Major Miguel "Mig" Bernard has been deployed as the J3 Air (Air Operations Officer) in the JTF-AFG Headquarters in Khandahar since August 2006. He provides advice to the task force headquarters on the use of tactical airlift in Afghanistan, liaising with the JTF-AFG Commander to ensure the Army and its soldiers in-theatre are supported by the Air Force. All the missions flown are in direct support of the Intra Theatre Airlift Support (ITAS), transporting personnel and cargo to all four corners of Afghanistan. His job also consists of coordinating and managing all military and civilian travel into and out of Afghanistan aboard Canada's CC-130 Hercules aircraft.
Maj Bernard earned his pilot wings in 1991 and went on to become a fighter pilot. He served with "433 Escadron Tactique de Chasse" in Bagotville, Que. and 410 Tactical Fighter (Operational Training) Squadron. In 2001, he was posted to 2 Operational Conversion Unit (2 OCU) in Williamtown, Australia, where he served as an instructor pilot on the Australian F/A 18. Prior to deploying to Afghanistan, Maj Bernard was with the Directorate of Air Requirements for Fighter Aircraft at NDHQ in Ottawa.
Members of Canada's Air Force, as part of Canada's commitment to Afghanistan, contribute to the stabilization efforts in that country every day. The J3 Air position within Joint Task Force Afghanistan (JTF-AFG) is one of many that work to that end.
