Change of command marks new chapter for 4 Wing Cold Lake

Colonel Tim Woods has taken command of 4 Wing Cold Lake, succeeding Brigadier-General Mark “Buck” Hickey in a Change of Command ceremony held July 22. Hickey, who led the wing and CFB Cold Lake from July 2024 to July 2026, was promoted to brigadier-general on the same day.

Brigadier-General Hickey's tenure was marked by significant accomplishments, including the establishment of the 4 Wing Dependant Medical Clinic and the initiation of expansions for the MFRC Daycare facilities. He also facilitated national-level infrastructure project consolidation, crucial for preparing 4 Wing and CFB Cold Lake to receive the next generation of fighter aircraft. Hickey is now posted to Hawaii to serve as the Canadian representative.

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BGen Hickey’s major accomplishments while commander of 4 Wing include the opening of the 4 Wing Dependant Medical Clinic, initiation of the expansion of the MFRC Daycare facilities, and facilitating the consolidation of infrastructure projects at the national level to help prepare 4 Wing & CFB Cold Lake to accept the next generation of fighter aircraft.

Colonel Woods brings a wealth of experience to his new role, boasting over 4,500 flight hours and a comprehensive background in fighter capability development. His previous assignments include work on next-generation fighter programs in Washington, D.C., and service in the Fighter Capability Office from 2020 to 2023. He also earned a master’s degree in national security and strategy from the Australian Defence College in 2024 and served as the Canadian Armed Forces’ first director of Special Access Programs.

Woods' immediate priorities include maintaining 4 Wing's current operations while preparing its personnel and infrastructure for the transition to the F-35 fighter jets. This involves focusing on training, deploying, and supporting tactical fighter forces for both domestic and international operations, continuing preparations for the new aircraft, and ensuring the wing's capability to deploy personnel and equipment from various locations. The transition is expected to bring visible changes to the base and the surrounding region, including infrastructure expansion and an increase in personnel, as 4 Wing prepares to train and support world-class tactical fighter forces for Canada's defense.

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The Lakeland community can expect to see an expansion of base infrastructure, new buildings, an increase of numbers of base personnel as 4 Wing expands; 4 Wings mission and operations will remain the same as the wing prepares to accept the next generation of fighter aircraft and to train, deploy, and support world-class tactical fighter forces in the defense of Canada and Canadians.