19 Wing Commander - Biography

Colonel Chris Shapka, CD

Colonel (Col) Chris Shapka joined the Canadian Armed Forces in 1997. After graduating from the Royal Military College of Canada, and following the Aerospace Engineering Officer Basic Course, he was posted to 407 Maritime Patrol Squadron in 2002.

Promoted to Major in 2009, he was posted to the Maritime Directorate of Director General Aerospace Equipment Program Management where he undertook the role of Deputy Weapon System Manager for the CH-124 Sea King. During this time, he was selected as a member of Joint Task Force Games for the 2010 Olympics, where he was a liaison officer to the Washington National Guard, stationed at Camp Murray, Washington.

Posted back to Comox in 2011, Col Shapka took command of 19 Air Maintenance Squadron (AMS). Following his posting to 19 AMS, he was posted to the Canadian Forces School of Aerospace Technology and Engineering (CFSATE) as the Aerospace Engineering Squadron Commander. Promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel in 2015, he assumed command of CFSATE where he was responsible for the training of the Royal Canadian Air Force’s Aircraft Technicians and Aerospace Engineering Officers.

In 2017, he was posted to 1 Canadian Air Division, where he worked within A4 Maintenance as Officer Commanding Air Maintenance Standardization and Evaluation Team. He was also employed within the Combined Aerospace Operations Centre (CAOC) as the Mission Support Division Chief, the Deputy CAOC Director and as a Chief of Combat Operations. During this time, he deployed to Al Udeid Air Base to the 609th AOC where he assumed the role of Deputy Director of Combat Operations.

In 2020, Col Shapka was promoted to his current rank and appointed the Chief of Staff of 1 Canadian Air Division. He subsequently assumed the position of Director A4 Maintenance in August 2021. Col Shapka took command of 19 Wing Comox on July 23, 2024.

Col Shapka has a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Royal Military College of Canada, a Master’s Degree in Leadership from Royal Roads University and a Master’s Degree in Defence Studies from the Canadian Forces College.

He is supported by his wife, and his two daughters.