Photo: MCpl. Cassidy Moon
Shilo Stag Media
A new CFB Shilo Base Commander accepted the lead officers’ position at a Change of Command ceremony on June 25.
Lieutenant-Colonel Jack Nguyen officially took over from the departing LCol David Cronk, who has held the command of the Base for the past two years.
LCol Nguyen arrived in Shilo from his recent posting in the United Kingdom as Canadian Army
Liaison to the British Army.
Born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba Lt-Col Nguyen has had five overseas tours in Afghanistan, Kuwait, Iraq and Lebanon. He has also held staff officer positions with the United States and British Armies.
The new Base Commander is eager to make CFB Shilo his new home and sat down to answer some questions from staff.
Welcome to Shilo. Although growing up in Winnipeg makes you no stranger to
Manitoba. Is this a homecoming for you?
“CFB Shilo has earned a strong reputation across the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) as a fantastic place to live and
work, with a tight-knit and supportive community. I specifically requested this posting because I
felt I could contribute meaningfully and become part of that community. Returning to Manitoba
is absolutely the icing on the cake.
Your most recent posting was in the UK. What are you going to miss about that
overseas post? What are you looking forward to returning to Canada?
“What I’ll miss most are the people. Both the British Army personnel and the local
community were incredibly warm and welcoming. I’ll also miss the operational
relevance—working closely with one of our closest allies during a time of global disruption was
a truly rewarding experience. As for returning to Canada, I’m excited to be home and to serve
alongside familiar faces within the CAF.”
What are your first impressions of CFB Shilo and the western Manitoba area?
“It’s been a pleasure to find that the warmth and sincerity of Manitobans is just as I
remembered. There’s a genuine sense of pride—whether people are Manitoba-born or newly
posted here, everyone seems glad to be part of this community. The welcome I’ve received has
been nothing short of exceptional.”
What do you have on your ‘to-do’ list once you are moved in and reporting for duty?
There’s a significant transformation underway in both the Canadian Army and the CAF, and it
will inevitably shape life at CFB Shilo. We’re also anticipating substantial turnover at the
headquarters this summer. My top priority is to ensure a smooth transition and set the stage for
continued excellence in supporting our units and their families.
How do you spend your downtime? What will your family want to do?
“I’m keen to lace up my skates again at Gunner Arena and take full advantage of the local
outdoors—whether it’s fishing, hunting, or hiking. We’ve already enrolled in a few of the Base’s
fantastic clubs and activities. I hear there’s a Magic: The Gathering night at Cursed Coffee
that I will be sure to check out. There’s something for all of us here.”
Photo: MCpl. Cassidy Moon
