CWO Doug Harry: A Legacy of Leadership in the Canadian Armed Forces

Foundations of a Military Leader: Doug Harry’s Early Life in Ontario

Growing Up in New Liskeard and the Upper Notch

Chief Warrant Officer (CWO) Douglas Allan Harry, affectionately known as Doug Harry, was born in New Liskeard, Ontario, on October 4, 1961, and grew up in a small Ontario Hydro hydroelectric power station community called the Upper Notch, located on the Ontario-Quebec border. Living in the bush, CWO Harry grew up with fishing and hunting in his blood.

Education and Early Responsibilities in Dorchester

In 1969, CWO Harry's father was reassigned to Buchanan Transformer Station in London, Ontario, where the Harry family settled in the town of Dorchester. CWO Harry attended River Heights Elementary School in Dorchester, followed by Lord Dorchester Secondary School. During this time, he worked as the neighbourhood paperboy.

Building Character in Sports, Scouts, and Formative Work Experiences

In 1976, CWO Harry and his family moved to a farm just outside of Dorchester in the small town of Putnam, Ontario. However, he continued to attend high school in Dorchester. While in high school, CWO Harry actively participated in various sports, including basketball, rugby, and archery. He was involved in cubs and scouts for approximately seven years and held several jobs, including working on the family farm, picking tobacco for 11 years, and doing construction work.

Academic Journey and Early Career Steps

After completing high school, CWO Harry attended Mohawk College in Hamilton, Ontario, where he enrolled in the electronics technology program. During this time, he worked part-time as a security guard at the Westinghouse Steam Turbine Plant. After a year, he continued his studies in the same program at Fanshawe College in London, Ontario, while living at home and working part-time for Wilco Electronics. Upon graduating in 1984 and facing a challenging job market, CWO Harry secured a position at Firestone Steel in London, Ontario, working on the rim line.

 Career Promotions 

Career Advancement in the Royal Canadian Air Force: Key Promotions and Milestones

Early Promotions and Achievements in Aircraft Maintenance

CWO Harry initially worked with AMO (Air Maintenance Organization) B crew, focusing on first line maintenance and servicing of CP140 Aurora anti-submarine warfare (ASW) aircraft as a Communication Radar Systems (CRS) technician, specializing in ASW acoustics. In June 1987, he was promoted to "private trained." Shortly after, he received commendation for achieving the highest mark in the Canadian Air Force on the national Trade Qualification Four Board exam, topping the Air Trade Advancement Training (ATAT).

In June 1988, CWO Harry was again commended for achieving the highest mark in the Canadian Air Force on the national Trade Qualification Five Board exam, securing another TOP ATAT honour. In August 1988, he was accelerated promoted to the rank of Corporal, achieving Journeyman status.

June 1992 saw his promotion to the rank of Master Corporal. In August 1992, he was posted to the 404 Maritime Patrol and Training Squadron in Greenwood, Nova Scotia, to instruct tactical and anti-submarine warfare systems.

In June 1999, CWO Harry was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and posted to the 14 Air Maintenance Squadron in Greenwood, Nova Scotia. He was in charge of Team 10, conducting first line maintenance and servicing of CP140 Aurora aircraft.

Leadership Roles in Avionics and Tactical Training

In January 2000, he was sent on loan to the Maritime Proving and Evaluation Unit (MP&EU) in Greenwood as the Senior Technician. There, he conducted test and evaluation on the CP140 Aurora as an Electromagnetic Interference and Compatibility Technician (EMI/EMC), including prototype evaluation.

In March 2001, CWO Harry was posted to the Helicopter Operational Test Evaluation Facility (HOTEF) at CFB Shearwater in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, for EMI/EMC testing and prototype evaluation. During his first year at Shearwater, he worked and trained at the 12 Air Maintenance Squadron on the CH124 Sea King Helicopter.

After completing his tour as a Senior EMI/EMC Technician at HOTEF, CWO Harry was promoted to Warrant Officer in June 2003. In July 2003, he was posted to the 423 Squadron in Shearwater as the Port Watch Crew Chief, overseeing first line maintenance and servicing of the CH124 Sea King Helicopter. In July 2004, CWO Harry returned to the Maritime Proving and Evaluation Unit (MP&EU) in Greenwood as the EMI/EMC prototype project team leader during the CP140 Aurora Block 3 upgrades.

CWO Harry was promoted to Master Warrant Officer in July 2006 and reassigned to the 14 Air Maintenance Squadron in Greenwood, in charge of Avionics Labs.

In July 2008, he was appointed as the Detachment Sergeant Major (ROTO 7) for the CU161 Sperwer Unmanned Aerial Reconnaissance Vehicle (UAV) detachment, based at CFB Greenwood with training at 408 Squadron in Edmonton, AB, and Gagetown, NB.

Commanding Roles in Canada and Overseas Deployments

Following the cancellation of the Sperwer UAV and the Royal Canadian Air Force's leasing of the Heron UAV from Israel, CWO Harry was selected as the Detachment Sergeant Major for ROTO 7.

In December 2008, he was deployed to Kandahar, Afghanistan, as the Sergeant Major of the very first Canadian Heron UAV detachment, conducting aerial surveillance and counter-Improvised Explosive Device (IED) detection in support of coalition forces.

In September 2009, CWO Harry returned to Canada, posted to the 404 Maritime Patrol and Training Squadron in Greenwood, N.S., as the Master Warrant Officer in charge of standards.

 Awards & Commendations 

Honours and Commendations: Recognizing a Distinguished Military Career

CWO Harry has been the recipient of numerous awards and commendations throughout his career, including:

Military Decorations: The Canadian Forces Decoration, Special Service Medal, and More

• The Canadian Forces Decoration Medal with 2nd Bar (CD2) for nearly 36 years of dedicated service to Canada.

• The Special Service Medal for his involvement in NATO maritime anti-submarine warfare operations during the Cold War.

Commendations for Service in NATO, Afghanistan, and Beyond

• The South West Asia Service Medal for operations in the theater.

• The General Campaign Star, awarded for two tours of duty, for operations in Kandahar, Afghanistan, in support of Operation Athena.

• The Chief of Defence Staff Commendation for "steadfast professionalism and unwavering dedication which was instrumental in providing enhanced intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities to coalition troops in Afghanistan."

Community Recognition: The Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal

• The Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal in recognition of his dedicated service to Canada and significant contributions to the community, notably "highlighted by his efforts in standing up the first Heron UAV Squadron in Afghanistan as the Detachment Sergeant Major."