MWO K. Pickering will be retiring 02 August 2016 after 38+ years of loyal and dedicated service to the CAF and CME Branch. (See attached bio)
A DwD BBQ will take place Wednesday 27 July 2016 at CFB Suffield from 1200-1300. Messages, anecdotes or photos can be sent to Capt T. Allie, 2IC RP Ops (W) Det Suffield 403-544-5375> / CSN: 520-5375. Please RSVP by 15 July 2016 to Ms K.Kottmeier Tél: 403 - 544 - 4451 / RCCC: 520 - 4451
Keith was born Oct 15 1956 in Chatham Ontario. His father was an R&M Tech in the Military, which exposed the family to frequent postings. His father retired in 1972 which eventually put the family in Dartmouth N.S. where Keith graduated high school in 1975.
Prior to joining the Canadian Forces, Keith married Peggy his high school sweetheart. He joined the Canadian Forces in 1978 as a Crewman with the LdSH in Calgary. Within a year of joining, Keith deployed on his first UN tour to Cyprus in 1979. In 1981 after three years as an armoured trooper, Keith transferred to the Air Force as an R&M Tech – just like his father.
This found Keith in CFB Gander’s R&M Shop after completing his TQ3. While in Gander, he accomplished a number of milestones including his TQ4, TQ 5 and various promotions including promotion to MCpl. In 1985, Keith was posted to CFS Gypsumville as the 2IC of the R&M shop where he completed his QL6A, and played a key role in the dismantling of the Radar for the closure of CFS Gypsumville in 1987.
Following the closure, Keith proceeded to CFB Halifax as 2IC of the Mechanical Maintenance Shop. During his time there he was promoted to Sgt in 1989 and was moved to the Contract Cell as its Mechanical Inspector. This was short lived as he was posted to CFB Shearwater in 1991 as the IC of the R&M shop. He was very active in this posting, with two UN Deployments; Cyprus in 1992 and Golan Heights in 1995. Keith deployed as the IC of the R&M shop for both deployments.
With CFB Shearwater’s downsizing in 1996, he was posted to 2 CER at CFB Petawawa. While at 2 CER Keith deployed to Bosnia in 1998 as a Det Commander. The following summer he was posted to CFB Esquimalt to the PNCT where he deployed to Timor in 1999 and Eritrea in 2001 as the acting Troop WO.
In 2003 Keith was promoted to WO and posted to the Project Development cell at CFB Edmonton Engineering Branch. In 2005 he was posted to ASU Calgary as the Engineering Officer and was promoted again in 2006 to MWO. This prompted a posting back to CFB Edmonton as a Contract Officer and Operations Superintendent with CE. This posting saw him deploy on two tours to Afghanistan in 2008 and 2011. And in 2012 he was posted to CFB Suffield as CE’s Contract Officer/SSM.
Keith plans to reside in Calgary with his wife Peggy. He is looking forward to spending quality time with Peggy, travelling and visiting family as well as preparing for his next epic hunting adventure.