Honorary Colonel Vice Admiral Duncan “Dusty” Miller CMM,MSC,CD (Ret’d)

Biography / June 15, 2016

Vice Admiral (VAdm) Miller is delighted to be an RCAF Honorary Colonel and has a great love for the air community and especially Naval Air. He was appointed Honorary Colonel of 406 Maritime Operational Training Squadron, Shearwater, NS in December 2015.

Honorary Colonel Miller joined the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) in 1965 while attending Bishop’s University in Lennoxville, QC, graduating in 1968. He was accepted on a Pilot Training Course in 1969 but was convinced to forego the course and become an anti-submarine warfare (ASW) Air Controller aboard his first ship HMCS MARGAREE instead. He loved it and has been able to fly in almost all of Canada’s Naval related aircraft from Horse to Sea King to Aurora (member of VPI). He became the highest NATO Grade A Controller in 1970 and maintained that qualification even as Executive Officer through to 1983. His father was briefly in the Royal Air Force and his father in law flew Spitfires for the RCAF in WW2. His daughter was an Air Cadet so this love for the air is definitely in the family!

Honorary Colonel Miller served 38 years in the Navy. His career highlights include: Captain of two ships, First Canadian Destroyer Squadron, Commander Canadian Forces Warfare Centre (where he commanded a dozen tactical exercises with large Air Forces 1987-1990), Commander Canadian Naval Task Group Persian Gulf War 1990, Commander Allied Logistic Force 1990, Director Naval Requirements, Privy Council Office 1992-1995, Commander Canadian Forces Liaison Staff London UK, Commander Maritime Forces Atlantic 1997-2000, and NATO’s A/Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic and Chief of Staff 2000-2003. He was the NATO HQ commander for the NATO AWACS Aircraft surveillance of North America following 9/11.

After retiring in 2003 Honorary Colonel Miller acted as Joint Force Commander for the Pearson Peacekeeping Centre’s major training exercises for NATO, European Union and German Netherland Corps personnel prior to their deployments to Afghanistan. Recently he served on the 50th Anniversary Sea King Commemoration Committee, Chair of the Premiers NS Medal of Bravery Advisory Committee (2012-2015), LT Governors Arts Advisory Committee, Chair of Commissionaires Nova Scotia (2014-present), Commissionaires Eastern Council and Commissionaires Canada Advisory Board. Board of Director for Pier 21 (1999-2010), Chair Canadian Naval Memorial Trust (2004-2009), Director of Walter Callow Transport for Veterans and a member of a number of groups actively supporting Veterans.

Honorary Colonel Miller is in a number of musical groups such as the Phoenix Community Choir, the NS Men’s Choir Nova Voce, the Stadacona Band (as a soloist at the Battle of Atlantic), and the Rataplan Players (which raises funds for theatres). He and his wife Ann are extremely proud of the air force community and are delighted to promote their amazing work and contribution to Canada’s security.