OTTAWA, ONTARIO -- (Marketwire) -- 05/24/12 -- Command of the Canadian Contribution Training Mission - Afghanistan (CCTM-A) was transferred from Major-General (Maj.-Gen) Michael Day to Maj.-Gen Jim Ferron during a small ceremony held today at Camp Phoenix, Kabul.

Maj.-Gen Ferron will also be assuming the responsibility of the Deputy Commanding General of the NATO Training Mission - Afghanistan (NTM-A) from Maj.-Gen Day. Maj.-Gen Day initially deployed in April 2011 as Deputy Commanding General Army - Combined Security Transition Command, and was appointed as Deputy Commanding General of NTM-A in October 2011, assuming responsibility for the growth and development of the Afghan National Army, Afghan National Police, Afghan Air Force, and Afghan Special Forces.

"Our men and women continue to demonstrate why they are among the best in the world," praised Maj.-Gen Day. "We are giving the Afghans the skills and capabilities to prevent Afghanistan from becoming a safe haven for terrorists, as well as ensuring they are capable of effectively dealing with the insurgency."

"I congratulate Maj.-Gen Day for his incredible leadership and contributions to NTM-A's successes over the past year," said Lieutenant-General Stu Beare, Commander Canadian Expeditionary Force Command. "During his time deployed, Afghan national security forces have grown significantly, to the point where the Afghan National Army has reached its target goal of 195,000 soldiers, ahead of the October 2012 deadline. This growth has been matched by a substantial rise in professionalism in both the Police and the Army. Through Maj.-Gen Day's guidance, NTM-A personnel, including Canadians, advised Afghans on a wide variety of fundamental and specialized training which will ensure that Afghanistan has capable and sustainable security forces. Maj.-Gen Ferron will continue Canada's longstanding tradition of providing outstanding leadership abroad, and guarantee that Afghans and NATO, along with our Canadian Forces members deployed on Operation ATTENTION, meet transition objectives."

"Clearly the mission in Afghanistan has made great strides under the leadership of Maj.-Gen Day," Maj.-Gen Ferron said. "He is to be commended for his dedication to mission success. It is a privilege for me to continue the great work that Canadians, our NATO allies, and Afghans themselves have done in Afghanistan."

The Canadian Forces members that make up CCTM-A are concentrated in Kabul, with a satellite team at the Regional Training Centre - North in Mazar-e-Sharif. Most of these members serve with the Training Advisory Groups assigned to the Afghan National Army, Afghan Air Force and Afghan National Police training establishments to assist the Afghan leadership and instructor cadre with tasks such as curriculum design and development of teaching skills. The task force also includes senior officers who are integrated into the NATO Training Mission - Afghanistan (NTM-A) command team, and a significant contingent of experienced staff personnel who serve at NTM-A headquarters.

Note to editors:

For a biography of Maj.-Gen James Ferron, please visit: http://www.cmp-cpm.forces.gc.ca/dsa-dns/sa-ns/ab/sobv-vbos-eng.asp?mAction=View&mBiographyID=304

Still imagery of the Transfer of Command will be available at: http://www.combatcamera.forces.gc.ca

For more information about CCTM-A, please visit: http://www.cefcom-comfec.forces.gc.ca/pa-ap/ops/attention/index-eng.asp

For more information about NTM-A, please visit: http://www.cefcom-comfec.forces.gc.ca/pa-ap/ops/fs-fr/NTMA-eng.asp