LCol J.G. Mansfield, Engineer (00181) will retire from the Canadian Forces on 06 April 2008 after more than 30 years of loyal and dedicated service to the Canadian Forces and the Canadian Military Engineers.

Jeremy Guy (aka "JoJo") Mansfield was born in Vancouver British Columbia on 25 August 1959 to newly arrived immigrants to Canada, Howard and Valerie Mansfield. After his father joined the Canadian Army in 1961, JoJo traveled extensively with his family including a four-year stay in West Germany, where he met his wife Connie in high school.

In 1977 LCol Mansfield entered the Royal Military College of Canada and graduated four years later as a lieutenant in the Canadian Military Engineers. His first regimental posting was to 2 Combat Engineer Regiment in Petawawa, Ontario. His postings since then have included staff and command positions in 9e Escadron du Genie de Campagne in Noranda, Quebec, Airfield Damage Repair Squadron in Lahr Germany, where he commanded the newly formed EOD troop, Deputy Commanding Officer of 2 CER, Directing Staff at the Canadian Army Tactics School, Deputy Commandant of the Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering and Staff Officer Mines and EOD in the NATO Land Component Command HQ in Heidelberg, Germany. He is currently employed as the first leader of the newly formed Canadian Forces Explosive Ordnance Disposal section at National Defence Headquarters, Ottawa, Canada.

During his 30-year career in the Canadian Forces he has conducted operations in Iraq in 1991 and 2004, Somalia in 1993, Ethiopia and Eritrea in 2000 and Afghanistan in 2003. He has twice been posted with NATO in Germany and twice worked on the National J3 staff in National Defence Headquarters.

LCol Mansfield has completed basic EOD training in Canada and advanced training in NAVEODSCHOOL Indian Head, Maryland as well as the Defence EOD School in the UK. He has a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Engineering Management and a Masters of Defence Studies from the Royal Military College. He is a 2002 graduate of the CF Command and Staff College. LCol Mansfield will retire officially on 6 April 2008 to assume a new career direction, still with DND, as a Project Director for the UXO and Legacy Sites Program in ADM (IE). LCol Mansfield, his wife of 24 years, Connie, and their sons Scott (19) and Nicholas (16) plan to remain in the Ottawa area.

A Retirement Luncheon and Depart With Dignity ceremony will be held in LCol Mansfield's honour on Thursday, March 20th at the Army Officers' Mess (Main Dining Room), 149 Somerset Street West, Ottawa, commencing at 1230 hours. The dress for the function is jacket and tie or female equivalent. A nominal contribution of $20.00 will be required for the cost of the luncheon, gift and gratuities.

If possible, see Maj Tim Whiting or send him a cheque (made out to Tim Whiting and addressed to Major T. Whiting, CLS/C-IED Task Force, National Defence Headquarters, Pearkes Building, 101 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0K2) before 12 March in order to reserve a seat at this auspicious occasion. Otherwise, Maj Whiting can sell you your confirmed seat at the door of the Mess prior to the luncheon. The dining room has a limited seating capacity of 120, so indicate your intention to attend as soon as possible to Major Whiting (Whiting.TG@forces.gc.ca).

The cut-off to signal your intention to attend the luncheon (by email) is 1200 hours on 07 March 2008. Congratulatory messages and anecdotes can also be sent via e-mail to Major Whiting by 14 March 2008.