(IsraelNN.com) Canadian General Walter J. Natynczyk, Chief of the Defense Staff of the Canadian Forces, arrived in Israel Sunday for a three-day work visit, as the guest of Lt.-Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi, the IDF's Chief of General Staff.
 
This is General Natynczyk's first visit in Israel since he took over the helm of the Canadian military in July 2008. The visit was scheduled following an invitation by Lt.-Gen. Ashkenazi, and will be used for mutual updating, a strategic intelligence briefing on the Middle East situation, presenting lessons learned during the Second Lebanon War and Operation Cast Lead, and for strengthening relations between the two armies.

 
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The Canadian Chief of Staff was scheduled hold a work meeting with Lt.-Gen. Ashkenazi and other senior General Staff members, including Deputy Chief of Staff Maj.-Gen. Benny Ganz, Strategic and Planning Branch head Maj.-Gen. Amir Eshel, outgoing Central Command CO Maj.-Gen. Gadi Shamni, who will soon move to Washington as the IDF Military Attache, and others.

Gen. Natynczyk with Lt.-Gen. Ashkenazi / Israel news photo: IDF Spokesman's Unit

Gen. Natynczyk will visit both the Northern and Southern Commands and will receive briefings from top officers. The son of a Polish father and German mother, he will also pay a visit to the Yad VaShem Holocaust Memorial in Jerusalem.

Gen. Natynczyk's wife, Leslie, will accompany him on his visit. Mrs. Natynczyk is planning to visit the Tel Aviv branch of Bet HaLohem (House of the Combat Soldier), where she will learn about the work being done with families who lost their sons and with those of wounded soldiers. Mrs. Natynczyk is also expected to tour the cities of Jerusalem, Zikhron Yaakov and Ceasaria.