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New Command Chief Warrant Officer takes over at CEFCOM
By Stefany Chénier, CEFCOM Public Affairs
With LGen Marc Lessard (centre) presiding, CWO D.G. Dietrich (right) cedes the appointment of CEFCOM Command Chief Warrant Officer to CWO J.K. Hamalainen.
The newly promoted Maj D.G. Dietrich, who just handed over the appointment of CEFCOM Command Chief Warrant Officer to CWO J.K. Hamailainen, wears his rank for the first time.
On August 10, 2009, Chief Warrant Officer Jorma “Hammy” Hamalainen became the second Command Chief Warrant Officer of Canadian Expeditionary Force Command (CEFCOM). CWO Daniel G. Dietrich handed over the appointment to his successor in a ceremony held at CEFCOM Headquarters in Ottawa.
“The role of Command Chief Warrant Officer of CEFCOM has been a challenging and rewarding experience, and a great opportunity to serve. I got to meet heroes on every trip and every mission,” said CWO Dietrich, who accepted the appointment in March 2006, a few weeks after CEFCOM stood up. “I am immensely proud of having served at CEFCOM,” he said, describing the command as an organization “composed of dedicated and focussed professionals.”
CWO Dietrich is the first non-commissioned Air Force member to benefit from recent changes in the Regular Force Special Requirements Commissioning Plan. In special cases, a Chief Warrant Officer or Chief Petty Officer 1st Class can now be promoted to the commissioned rank of Major or Lieutenant-Commander. As Major Dietrich, the first Command Chief will stay at CEFCOM. “I’m not saying goodbye, but thank you,” he said.
In accepting the responsibility of being, in essence, an advisor to the Commander, CWO Hamalainen is particularly interested in monitoring quality of life, morale and welfare of troops both overseas and in Canada. “Throughout my career, I have seen how important it is to care for CF members and their families,” he said. CWO Hamalainen enrolled in the Canadian Forces on June 29, 1979 in Ottawa, Ontario. “I have completed a full circle by coming back to Ottawa. It’s like coming home.”
Promoted to his present rank in 2002, CWO Hamalainen comes to CEFCOM from 14 Wing Greenwood, where he served as Wing Chief Warrant Officer. Before going to Greenwood, he served as School Chief Warrant Officer at the Canadian Forces Air Navigation School at 17 Wing Winnipeg, and in several senior staff appointments at 1st Canadian Air Division Headquarters. CWO Hamalainen’s most recent operational deployment was in 2004 on Operation ATHENA, when he served a six-month tour as Camp Chief Warrant Officer at the Theatre Support Element in the Persian Gulf region. In June 2009, he was appointed a Member of the Order of Military Merit.
