Colin Keiver
{{Short description|Royal Canadian Air Force major general}}
{{use mdy dates|date=January 2021}}
{{Infobox military person
|name= Colin Keiver
|birth_name=Colin Keiver
|birth_date=
|birth_place= Three Hills, Alberta
|death_date=
|death_place=
|spouse=
|children=
|image=Major_Colin_Keiver_and_Captain_Michael_Parish_in_the_cockpit_of_a_USMC_VMGR-252_KC-130_Hercules_aircraft_during_Operation_ENDURING_FREEDOM.jpg
|caption= Keiver (right) in the cockpit of a USMC KC-130 above Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom (2002).
|nickname=
|allegiance=Canada
|serviceyears= 1991 - 2023
|rank=Major General
|branch=Royal Canadian Air Force{{efn|Known as Air Command until 2011}}
|commands={{plainlist|
- Commander of Joint Task Force-Iraq
- Commander of 8 Wing Trenton
- Commander of 436 Transport Squadron
}}
|battles= War in Afghanistan
Second Sudanese Civil War
International military intervention against ISIL
|awards=Canadian Meritorious Service Medal
Canadian Forces' Decoration
}}
Colin Keiver {{post-nominals|country=CAN|sep=,|size=100%|MSM|CD}} is a retired Royal Canadian Air Force major general who was the deputy commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force from May 2021 until July 2023.{{cite web|url=https://www.blatherwick.net/documents/General%20%26%20Flag%20Officers%201964%20to%20Current/2019%20General%20and%20Flag%20Officers.pdf|title=General Officers – CF|publisher=Canadian Forces|access-date=March 5, 2020}}
Early life and education
Keiver was born and raised on a farm outside of Three Hills, Alberta.{{cite web|url=https://www.loyalistcollege.com/news/loyalist-college-announces-guest-speakers-for-the-50th-anniversary-convocation-ceremonies/|title=Loyalist College Announces Guest Speakers for the 50th Anniversary Convocation Ceremonies|publisher=Loyalist College|access-date=December 8, 2018}} From a young age, he had a keen interest in aviation where he received his glider pilot licence through air cadets at the age of 16 in Gimli, Manitoba.{{cite web|url=https://ufdcimages.uflib.ufl.edu/AA/00/06/75/17/00601/08-21-2015.pdf|title=Cadets complete Trenton Cadet Training Centre programs|publisher=The Contact Newspaper|access-date=December 29, 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.loyalistcollege.com/news/loyalist-college-announces-guest-speakers-for-the-50th-anniversary-convocation-ceremonies/|title=Loyalist College Announces Guest Speakers for the 50th Anniversary Convocation Ceremonies|publisher=Loyalist College|access-date=December 8, 2018}} He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from the University of Manitoba,{{cite magazine |author=Colin Kiever |title=Automation Airmanship |magazine=The Canadian Air Force Journal |date=Spring 2009 |volume=2 |issue=2 |url=https://ufdcimages.uflib.ufl.edu/AA/00/06/81/85/00005/Spring-2009.pdf |page=15 |access-date=December 29, 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.loyalistcollege.com/news/loyalist-college-announces-guest-speakers-for-the-50th-anniversary-convocation-ceremonies/|title=Loyalist College Announces Guest Speakers for the 50th Anniversary Convocation Ceremonies|publisher=Loyalist College|access-date=December 8, 2018}} a master's degree in defence studies from the Royal Military College of Canada and is a graduate of the Royal College of Defence Studies in London, UK.{{cite web|url=https://www.loyalistcollege.com/news/loyalist-college-announces-guest-speakers-for-the-50th-anniversary-convocation-ceremonies/|title=Loyalist College Announces Guest Speakers for the 50th Anniversary Convocation Ceremonies|publisher=Loyalist College|access-date=December 8, 2018}}
Military career
Born in Three Hills, Alberta, Keiver joined the Canadian Armed Forces in 1991 and served with the Calgary Highlanders. Progressing from primary flying training on the Beechcraft CT-134 Musketeer at CFB Portage la Prairie to completing basic flying training on the Canadair CT-114 Tutor at CFB Moose Jaw, he went on to multi-engine training returning to CFB Portage la Prairie where he trained on the Beechcraft King Air before transitioning to flying the CC-130 in 435 Transport and Rescue Squadron in 1994.{{cite web|url=https://www.loyalistcollege.com/news/loyalist-college-announces-guest-speakers-for-the-50th-anniversary-convocation-ceremonies/|title=Loyalist College Announces Guest Speakers for the 50th Anniversary Convocation Ceremonies|publisher=Loyalist College|access-date=December 8, 2018}} In 2001, he had been sent on exchange with the United States Marine Corps to fly KC-130's in VMGR-252 as the Director of Safety and Standardization.{{cite web|url=https://ufdc.ufl.edu/AA00068185/00005|title=Automation Airmanship: Optimizing Aircrew Performance in a Modern Air Force|publisher=The Canadian Air Force Journal|access-date=May 14, 2020}} In February 2002, while on exchange with the United States Marine Corps, he had been deployed to Afghanistan for 3 months to play a part in Operation Enduring Freedom.{{cite web|url=https://nara.getarchive.net/media/canadian-forces-air-command-major-maj-colin-keiver-pilot-and-captain-cpt-michael-cc4cb5|title=Canadian Forces Air Command Major (MAJ) Colin Keiver (Pilot) and Captain (CPT) Michael Parish, (Co-Pilot), both assigned to US Marine Corps (USMC) Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron-252 (VMGR-252), conduct a combat entry/exit checklist in the cockpit of their KC-130 Hercules aircraft, upon departing hostile airspace after having delivered humanitarian supplies to a forward operating location during Operation ENDURING FREEDOM|publisher=U.S. National Archives|access-date=May 14, 2020}}
