Garrison Petawawa is growing again.
Outgoing commander Colonel Jason Guiney told members of Petawawa council recently that the base will add more than 100 civilian jobs and 650 soldiers over the next one to two years.
The growth is partly in response to the new federal government’s promise to raise defence spending to two per cent of GDP by the end of this fiscal year.
Col Guiney was giving council a final update on his time in command on base before handing over the reins of the 4th Canadian Division Support Group to Col Sean Trenholm on June 17 and being promoted to the rank of Brigadier-General.
Col Guiney thanked town council for their co-operation and support, especially following the crash of a Chinook helicopter in the Ottawa River on June 20, 2023.
“I was touched by how the town wrapped its arms around the Garrison during those those tough days, and I’ll be forever in your debt for your assistance on that,” he said.
Looking forward, Col Guiney said that he was recently “downloaded” an additional $11.8 million in baseline funding for Garrison operations.
“So in two and a half years as base commander, I haven’t seen those levels of funding, and I’m really excited about that,” he said…
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