After more than 35 years of loyal and dedicated service to the Canadian Armed Forces and the Canadian Military Engineers, LCol Erik Crane will retire on 10 July 2023. A DWD will be held on 09 June 23 at 1530 hrs at the Fort Frontenac Officers’ Mess in Kingston, ON. If you wish to attend in person or if you wish to send in anecdotes to be read during the ceremony, please contact LCol M.F. Sandy at Matthew.Sandy@forces.gc.ca or 613-541-5010 x3131.
Erik was born in Lachine, QC, and was raised on the West Island of Montreal in the town of Beaconsfield where his parents still live at today.
During his time at the University of Ottawa, he was first given the taste of the military and joined the Primary Reserve in 1988 with 3 Field Engineer Squadron. Upon graduating from university in 1991 with an honours Civil Engineering degree and attaining the rank of MCpl, he transferred to the Regular Force as a Combat Engineer Officer at the suggestion of his Regular Support Staff Officer and the lack of any real job prospects.
Following Basic and Trade training in Chilliwack and St-Jean (and Chilliwack again), Lt Crane was posted to 2 CER in Petawawa. From 1992 to 1997, Capt Crane filled many appointments and roles from RHQ Tp Comd, Int O, 1 Tp 2I/C (on Op Harmony in Croatia 1994-95), 2 Tp Comd (on IFOR Surge 1996 in Bosnia), and 23 Fd Sqn 2I/C. During these formative years, he met and worked with many excellent Sappers, NCOs, and Officers, forming relationships that remain today.
He was then posted to Sault Ste. Marie as the Det Comd and Military Career Counsellor for the Recruiting Detachment. After three years of fishing and some recruiting across the Algoma District, he was posted to 1 CER in Edmonton as the Adjutant…and Rear Party Commander whenever the unit went on exercise or somewhere exciting. Promoted in 2002, Maj Crane returned to 2 CER as OC 25 Sp Sqn where he took the Sqn to many interesting locations such as Meaford, Borden, and the Petawawa training area to hone their skills. During this time, he was given the opportunity to deploy overseas to Afghanistan as the G3 Engr of the HQ of the Kabul Multi-National Brigade Group (2003-04) on Roto 0. He learnt from those around him, both higher and lower, during this time. Upon his return, he was appointed OC 28 Admin Sqn and given the task to sustain a bridge gallop from Kingston to Petawawa with very little time to prepare. (The estimate works!) In 2004, he took his knowledge and experience to the Tactics School in Gagetown as the Engr DS and finished his third year there as the SI CTCC. He was then posted to 4 ESR in 2006 as the DCO working under two great Commanding Officers – and to review the requirements for the new 4 ESR building. (Looking forward to seeing it!) During his time in 4 ESR, he was tasked to support a NATO exercise in Armenia where he received both their Defence Secretary’s Commendation and that of Deputy Commander Allied Land Component Command (Heidelberg) for his exemplary performance and support.
After completing Staff College in 2011, he was posted to Ottawa as the Staff Officer and Aide to CFD until he was promoted to LCol the next year and posted to SJS as the J34 Engr. These two jobs introduced him to the power and challenges of the strategic institution. LCol Crane returned to Toronto in 2013 double-hatted as the first CO of 4 CDSG Engineer Services and as the 4 Div Engineer. Apart from working with a fantastic team, a highlight was setting up the unit for success under RP Ops (Ontario). Following his time in the ‘Big Smoke’, he had the privilege to be posted to Brussels with the Canadian Delegation of NATO as the Senior Staff Officer Ops and Plans. Surrounded by an inspiring team, he saw a different side of the policy spectrum with the opportunity to influence it. More importantly, he and his wife, Robyn, fully experienced travel, fine food, and exploration. After Brussels, he was further privileged to be posted across the English Channel to Shrivenham, UK, as the DS to the UK Army Intermediate Command and Staff Course. While COVID kept them there for four years, they made the best of it by travelling and exploring the four corners of the United Kingdom making some long lasting friends along the way. Not everything was about travel, as LCol Crane received the CEO and Commandant of the UK Defence Academy Commendation for his outstanding performance and commitment to the course and students. Upon his return to Canada in 2022, he was posted to his final unit, CACSC in Kingston where he took up his final mantel as DS.
After much time and deliberation, Erik and Robyn have decided to release from the Canadian Army and settle in their cottage in Cambridge-Narrows, NB, to start the next chapter with their two four-legged furry children. They look forward to establishing themselves there, reconnecting with family and friends, relaxing and reflecting, and receiving the friends they have made along the way. This reflection (and wine) will no doubt lead to more adventures with friends old and new! Thank you all for all the support! CHIMO!