In 2004, Keiver returned to Canada to Winnipeg, Manitoba, as A3 Transport Operations at 1 Canadian Air Division Headquarters. During his time at the 1 Canadian Air Division Headquarters, he was deployed to Sudan as the Air Operations Advisor for the African Union Mission in Sudan from late November 2005, to late May 2006.{{cite web|url=https://www.gg.ca/en/honours/recipients/139-350|title=Meritorious Service Decorations – Military Division: Brigadier-General Colin Roy Keiver|publisher=The Governor General of Canada|access-date=December 29, 2020}} Upon his return to 1 Canadian Air Division Headquarters as A3 Transport where he had played a vital role in introducing both the CC-177 and the CC-130J to service.{{cite web|url=https://ufdc.ufl.edu/AA00068185/00005|title=Automation Airmanship: Optimizing Aircrew Performance in a Modern Air Force|publisher=The Canadian Air Force Journal|access-date=May 14, 2020}}
In 2009, he attended the Canadian Forces College in Toronto, Ontario, where he obtained a master's degree in defence studies. Transitioning from the Canadian Forces College to flying the CC-130J in 436 Transport Squadron when it was delivered in June 2010 as the squadron commander,{{cite web|url=https://www.northumberlandnews.com/news-story/3758525-new-commanding-officer-for-436-transport-squadron/|title=New commanding officer for 436 Transport Squadron|publisher=NorthumberlandNews|access-date=December 6, 2018}} Keiver has had lots of experience in command roles at CFB Trenton from being the 27th commander of 436 Squadron to becoming the 49th Wing Commander of 8 Wing Trenton in the summer of 2015 until the summer of 2017.{{cite web|url=http://thecontactnewspaper.cfbtrenton.com/archives/2015/03_October_2015/oct_02_2015/thecontact_oct_02_2015.pdf|title=Col. Colin Keiver is settling into command of 8 Wing/CFB Trenton|publisher=The Contact Newspaper|access-date=December 6, 2018}} Throughout his time between being the commander of 436 Transport Squadron and the commander of 8 Wing Trenton, he had been in Ottawa as the Director Air Simulation and Training and had attended the Royal College of Defence Studies in London, United Kingdom.{{cite web|url=https://www.loyalistcollege.com/news/loyalist-celebrates-success-of-graduates-from-the-schools-of-applied-sciences-skills-and-technology-and-health-human-and-justice-studies-2/|title=Loyalist Celebrates Success of Graduates From the Schools of Applied Sciences, Skills and Technology and Health, Human and Justice Studies|publisher=Loyalist College|access-date=December 6, 2018}} After finishing his time in Trenton, he was appointed Director Defence Program Coordination in the National Defence Headquarters of Canada for a year.{{cite web|url=https://www.blatherwick.net/documents/General%20%26%20Flag%20Officers%201964%20to%20Current/2017%20General%20and%20Flag%20Officers.pdf|title=General Officers – CF|publisher=Blatherwick|access-date=December 6, 2018}} He was appointed the commander of JTF-I in the summer of 2018.{{cite web|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-canadian-military-drawing-up-plans-to-extend-iraq-military-mission|title=Canadian military drawing up plans to extend Iraq military mission|publisher=The Globe and Mail|access-date=December 27, 2018}} As of July 2019, he has been the Director General of Air and Space Force Development.{{cite web|url=https://www.blatherwick.net/documents/General%20%26%20Flag%20Officers%201964%20to%20Current/2019%20General%20and%20Flag%20Officers.pdf|title=General Officers – CF|publisher=Canadian Forces|access-date=March 5, 2020}} In April, 2021, he was promoted to the rank of major general to be appointed the deputy commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force, which he would hold command of up until his retirement in July 2023.{{cite web|url=https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/news/2021/03/promotions-and-senior-appointments-2021---general-and-flag-officers.html|title= Promotions and Senior Appointments 2021 – General and Flag Officers|publisher=National Defence|access-date=April 27, 2021}}
Honours and decorations
Keiver has earned the following decorations throughout his military career.
