The Royal Canadian Air Force has a new leader — and for the first time in its 100-year history, that leader is a woman.
Lieutenant-General Jamie Speiser-Blanchet assumed command of the RCAF during a formal ceremony in Ottawa on Thursday, taking over from Lieutenant-General Eric Kenny, who is retiring after 36 years of military service.
The ceremony held at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum saw Speiser-Blanchet become the 22nd commander of the RCAF.
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. Photo: RCAF.
A career tactical helicopter pilot, she has flown CH-146 Griffons and taken on a number of key command and staff roles throughout her career. Her operational experience includes deployments with both the United Nations and NATO. Prior to this appointment, she served as deputy commander of the Air Force.
In her new role, she will oversee an organization responsible for a range of missions, including air search and rescue, protection of Canadian and North American airspace under NORAD, and international operations through NATO.
The RCAF includes about 11,600 Regular Force members, 2,000 Reserve personnel, and 1,400 civilian employees.
Her predecessor, Lieutenant-General Kenny, had been in command since 2022 and led the force during a period of significant modernization. He also oversaw the RCAF’s centennial commemorations earlier this year.
The transition comes at a time of ongoing renewal within the Canadian Armed Forces, as the military focuses on both capability upgrades and culture change. Speiser-Blanchet is expected to play a key role in advancing those efforts within the RCAF.
