After almost 2 decades (19 years) of loyal and dedicated service to the Canadian Armed Forces and the Canadian Military Engineers, WO Les Connell (CE Supt) has retired from the CAF on 04 August 2020. WO Connell will be promoted to the rank of civilian, as he has accepted a Public Service Position as the Senior Electrical Engineering technician at 1 Engineer Support unit. Anecdotes and Retirement wishes may be sent to MWO Thivierge via guy.thivierge@forces.gc.ca

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After almost 2 decades (19 years) of loyal and dedicated service to the Canadian Armed Forces and the Canadian Military Engineers, WO Les Connell (CE Supt) has retired from the CAF on 04 August 2020. WO Connell will be promoted to the rank of civilian, as he has accepted a Public Service Position as the Senior Electrical Engineering technician at 1 Engineer Support unit.

Joining the Canadian Armed Forces on 10 September 2001 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, WO Connell was posted to 4 ESR, CFB Gagetown, were he deployed to CFS Alert in 2004, 2005/2006 and then Kandahar, Afghanistan in 2006/ 2007. Upon return, he was posted to the construction troop in CFB Greenwood. During his time there he again deployed to Kandahar, Afghanistan in 2010 and to ROTO 0, Kabul, Afghanistan in 2012/13. In between these two deployment Les received an 8 week tasking to China in 2011, a memorable career highlight for him. In 2013 Les was posted to 1 ESU, Kingston, Ontario where he deployed on Op LENTUS for the Montreal floods and twice each to Kuwait and Latvia. In 2017, he was posted to CFJOSG, Kingston where he held positions as the HQ Ops WO and in the J Engr cell. Most recently he was a driving force within the Energy Monitoring initiative.

When not in the office or out on the water enjoying a fish, he can be found working on his business, Blended Roots Farm. His new civilian life enables him to enjoy his time home with his wife and children on the farm.

Anecdotes and Retirement wishes may be sent to MWO Thivierge via guy.thivierge@forces.gc.ca