Biography

Colonel R.R. Pitre, CD
Wing Commander

Colonel Pitre began his air weapons career in 1980. Following basic controller training at the Air Weapons Control and Countermeasures School in North Bay, he was assigned to the 22nd NORAD Region. In 1984, with the transition from the Semi-automated Ground Environment (SAGE) to the Regional Operations Control Centre (ROCC), he was assigned to the newly formed Canada West Region as a weapons assignment officer.

In 1985, following promotion to captain, he was posted to the Canadian Forces Officer Candidate School in Chilliwack, British Columbia. There he held positions as instructor, Platoon Officer, Platoon Commander, Company 2 IC and Assistant Adjudant.

In 1988, he was assigned to the 28th Air Division, Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, home of the American Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS). During his tour, he worked as a weapons director, senior director, mission crew commander and instructor in the 964th and 965th Airborne Warning and Control Squadrons, as well as the 552nd Tactical Training Squadron.

In 1991, coinciding with his promotion to major, he was deployed to the Gulf War supporting both Operation PROVEN FORCE from Incirlk, Turkey and Operation DESERT STORM, based out of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. For his contributions, he was awarded the Gulf and Kuwait Liberation Medal, as well as the United States Air Medal for air combat support.

In 1994, he returned to Canada to assume the position of G3 Coordination 5 for operations, Air Command Headquarters, Winnipeg. Two years later, he headed to Bagotville, Quebec where he assumed command of 12 Tactical Radar Squadron. With his tour at an end in 1998, he proceeded to the Canadian Forces Command and Staff College, Toronto, Ontario from where he was promoted to lieutenant-colonel and subsequently posted to 22 Wing North Bay as 21 Aerospace Control and Warning Squadron Commanding Officer.

In July 2002, he was posted to National Defence Headquarters, Ottawa and assumed the position of Executive Assistant to the Chief of the Air Staff. One year later, he was promoted to colonel and assumed the position of Director Space Development shortly thereafter.

In May 2005, Colonel Pitre was appointed Acting Director General Joint Force Development overseeing the transition of transformation capabilities such as C4ISR, Joint Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, Satellite Wide Surveillance, Joint Space Support, Joint Intelligence and Information Fusion and Concept, Development and Experimentation et al to the new Chief of Development Construct.

Colonel Pitre assumed command of 22 Wing/Canadian Forces Base North Bay and the Canadian Air Defence Sector on 28 February 2006.