19 Wing Comox has a new Commander.

Brigadier-General Chris Shapka has passed command over to Colonel Ian Perreault.

Shapka had been base commander since 2024. He’s taken on a new role at Canadian Joint Operations Command.

Courtenay-Comox MLA Brendan Day noted on social media that Col. Perreault has an impressive career spanning artillery, deployments to Bosnia-Herzegovina, nearly 2,500 hours flying aboard the CP-140 Aurora, command of 402 Squadron, and senior leadership roles. 

Cumberland Mayor Vicky Brown said she looked forward to working with Perreault to “continue to build good relationships between 19 Wing and the Village in these ever changing times.”