Canadian Military Engineers Association

The CMEA is a dynamic association open to all members of the Canadian Military Engineer family. Since its formation in 2000, it has grown to over 2500 members with more than 21 Chapters and six affiliated Reserve units spread across the country.
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News

CMEA Bursary Program 2026 – Call for Applications

CMEA Members, Applications for the CMEA Bursary Program 2026 are open to CMEA members and their dependents. Applications must be received before 31 July 2026. See the CMEA website for additional information: CMEA Bursary Program | Canadian Military Engineers (cmea-agmc.ca) CHIMO!

Athlete, Warrior, Leader – The Sapper Story of Major Jaemok Lee (Asian Heritage Month Edition)

Article By: Capt Kyle Ho, RPOU(W) Operations Officer 2 Major (Maj) Jaemok Lee’s journey in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) is a testament to discipline, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. Born in Korea, his values shaped early in his life growing up in a small town in Vancouver Island, B.C. From a young age, Jaemok displayed exceptional athletic ability, particularly in soccer and rugby. These formative years in sport would become the foundation for his…

1 CER Combative Evolutions in the Engineer Branch

Article By: Capt Kyle Ho, RPOU(W) Operations Officer 2 Combative training in 1 Combat Engineer Regiment (1 CER) has experienced a strong revival over the past several years, driven by dedicated soldiers committed to preparing Sappers for the realities of the modern battlefield. What began as a grassroots initiative has evolved into a structured grappling program that emphasizes controlled aggression, resilience, and confidence under pressure. Last summer marked a significant…

Heritage Moments

Military Fire Brigades Get Their Start at Camp Borden

During the First World War, the Royal Naval Air Service and the Royal Flying Corps set out to accelerate the training of Commonwealth pilots in Canada to meet the growing air needs for the European theatre. Pilots trained in Canada would ultimately fight over the battlefields of Europe, Asia, and Africa and above the adjoining seas. Canadians would eventually play a prominent part in this aerial conflict. On a wintry day in 1917, Lieutenant-Colonel Hoare of the Royal Flying Corps selected…

Route de transit du Nord-Ouest

Une unité de l'Aviation royale canadienne de la Seconde Guerre mondiale,la 4e Unité de construction et d'entretien (CMU), de l'Aviation royale canadienne (ARC) a joué un rôle déterminant dans la mise en place de la « North-West Staging Route », (Route de transit du Nord-Ouest) un corridor aérien vital reliant le Canada à l'Alaska. Créée principalement pour assurer le transport d'avions, cette route a permis d'acheminer efficacement du matériel militaire pour soutenir les…

Engineers Fly First

Two young Canadian Engineers, J.A.D. McCurdy and F.W. Baldwin, piloted the first military demonstration of aircraft flight in Canada at Camp Petawawa, ON. Conducted in July-August 1909 using the Silver Dart and the Baddeck 1, these were the first such flights in the British Commonwealth by a member of the British Commonwealth.

Both McCurdy and F.W. Baldwin were former members of the 2nd Field Company, Canadian Engineers in Toronto who were…

Retirements

MWO/Adjum M.D.A. Carter, CD

After more than 20 years of loyal and dedicated service to the Canadian Armed Forces and the Canadian Military Engineer Branch, MWO M.D.A. Carter, CD, (00307) will retire on 24 August 2026. 

Anecdotes and well wishes may be sent to WO J.J.D. St-Louis at: johnatan.st-louis@forces.gc.ca

Master Warrant Officer Matthew D. A. Carter, CD has served in the Canadian Armed Forces since 19 January 2006 as a member of the Regular Force. He is a Canadian Military Engineer specializing as a Construction Engineering Superintendent (CE SUPT).

Originally from Kentville, Nova Scotia, MWO Carter began his military career in the Primary Reserve with The West Nova Scotia Regiment before transferring to the Regular Force and

joining…

Cpl B. Ouellette

After more than 9 years of loyal and dedicated service to the Canadian Armed Forces and the Canadian Military Engineer Branch, Cpl B. Ouellette, will be released on 3 June 2026. 

