Major (Retired) Deanna Marie Brasseur, CM CD, shares this honour with "fellow" Canadian Forces pilot Captain Jane (Van Ingen Schenau) Foster.
Her StoryDeanna Marie Brasseur was born on September 9, 1953 in Pembroke, Ontario, to Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Lionel C. (Lyn) Brasseur and Marie Olive (Aucoin). As a transient Royal Canadian Air Force "Brat" growing up was accomplished at 11 different military and civilian locations in six Canadian provinces and two American states. |
Accustomed to a "lifestyle" on the move, following graduation from high school and one year attending university, at the young age of 19, Dee joined the Canadian military in the rank of Private assigned to the Administration Clerk 831 Trade. Her first posting was to the Orderly Room of 14 Dental Unit Detachment, C.F.B. Winnipeg, Manitoba where she served as a typist for the dental office. (1972)
Following successful application and course completions, Dee was commissioned under the Officer Candidate Training Program as an Air Weapons Controller. She served one posting controlling fighter aircraft at 22nd NORAD Region, North Bay, Ontario and an exchange tour with the United Sates Air Force in Duluth, Minnesota at 23rd NORAD Region. (1973-79)
In 1979, Captain Brasseur commenced Basic Pilot Training as part of a Canadian Forces trial program called the Study of Women in Non-Traditional Environments and Roles (SWINTER). Making Canadian military history on February 13, 1981, Dee became of one of the "first three women" to graduate with their "wings" and subsequently became the first female Flight Instructor at 2 Canadian Forces Flying Training School (2CFFTS) in MooseJaw, Saskatchewan in June 1981.
Four years later, following a year of French study at the Canadian Forces Language School in Ottawa, Ontario, Captain Dee Brasseur was selected as the Air Force Representative assigned to the National Defense Headquarters Charter Task Force on Equal Rights. The Task Force examined and made recommendations to the Minister of National Defense on the manner in which and the extent to which military policies could be changed so as to enhance individual rights and freedoms without undue adverse impact on the operational effectiveness of the CF. (1986)
Posted to Base Flight C.F.B Cold Lake, Alberta, Dee served two years as the first female in the position of Flight Commander. She flew and managed a fleet of 12 T-33 Silver Star jet Utility Aircraft and was responsible for supervising seven junior pilots. While serving with Base Flight, she became qualified as a 4-Plane Formation Lead, T-33 Airshow Demonstration and Test Pilot and completed the Instrument Check Pilots Course to become a certified Military Pilot License Examiner. (1988)
In June 1988, Captain Brasseur commenced the six month Basic Fighter Pilot Training Course conducted at 419 "Moose" Squadron on the CF5 Freedom Fighter. Upon completion, it was over to 410 "Cougar" Squadron to complete a further six months of training on the sophisticated CF-18 Hornet. Captains Dee Brasseur and Jane Foster were the first two female pilots in the world to successfully graduate and qualify to fly the - CF18 Jet Fighter Aircraft - the most powerful plane in the Canadian Air Force arsenal.
A promotion to Major and assignment to 416 "Lynx" Squadron in the position of Plans Officer followed and Dee flew the CF-18 in Canada and in Europe until an unfortunate third operation on a problematic left ulnar nerve condition temporarily grounded her flying career.
In August 1990, upon completion of studies at the Cranfield Institute of Aviation Technology, Cranfield, England Major Brasseur was posted to the Directorate of Flight Safety at National Defense Headquarters in Ottawa as the first female Aircraft Accident Investigator, responsible for monitoring and supervising flight safety, matters pertaining to all Canadian Military Jet Trainer and Fighter aircraft activities.
"Dee retired from the military in 1994 after 21 years of distinguished service and 2,500 hours of jet flying.
With her extensive background in leadership, organization, personnel management and supervision, Dee established her own business,
Unlimited Horizons. A Professional Motivational Speaker as well as a Certified Trainer and Master Practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming, Dee continues achieving, educating and consulting as a Corporate and Personal Performance Coach.
During 1996, in addition to completing an appointment by of the Minister of National Defence, to serve as a member of the Advisory Board on Gender Integration in the Canadian Forces, Dee kept her hand in flying. Assuming the position of Chief Executive Officer Dee was responsible for overseeing the formation, funding, training and participation of the
Canadian National Precision Flight Team entry into the World Competition held in Fort Worth, Texas in September of that same year. In recognition of the Team's efforts promoting Canada and precision flying, the Canadian Owners and Pilots Association (COPA) presented the Team with their 1996 Achievement AwardAs a result of the successful endeavours and positive experiences of the 1996 "Crazy Canards" team, the Canadian Precision Flying Association (CPFA) was subsequently incorporated and granted charitable status by Revenue Canada in mid-July 1998. The Association's mandate is to continue promoting the sport of Precision Flying in Canada by building on and utilizing the knowledge gained by participating in Fort Worth, Texas.
MacLean's, Canada's National Weekly News Magazine, published its
Annual Honour Roll issue presenting the distinctive portraits of 12 Canadians who made a difference in 1998. The honorees, many of whom worked quietly in their communities, came from across the country and from a wide variety of fields. But all shared two attributes - modesty, and an overwhelming desire to achieve. On the list of those honoured, for sheer courage, Major (Retired) Dee Brasseur who came forward to comment on the issue of rape and sexual abuse in the militaryOn 3 February, 1999, at a ceremony held at Rideau Hall, Deanna Marie Brasseur was invested as a
Member of the Order of Canada by His Excellency the Right Honourable Romeo LeBlanc, Governor General of Canada. Considered the keystone of the Canadian system of honours, the Order of Canada pays tribute to Canadians who exemplify the highest quality of citizenship and whose contributions enrich the lives of their contemporaries. The Latin motto of this fraternity of merit - desiderantes meliorem patriam - proclaims the aspirations of its members who, in their lives and work, have shown that"They Desire a Better Country".
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