Canadian award for U.S. Army Reserve Military Personnel Exchange Program (MPEP) officer
In a ceremony April 28, 2025, at Canadian Armed Forces Headquarters in Ottawa, Canada, Army Reserve Maj. Dino “Oscar” De La Hoya received the Canadian Armed Forces Special Service Medal-Expeditionary for his service in Latvia during Operation UNIFIER. The award was presented by Lieutenant General Michael Wright, Commander of the Canadian Army, and Chief Warrant Officer Christopher Robin, the Canadian Army Sergeant Major. Maj. De La Hoya has been assigned to the Canadian Army Staff since 2023 through the Military Personnel Exchange Program (MPEP) at U.S. Army North. The MPEP is a U.S. military program designed to strengthen ties with allied and partner nations. It facilitates personnel exchanges to promote security cooperation, share expertise, and enhance defense collaboration. Photo by Master Sailor Dan Bard, CD, Canadian Armed Forces – Department of National Defence / Government of Canada.