Story submitted by:
MWO Bernier-Beaulieu
Sergeant Major Construction Engineering Flight / 2 Mission Support Squadron / 2 Wing Bagotville
As a member of 3 Wing, CFB Bagotville, Cpl Kevin Harrisson was deployed on OP REASSURANCE Romania from 16 August to 6 September 2021 to support 2 Wing’s dealing with Air Field Activation and Surge Team (AFAST) as a CE ED Tech.
OPERATION REASSURANCE – Romania is the Canadian Armed Forces’ (CAF) contribution under the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to provide surveillance and interception assets to fulfill NATO’s commitment to the enhanced Air Policing posture. The Air Task Force (ATF) employs the AFAST to facilitate the initial RSOM in addition to the set-up of infrastructure, logistics, operations and communications providing turnkey service for prompt mission activation.
Cpl Harrisson led the ED cell during AFAST ATF-Romania. Under the member’s supervision, all tasks were completed to a high standard and well within the time limits allotted. Cpl Harrisson’s efforts allowed for a smooth transitions between tasks and allowed the continuation of operations without interruptions.
Cpl Harrisson was able to respond to the challenge of prioritizing and managing tasks and critical timings, even when dealing with multiple competing tasks.
While the ATF-Romania was transitioning into its buildings assigned to Op Reassurance Romania, Cpl Harrisson solved power distribution issues in the buildings. Pointing out the problem of having only one type of outlet suitable to one country at a time, he came up with a plan. He expertly trained and supervised a team of untrained personnel to add an extension to the existing multi-country power outlets. His actions permitted the ATF-Romania to start operations on time, improved the functionality of the NATO force, and prevented any future power issues related to the outlet type.
In recognition of Cpl Harrisson's professionalism and positive attitude, the AFAST commanding officer, LCol Laura Gagné, organized a CF-18 recognition flight for him. This mark of recognition was set in stone on 19 September when he had the wonderful experience of flying over Bagotville with a pilot from 425 Sqn.
The appreciation that was offered to him through this opportunity to fly in the CF-18 is simply magnificent and will remain in Cpl Harrisson's memory for the rest of his life!
CHIMO!