OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Sept. 25, 2012) - Command of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) will officially change during a ceremony to be held inside the Canada Aviation and Space Museum in Ottawa on Thursday, September 27, 2012, at 11 a.m.

In the presence of the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence, Lieutenant-General Yvan Blondin will succeed Lieutenant-General André Deschamps as the commander of the RCAF and Chief of the Air Force Staff. Lieutenant-General Deschamps has held this appointment since October 1, 2009, and is retiring after 36 years of distinguished service to Canada.

General Walt Natynczyk, Chief of the Defence Staff, will preside over the change of command.

The ceremony will consist of a 50-person honour guard and a colour party with music provided by the Central Band of the Canadian Forces and the Air Command Pipes and Drums.

Media are invited to cover the change of command ceremony and should be in the designated area at the museum no later than 10:30 a.m. There will be a brief media opportunity immediately following the ceremony.

Notes to editor / news director: Media planning to attend are requested to contact Air Force Public Affairs at 613-995-3819 no later than 4 p.m. on September 26.