Kevin joined the Canadian Armed Forces in 1982 as an Air Weapons Technician. His first posting was to 419 Squadron in Cold Lake, to work on CF-5 Freedom Fighters.
In 1987, he saw the light and remustered to AESOp (Airborne Electronic Sensor Operator). He trained on CP 121 Trackers and CH 124 Sea Kings. Kevin had operational tours with 443 Squadron in both Shearwater and Pat Bay, and 423 Squadron in Shearwater. He was also an AESOp instructor at 406 Squadron in Shearwater.
His interest and self-taught skills enabled him to get posted to the Information Technology Wing of the NATO Air Base in Geilenkirchen, Germany, where he worked as a programmer on the ESM (Electronic Support Measures) system used on NATO’s E3A Sentry AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) aircraft. He greatly enjoyed this extended European posting.
Upon returning to Canada, Kevin was posted west to his favourite squadron: 443 in Pat Bay, British Columbia. His duties included operational flying, Squadron Operations, Readiness, Training, and Standards. Ultimately, Kevin became the Squadron’s Senior AESOp.
Kevin went from 443 to Ottawa, where he worked at DAR-8 (Director Air Requirements 8), developing the requirements for future drone aircraft. When that tour was up, Kevin retired from the Regular Force as a Master Warrant Officer. For a short time after, he served in the ARAF (Air Reserve Augmentation Flight) at 443 Sqn until his full retirement in 2009.
After retirement, he lived in Lake Cowichan, British Columbia, until returning to Ottawa in 2025. He was diagnosed and treated for cancer a short time later. Kevin passed away peacefully in the presence of friends on 5 March 2026.
He will be fondly remembered by many people whose lives he touched.
Friends are invited to visit on Monday, March 16, 2026, from 10 a.m. in the Hall of Colours at the Beechwood National Memorial Centre, 280 Beechwood Avenue, Ottawa. A graveside service will be held at 12 p.m. in the National Military Cemetery at Beechwood Cemetery.
A donation to an organization of your choice that provides support to at-risk youth or to the Perley Health Foundation is appropriate.
Livre de visiteurs
Kent Cripps
Jeff Wudrick
Very sorry to hear about Kevin's passing. A good guy, I have many very good memories of the time that we worked together in Cold Lake.
Kevin has been a great friend over the years. He will be missed.