New commander for the Royal Canadian Air Force

Jul 10, 2025 | 2:54 PM

Lieutenant-General Jamie Speiser-Blanchet (left) assumed command of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) from Lieutenant-General Eric Kenny (right) during a change of command ceremony earlier today. General Jennie Carignan, Chief of the Defence Staff (center), presided over the event at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum in Ottawa, Ontario. From left to right — Front row: Lieutenant-General Jamie Speiser-Blanchet, General Jennie Carignan, Chief of the Defence Staff, and Lieutenant-General Eric Kenny. Back row: Chief Warrant Officer Renee J. Hansen and Chief Warrant Officer Bob McCann, pictured during the ceremony.

There is a new commander for the Royal Canadian Air Force.

Lieutenant-General Jamie Speiser-Blanchet assumed command of the RCAF from Lieutenant-General Eric Kenny, during a change of command ceremony in Ottawa on Thursday.

Lieutenant-General Speiser-Blanchet is the 22nd Commander of the RCAF, as well as the first woman to be the commander.

She has served in many roles throughout her career, including as a CH-146 Griffon tactical helicopter pilot, and numerous staff and command roles, and she deployed in support of United Nations and North Atlantic Treaty Organization operations. She most recently served as the Deputy Commander of the RCAF.

The outgoing commander, Lieutenant-General Kenny, served as Commander of the RCAF since 2022, and will retire from the Canadian Armed Forces after 36 years of service.