CFB Borden, Ont. - A graduation ceremony took place yesterday at Canadian Forces Base Borden for the first group of Aviation Systems Technicians (AVN Tech) to complete what has been dubbed the “new generation aircraft technician” course.
The course is an upgraded and much enhanced version of the aircraft technician training given to CF personnel. The 12 graduates had spent the previous 17 months at 16 Wing's Canadian Forces School of Aerospace Technology and Engineering in Borden where they learned to handle, service and maintain aircraft systems such as propulsion, airframe, electrical, weapons systems and their components, as well as aircraft life support equipment.
During his address, reviewing officer Colonel David Millar, Senior Maintenance Advisor for 1 Canadian Air Division Headquarters, told the graduates that their completion of the training signalled "the new beginning of the maintenance capability in the Air Force and the foundation upon which we will rebuild our operational capability..."
The need for transformation was driven in part by the increasingly sophisticated aircraft being introduced into service as well as to better position the Air Force to support future domestic and expeditionary operations. The new approach to training will result in a higher ratio of personnel being available at any given time to support the increasing operational tempo of our modern Air Force.
"What you have acquired during your 17 months of training is the culmination of years of work to redesign the AVN curriculum to produce a far more capable technician, not just educated and trained, but mature, confident, enthusiastic and ready to assume the challenges of maintaining Canada's aircraft fleets," said Col. Millar.
According to personnel involved in the development of the new curriculum, this overhauled AVN Tech course is believed to be the most comprehensive basic aircraft technician training in North America today. Combining leading edge technology and enhanced practical training, the new course will provide front line squadrons with better trained technicians who will much more rapidly be able to fully contribute to operational missions.
