After 25 years of loyal and dedicated service to the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and the Canadian Military Engineer Branch, WO Mark Johnson, CD bio attached), will retire 17 August 2017. A Depart with Dignity Ceremony will take place at Brewsters 15327 Castle Downs Rd NW, Edmonton, on 13 Oct 2017 at 1400hrs. Attendees are requested to advise the OPI of their planned attendance NLT 5 Oct, 2017. Anecdotes or retirement wishes may be sent to the OPI by e-mail. OPI: WO Keith Smith, email at Keith.Smith2@Forces.gc.ca or by phone at 780-973-4011 ext 3970.
Mark Johnson was born in Brandon Manitoba and was raised throughout the province, Mark joined the Canadian Armed Forces on 12 May 1992 with the reserves of 21 Field Engineer Squadron (21 FES) in Flin Flon. He then successfully completed his basic training in Dundurn Saskatchewan and his QL3 in Chilliwack, B.C. The following year he completed his QL5 course again in Chilliwack. Mark applied for a component transfer to the Regular Force in the fall of 1994 and received this transfer on 01 Mar 1995.
With 1 CER, Warrant Officer Johnson deployed to Bosnia in 1997 and Kosovo in 1999. He also deployed to Afghanistan in 2009 on Operation Athena and 2013 on Op Attention. Mark also deployed on domestic operations to include Salmon Arm, B.C. and the Manitoba floods.
In 2000, Mark was posted to CFB Wainwright and employed at the 1 Engineer Engineer Troop. After five years he was given parole from Wainwright and was posted to CFB Gagetown and employed in CFSME as a boat operator, ammo NCO and later a bridging instructor.
Mark was then posted back to 1 CER and deployed as a section commander on Op Athena. He received commendations for his roles in the construction of Route Caribou and the Tarnak River overbridge. Following this tour, he fulfilled numerous roles in 1 CER until he was required to deploy on Op Attention. After this deployment, he spent time as the Armored Engineer Tp WO and as the Operations WO of 1 CER.
With great happiness, Warrant Officer Johnson decided to retire and end his career with 1 Combat Engineer Regiment. During his lengthy military career he was awarded the GCS Southwestern Asia medal with bar, NATO Kosovo medal, the NATO Former Yugoslavia medal, the Canadian Peacekeeping medal, and the Canadian Decoration 1st clasp.
Mark and his patient wife Deborah are looking forward to starting their next chapter. {z2kh}