21st Space Wing provides new home for Canadian forces

Supporting the U.S.-Canadian alliance

Lt. Gen. Charlie Bouchard, North American Aerospace Defense Command deputy commander; Lt. Col. Nancy Ouellet and Col. Liz Anderson, individual mobilization augmentee to the 21st Space Wing commander, cut the ribbon on new offices for the Canadian Forces Support Unit at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo. The CFSU was previously housed in Building 880, which is slated for demolition. The project cost roughly $500,000, coming from 21st SW funding. (U.S. Air Force photo/Roberta McDonald)

Supporting the U.S.-Canadian alliance

Lt. Gen. Charlie Bouchard, North American Aerospace Defense Command deputy commander, and Capt. Olivier Montplaisir explain the Canadian Forces’ computer network to Col. Liz Anderson, individual mobilization augmentee to the 21st Space Wing commander. The Canadian Forces Support Unit moved into its new office space in Building 365 this month, giving the servicemembers more room for their personnel support services and computer networks. The project cost roughly $500,000, funded exclusively by the 21st SW. (U.S. Air Force photo/Corey Dahl)

Supporting the U.S.-Canadian alliance

Lt. Gen. Charlie Bouchard, North American Aerospace Defense Command deputy commander, greets Col. Manny Hidalgo at the opening of the new Canadian Forces Support Unit offices April 1. The 21st Space Wing used roughly $500,000 to fund the new offices, which will house the Canadians’ personnel support services and computer networks. Colonel Hidalgo is the 21st Mission Support Group commander. (U.S. Air Force photo/Corey Dahl)

Published April 8, 2008
By Corey Dahl
21st Space Wing Public Affairs

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Canadians are America's neighbors to the north, but on Peterson, home of North American Aerospace Defense Command, they're just neighbors.

To help the more than 100 Canadian servicemembers stationed here feel at home, the 21st Space Wing and Canadian Forces unveiled a new, improved office for the Canadian Forces Support Unit April 1. The new space, located in Building 365, will house the Canadians' personnel support services and computer networks.

The roughly $500,000 project, which was funded by the 21st SW, was a joint effort that required a lot of collaboration between U.S Airmen and their Canadian counterparts.

"You know that book about how you learn everything you need to know - getting along, sharing - in kindergarten? That's what this was all about - getting along together and sharing," said Canadian Forces Lt. Gen. Charlie Bouchard, NORAD deputy commander. "This is a microcosm of U.S. and Canadian relations."

The renovated office is a large improvement over the CFSU's former home, a small space in Building 880, which is currently slated for demolition. The new office has more space, better configuration, updated wiring and new furniture, carpet and paint.

"The difference is night and day," said Robert Dixon, the project's chief planner from the 21st Civil Engineer Squadron. "This is much better for them."

At the office's ribbon cutting ceremony, Canadians and Americans agreed the new office will ultimately help Canadian Forces better perform their mission.

"This is about pride, about having a better place to do our job," General Bouchard said. "And, at the end of the day, it's about serving America better."