Kevin West | |
|---|---|
 West in 2018 | |
| Allegiance | Canada |
| Service/ | Royal Canadian Air Force |
| Years of service | 1983–2018 |
| Rank | Chief Warrant Officer |
| Commands held | Canadian Forces Chief Warrant Officer (2013–2018) |
| Battles/wars | Operation Sharp Guard |
Chief Warrant Officer Kevin Charles West, MMM , MSM , CD was a chief warrant officer of the Royal Canadian Air Force. He served as the 12th Canadian Force Chief Warrant Officer and was previously the Chief Warrant Officer of the Royal Canadian Air Force. [1] [2]
In the summer of 1983, West joined the Canadian Forces Naval Reserve as a signalman. [3] In January 1985, he transferred to the Regular Force and was posted to CFB Esquimalt. [3] In 1987, he was promoted to able seaman and posted to HMCS Gatineau. [3] During his time in the Navy, he sailed in a number of ships on the East Coast of Canada. [4]
In 1990, he underwent an occupational transfer to the Airborne Electronic Sensor Operator Trade and therefore became a member of the Air Force. [4] In the rank of corporal he undertook basic aircrew training at 19 Wing Comox and then Maritime Operational Aircrew Training at 404 Squadron. [3] In 1991, having received his wings, he was posted to No. 415 Maritime Patrol Squadron. [4]
In 1995, he was promoted to sergeant and deployed on several operations including Op Sharp Guard in support of the United Nation sanctions in Bosnia. Promoted to Warrant Officer in 1998, he was posted to 405 MP squadron and in 2000 he was promoted to Master Warrant Officer and posted to 1 Canadian Air Division HQ. In 2006 was as promoted and posted to Canadian Forces Air Navigation School as the school CWO. In June 2007, CWO West was appointed as the first Non-Commissioned Member (NCM) Commandant of the NCM Professional Development Centre in Saint-Jean, Quebec. [4] In 2009 he was appointed 8 Wing CWO before deploying as the Joint Task Force-Afghanistan Air Wing CWO in 2011. [3] In 2011, CWO West was presented the CDS Commendation by General Walt Natynczk for holding "not only the base but the surrounding community together in the aftermath of the horrific murders carried out by Trenton's former commander, Russell Williams." [5]
Kevin West retired in 2018 amid controversy surrounding a "party flight" where former NHL hockey player Dave "Tiger" Williams was charged with assault and sexual assault arising from an in-flight incident (the charges were later dropped as part of a pre-trial agreement). West, who was on board the aircraft when the incident took place, claimed: "I wish I had known. I would stopped everything right there. More action would have been taken." Shortly after his retirement West was re-hired by the CAF as a civilian contractor as a sexual assault victims advocate. [6]
West has received the following decorations during his military career:
| Ribbon | Description | Notes |
 | Order of Military Merit (MMM) |
|
 | Meritorious Service Medal (MSM) |
|
 | General Campaign Star |
|
 | Special Service Medal |
|
 | Canadian Peacekeeping Service Medal | |
 | Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal |
|
 | Canadian Forces' Decoration (CD) |
|
He received the Meritorious Service Medal for his 2011 leadership efforts in Afghanistan. [7]
In addition to these medals, Kevin West has also received the following:
Chief Warrant officer is a senior warrant officer rank, used in many countries.
Chief petty officer, 1st class, CPO1, is the most senior non-commissioned member (NCM) rank of the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN). It is equivalent to a chief warrant officer (CWO) in the Canadian Army and Royal Canadian Air Force. It is immediately senior to the rank of chief petty officer 2nd-class and its equivalents, master warrant officer; it is part of the cadre of warrant officers.
Master warrant officer (MWO) is a senior military rank in the Bangladesh Armed Forces, the Canadian Forces, Singapore Armed Forces, the South African National Defence Force and the Israel Defense Forces.
The Canadian Forces Chief Warrant Officer is the senior non-commissioned member appointment in the Canadian Armed Forces. The post was created in 1978 with the first appointment of Chief Warrant Officer Robert Osside. CFCWO is a position created by the chief of the Defence Staff to assist the CDS in his duties and advise him on all issues relating to non-commissioned members. CWO Bob McCann, MMM, MSM, CD, is the current CFCWO since March 17, 2023.
41 Canadian Brigade Group is a Canadian Army formation of the 3rd Canadian Division. The formation is composed of Army Reserve units within the province of Alberta and the Northwest Territories. The headquarters of the brigade is in Calgary.
A warrant officer (WO) in the British Armed Forces is a member of the highest-ranking group of non-commissioned ranks, holding the King's Warrant, which is signed by the Secretary of State for Defence.
The Royal Canadian Air Force Command Chief Warrant Officer is the senior non-commissioned officer in the Royal Canadian Air Force.
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