Wing Commander

Colonel Conrad Namiesniowski, CD

Colonel Conrad Namiesniowski

Col Namiesniowski started his career as a Naval Reservist in 1977. He transferred to the Regular force in 1986, after completing an Honours degree in Geography from Carleton University. After completing basic officer training, Col Namiesniowski underwent training as an air weapons controller in North Bay, and was then assigned to the Canadian NORAD Region in North Bay. In 1991, he was posted to Geilenkirchen, Germany as a Surveillance Controller aboard the NATO Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS). During this assignment, he flew over 100 flights over the former Yugoslavia in support of UN and NATO operations.

In 1995, he returned to Canada to become the first air weapons controller assigned to Maritime Operations Group Two in Esquimalt. He was tasked to initiate a permanent fighter control program to support the Canadian Navy on the West Coast. Promoted to the rank of Major in 1997, he moved abroad to be a Mission Crew Commander aboard the USAF AWACS, based in Oklahoma. He participated in three deployments as part of Operation SOUTHERN WATCH, to enforce the no-fly zone over Iraq. He played a leading role in the AWACS main response during the attacks of September 11 and during the months that followed. He flew numerous flights during Operation NOBLE EAGLE, the mission of defending North America, and was a key player in planning the deployment for Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. The USAF awarded him the United States Meritorious Service Medal to recognize his outstanding service. In 2001, while in the United States, he completed a master's degree in computer resources management from Webster University.

After an exciting operational phase in his career, in 2002 he started a command and staff phase of his career as a staff officer in Ottawa. He was appointed as career manager for aerospace control after attending a one-year French course. He graduated from Canadian Forces Command and Staff College in 2005 before returning to Ottawa to take Command of the Joint Information and Intelligence Fusion Capability Detachment. In this position, he performed three functions to support the operational forces in Canada and abroad, improving the computer network and upgrading the CF Operational level Ops Centre. He received a commendation from the CDS for initiating this project in 10 months, more than 2 years ahead of schedule, which led to the successful completion 6 months later.

Upon promotion to his current rank 01 June 2011, Col Namiesniowski was posted, after serving one year as the Deputy National Military Representative SHAPE and Commanding Officer / Senior Canadian Officer at SHAPE, to assume command of 22 Wing/Canadian Forces Base North Bay and the Canadian Air Defence Sector.