Adam Prudhomme
Editor
Nearly three decades in the military has seen Bath’s Major Richard Lachance serve tours all over the world from Afghanistan, Eretria, Bosnia and currently, Iraq.
This deployment will be a bit different however, as it’ll mark the first time he’ll be overseas for Christmas.
When not deployed, he’s stationed at CFB Kingston. He’s one of about 850 Canadian Armed Forces taking part in the Canadian Armed Force’s Middle Eastern mission known as Operation IMPACT.
“While deployed, I serve as the Base Support Group Chief with the NATO Mission Iraq (NMI),” Lachance tells the Beaver via email from Iraq. “My job could be described in more generic terms as the facility manager. I need to ensure that all NMI personnel have access to real-life support at any time. Among my other tasks, I manage infrastructure, security and ensure that all have a place to work. I’m not alone to do this busy work. I have a small team of three, a Greek, a Croat and a Canadian. This is a full time job, phone ringing day and night, seven days a week.”
He’s currently a few weeks into a six and a half month deployment.
According to the Government of Canada’s website, Operation IMPACT was launched as a response to a terrorist organization known as Daesh, which the Canadian government says has ‘committed numerous human rights violations and atrocities.’ They include displacing millions of people and killing thousands, undermining stability of Iraq and the region and posing a threat to international security.
“Operation IMPACT is part of Canada’s whole-of-government approach to the Middle East. The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) mission is to build the military capabilities of Iraq, Jordan and Lebanon, and set the conditions for their long-term success,” Lachance said of the mission. “Within Op IMPACT, 17 members are currently deployed to Iraq in support of NATO Mission Iraq. NMI is a non-combat mission. It is an advising mission on institutional reforms that seek in-depth change with, for and by Iraqi Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces, contributing to build lasting security and stability. NMI further enables Iraq Ministry of Defence (MoD) to build a military force that fulfills their strategic requirements for readiness through good governance, trusted leadership, and institutional efficiency, ensuring Iraq MoD and Armed Forces are a credible force trusted by Iraqis, capable to assert its sovereignty, and respected by its partners.”
Originally from Quebec City, his job has taken him to all corners of the globe, including the far north as part of CFS Alert.
“From time to time, every deployment is a bit different from the previous one, but at the end of day, you’re able to learn from every of them and that makes your life much easier,” he said. “I came here with realistic expectations, especially with the current Covid measures in place. I got to say that we are very well fed and our camp can be described as comfortable. At least I get to sleep in a real bed and we have wireless Internet. NMI includes soldiers from a large variety of nations and the work we do, factoring the cultural and language barriers has been simply amazing.”
As he settles in for the upcoming months overseas he notes there are challenges to the constant travel, especially this time of the year.
“The hardest part would definitely be leaving my loved ones behind as well as well as many friends and great neighbours,” he said. “I guess I must be living and breathing my job to the fullest as I’m always looking forward for the next deployment.”
Lachance is one of about 2,000 Canadian Armed Forces members who will be serving overseas this Christmas, away from friends and family.
Meanwhile back home, anyone looking to send a holiday card to Canadian troops can do so by writing Any Canadian Armed Forces Member, PO Box 5004 Stn Forces, Belleville, ON, K8N 5W6.