André Deschamps (RCAF officer)
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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 |
Branch | Royal Canadian Air Force[a] |
Service years | 1977-2012 |
Rank | Lieutenant General |
| Commands | Squadron 2, NAB Geilenkirchen 8 Wing Trenton Royal Canadian Air Force |
Conflicts | 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