RETIREMENT -‐ MAJOR THOMAS E. BELL, CD Major Tom Bell

RETIREMENT -­‐ MAJOR THOMAS E. BELL, CD Major Tom Bell began his military career in March 1988 after obtaining a BA in Psychology at the University of Guelph, Ont, or at least that is what the grad scroll says. Upon flukishly completing of BOTC and language training, Major Tom was posted to CFB Trenton for 4 years as the D/ W Admin O and then as the D/ Pers Svcs O. As a member of the once Air Transport Group, he was deployed to the Air Lift Command Element, Cyprus, in support of the first Gulf War, although most of you probably don’t remember that Op. Major Tom received the Commander’s Commendation for his contributions during that period. In 1993, Major Tom was posted to 413 Transport and Rescue Sqn in Greenwood, NS. While so employed, he had the opportunity to travel extensively in support of humanitarian missions to places such as Sri Lanka with the late Air Commodore Len Birchall, Rwanda and Haiti. It was also a great opportunity to contribute to the Canadian Forces Primary Search and Rescue Capability, and become eligible to join “Tuskers Place” Facebook page. After enjoying life at 413 Sqn for 4 years, Major Tom was deported to the Admin side of CFB Greenwood, where he took on the thankless duties of the D/ W Pers Svcs O. Before leaving Greenwood, Major Tom served one last tour in the WOps as A3 Pers, where his responsibilities included the personnel planning for the OP APOLLO Deployment, and appointing volunteers for deployments. In 2002, Major Tom was promoted to his current rank for life and was appointed CO of 16 Wing HQ. Major Tom snuck back to Greenwood in 2005 where he was assigned the position of the W Pers Svcs O, and was subsequently assigned the duties of CO of the Wing Admin Branch as punishment. In 2006, he deployed for 7 months on JTF Afghanistan, where he served initially in Camp Mirage before moving forward to work with the NCE. In January 2008, Major Tom was posted as the CO at CFRGC Fredericton. He was then suspiciously posted back to Greenwood as the W Pers Admin O in 2011, happy to be back in the wonderful Annapolis Valley with his kids. Major Bell is has a daughter Courtney, and son Connor. who have both promised to work hard in order to provide their Dad with a premium retirement home someday. Until then, Tom is training dogs, keeping fit, and enjoying life in the Valley. A DWD will be at the Annapolis Mess at 1330 on 12 June 15. Those wishing to attend or send congratulatory messages, anecdotes or general comments should contact Lt Andrew MacNeil at [email protected] RETRAITE -­‐ MAJOR THOMAS E. BELL, CD Armé d’un baccalauréat en psychologie de l’Université de Guelph, le major Tom Bell s’est enrôlé dans les Forces armées canadiennes en mars 1988 en tant qu’officier d’administration du personnel de la Force aérienne. En 2001, il est devenu un officier des ressources humaines. Durant ses 27ans de carrière, le major Bell a été affecté à Trenton, à Greenwood, à Borden, à Greenwood, au CRFC Fredericton et finalement de nouveau à Greenwood dans la merveilleuse vallée de l’Annapolis. Il a pris part à des déploiements/des missions qui l’ont mené aux destinations suivantes : Sri Lanka, Rwanda, Haïti, Chypre en appui à la première guerre du Golfe, Camp Mirage et Afghanistan. Durant sa carrière, il a occupé les postes d’O Admin Pers Ere adj., d’O Svc Pers Ere adj., d’A3, de cdmt QG 16e Ere, d’O Admin 14 Ere, de cmdt du CRFC Fredericton, d’O Admin Pers Ere et d’O Svc Pers Ere. Les plans de semi-­‐retraite du major Bell incluent le dressage de chiens, le maintien de sa bonne forme physique et la belle vie dans la vallée, tout en attendant le jour où sa fille Courtney et son fils Connor tiendront leur promesse d’offrir un jour à leur père une véritable retraite dorée. Une cérémonie de départ dans la dignité aura lieu au mess Annapolis à 13 h 30 le 12 juin 2015. Les personnes qui voudraient y assister ou faire parvenir des messages de félicitations, des anecdotes ou des commentaires généraux peuvent communiquer avec le Lt Andrew MacNeil à l’adresse [email protected]