CWO J.J. Daniel Coutu, CD will be retiring from the Canadian Armed Forces on 13 Dec 2015 with 35.5 years of loyal and dedicated service to the CAF.

At Dan's request a small retirement function will be held at the 17 Wing Winnipeg WO's and Sgt's Mess on 28 May 2015 at 1500hrs. Congratulatory messages, anecdotes, photos and farewell wishes to be included in his retirement book can be forwarded to Major Julie Grand'Maison, Commanding Officer, 2 Canadian Air Division Headquarters, email: julie.grandmaison@forces.gc.ca.

CWO Daniel Coutu joined the Forces in Montreal in June 1980 as a direct entry Firefighter. Following Basic training in St-Jean and trade training at the Fire Academy in Borden, Dan was posted to CFB Edmonton from Oct 81 to Dec 85. Promoted to Cpl, he was transferred aboard HMCS Assiniboine (east coast) from Dec 85 to Jun 88, where his travels took him north of the Arctic Circle to south of the Equator on the Atlantic ocean.

Dan proceeded to Cold Lake Jun 88 to Aug 94, where he was one of only a few firefighters to be trained as a helicopter rescue diver. After meeting his wife Bonnie and upon his promotion to MCpl, Dan was posted aboard HMCS Calgary from (Aug 94-Jul 96) where he circumnavigated the globe deploying to the coastlines of both Iraq with TF SWA-FFH1 and the former Yugoslavia, in addition to coming to the aid of a sinking Greek bulk-carrier (Mount Olympus) assisting in the rescue of all 30 crew members. This was followed by a quick transfer to HMCS Vancouver Jul 96 to Jul 97, which gave him the opportunity to complete his 6A qualification. Following some shipboard time, MCpl Coutu proceeded to 19 Wing Comox from Jul 97 to Aug 01 where he received his promotion to Sgt and returned to sea with HMCS Winnipeg, Aug 01 to Jul 04, taking him back to the Arabian Gulf. With his sea tours completed and a promotion to WO in Jul 04, Dan was transferred to the Air Command Academy in Borden as a Flight WO until Jul 07. Following completion of his 6B, and subsequent promotion to MWO, he was transferred to CFSTG standards at CFFCA until Jul 08.

Finally, he returned to fire operations in Jul 2008 as Deputy Fire Chief at ASU Edmonton, followed by a transfer to CFB Winnipeg as 17 Wing Fire Chief from (Jul 11-Aug 12). He was promoted to his current rank of CWO effective Aug 2012 and from there joined 2 Cdn Air Div, as the Firefighter Individual Training qualification manager. In addition to his current job, Dan was appointed 2 Cdn Air Div HQ CWO on the 17 Apr 2014.

After completing 35.5 years of service, Daniel will stop working for the CAF on 12 Jun and relocate to Comox for his retirement leave. Bonnie plans to keep him busy with lots of projects as they finally make their house in the Comox Valley their home.

A DWD is being planned by 2 Cdn Air Div for the 28th of May at the SWOM in Winnipeg prior to Dan’s last working day and relocation to Comox.

Anecdotes and congratulation letter can be sent to:

Major Julie Grand'Maison
Commanding Officer, 2 Canadian Air Division Headquarters
Department of National Defence / Government of Canada
julie.grand'maison@forces.gc.ca / Tel: 204-833-2500 Ext: 5346
Commandant, 2e Division aérienne du Canada
Ministère de la Défense Nationale / Gouvernement du Canada julie.grand'maison@forces.gc.ca / Tél: 204-833-2500 Ext: 5346