Wing Commander

Col Michel Lalumière, CD

Col Michel Lalumière, CD

Born and raised in Montreal, Colonel Lalumière joined the military in 1984 at the Collège Militaire Royal (CMR) de St-Jean, graduating from (RMC) in Kingston, with an engineering degree.

After receiving his wings in 1990, he served at 103 Search and Rescue Unit in Gander NF on the CH113 Labrador helicopter, followed by 442 (T and R) Squadron in Comox BC, and at the 442 Squadron Operational Training Flight as an instructor.

In 1997, he joined the New SAR Helicopter (CSH) Project in Ottawa in its definition and evaluation phase. The Italian/English Consortium EHI was selected to build the 15 new Canadian helicopters, and in 1998 the Lalumieres moved to Italy, where he served as the Detachment Commander for the Project Management Office. He took part in the first transatlantic delivery mission of CSH 904 and 905 from Italy to Comox in 2001. For his work in the CSH project, Col Lalumière received a Special Achievement Award from BGen Lucas, DGAEPM.

On graduation from Command & Staff College at Canadian Forces College in Toronto, Col Lalumière was given Command in 2003 of 424 Transport & Rescue Squadron, 8 Wing Trenton. This entailed implementing the CH149 Helicopter to Operational status in this fourth SAR area, and retiring the venerable CH113 Labrador helicopter. As CO, he was also actively involved in the 1 Canadian Air Div Project Transform, and the C130 Hercules fleet hours rationalization.

Posted to Ottawa in 2005, he had the opportunity to experience the NDHQ challenges fully: first by being assigned to the Air Staff with responsibilities in NATO, NORAD and other cooperation efforts with our allies; then the newly formed Strategic Joint Staff for the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Hillier; and finally, joined the Chief of Air Staff Exec staff as Executive Assistant to CAS and Commander of Air Command LGen Watt.

Col Lalumière attended the Advanced Military Studies Program, and is currently completing the inaugural National Security Program again at CFC in Toronto. He is presently working on a masters degree in Security and Defence Management and Policy.

Col Lalumière and Ms Nathalie Charest joined their lives at the beginning of this great adventure. They have two wonderful children, Chloé and Hugo, a little gymnast and a swimmer.