Timeline of ranks
| class="wikitable"
|+ Promotions ! Insignia !! Rank !! Date | ||
| |50px | Officer Cadet | In January 1991, Keiver had joined the Canadian Armed Forces as a pilot and trained on multiple different aircraft throughout his time at 3 Canadian Forces Flying Training School (CFFTS) and 2 CFFTS. In January 1992, he had started flying in the Beechcraft CT-134 Musketeer. After primary flying training, he had transitioned to CFB Moose Jaw to train on the Canadair CT-114 Tutor. |
| |50px | Second lieutenant | As a second lieutenant, Keiver completed his multi-engine training in the Beechcraft King Air at CFB Portage la Prairie. |
| |50px | Lieutenant | While a Lieutenant, Keiver had been flying in the CC-130 with 435 Transport and Rescue Squadron in Winnipeg, Manitoba, completing time in the Hercules as well as expanding experience in military air transport and air-to-air refuelling. |
| |50px | Captain | While a captain, Keiver had originally been flying CC-130's with 435 Transport and Rescue Squadron before going on exchange with the United States Marine Corps to fly with VMGR 252. |
| |50px | Major | As a Major, Keiver had been on exchange with the United States Marine Corps as the Director of Safety and Standardization from 2001 to 2004. After returning from MCAS Cherry Point, he had returned to 1 Canadian Air Division Headquarters in Winnipeg, Manitoba, to be in charge of A3 Transport. He had been involved in the RCAF transition to the CC-177 and CC-130J. |
| |50px | Lieutenant colonel | As a lieutenant colonel, Keiver had been the commanding officer of 436 Transport Squadron at CFB Trenton from 2010 to 2012. Keiver was the commander of the Squadron during the delivery of the CC-130J's to the RCAF.{{cite web|url=https://inquinte.ca/story/436-transport-squadron-welcome-new-leader-home-to-quinte|title=436 Transport Squadron welcome new leader home to Quinte|access-date=December 7, 2018}} This was also a period of significant operational activity in Afghanistan and Libya. |
| |50px | Colonel | Upon being promoted to colonel, Keiver was appointed director of air simulation and training in Ottawa, where he was responsible for all contracted training within the RCAF as well as the development of the RCAF Simulation Strategy. From 2014 to 2015, he had completed a fellowship at the Royal College of Defence Studies in London, UK. He was the wing commander of 8 Wing Trenton from 2015 to 2017. In 2018, he was appointed as the director of defence program coordination at National Defence Headquarters. |
| |100px | Brigadier general | Promoted to the rank of brigadier general in April, 2018, he assumed command of JTF-I until May 2019.{{cite web|url=https://inquinte.ca/story/former-cfb-trenton-base-commander-promoted-to-brigadier-general|title=Former CFB Trenton base commander promoted to Brigadier-General|access-date=December 18, 2018}} From June 2019 until May 2021, Keiver was the director general of Air and Space Force Development.{{cite web|url=https://www.blatherwick.net/documents/General%20%26%20Flag%20Officers%201964%20to%20Current/2019%20General%20and%20Flag%20Officers.pdf|title=General Officers – CF|publisher=Canadian Forces|access-date=March 5, 2020}} |
| |100px | Major general | Promoted to the rank of major general in April, 2021, he became the deputy commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force in May, 2021, until July, 2023.{{cite web|url=https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/news/2021/03/promotions-and-senior-appointments-2021---general-and-flag-officers.html|title= Promotions and Senior Appointments 2021 – General and Flag Officers|publisher=National Defence|access-date=April 27, 2021}} |
Notes
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References
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{{USGovernment}}
{{s-start}}
{{s-mil}}
{{s-bef|before=Blaise Frawley}}
{{s-ttl|title=Deputy Commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force|years=May 2021 – July 2023}}
{{s-aft|after=Jamie Speiser-Blanchet}}
|-
{{s-bef|before=Michel Lalumiere}}
{{s-ttl|title=Director General of Air and Space Force Development|years=22 June 2018 – May 2021}}
{{s-aft|after=Chris McKenna}}
|-
{{s-bef|before=Andrew Jayne}}
{{s-ttl|title=Commander of Joint Task Force-Iraq (Operation Impact)|years=22 June 2018 – 2 May 2019}}
{{s-aft|after=Michel-Henri St-Louis}}
|-
{{s-bef|before=David Lowthian}}
{{s-ttl|title=Commander of 8 Wing Trenton|years=August 2015 – July 2017}}
{{s-aft|after=Mark Goulden}}
|-
{{s-bef|before=Frank Martineau}}
{{s-ttl|title=Commander of 436 Transport Squadron|years=29 July 2010 – July 2012}}
{{s-aft|after=Mark Goulden}}
{{s-end}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Keiver, Colin}}
Category:Canadian military personnel from Alberta
Category:Graduates of the Royal College of Defence Studies
Category:Canadian military personnel of the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)
Category:University of Manitoba alumni
Category:Royal Military College of Canada alumni
Category:People from Kneehill County
Category:Canadian Air Force personnel
Category:Royal Canadian Air Force officers