R 261350Z JUN 07
FM NDHQ DJCP OTTAWA
TO AIG 1704
AIG 1705
BT
UNCLAS 025
SIC WEH
SUBJ: RETIREMENT COLONEL DAVID T. NEIL, AIR NAVIGATOR
1. COL DAVID NEIL WILL STANDDOWN FLYING STATIONS ON 27 JUL 07 AND
CLOSE UP
FOR A WELL DESERVED CREW REST AND MAINTENANCE PERIOD FOLLOWING 35
YEARS OF DISTINGUISHED SERVICE TO THE AIR FORCE, THE NAVY AND THE
CANADIAN FORCES.
AFTER OBTAINING HIS AIR NAVIGATOR WINGS IN APRIL 1977, HE JOINED THE
MARITIME HELICOPTER AVIATOR COMMUNITY AT 12 WING SHEARWATER AND HAD
SEVERAL FLYING TOURS AT 423 MARITIME HELICOPTER SQUADRON AS A SEA
KING TACTICAL COORDINATOR, TACCO, HELICOPTER AIR DETACHMENT,
HELAIRDET, COMMANDER, AND AS THE
COMMANDING OFFICER FROM JUL 95 TO JUL 97. HE ALSO SERVED AS AN HS
TACCO INSTRUCTOR AT 406 OPERATIONAL TRAINING SQUADRON. HIS HELAIRDET
PAGE 2 RCCLHAV6030 UNCLAS
SERVICE INCLUDED HMC SHIPS ASSINIBOINE, OTTAWA, ALGONQUIN, AND
ATHABASCAN, AND AS
AIR OFFICER IN THE FIRST CANADIAN DESTROYER SQUADRON.
2. HIS SHORE TOURS COMPRISED NDHQ APPOINTMENTS OF EXCEPTIONAL
RESPONSIBILITY
AND COMPLEXITY INCLUDING DIRECTORATE OF MARITIME AVIATION 1988-92,
DIRECTORATE OF PERSONNEL CAREERS ADMINISTRATION FOR OFFICERS
1992-93, DIRECTOR OF AEROSPACE DEVELOPMENT COORDINATION 1993-95,
DIRECTORATE OF AEROSPACE REQUIREMENTS AS PROJECT DIRECTOR FOR THE
MARITIME HELICOPTER AND AURORA INCREMENTAL MODERNIZATION PROJECT
1997-2001, AND DIRECTOR OF
AEROSPACE STRATEGIC PLANS 2001-05.  IN JUL 05 HE WAS POSTED TO THE
DCDS GROUP AS DIRECTOR JOINT FORCE CAPABILITIES AND THEN AS ACTING
DIRECTOR GENERAL JOINT FORCE DEVELOPMENT.  AS PART OF CF
TRANSFORMATION, HE LED THE DGJFD TRANSITION TO BECOME, IN AUG 06,
THE DIRECTOR OF JOINT CAPABILITY PRODUCTION, DJCP, IN THE CHIEF OF
FORCE DEVELOPMENT BRANCH OF THE VCDS GROUP.
3. COL NEILS IMMEDIATE FUTURE PLANS INCLUDE STAYING IN THE NCR AND
ENJOYING LIFE WITH FEWER PIPES FOR THE AIR OFFICER TO THE BRIDGE.
THE CFD BRANCH WILL BE HOLDING A RETIREMENT FUNCTION IN HONOUR OF
PAGE 3 RCCLHAV6030 UNCLAS
COL NEIL ON 26 JULY 2007 AT THE BYTOWN MESS IN OTTAWA.  FRIENDS AND
COLLEAGUES ARE INVITED TO SHARE IN THIS CELEBRATION OF HIS
DISTINGUISHED CAREER.  THOSE WHO WISH TO ATTEND THE RETIREMENT
FUNCTION PLEASE CONTACT THE DJCP POC, MAJOR ART HENRY, VIA E-MAIL TO
HENRY.AJ AT FORCES.GC.CA OR TELEPHONE 945 7975. CONGRATULATORY
E-MAILS AND SALTY DIPS MAY BE SENT TO CAPT KIM HESS, VIA E-MAIL TO
HESS.KA AT FORCES.GC.CA OR TELEPHONE 613-943-8186.
BT