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 | .svg.png.webp){kind=small} Canada |
| Service/ |  Royal Canadian Air Force |
| 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]
References
- Keep Calm and Carry On
- Minister of National Defence announces senior promotions and appointments Archived 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
| Military offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by J D A Hincke |
Assistant Chief of the Air Staff 2008-2009 |
Succeeded by T J Lawson |
| Preceded by A Watt |
Chief of the Air Staff (Commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force from 2011) 2009-2012 |
Succeeded by J Y Blondin |