Colonel W.D. Eyre
Colonel W.D. Eyre was born in Wadena, Saskatchewan, in 1966, and spent most of his youth on a nearby farm before completing high school in Medicine Hat, Alberta. He attended Royal Roads Military College in Victoria followed by Royal Military College in Kingston, graduating in 1988.
After completing infantry officer's training, LCol Eyre was posted to 2nd Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, where he served as a rifle platoon commander, including a peacekeeping tour in Cyprus, and as the reconnaissance platoon commander second-in-command.
Following employment as the Adjutant of The Royal Winnipeg Rifles, he returned to 2 PPCLI and spent two and a half years as the unit’s reconnaissance platoon commander. In this position he deployed with 2 PPCLI to Croatia in 1993 as part of the United Nations Protection Force, and was in the Medak Pocket operation with the platoon.
After attending the Canadian Land Force Command and Staff College he was employed as a staff officer in Land Force Western Area Headquarters, in both the G1 branch and as Executive Assistant to the Commander. Following this posting and promotion to Major, he spent the next two years as a rifle company commander with 3rd Battalion PPCLI. This included a tour with NATO’s Stabilization Force in Bosnia in 2000, where LCol Eyre was award the Chief of Defence Staff Commendation for the removal of a Bosnian-Croat Guards Brigade from his contentious area of responsibility. Following this tour, he commanded the Battalion’s Administration Company.
In 2001, LCol Eyre was promoted to his current rank and was posted to Quantico, Virginia, as the Canadian student at the United States Marine Corps Command and Staff College. He was subsequently selected by the Marines to attend the USMC School of Advanced Warfighting for the following year, a course focused on developing operational planners. On return to Canada he was employed as a section head in the Directorate of Defence Analysis at National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa, where he led the team that developed the Canadian Forces’ first Strategic Operating Concept. He became Commanding Officer of 3 PPCLI in June of 2004. After leading 3 PPCLI, he deployed to Southern Afghanistan in 2007 to command the Canadian Operational Mentor and Liaison Team, where he earned the Meritorious Service Cross (see citation below).
Among other military qualifications, Colonel Eyre is a graduate of the Canadian Advanced Reconnaissance Patrolman course and the US Army Special Forces Qualification Course. Academically, he has a bachelor’s degree in Science from RMC, and a master’s degree in Military Studies and a master’s degree in Operational Studies, both from Marine Corps University. He is married to Jennifer (nee Thompson) from Ormstown, Quebec, and they have two children, Alexander (1998) and Breanna (2001).
Biography and photo courtesy of DND and http://www.army.dnd.ca/3PPCLI/Command.htm with updates from Pembroke Observer article - 2 Jul 09
Citation for Meritorious Service Cross (Military Division): 26 March 2008 http://www.gg.ca/media/doc.asp?lang=e&DocID=5317 Colonel Wayne Donald Eyre, M.S.C., C.D. Ottawa, Ontario and Wadena, Saskatchewan
Colonel Eyre, then lieutenant-colonel, distinguished himself by his outstanding commitment to the success of the mission while deployed to Afghanistan as the commanding officer of the Operational Mentor and Liaison Team, from March to August 2007. His expert knowledge of counter-insurgency strategy and tactics ensured Afghan successes against Taliban operations, bringing stability to the volatile region and strengthening good governance within Kandahar Province.
Appointment as 2 CMBG - Eyre takes on a new challenge http://www.thedailyobserver.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1637802
Excerpt from article on Pembroke Observer website posted by Sean Chase on 2 Jul 09
<<CFB PETAWAWA - The new man in charge of 2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group is embarking to some uncharted territory. For the first time since the brigade's redesignation, its commander hails from the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, or the PPCLI as they're commonly known, a regiment based out of western Canada. In a change of command ceremony in front of 500 troops Tuesday, Col. Wayne Eyre took over the brigade from Col. Dean Milner. After joining Brig.-Gen. J. C. Collin, commander of Land Force Central Area, and his predecessor in the signing of the change of command scrolls, Col. Eyre addressed his soldiers for the first time, saying he was pleasantly surprised to learn of his appointment to the brigade. This is his first posting to Petawawa. "My family and I are very much looking forward to the opportunity presented by this posting and by this community," said Col. Eyre, a former commanding officer of 3 PPCLI. Although he's never been with 2CMBG, the incoming commander noted he has worked with Petawawa soldiers in the past and has followed the brigade's progress on recent missions from his post at Canadian Expeditionary Force Command. "Your operational record speaks for itself. You are tough, keen, dedicated and professional, steadfast in the face of the enemy. You don't shy away from a fight and you have seen much success in battle," he said. "I look forward to continuing this practice with you." In his closing remarks, Col. Milner reflected on his tenure, which began in August 2007. Over that period, he presided over the stand-up and training of one major task force to Kandahar, Afghanistan and guided the brigade in those tough days when Petawawa lost soldiers in combat. He described his time here as "a hard charging couple of years." He thanked the families and the community for their outstanding support of the brigade's men and women and, in particular, he expressed appreciation to his wife, Katrin, and children, Stephanie and Derek, for his long hours at work. Col. Milner then turned his attention to praising the soldiers that were under his command. "You've gone off to war, you've accomplished a whole bunch of great things," he said looking out at the parade. "You're back home and you're ready to do some more. This brigade will not slow down. The tempo of this brigade - because it is the best brigade - will continue." Col. Milner reminded them that the brigade will soon prepare for Task Force 1-10, scheduled to deploy to Afghanistan next spring, and the upcoming G-8 Summit. He assured them that with his wealth of operational experience Col. Eyre has all the right attributes to lead the brigade. "You have a great commander who's going to take you on that road," said Col. Milner, who will be returning to Petawawa next year to ready the Joint Task Force Headquarters for deployment to Kandahar. Gen. Collin told the parade the brigade has developed a reputation nothing short of outstanding, having taken on tasks that have been exhaustive and profound over the past two years. He added the formation will be well-served by Col. Eyre at the helm. End of Excerpt>>
