News Release

Canadian Forces Senior Appointment

NR–05.102 - December 22, 2005

OTTAWA –The following senior appointment has been approved for the Canadian Forces:

Rear-Admiral Drew Robertson will be promoted Vice-Admiral on January 3, 2006 and appointed Chief of the Maritime Staff at National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa on January 17 th . He will replace Vice-Admiral Bruce MacLean who will be retiring upon completion of 35 years of loyal and outstanding service to Canada, the Canadian Forces, and the Navy, culminating in command of the Navy as Chief of the Maritime Staff.

Rear-Admiral Robertson has served in the Canadian Forces for 32 years in a variety of key positions, including command of Her Majesty's Canadian Ship (HMCS) Annapolis and HMCS Athabaskan, and command of the Canadian Task Group during its six-month Operation APOLLO deployment to Southwest Asia. His replacement as Director General International Security Policy will be announced at a later date.

The total number of Regular Force generals and naval flag officers stands at 72. This number does not include General Ray Henault, who is not performing a Canadian Forces function.

-30-

Note to Editors : For earlier 2005 promotions and appointments, refer to news releases in the “What's New” section at www.forces.gc.ca : 05.006 dated January 21; 05.013 dated February 14; 05.023 dated April 11; 05.052 and 05.054 dated June 28; 05.055 dated July 4; and 05.071 dated September 14.