Wing Administration and Technical Services gets a new commander too

Photo by Master Corporal Andrew Collins, 22 Wing Image Technician.

22 Wing/Canadian Forces Base North Bay
News Release

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Today at 22 Wing, Lieutenant-Colonel (Lt.-Col.) Pascal Godbout relinquished command of the Wing Administration and Technical Services (WATS) Branch to Lt.-Col. Walter Norquay during a ceremony presided by Colonel Conrad Namiesniowski, 22 Wing Commander and witnessed by members of 22 Wing and local dignitaries.

Colonel Namiesniowski stated, “The role of the WATS Branch Officer (WATSO) is to provide the tools and expertise necessary to improve 22 Wing’s operational effectiveness and enhance the quality of life of our military families. It is a challenging task to provide support to the families and the operators who work 24/7, 365 days a year, and to support the defence of North American air space from threats. WATS provides key support to operations through state of the art information systems, consistent infrastructure support, and the delivery of quality services to our personnel and their families. The WATS Branch is intimately involved in everything that 22 Wing does on the base and in the community. Without the professionalism and dedication of the WATS personnel we would not be able to do our jobs.”

The WATS Branch encompasses a wide variety of roles and responsibilities: Wing Administration; Wing Telecommunications and Information Services; Wing Logistics and Engineering (Food Services, Construction Engineering, Transport / Maintenance, and Supply), Personnel Support Programs. The Branch also oversees finances, public affairs and imagery, the Air Reserve flight, and the Wing environment, safety and heritage programs.

Lt.-Col. Norquay, a member of the Canadian Armed Forces for twenty-two years, accepted his new role as WATSO, and addressed over one hundred members of the WATS Branch. “Lt.-Col. Godbout has described the WATS Branch as a team of diverse professionals made up of Regular Force, Reserve Force, United States Air Force, public service employees, and Non-Public Fund employees. I am counting on your ability to work as a team and will continue to tap into your knowledge and varied skills critical to the success of our mission at 22 Wing, home of the Canadian Air Defence Sector.”

Lt.-Col. Norquay arrives from Ottawa with his wife Jennifer and two children.

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