OTTAWA - Today, at Parliament Hill, 11 Canadian Forces, soldiers, sailors, airmen and airwomen were recognized for their contributions to the military as part of the CF Recognition Program.
"The men and women of the Canadian Forces are among Canada's greatest citizens and deserve the respect and recognition of a grateful nation," said the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence. "I’m proud to recognize select members of the military family for their outstanding work, performance and valuable contributions to Canada's safety and security both at home and abroad."
"These deserving members have been selected from across the country for their demonstrated leadership, commitment, skill, and initiative,” said General Walt Natynczyk, Chief of the Defence Staff. "They represent the best of the Canadian Forces.”
The individuals recognized were:
Corporal Ricardo Chiu
Canadian Forces School of Communications and Electronics
Canadian Forces Base, Kingston, Ontario
Master Corporal Philippe Gagné
5 Headquarter & Signals Squadron, CFB Valcartier, Quebec
Chief Warrant Officer Edward Ingleby
3 Area Support Group
CFB Gagetown, New Brunswick
Captain Frank Lacaille
404 Long Range Patrol & Training Squadron
14 Wing Greenwood, Nova Scotia
Leading Seaman Craig Lawrence
3 Intelligence Company, HMCS St John’s, Halifax, Nova Scotia
Lieutenant- Commander Mark Macintyre
Assistant Deputy Minister (Public Affairs), Ottawa, Ontario
Leading Seaman Kimberly Maclean
Canadian Forces Naval Operations School, Halifax, Nova Scotia
Captain Greg Mendes
Canadian Forces Recruit Centre
Vancouver, British Columbia
Master Corporal Caroline Poulin
12 Régiment Blindé du Canada, CFB Valcartier, Quebec
Corporal Jesse Sorensen
21 Aerospace Control & Warning Squadron
22 Wing North Bay Ontario
Sergeant Edward Turcotte
Canadian Operational Support Command Headquarters, Ottawa, Ontario
The House of Commons annually recognizes deserving Canadian Forces personnel who represent the very best of our sailors, soldiers, airmen and airwomen. The CF Recognition Program began with the enrolment ceremony on June 3, 2011, when 43 men and women became members of the Canadian Forces.
Considered to be the centerpiece of the Canadian Forces Recognition Program, the Canadian Forces Recognition Day in the House of Commons gives Members of Parliament the opportunity to thank them, and all Canadian military personnel, for their service to Canada.
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Note to editors/ news directors: Please see below for Member’s biographies.
For more information: Contact the Department of National Defence (DND) Media Liaison Office (MLO) at: 1-866-377-0811/ (613) 996-2353.
Member Biographies
Corporal Ricardo Chiu enlisted in the Canadian Forces Reserves as an Infantryman with the Queen's Own Rifles of Canada in 2000. After graduating from RCC College of Technology in 2006, he started working full time in the Reserves as an instructor. In September 2008, Corporal Chiu was deployed in support of Task Force Afghanistan, as part of a Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) Team with the Kandahar Provincial Reconstruction Team. Corporal Chiu returned from Afghanistan in April 2009 and started instructing again until April 2010, when he received his Component Transfer into the Regular Force as a Communications Research Operator. Corporal Chiu is currently posted to the Canadian Forces School of Communications and Electronics in Kingston, Ontario until completion of his trades training.
Master Corporal Philippe Gagné was born in Arthabaska, Quebec, and joined the Canadian Forces in 2001 as an Infantryman. He transferred into the Communication branch and received a posting to Valcartier, Quebec. He was deployed to Afghanistan in 2004 and promoted to Corporal later that year. He was then posted to CFB Trenton as a Military Communication System Operator, followed by a deployment to South West Asia in 2007. In 2008, he was promoted to the rank of MCpl and returned to Valcartier. He was later deployed to Haiti on OP HESTIA, and is now employed as the Signals Platoon Sergeant with the Royal 22e Regiment.
Chief Warrant Officer Edward Ingleby enrolled with the Canadian Scottish Regiment on Vancouver Island in 1977. He was deployed to Kuwait at the end of the first Gulf War as the Engineer Intelligence NCO and Explosive Ordnance Disposal Liaison Officer to the United Nations and to the Allied Forces. In 1994, CWO lngleby was posted to Sector South HQ, UNPROFOR, in Croatia for one year as the Sector Mine NCO. Then, in 1998, he deployed to Bosnia as part of Stabilization Force. CWO lngleby also travelled to Kathmandu, Nepal, to teach explosive threats to the Nepalese workers who were part of CANCAP in Afghanistan. During this time, he received a Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff, and a Joint Operations Group Commander, Commendation. CWO lngleby is now serving with the 3 Area Support Group, Engineer Branch at Canadian Forces Base Gagetown.
