Reprinted from National Defence News March 3, 2017 – Ottawa
Brigadier-General Daniel MacIsaac assumed command of Joint Task Force-Iraq (JTF-I) at a ceremony today at Camp Canada in Kuwait. Rear-Admiral Bob Auchterlonie, Deputy Commander Canadian Joint Operations Command, presided over the ceremony.
Taking over as Commander of JTF-I from Brigadier-General Shane Brennan, Brigadier-General MacIsaac will command Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) personnel deployed on Operation IMPACT, Canada’s military contribution to the Global Coalition against Daesh.
CAF members continue to play a significant role alongside Coalition partners by supporting Iraqi security forces, conducting air operations, and providing strategic military support to the Government of Iraq.
Quotes
“With a wide range of military leadership experiences, most recently as the Commander of 5th Canadian Division Support Group—Atlantic Canada’s largest Army organization—Brigadier-General MacIsaac is ideally suited to command Joint Task Force-Iraq and to lead its members through the challenges that lay ahead. I thank Brigadier-General Brennan for his nine-month commitment to bringing this mission forward and for its success to date.”— Rear-Admiral Bob Auchterlonie, Deputy Commander Canadian Joint Operations Command
“It is a privilege to command Joint Task Force – Iraq. Brigadier-General Brennan led this force through a significant period of change, which included significant degradation of Daesh’s capability. I look forward to working with JTF-I’s outstanding Canadians, our coalition partners and our hosts in this region. Such collaborative work against a disruptive non-state common enemy demonstrates our shared commitment to fighting terrorism, as well as to regional and international peace and security.”— Brigadier-General Daniel MacIsaac, Incoming Commander, Joint Task Force-Iraq
“I am honoured to have commanded Joint Task Force-Iraq. The Task Force made important contributions to the Coalition while implementing substantial capabilities as part of the enhanced mission. I know that Brigadier-General MacIsaac will maintain the Canadian Armed Forces’ tradition of excellence in operations which Joint Task Force-Iraq has so successfully achieved.”— Brigadier-General Shane Brennan, Outgoing Commander, Joint Task Force-Iraq
Quick Facts
Brigadier-General MacIsaac has served in a variety of English- and French-speaking command, staff and engineering positions throughout his career. He has previous operational experience in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Europe, Haiti and Canada.
While Brigadier-General MacIsaac was the Commanding Officer of 5e Régiment du génie de combat between 2009 and 2011, the Regiment generated a headquarters and seven squadrons for counter-insurgency operations in Afghanistan. Also while under his command, a regimental headquarters and 150 soldiers deployed to provide immediate humanitarian assistance and disaster response after the 2010 earthquake in Haiti. On that mission, Brigadier-General MacIsaac served as the Task Force Engineer.
Prior to his current deployment, he served as the Commander of 5th Canadian Division Support Group in Gagetown, New Brunswick.
During the past year, as part of the Government of Canada’s continued contribution to multinational efforts to degrade and defeat Daesh, the CAF assumed the lead of a highly capable Role 2 medical facility and launched Building Partner Capacity initiatives in Jordan and Lebanon, an All-Source Intelligence Centre, and a tactical aviation detachment of CH-146 Griffon helicopters. These components are part of the mission made up of approximately 830 CAF members which include the train, advise and assist mission with Iraqi security forces.