Anecdotes and well wishes may be sent to Sgt J. Huard: joey.huard@forces.gc.ca

Corporal Bruno Ouellette enrolled in the Canadian Armed Forces on 18 July 2008 at the Rimouski Detachment of the Canadian Forces Recruiting Centre (CFRC Quebec). Corporal Ouellette was posted to the Naval Fleet School (Pacific) in Victoria, British Columbia, where he completed his basic occupational training in naval electrical systems. 

In 2009, he was transferred to Halifax, Nova Scotia, and posted to Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Ville de Québec, where he served as a Marine…

Cpl R.P. Bostad

After more than 6 years of loyal and dedicated service to the Canadian Armed Forces and the Canadian Military Engineer Branch, Cpl R.P. Bostad, (00301) will be released on 3 June 2026.

Departure with Dignity (DWD) 
A DwD reception will be held on 29 May at 1200 at Ken's Diner (Edmonton). If attending, please RSVP to MCpl G. Alger: Gustine.Alger@forces.gc.ca. Anecdotes and well wishes may be sent to the same person.

After more than six years of loyal and dedicated service to the Canadian Armed Forces and the Canadian Military Engineers, Corporal Robert “Rob” P. Bostad, will retire on 03 June 2026.

 Cpl Bostad was raised on a small hobby farm in central Ontario, where he developed foundational values of hard work, self-reliance, loyalty, and…

Last Posts

LAC Gerald Moulton (Ret’d)

We regret to advise of the death of Firefighter Leading Aircraftman Gerald Moulton (Ret’d) on 22 May  2026, peacefully at his home in Epworth NL, in his 80th year. 

Gerald was born in Burin NL and spent some early years in the Royal Canadian Air Force as a Firefighter. Following his retirement from the Canadian Forces, he worked as an auto mechanic in various garages on the Newfoundland peninsula, at  Fishery Products International,  the Marystown Shipyard, and in the Newfoundland offshore. 

In keeping with his wishes, Gerald has been cremated. A family gathering was held on 24 May 24 at Serenity Funeral Home in Salt Pond, Burin.

Gerald’s ashes will be scattered in Epworth at a later date, where family and friends can come together to celebrate his life. Online condolences can be sent to the funeral home.

MCpl Gregory Graeme Fairlie, CD (Ret’d)

We regret to advise of the death of Master Corporal  Gregory Graeme Fairlie, CD (Ret’d) of Fort Saskatchewan on 16 May 2026 at the age of 51. 

Greg was born in Fort Saskatchewan and served with 8 Field Engineer Regiment/41 Combat Engineer Regiment in Edmonton from 1996 to 2024. His service included a deployment in 1999-2000 with 1 Combat Engineer Regiment on Op PALLADIUM Roto 6 as part of the Stabilization Force (SFOR) in Bosnia.

A celebration of life was held on 29 May 2026 at the Fort Saskatchewan Legion at 5:00 pm. 
In lieu of flowers, donations to a financial fund for the children would be greatly appreciated.

WO Melville Harvey Ray (Ret'd)

We regret to advise of the death of Warrant Officer Melville Harvey Ray, CD (Ret'd) a resident of Chatham-Kent at the Riverview Gardens Nursing Home on 2 May 2026 at the age of 86.

Born in Windsor, ON, Harvey served a career with the Canadian Military Engineers that included postings such as 2 Field Squadron in Camp Gagetown, NB, 4 Field Squadron in Werl, Germany; and 3 Field Squadron in Chilliwack, BC. He was one of the "Original 18" who formed the Airfield Damage Repair unit in Canadian Forces Europe.

In accordance with Harvey's wishes, cremation has taken place. The family would appreciate donations made in memory of Harvey to the charity of your choice. Online condolences may be sent to the funeral home..