William (Bill) Church

Experience

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  2 CFFTS, Royal Canadian Air Force

  Jan 1994 - Jan 1999

  Pilot Instructor

  A2 piIot instructor on CT114 for basic and advanced jet pilot training of RCAF and international military pilots. Unit flight safety officer, program manager for flight safety program in which investigation techniques and collaboration with engineers led to technical and procedural improvements enhance safety and prolong life of the fleet of aircraft. Represented the Wing Flight Safety Officer for a major air accident, contributing to development of a project to improve ejection seats. Served as operations officer, liaising between maintenance personnel and flying units to provide on-time delivery of aircraft for missions. Show less

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  434 Squadron - Royal Canadian Air Force

  Jan 1999 - Jan 2002

  Combat Support Pilot

  Pilot of CT-133 (T-33) Silver Star, provide combat support to joint military forces. Qualified Instrument Check (Evaluator) Pilot, Mission lead.Conducted Combat Support missions including adversary air for fighter aircraft (ie at (Ex MAPLE FLAG), Air Defence controllers & personnel, Navy formations and exercises, and land forces (Close Air Support/Forward Air Controller training). Frequently participated in very large joint international exercises. Flew Electronic warfare variant, conducting adversary EW profiles in all exercises. Managed flight safety program, working closely with engineers to make improvements to aircraft systems, procedures to prolong life of the fleet and enhance safety. Participated in numerous NORAD/NATO Tactical and Operational Evaluations (TACEVAL, OPEVAL). Show less

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  552nd ACW - 963rd AACS

  Jan 2004 - Jan 2008

  Chief Pilot

  As an E-3 (AWACS) Evaluator Pilot, served as Chief of Squadron Standards & Evaluation, and as "A" Flight Commander (~60 personnel) providing airborne air surveillance operations worldwide.Flew airborne early warning and control (C4ISR) missions expert as an E-3 AWACs evaluator pilot. Flew, trained, evaluated personnel on Air C2 and Air Surveillance operations, and led multiple detachments on operations/exercise, both within and outside of the US. While commanding "A" flight (aircrew), organized and oversaw the training and operational schedule of personnel to execute all missions, both peace and wartime. Oversaw unit preparations for a successful Air Force-level inspection of air standards. Oversaw all unit aircrew standards, and also on behalf of the group, authored policies and procedures for new "Standard Departure Procedures", which enhanced safety for E-3 fleet aircraft and crewmembers. Show less

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  Canadian Armed Forces | Forces armées canadiennes

  Jul 2008 - Oct 2009

  Military Officer

  Senior Officer serving Canada's Expeditionary Force Command, and NATO Training Mission - Afghanistan.

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  Royal Canadian Air Force - 429 (Transport) Squadron

  Oct 2010 - Jul 2017

  Pilot, Commanding Officer

  Long haul, heavy cargo/passenger aircraft captain on CC177 Globemaster. Progressively increased leadership roles, up to Commanding officer of 429 Sqn (2015-2017).Flew and led worldwide flight operations to fulfill strategic airlift requirements of Canada. This included sustainment of military operations, both domestic and abroad, Humanitarian Assistance Operations, and Disaster Response Operations. Oversaw all aspects of C17 operations, including maintenance, administration, and all flight operations themselves, applying a blended mission/safety focus. Awarded Canadian and French decorations for flying/leading a deployed mission of 770 hours intercontinental airlift. 1459 hours on type. Show less

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  NATO Allied Command Transformation (ACT)

  Jul 2017 - Oct 2020

  NATO Defence Planner

  Aerospace expert, serving NATO as strategic planner.NATO Defence Planning Process (NDPP) Aerospace Expert in at NATO's Allied Command Transformation, Capability Targets and Review Branch. Influenced policy through participation in Bi-SC contributions to PG19, and formulation of NATO Capability Targets. Participated in bilateral consultations with approximately 9 NATO nations for the purpose of NDPP Targeting and Review.Active participation in NATO working groups, including Joint Interoperability Working Group, Stockpile Planning Working Group, and various Capability Advisory Groups (i.e. Engagement). Determined, with support of colleagues and operational analysts, future NATO Capability Targets for each individual NATO ally in order to fulfill NATO Minimum Capability Requirements.Attended and briefs at conferences, such as International Fighter Conference (Nov '18) and Close Air Support Conference in May '19.Worked in an international setting, forming and maintaining professional relationships with both civilian and military officials. Conducted Partnership for Peace Planning and Review Process (PARP) bilateral meetings, including North Macedonia in which Defence Institution Building and Defence Capability Building activities are discussed in detail. In coordination with NATO-International Staff (DPP) counterparts, assisted North Macedonian defence department (including policy and planning representatives) to provide advise to high-level officials to develop their national strategic planning documents, in order to ensure future objectives to align with those of NATO. Show less

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  SHAPE, Strategic Plans and Preparation Directorate

  Oct 2020 - Aug 2021

  NATO - J5 Executve Officer

  On behalf of Assistance Chief of Staff, directed staff of J5 to fulfill all tasks, including the significant and complex task of the modernization of NATO's strategic plans.

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  NATO

  Aug 2021 - Sept 2024

  Chief - NATO Situation Centre

  Chief of SITCEN, providing Strategic situational awareness and alerting to NATO Headquarters. Maintains group 1 ATPL currency as pilot.

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  Skyservice Business Aviation Inc.

  Sept 2024 - now

  Corporate Pilot

  Lead pilot on Bombardier Challenger