Captain Frank Lacaille joined the Canadian Forces Reserves in 1995 while completing his education. Upon graduation from l’Université de Sherbrooke in August 2000 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, he joined the Regular Force. In 2003, he was awarded his Navigator wings and was posted to 415 Squadron in Greenwood, Nova Scotia as an Acoustics Sensor Officer on the CP 140 Aurora aircraft. In 2006, Capt Lacaille was posted to 405 Squadron to complete his operational tour. During his time on the squadron, he deployed to many remote locations, both domestically and abroad. In 2010, Capt Lacaille volunteered to participate in OP HESTIA and OP CADENCE.
Leading Seaman Craig Lawrence was born and raised in Newfoundland. He joined the Naval Reserve in June of 1996 and completed basic training in July of 1997. After completing his initial Boatswain training at the Seamanship Division in Halifax, he was posted to HMCS Ville de Québec in November of 1997. Upon his promotion to Petty Officer Second Class, he was posted to the CFNOS as the Senior Reserve Drill Instructor. In early 2008, LS Lawrence transferred to the Regular Force, and was recruited as a Communication Researcher. Upon completion of his training, he was posted to 3 Intelligence Company in June of 2008. He requested an occupational transfer back to his original trade of Boatswain, which was completed in November of 2010, and he was later posted into his current position, HMCS ST. JOHN’S.
Lieutenant-Commander Mark MacIntyre joined the Canadian Forces in 1991 in Sydney, Nova Scotia. He graduated from the Royal Military College of Canada in 1995. After his naval training in Victoria, he served in a number of seagoing and shore appointments before transferring to the Public Affairs Branch in 2000. After training in Ottawa and Fort Meade, Maryland, LCdr MacIntyre served as a Public Affairs Officer in a variety of posts, including deployed operations at the 2002 G8 Summit in Kananaskis (Operation Grizzly), in Kandahar in 2006 (Operation Archer), and in support of the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games (Operation Podium). He is currently serving as the Public Affairs Officer to the Chief of the Defence Staff, General Walt Natynczyk.
Leading Seaman Kimberly MacLean was born and raised in Big River, Saskatchewan. After high school, she attended the University of Saskatchewan. After two years of Political Studies, she decided to join the Navy as a Naval Communicator. Following her QL3 Naval Communications training, she was posted to HMCS Iroquois. In 2004, LS MacLean sailed onboard HMCS Montréal, which included a NATO deployment where she was able to complete her QL4 package. After 4 years onboard HMCS Iroquois, LS MacLean was posted to CFNOS Halifax as a QL5 Naval Communicator instructor. In the spring of 2009, LS MacLean deployed to Kandahar Province as part of the Provincial Reconstruction Team working as a CIMIC (Civil-Military Co-operation) Information Manager.
Captain Greg Mendes was born in London, England, in 1974. Shortly after his birth, his family immigrated to Calgary, Alberta. He enrolled in the CF in February 1998 as a Direct Entry Officer. Following completion of Basic and French training, he worked at 425 Escadron tactique de chasse at CFB Bagotville for one year. He graduated with his pilot wings in May 2002, was promoted to Captain, and posted to 429 Squadron at CFB Trenton. He went on to complete two Afghanistan deployments with the South West Asia Tactical Airlift Unit. In May 2005 he received a posting to 436 Squadron at CFB Trenton, where he completed another two Afghanistan deployments with the South West Asia Tactical Airlift Unit. In September 2008, he was posted to CFRC Vancouver as a Military Career Counsellor and Production Officer. This summer Capt Mendes is being posted to 435 Sqn at CFB Winnipeg.
Master Corporal Caroline Poulin joined the CF in 2003 as a supply Technician. In 2004, she was responsible for client services at the Royal 22e Regiment Headquarter. In 2010, she was assigned Roto/1-09 to Kandahar, Afghanistan. In April 2010, Cpl Poulin was transferred to the 5e Batallion de Service. Cpl Poulin is now serving with 12 RBC in Valcartier, Quebec.
Corporal Jesse Sorensen joined the Canadian Forces in July 2001. Following basic trade training at the Canadian Forces School of Aerospace Control in Cornwall, Ontario, Cpl Sorensen was assigned to 21 Aerospace Control and Warning Squadron (21 AC&W Sqn) at 22 Wing North Bay. He was promoted to his current rank in the spring of 2005. In 2007, Cpl Sorensen was posted to the Canadian Forces School of Aerospace Control in Cornwall, Ontario, as Air Defence Instructor. Cpl Sorensen was posted back to 21 AC&W Sqn in May 2010.
Sergeant Edward Turcotte enrolled in the Canadian Forces in 1990. After completing his Field Engineer course in Chilliwack, British Columbia, he was posted to 5e Régime du Génie de Combat in Valcartier. He occupied various positions at multiple ranks, and deployed to former Yugoslavia in 1993 and 1999. He was later posted to Canadian Forces School of Administration and Logistics in Borden where he was employed as instructor and course director. On July 1st 2003, Sgt Turcotte was promoted to his current rank. He is now a member of the Reserve Force and living in his hometown of Ottawa. He is employed within CANOSCOM as an Operations Coordinator, and had the opportunity to deploy on Op Podium (CF support to the 2010 Winter Olympics).
