Master Warrant Officer Kevin Pugh will be retiring from the Canadian Armed Forces 16 November 2023 following a military career spanning over 35 years including service with the Royal Air Force (UK) and Royal Canadian Air Force.

MWO Pugh joined the RAF (UK) 16 Jun 1987, in Cardiff, South Wales, UK and completed Basic Training at RAF Swinderby. Here, Aircraftman (AC) Pugh was fortunate enough to be the only recruit to ever achieve all 3 recruit awards: Best in Physical Training, Best in Ground Defence Training and Best Overall Recruit.

Posted to No.1 Radio School, RAF Locking for trade training in Aug 1987. Completed Electronic Technician Airfield Course in Feb 1989 and again, fortunate enough to achieve ‘Holroyd Award’ for leadership and was promoted from AC to Junior Technician (JT).

A posting to Ground Radio Support Section (GRSS) at RAF St. Athan, South Wales was next where JT Pugh maintained airfield equipment. Promoted to Cpl, Apr 1992, and deployed to Joint Communications Unit Falkland Islands (JCUFI) from Jan – Jun 1993 in support of airfield systems and long-range HF Comms.

Next came a NATO posting to Regional Operations Center (ROC) Northwest, at Joint Service Unit (JSU) Northwood in May 1996, working within the Technical Control Facility (TCF) in support of NATO backbone comms networks. Here the opportunity was afforded to attend NATO Communications and Information Systems School (NCISS), Latina. Italy.

A family decision was made and Cpl Pugh released from the RAF (UK), immigrated to Canada July 2002, and applied for ATIS position within the RCAF. Enrolled on 14 Oct 2003, in CFB Winnipeg and posted to 4 WTISS, CFB Cold Lake, 7 Nov 2003. While here, Cpl Pugh had the opportunity to deploy to northern FOBs and provide support to Ex COHESIVE FORCE, Ex WOLF SAFARI and several Ex MAPLE FLAG.

Promotion to MCpl was followed by a posting to 742 Signal Squadron, CFB Edmonton in July 2007, as a technician / supervisor at the Military Aeronautical Communications System (MACS) sites. While at Edmonton, MCpl Pugh provided support for Op NANOOK and instructed First Aid and Combat First Aid.

Feb 2012, saw promotion to Sgt and a posting to 8 ACCS, CFB Trenton as Tactical Communications Supervisor. Deployed domestically in support of: Ex GYPSY WANDERER, Op NANOOK and multiple Ex MAPLE RESOLVE. Deployed to: Iceland in support of Op IGNITION, and Middle East as part of strategical recce followed by tech support for Op IMPACT ROTO Zero where Sgt Pugh was awarded Air Task Force – Iraq Commander’s Commendation for commitment and perseverance.

Promoted to WO and posted to CFB Winnipeg as C4S WO in Jul 2016. Deployed to Middle East for further six-month tour as Sig Tp WO in support of Op IMPACT. Promoted to MWO in July 2019, and assumed position of CIS Flt SrWO while concurrently fulfilling OSS A/SCWO role for an eight month period. Full circle was achieved when posted back to CFB Cold Lake as CIS Flt SrWO in August 2020.

MWO Pugh will reach CRA in November 2023, and will be stepping into a civilian support role in CFB Edmonton, where he is looking forward to spending more time with his “amazing family” that has supported him throughout, despite being dragged all over ‘God’s Creation’ for the last 35 years.

MWO Pugh would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone, military and civilian, he has had the opportunity to work alongside over the years. “It has been an absolute honour to serve.”

A Departure With Dignity ceremony will be held 9 November 2023, at the Warrant Officers’ and Sergeants’ Mess in Cold Lake. Please send any congratulatory messages or humorous anecdotes to WO Patry by email: [email protected]