Le lieutenant-colonel Richard Busbridge, CD, PEng, PMP prendra sa retraite des Forces armées canadiennes le 6 juillet 2018 après plus de 22 années de service loyaux et dévoués au sein des FAC et de la Branche du Génie militaire canadien (bio ci-jointe). En l’honneur du service du LCol Busbridge au sein des FAC et afin de lui souhaiter une bonne retraite, une cérémonie de départ aura lieu à Petawawa, ON (lieu à confirmer) le mercredi 27 juin 2018 (10h30-12h00). Pour des fins de planification, veuillez, SVP confirmer votre présence au Maj J.R. KnocklebyJesse.Knockleby@forces.gc.ca 613-995-4559. SVP, veuillez acheminer vos messages de félicitations, anecdotes et photos au Maj Knockleby.
Born in the UK in 1976, LCol Busbridge’s family came to Canada when he was 3 years old. They settled in Mississauga, ON, and obtained Canadian citizenship in 1990. It was there that he was introduced to the Army Cadets and then enrolled in the primary reserves in November 1995 as a member of 23 Military Police Platoon in Hamilton, ON.
LCol Busbridge was saved from that fate 7 months later, when he was accepted into the Regular Officer Training Plan via the Royal Military College in Kingston, ON. Another occupation change was soon to follow as he was originally accepted into the RCAF as an Air Navigator, but was enticed by the prospect of “blowing s#!t up” and transferred to the Army as an Engineer Officer during 2nd year.
Graduating in 2000 with a Bachelors in Civil Engineering, then 2Lt Busbridge was posted to 2 Combat Engineer Regiment (2 CER), where he served as 2 Troop Commander and then Operations Officer for 24 Field Squadron. During this period he completed training in Basic Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) and Improvised Explosive Device Disposal (IEDD). Capt Busbridge then deployed to Kabul in Afghanistan in 2003 on Op ATHENA as the Kabul Multi-National Brigade EOD Officer.
On return to Canada, Capt Busbridge was posted to 2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group Headquarters as the Training Officer and then the Brigade Plans Officer. Capt Busbridge returned to 2 CER in 2006 to deploy with 23 Field Squadron to Kandahar Afghanistan as the Squadron Second-in-Command. During this deployment Capt Busbridge was awarded the Task Force Commander’s Commendation for actions taken to extract a Tank Squadron from a minefield following a minestrike. Capt Busbridge contributed to the book Clearing the Way: Combat Engineers in Kandahar and to the subsequent documentary film of the same name, both chronicling the experiences of the Squadron during the highly eventful deployment.
On returning to 2 CER, Capt Busbridge spent a year as the Regimental Operations Officer before being promoted to Major and assuming Command of 25 Support Squadron along with remnants of 28 Administration Squadron while other elements were deployed. Major Busbridge then returned to Afghanistan for a 3rd deployment in 2010 as the Counter-IED Squadron Commander. He was awarded with the Chief of Defense Staff Commendation for his efforts.
After 11 years in Petawawa, Major Busbridge was posted to the Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering at CFB Gagetown, NB, as Senior Instructor of Tactics, training the next generation of Engineer officers as well as Combat Engineer non-commissioned officers.
In 2013 Major Busbridge was sucked into the Ottawa black hole to work at the Canadian Joint Operations Command (CJOC) as the EOD and Engineer Intelligence Officer. After a year at CJOC, Maj Busbridge attended the Joint Command and Staff Program (JCSP) in Toronto, where he earned a Masters in Defense Studies. Following JCSP, Major Busbridge returned to CJOC for another 2 years as Joint Engineer Readiness.
Promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel in 2017, LCol Busbridge joined the Real Property Operations Group to learn how to spell infrustrati... infrustruc... infrastructu... buildings. Serving as the lead planner for the formation, this would be LCol Busbridge’s last position in the CF. LCol Busbridge’s last day in uniform is 6 July 2018.
LCol Busbridge will be staying in Ottawa with his two boys Jaxson (10) and Graydon (8). He has accepted a position with Med-Eng as the EOD Product Line Director, where he is excited to remain connected with the EOD community and to develop products, such as the top-of-the-line bomb suits, that enhance protection and capability for EOD operators around the world.
LCol Busbridge leaves with a wealth of great memories, fondness, and appreciation for his experiences in the Canadian Forces, and in particular with the Canadian Military Engineers (CME). LCol Busbridge is proud to have been included amongst the ranks of the CME, who is endowed with excellent leadership at all levels and with Sappers and Tradesmen who excel at getting the job done.