Captain Christine MacNeil

Public Affairs Officer, CF-18 Demonstration Team

Captain (Capt.) MacNeil joined the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) in 1985 as an Oceanographic Operator, the only naval trade open to women at that time. After completing her trade training at Canadian Forces Station Shelburne, she was posted to United States Naval Facility Argentia, Newfoundland. In 1988, she remustered to Naval Signalman and was sent to Canadian Forces Fleet School Esquimalt. Upon completion of her training, she was posted to Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Nipigon, as part of the first cohort of women posted to a Canadian destroyer.

In 1989, Capt. MacNeil transferred to the Naval Reserves in order to attend university. As a member of HMCS Scotian, then HMCS Discovery, she had the opportunity to sail each summer on various minor war vessels, such as HMCS Porte de la Reine, and HMCS Porte St. Jean. She received a Bachelor of Arts in 1995 and a Bachelor of Education in 1996, both from the University of British Columbia.

In 1996, Capt. MacNeil released from the CAF to focus on her family; her husband remained in the CAF and over the next several years, there were postings in Alberta, Nova Scotia, BC, and Ontario. In 2014, Capt. MacNeil re-enrolled in the CAF as an Aerospace Control Officer (AEC) and was posted to North Bay, ON.

After three years as an AEC, Capt. MacNeil decided to make a change, and took advantage of the Officer Voluntary Occupation Transfer Program. In 2019 she was accepted as a Public Affairs Officer (PAO) and posted with her husband to 17 Wing Winnipeg. It was a busy two years. Capt. MacNeil conducted On-the-job Training (OJT) at 2 Canadian Air Division, then began a yearlong French course. In October 2020 the Public Affairs Officer Course began, and her husband retired. Upon completion of the PAO course in May of 2021, Capt. MacNeil was posted to 19 Wing Comox.

Immediately upon arrival at 19 Wing, Capt. MacNeil deployed as the Public Affairs Officer for Air Task Force Romania, part of Operation REASSURANCE. Upon her return, Capt. MacNeil assumed the role of Public Affairs Officer for 19 Wing for a brief time before deploying again, this time for six months on His Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Winnipeg. This deployment included Exercise Rim of the Pacific and Operation PROJECTION. Capt. MacNeil returned to her office in 19 Wing Comox in January 2023, and in November 2023 was assigned the role of the CF-18 Demo Team PAO for 2024, much to her delight!