, Col Eric Fortin (R) wishes RPOU-W DCO, Maj Robert Machin (L) farewell for their retirement
CF RP Gp CWO, CWO Sean McGinn, Cpl Archambault, and CF RP Gp Comd, Col Eric Fortin during award presentation.
CF RP Gp CWO, CWO Sean McGinn, Capt James Richardson, and CF RP Gp Comd, Col Eric Fortin during promotion ceremony.
CF RP Gp CWO, CWO Sean McGinn, Section Edmonton Sergeant Major, MWO Robert Larocque, and CF RP Gp Comd, Col Eric Fortin during promotion ceremony.
CF RP Gp CWO, CWO Sean McGinn, Pte Grayden Hachey, and CF RP Gp Comd, Col Eric Fortin during promotion ceremony.

Article By: Capt Kyle Ho, RPOU-W Program Officer

To become oriented to the infrastructure portfolio, the Commander of the Canadian Forces Real Property Group (CF RP Gp), Col Eric Fortin, recently paid a visit to the Real Property Operations Unit (West) (RPOU-W). He engaged directly with personnel and gained insight into their daily operations. The unit's diverse responsibilities, from maintaining barracks and training facilities to managing environmental impacts, are integral to maintaining readiness. The Commander's visit reaffirmed the CF RP Gp's commitment to excellence in real property management, a commitment upheld by the outstanding performance of individuals supporting military readiness.

The highlight of Col. Fortin's trip was taking the opportunity to recognize some of the outstanding performances from RPOU-W and Section Edmonton.

The following awards were presented:

  • Col Fortin presented the Operational Service Medal – Expedition to Capt James Hammond for their recent deployment on Operation UNIFIER in Wiesbaden, Germany.
  • Maj Robert Machin retired on 28 Jul 2024 after more than 29 years of honourable service. In recognition to his contributions, Maj Machin received CF RP Gp Comd's coin.
  • Cpl Kevin Archambault was posted to RPOU(W) Section Edmonton for On-Job-Employment (OJE) in 2021 to gain experience before attending their Refrigeration Mechanical Technician (RM) Journeyperson Course. Cpl Archambault received CF RP Comd's coin for their outstanding performance during the OJE and on their RM course.

The following promotions were presented:

  • In 2024, Capt Richardson was selected and promoted to Capt by Comd RP Ops. They will be posted to the 4 Mission Support Squadron Cold Lake for their first assignment as a commissioned officer.
  • MWO Larocque was promoted to their current rank by the CF RP Comd and assumed their new role as the Section Edmonton Sergeant Major.
  • Pte Hachey was promoted to Pte (trained) by the CF RP Gp Comd and will later attend their Journeyperson course and gain the full qualification as a Construction Technician.
  • Congratulations to all those who have achieved new milestones and have been assigned new responsibilities. Your dedication and hard work are truly appreciated.