Wing Commander

Colonel Patrice Laroche, CD

Colonel Laroche joined the Canadian Forces in December 1987 and completed his flying training in April 1989. He was then assigned to Base Flight Cold Lake where he flew the CT-133 Silver Star until December 1990.

In January 1991, Colonel Laroche began his fighter conversion training on the CF-5 Freedom Fighter and CF-18 Hornet to join 433 Squadron in January 1992 upon completion of his training. He subsequently served three consecutive tours at 3 Wing Bagotville in various capacities at both the Captain and Major level at 3 Wing Operations and 425 Squadron. Promoted to Lieutenant-colonel in 2005, he returned for a fourth tour to 3 Wing Bagotville, this time as the Commanding Officer of the newly formed 425 Squadron merged with 433 Squadron.

During more than a decade on fighters, Colonel Laroche as completed a multitude of tactical courses to include the Fighter Weapons, Fighter Electronic Warfare and Instrument Check Pilot courses. His operational experience includes combat missions and three operational tours at Aviano airbase in Italy in 1998, 1999 and 2000 as part of operations DELIBERATE FORGE and ALLIED FORCE. He also took part in NORAD’s operation NOBLE EAGLE in the aftermath of 9/11. Over these years, he has accumulated over 2800 flying hours of which over 1800 hours on the Hornet.

Colonel Laroche staff experience includes three years at NORAD HQ in Colorado Springs from 2002 to 2005 where he held various positions to include Executive Assistance to Deputy Commander NORAD. In 2007, he was assigned the position of Military Assistant to the Chief of Staff Headquarters Supreme Allied Commander Transformation in Norfolk, Virginia. In 2009, he was promoted to his current rank and assigned to Ramstein, Germany as the Head of the Tactical Evaluation Division at the Allied Air Component Command Headquarters and subsequently as the Chief Air Liaison.

Colonel Laroche is a graduate of the USAF Air Command and Staff College and USAF Air War College as well as holds a Bachelors degree in Military Arts and Science from the Royal Military College in Kingston.

Col Laroche enjoys running, sailing, golfing and skiing in his spare time. He is married to Anne and is the proud father of Natacha and Matthew.