"4 Star" promotion for Colonel

Colonel Ramsden is promoted by General Dan McNeill, Commander International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and Major General Bernard Champoux, Deputy Chief of Staff Operations, at HQ ISAF, Kabul on the 18th of May. WN 08-0046-02

20 May 2008

Colonel Ramsden was promoted by General Dan McNeill, Commander International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and Major General Bernard Champoux, Deputy Chief of Staff Operations, at HQ ISAF, Kabul on the 18th of May.

Staff of the HQ ISAF CJ 5 Planning Branch, friends and New Zealand Defence Force personnel gathered to witness the promotion of Jeremy Ramsden to Colonel. The current head of ISAF General McNeil promoted Colonel Ramdsen in front of the assembled staff.

Colonel Ramsden remarked that this was probably the only time in recent years that  a New Zealand Officer has had the privilege of being promoted by a “4 Star” General.

Colonel Ramsden is a Senior National Officer  in Afghanistan. He is the current Deputy Chief CJ5 (Plans) and has been the Acting Chief of Plans for five weeks when the Chief, a Spanish Brigadier was forced home early due to injury.

Colonel Ramsden is in the third month of his tour.

 “I didn’t deploy expecting to be the Deputy Chief, let alone Acting Chief of Plans for any period of time. However, in a dynamic operational environment anything can happen, a Kiwi ‘can do’ attitude goes along way and I’m relishing the challenge,” said Col Ramsden. 

ENDS