Captain Ryan Tyler - helicopter pilot
News Article / February 17, 2012
Name: Captain Ryan Tyler
Occupation: Helicopter pilot
Current unit: 403 Helicopter Operations Training Squadron, CFB Gagetown, N.B.
Captain Ryan Tyler, currently posted to 403 Tactical Helicopter Squadron, under 1 Wing command, was awarded the Air Marshall W.A. Bishop, VC, Memorial Trophy in Quebec City, Que. last fall.
The award is presented for excellence in operations other than air transportation and search and rescue. It is awarded in recognition of outstanding and meritorious achievement and commemorates the exploits of the late Air Marshal William Avery Bishop, VC, and is one of the country’s highest military aviation honour.
Capt Tyler received the award in recognition of his extraordinary work in tactics and courseware development in support of the Army and operations inAfghanistan.
“It was very unexpected and I’m quite honoured considering the previous recipients of this award,” he said. “I’ve also got to give a lot of credit to the other members of my team who have worked with me over the last few years.”
With his achievement he has set the standard in the provision of fire support to the land force and for tactical aviation procedures.
Capt Tyler was deployed to Afghanistanin 2008 with 403 Squadron when his crew performed escort and fire support roles that were a new capability for the CH-146 Griffon helicopter. The aviation tactics flight (ATF) took the lead on developing these tactics and then trained many of the mission commanders who would lead the helicopter formations in combat.
“It’s been a highlight of my career to see all the work we put in during peace time, proven to be effective during combat operations and saving lives,” he said.
Capt Tyler is a reservist who also balances his military life with a career in the civilian aviation industry.
“The excellent balance that he has struck between his commitment to civilian employment and the needs of the service make him the epitome of the dedicated Reservist,” said Lieutenant-Colonel Denis O’Reilly, commander of 403 Squadron. “He has been a stellar ambassador for the total force concept.”
His citation reads in part:
“Captain Tyler has been the Aviation Tactics Flight (ATF) fire power subject matter expert from 2008-2011. Throughout this period he demonstrated exceptional leadership in the development of tactics and courseware, the basis for which operational units employ themselves in support to the army as well as support to operations inAfghanistan. He has currently set the standard in the provision of fire support to the land force and tactical aviator procedures. A highly qualified tactical aviator with vast instructional expertise his strong operational focus led him to initiate and spearhead ATF in developing doctrine for fire support to the land force. He was the lead in developing close combat attack and aerial door gunning training plans, synthesizing allied tactics and harmonizing them into existing Canadian doctrine. His outstanding work in fire support has enhanced the working relationship between the Air Force and the Army”.