After over 32+ years of loyal and dedicated service to the CAF and the CME Branch, LCol J.M.E (Eric) Quirion, CD will retire on the 30 Sep 2018. A DwD luncheon will be held on 27 Sep 2018 from 1130hrs for 1200hrs at the RCAF Officer’s Mess, 158 Gloucester St, Ottawa. Cost is $15, which includes lunch, a beverage, and a contribution to LCol Quirion’s retirement gift.  It can be paid at the door, but please RSVP to Maj Idrees Mohammad at Idrees.Mohammad@forces.gc.ca by 17 Sep 2018 if you plan to attend.

Please send congratulatory messages or anecdotes to Maj Idrees Mohammad at Idrees.Mohammad@forces.gc.ca.

Born in Montreal, QC, LCol Eric Quirion commenced his career with the Canadian Forces in 1985 as a sapper with the 8th Field Engineer Regiment, Edmonton, AB. Transferring to the Regular Force in 1987, his first posting was with 5e Regiment du Génie de Combat, Valcartier, Quebec. As the only contingent sapper, he deployed on Operation SNOWGOOSE in Cyprus in 1990 with 12e Régiment blindé du Canada where he worked with the Construction Engineering Section. Promoted to Corporal in 1991, he subsequently deployed with 59e Escadron du Genie de Combat on Operation RECORD in Iraq/Kuwait where he and his section conducted explosive ordnance disposal and field construction activities. In 1994, he re-mustered to Topographical Surveyor where he served with the Mapping and Charting Establishment, Ottawa, ON and deployed to the Canadian Arctic in 1995 to conduct a gravity field survey on Ellesmere Island. Appointed to the rank of Master Corporal in 1996 he then deployed on Operation PALLADIUM in Bosnia-Herzegovina in 1997 as a Terrain Analyst and in 1998 participated in the Maritime Combined Operations Training (MARCOT) exercise serving onboard the USS NASSAU (LHA 4) Amphibious Ready Group. In 1999, he obtained a Geomatics Engineering Technologist Diploma from the Centre of Geographic Sciences and deployed for Operation’s ABACUS (Y2K) and Operation SABOT (Drug Interdiction) as a Geomatics Support Team Commander.

In 2000, he commenced studies in Geomatics Engineering at the University of New Brunswick and following graduation was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in 2003. Following completion of occupation training as a Construction Engineer in 2004 he was posted to 1 Engineer Support Unit in Moncton, NB as the 2 Specialist Engineering Team (SET) 2IC. In 2004, he deployed on Operation PALLADIUM in Bosnia-Herzegovina with the Mission Closeout Team to close out camps in Zgon and Velika-Kladusa. Promoted to the rank of Captain in 2005, he deployed again with 2 SET on Operation ATHENA in Kabul, Afghanistan with the Camp Closeout Team to decommission Camp Julien. In 2006 he took command of 1 SET and deployed on Operation ATHENA in Kandahar, Afghanistan to lead the Provincial Reconstruction Team SET to conduct reconstruction and capacity building projects. In July 2007 he was posted to 22 Wing North Bay, Ontario as the Base/Wing Construction Engineering Officer.

Upon promotion to Major in 2009, he was posted to Maritime Staff Headquarters, Ottawa as the Executive Officer for the Directorate of Maritime Infrastructure responsible for infrastructure policy and plans. During his tenure in Ottawa he deployed twice to the Netherlands as part of Joint Task Force (JTF) Nijmegen, once as Protocol Officer and as Team Leader for the National Capital Region. In 2012 he was posted to 22 Wing North Bay as the Wing Administration and Technical Services DCO and Domestic Operations Officer. While in North Bay he deployed twice as the Deputy Commander for the Canadian Military Contingent for JTF Nijmegen and was Chair of the North Bay Armed Forces Day.
Promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel in 2015, he was posted to Naval Staff Headquarters as Director Naval Infrastructure Requirements. During his tenure he completed his Joint Command and Staff Program from the Canadian Forces College in 2016, led the VIP team as part of JTF Nijmegen, and obtained a Master of Defence Studies from the Royal Military College of Canada in 2018. His last posting in the Regular Force is with Canadian Joint Operations Command as Joint Engineer Operational Support.

LCol Quirion is proud to have served his entire military career as part of the Canadian Military Engineer Branch and at times with the Army, Navy and Air Force. He has a passion for downhill skiing, road cycling, and of recent, has taken to the hills to do trail/downhill biking. As you would have guessed he also has a passion for the Nijmegen Marches where he intends on marching it again!

In 2003 he married Valerie Boivin and they have two children, Audrey (14 years) and Alexandre (12 years). Upon retirement, LCol Quirion will be employed with ADM (Science & Technology) in Ottawa and plans on staying connected with the greater CAF/DND and CME family.

Chimo!