Chief Warrant Officer Richard Rousseau
Chief Warrant Officer (CWO) Rousseau enrolled in the Canadian Armed Forces in 1989 in the Performance Oriented Electronics Training (POET) program. After graduating Phase 1 of that program, he was assigned as an Instrument Electrical Technician. In 1990, after completion of his initial trades training, he was posted to the Base Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Organization (BAMEO) in Cold Lake, Alberta. CWO Rousseau was subsequently posted to 419 Tactical Fighter Training Squadron (419 TFTS) when his squadron amalgamated with 419 TFTS. Upon the closure of 419 TFTS, CWO Rousseau was posted to 441 Tactical Fighter Squadron (441 TFS) where he participated in multiple deployments to Canada’s North and the United States as part of fighter training and the protection of Canadian borders. In 1999, CWO Rousseau deployed with 441 TFS in support of Op ALLIED FORCE, NATO’s military intervention in Kosovo.
In February 2002, CWO Rousseau occupationally transferred to Flight Engineer and was assigned to 440 Tactical Transport Squadron in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, on the CC-138 Twin Otter, supporting Northern Operations. Promoted to Master Corporal (MCpl) in 2003, CWO Rousseau assumed the role of Deputy Flight Engineer Leader and Standards Flight Engineer. In 2006, he was posted to 442 Transport and Rescue Squadron in Comox, British Columbia, on the CC-115 Buffalo where he served in multiple roles including Chief Instructor, Chief Standards, Buffalo Flight Engineer Leader and Squadron Deputy Flight Engineer Leader. CWO Rousseau participated in numerous challenging rescue missions while also volunteering as a Cadet Liaison Officer and served as a board member for Tee Pee Park.
In 2014, CWO Rousseau was promoted to Warrant Officer (WO) and was posted to 435 Transport and Rescue Squadron on the CC-130 Hercules where he served as the Deputy Flight Engineer Leader. In 2017, CWO Rousseau was promoted to Master Warrant Officer (MWO) and assumed the Flight Engineer Leader position where he completed many operational taskings and exercises in both the Search and Rescue and Air to Air Refueling roles while also continuing to volunteer as a Cadet Liaison Officer. In 2020, CWO Rousseau was posted to 2 Canadian Air Division (CAD) as the Flight Engineer Training Manager. CWO Rousseau assisted and advised on training specific issues for all Flight Engineer crewed fleets in the RCAF. In 2021, CWO Rousseau was posted to 1 Canadian Air Division Fleet Readiness as the Flight Engineer Senior Occupational Advisor and Fleet Readiness Directorate CWO advising on Flight Engineer issues and acting as a Command Team partner.
CWO Rousseau is honoured to assume his current position as the 17 Wing CWO. He owes all his successes to his spouse and children who have always supported and encouraged him throughout his career.
