Since 2003, the Canadian Forces Information Operations Group Headquarters (CFIOG HQ) has a detachment located at Fort Gordon, Georgia, USA. They are part of the Military Personnel Exchange Program (MPEP) between United States Navy (USN) and Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). Currently there is a contingent of eight CAF personnel consisting of six Communicator Research Operators, one Cyber Operator, and one CELE officer.

For the past three years, CFIOG HQ OUTCAN Detachment Georgia, in collaboration with other Commonwealth partners from the United Kingdom and Australia, have organized a golf tournament where proceeds go toward a military oriented charity. This year, the Commonwealth Golf Tournament was held on 8 March 2019, at the Gordon Lakes Golf Club and was a huge success, with 58 registered players. Proceeds for this year’s tournament went towards Homes for Our Troops (HFOT), a non-profit organization that builds and donates specially adapted custom homes for severely injured, post – 9/11 veterans. This year, the proceeds went to Sgt (Retired) Stephen “Mark” Smith from Bonaire, GA, who was injured on 14 October 2016, when he stepped on a landmine during an operation with the 1st Battalion, 6th Marines in Ramadi, Iraq. This incident resulted in the loss of his left leg below the knee. The house that will be given to him will be fully adapted to his needs and will enable him to continue to provide for his family.

Among various sponsorships from local businesses, this year’s tournament was able to count on a substantial contribution from the Communications and Electronics Branch, where they generously donated $500.00 CAD. This greatly contributed to raising a record total of $2641.75 USD. This contribution not only projected a positive image of the C&E Branch’s ethics and values outside of Canada’s boundaries, but also helped support a national level military charity.

On behalf of CFIOG HQ OUTCAN Detachment Georgia, Commonwealth personnel, and most importantly, Homes for Our Troops, a huge thank you goes to the C&E Branch leadership for their generous donation.

“One of the best gifts to give is the gift of always having a place to come home to where Veterans are safe and secure.” Sgt (Ret) Stephen Smith.