McDowell on troops, family, career at 14 AMS change of appointment
With a packed Annapolis Mess, loud applause and cheers, Chief Warrant Officer Dave McDowell was given a Stingers’ send-off June 14, leaving his role with 14 Air Maintenance Squadron to prepare for his August 6 retirement from the Canadian Armed Forces.
In 2021, McDowell was supposed to be heading to 413 (Transport and Rescue) Squadron, but “jumped at the chance when the phone rang to come to 14 AMS – my home, where I started my air force career. And, it’s where I’m going to end.
“I’m truly honoured and proud to have been the CWO for 14 AMS. You’ve always stepped up for me, and I could never ask for anything more.”
McDowell described a “tough” three years, coming out of COVID-19 conditions, a steady number of transfers and departures from the unit, continuing to work on an aging aircraft, deployments, helping other units at 14 Wing Greenwood….
“No one ever balked, I never had to ask twice – our members step up, do their job and do it well: proving they are proud, determined, driven and ready. I hope I was able to provide guidance, compassion and empathy to all the members of the squadron.”
McDowell also thanked his senior executive team and CWO peers across the wing.
“I’ve enjoyed our tables. Rants? It’s just passion for our troops as we worked to fix problems, and I appreciate your support in all of that.”
McDowell grew up in Pictou, and first joined the Reserves as a member of the 1st Nova Scotia Highlanders. Time here included a six-week tour in Germany, and a tour with 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry in 1993, with UNPROFOR, during which he earned a unit Commander in Chief Commendation for work in the Medak Pocket, in the former Yugoslavia. He accepted a direct entry Regular Force role with the 2PPCLI after that, and a NATO tour of Bosnia followed in 1997. In 1998, McDowell accepted a voluntary transfer to avionics technician and was posted to 14 AMS in Greenwood in 1999. In 2009, he was posted again to Greenwood, to 404 (Long Range Patrol and Training) Squadron.
“To my family: it’s been a rough military career, and we spent a lot of time apart. You supported me all along the way. I could never have asked any more of you, either.”
Incoming 14 AMS Chief Warrant Officer Randy Halvorsen is also no stranger to the Stingers, but said, “back in my day, we were the ‘maintenance wizards.’
“Working together over the next few years, with new aircraft, will be arduous and challenging, but I’m looking forward to those shared challenges.”
Halvorsen promised transparency, respect and accountability as he steps in the chief’s role; and called for a “Hip, Hip, Hooray” for all McDowell brought to the job.
14 AMS Lieutenant-Colonel Eric Travis was the reviewing officer for the change of appointment, calling McDowell the best in a command team partner: “someone you can trust.
“He has your back, he looks after the discipline of the unit and has the pulse – Chief McDowell has that in spades, and there was no time in the past year I ever felt he didn’t.”
Travis said Halvorsen, who he worked with years ago at 404 Squadron, has “big shoes to fill, in a big squadron, but you have all the ability to excel. Welcome to the family.”
