135/26, Honours and Departmental Awards Announcement

CANFORGEN 135/26 CMP 061/26 271202Z JUL 26

1. On behalf of the King, Her Excellency the Governor General has approved national honours for the following deserving individuals:
   1. Meritorious Service Cross (Military Division)
      1. Gen P.M. Nakasone (United States of America) - For his leadership and collaboration, demonstrating extraordinary dedication to the Canadian Armed Forces and the defence of Canada as Commander of United States Cyber Command and Director of the National Security Agency, Fort Meade, Maryland, United States of America, 2018 to 2023;
      2. Col J.R. Hansen - For extraordinary professionalism and leadership as a mission specialist on the successful Artemis II mission, in which he was the first Canadian and first non-American to travel beyond low Earth orbit, 1 April to 10 April 2026;
      3. Col D.K. Turenne - For extraordinary leadership and diplomatic skill as director of the Combined Air Operations Center during the Israel-Iran conflict, synchronizing multinational air operations and enabling the safe evacuation of 10,000 personnel from the Al Udeid Air Base, Doha, Qatar, June 2025;
      4. LCol L.F. Gilbert - For his extraordinary leadership in commanding Joint Task Force - Ukraine, where he ensured the safety of its personnel and operational continuity while maintaining the integrity of the mission during escalating conflict, Yavoriv, Ukraine, September 2021 to March 2022; and
      5. MS R.J. Helsby-Handley - For extraordinary leadership and international collaboration on a Five Eyes modernization initiative, revitalizing Canada’s signals intelligence capabilities, restoring collection operations, enhancing training and supporting deployed personnel, Ottawa, Ontario, September 2021 to April 2025.
   2. Medal of Bravery
      1. Rgr R.S. Williams - For rescuing two kayakers from hazardous conditions after their vessels capsized near a reef, where he made radio contact with the Canadian Coast Guard, initiated a solo rescue and transferred them to the Coast Guard on route to shore, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, 18 September 2023.
   3. Bar to the Meritorious Service Medal (Military Division)
      1. BGen W. Radiff - For exceptional leadership overseeing NORAD’s historic cross-border aerial engagements, enhancing intelligence integration and improving continental situational awareness as deputy commander of the Alaskan NORAD Region, Anchorage, Alaska, United States of America, 2020 to 2023;
      2. Col S.M. French - For exceptional leadership, operational vision and interagency cooperation while commanding over 1,300 Canadian Army personnel in support of national security, resulting in a safe and seamless execution as the land task force commander during the 2025 G7 Leaders’ Summit, Kananaskis, Alberta, January to June 2025.
   4. Meritorious Service Medal (Military Division)
      1. Col A.D. Anderson - For revitalizing the Lebanon Advisory Network, implementing enduring mission optimization policies and advancing the Canadian government’s regional strategy while synchronizing training across five military allies as commander of Task Force Middle East, Amman, Jordan, June 2024 to June 2025;
      2. Col S.J.L.P. Belley - For his outstanding leadership in forging a cohesive team with resources from across the country, integrating it well with joint and inter-agency partners and delivering critical decisive air power as air task force commander at the 2025 G7 Leaders’ Summit, Kananaskis, Alberta, January to June 2025;
      3. Cdr S.K. Churm - For advancing the cultural evolution of the Canadian Armed Forces in providing outstanding guidance to Command teams and members on workplace relations, conflict resolution and crisis management as naval reserve special advisor workplace relations, Québec, Quebec, 2018 to 2023;
      4. Lt Col J.M. Farkas (United States of America) - For visionary leadership in the development of Canada’s first space campaign plan, enhancing interoperability among ten nations and inspiring future generations through science, technology, engineering and mathematics outreach as the United States Space Force exchange officer to Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, November 2023 to November 2025;
      5. LCol M.R. Kieley - For expanding Operation REASSURANCE’s enhanced Forward Presence Battle Group as the Canadian Army G35 and lead planner, meeting critical deadlines for mounting, deployment and projection of personnel and capabilities, which directly enabled the establishment of NATO’s Multinational Brigade in Latvia, Ottawa, Ontario, September 2022 to July 2024;
      6. LCol D. Prodger - For exceptional leadership in support of Ukraine’s Air Force as Canada’s representative to the Allied Air Force Capability Coalition, where he designed Canada’s first Fighter Lead-in Training programs, enabling accelerated transition to F-16 operations, Ramstein, Germany, February 2024 to August 2025; and
      7. CWO M. Hudon - For exemplary leadership in leading initiatives that strengthened modernization and improved operational effectiveness and allied relations as sergeant major of Task Force Middle East, Kuwait, June 2024 to July 2025.
2. The Chief of the Defence Staff has approved departmental awards for the following deserving individuals:
   1. Chief of the Defence Staff Commendation
      1. MWO K.J. Brault - For his outstanding professionalism and unwavering dedication in a capability analyst role as a member of the Chief of Force Development team, where he advanced critical files for the Canadian Army and Canadian Special Operations Forces Command, Ottawa, Ontario, August 2022 to December 2024; and
      2. Mr. W.G. Cummings - For his contribution over the past five years to the modernization of the Canadian Armed Forces ethos doctrine, reinforcing the foundations of the Canadian Profession of Arms as the lead of the Canadian Defence Academy’s Professional Concepts and Leadership Development team and as editor-in-chief of Trusted to Serve and Fighting Spirit, Kingston, Ontario.
   2. Canadian Forces Medallion for Distinguished Service
      1. Dr. A. Tam - For his expertise on environmental management and operational sustainability programs, strengthening intergovernmental and interdepartmental relationships through proactive conflict resolution and contributions to environmental investigations as the 8 Wing Environment Officer, Trenton, Ontario, 2010 to 2026;
      2. Dr. M.E.K. Wong (United States of America) - For nearly three decades of training, mentorship and advocacy for oral and maxillofacial surgeons, supporting Canadian Armed Forces candidates to receive world-class education and critical trauma centre preparation as the Program Director at the University of Texas in Houston, United States of America.
3. The information above reflects the substantive rank held by the members at the date of the incident. MPRRs will be updated by DH&R upon release of this CANFORGEN.
4. On behalf of the Chief of the Defence Staff, I extend my sincerest congratulations to all recipients. The leadership, professionalism and dedication you have displayed reflect well on our Defence Team.