André Deschamps (RCAF officer)
Lieutenant-General Joseph Paul André Deschamps, CMM, CD, usually André Deschamps or J P A Deschamps, was Chief of the Air Staff and then Commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force between 2009 and 2012.
Joseph Paul André Deschamps | |
|---|---|
| Allegiance | Canada |
| Service/ | Royal Canadian Air Force[a] |
| Years of service | 1977-2012 |
| Rank | Lieutenant General |
| Commands held | 8 Wing Trenton Royal Canadian Air Force |
| Battles/wars | War in Afghanistan |
| Awards | Commander of the Order of Military Merit Canadian Forces Decoration |
Career
Deschamps joined the Canadian Forces in 1977, and completed pilot training the following year. As a junior officer Deschamps carried out instructor duties on the Musketeer trainer. He later flew the CF-104 Starfighter in Europe during the Cold War.[1]
Deschamps served as the Commanding Officer of Squadron 2, NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen, Germany, and became Commanding Officer of 8 Wing Trenton in 2004, and then commanded the Theatre Support Element (Camp Mirage) in support of Operation Athena in Afghanistan.[1] He was appointed Chief of Staff - Operations of Canadian Expeditionary Force Command in 2006, Assistant Chief of the Air Staff in June 2008[2] and Chief of the Air Staff in October 2009. It was during his tenure that Air Command was renamed the "Royal Canadian Air Force".[3]
Honours
| Ribbon | Description | Notes |
| Order of Military Merit (CMM) |
| |
| Gulf and Kuwait Medal |
| |
| General Campaign Star |
| |
| Special Service Medal |
| |
| Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal |
| |
| Canadian Peacekeeping Service Medal | ||
| NATO Medal |
| |
| NATO Medal |
| |
| Canadian Forces Decoration (CD) |
- He was a qualified RCAF Pilot and as such wore the Royal Air Canadian Forces Pilot Wings.
Notes
- ^ Known as Air Command until 2011
References
- ^ a b Keep Calm and Carry On
- ^ Minister of National Defence announces senior promotions and appointments May 24, 2010, at the Wayback Machine Canadian American Strategic Review, 26 January 2009
- ^ Canadian Navy, Air Force 'Royal' Again With Official Name Change Huffington Post, 15 August 2011
- ^ "André Deschamps Order of Military Merit Citation". Governor General of Canada. Retrieved 28 June 2022.
- ^ "André Deschamps Diamond Jubilee Medal Citation". Governor General of Canada. Retrieved 28 June 2022.
- ^ "Lieutenant-General Joseph Paul André Deschamps, CMM, CD Commander – Royal Canadian Air Force 2011 to 2012 Chief of the Air Staff 2009 to 2011" (PDF). Blatherwick. Retrieved 28 June 2022.