Aviator in focus: Corporal Chris Morrison
News Article / December 8, 2014
By Captain Wright Eruebi
The Combined Aerospace Operations Centre (CAOC), hub of Royal Canadian Air Force operations worldwide, is a high-stakes environment and runs with the precision of an airport control tower.
Located within the headquarters of 1 Canadian Air Division and the Canadian NORAD Region in Winnipeg, Manitoba, a team of aerospace control operators conduct the initial triage of the steady stream of data that pours into the CAOC from radars, sensors and satellites. They then push that critical information up the chain to commanders who make decisions that often have far-reaching consequences.
The operators are like computer wizards and video gamers with military polish. In the dimly-lit ambiance of the CAOC, Corporal Chris Morrison and his fellow aerospace control operators are glued to computers that display massive amounts of data in multi-coloured texts. While scanning the monitors, they also listen intently over headsets to the random crackling of encrypted audio transmissions from far and near, from which they discern the information bits that are worthy of supervisor attention.
They make notes, speak in hushed tones and, when the situation warrants, jump to their feet and boldly make a declaration, even when general officers are present, that carries across the room. There is little room for error, the hours are long, and decisions are made in only seconds, but Corporal Morrison lights up when he talks about his work.
“I love my job,” he says. “Look how far I have come, an ordinary guy from Holstein, Ontario, and I get to play in the big league of my profession. I am loving it!”
The senior operations duty officer, Major Rhea Maclean, describes Corporal Morrison as highly intelligent and a multi-tasker.
“Corporal Morrison is able to simultaneously monitor NavCanada radar feeds and oversee operational chat windows and air defence warning systems – and he does it well.”
Corporal Morrison came to Winnipeg in April 2014 from 21 Aerospace Control and Warning Squadron, which is part of the Canadian Air Defence Sector (CADS) located at 22 Wing North Bay, Ontario. There he proved himself a dependable aerospace control operator.
He has worked as a defensive duty technician, which is a pre-requisite for personnel who input aircraft data into the National Aerospace Planning Process Integration Capability program.
He has also worked with Canadian naval ships, airborne warning and control systems (AWACS) aircraft, mobile radars, Operation Noble Eagle (a standing NORAD mission to defend against asymmetric attacks within North America), northern sovereignty operations and NORAD defence sectors in the United States.
He joined the Canadian Armed Forces in 2001, and completed his initial trades training at the Canadian Forces School of Aerospace Control Operations in Cornwall, Ontario, from where he joined CADS.