Michele Claveau
Michele “Scrappie” Claveau joined the CAF in 1979 in Ottawa serving two years as a Militia Pte/Cpl. She transferred to the RegF in 1981 and spent several useful years on OJT in Comox, BC. Upon graduation from basic Air Traffic Control (VFR and IFR) occupational training in 1986 and newly commissioned, LCol Claveau completed operational tours in Cold Lake, Alberta and Lahr, Germany, serving in a variety of Aerodrome, Radar and Terminal/Approach Control and Supervisory positions.
Repatriation in 1993 was followed by five years as an Instructor and Standards Officer at the Canadian Forces School of Aerospace Control Operations; cross-training in the Air Defence discipline as the Air Traffic and Air Weapons Control occupations amalgamated to become Aerospace Control. In 1998, Capt Claveau was selected for an Exchange Officer position at Royal Air Force Shawbury’s Central Air Traffic Control School in the United Kingdom.
Promoted to Major in 2000, she was posted to 14 Wing Greenwood as Wing Air Traffic Control Officer and led the On-Scene Command Emergency Response Team. In 2003 Maj Claveau was appointed A3 Aerospace Standards and Regulations at 1 Canadian Air Division HQ, Team Leader for the Aerospace Control Standards and Evaluation Team, and Air Operations Officer on the Canadian NORAD Region Battle Staff.
In 2005 Maj Claveau was selected for the year-long Command and Staff Course at Canadian Forces College in Toronto. Upon graduation in Jun 2006, LCol Claveau was promoted to her current rank and posted to the Air Traffic Management Coordination Office in Ottawa, working as CF liaison officer to NAV CANADA, Transport Canada and to NATO for all Air Traffic Management and airspace issues. In August 2009 she took command of the Canadian Forces School of Aerospace Control Operations in Cornwall, Ontario. In 2010, she was tasked as Regional Air Operations Centre Director for OP PODIUM during the Vancouver Olympics. Upon completion of her command tour in 2011, LCol Claveau was posted to NATO Headquarters Supreme Allied Command Transformation in Norfolk, Virginia, filling a variety of NATO training and exercise roles. In 2014, LCol Claveau was appointed Commanding Officer, Regional Cadet Support Unit (Northwest), proudly supporting the Canadian Cadet Organizations. In 2017, LCol Claveau was named as one of the “Top 20 Female Leaders in Defence” by Esprit de Corps Magazine and honoured with a commendation from Commander National Cadets and JCR Support Group. LCol Claveau retired in Aug 2017 after 37 years of service. Michele continues to support Cadets as with the BC Provincial Committee of the Air Cadet League of Canada as well as volunteering with the BC Senior Games Society.
Michele holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Studies from the University of Manitoba, a Masters in Defence Studies from RMC, and is a recipient of both a Canadian NORAD Region and Canada Command Commander’s Commendations. She is married to retired ATC Warrant Officer (now Red Seal Chef) Mitch Claveau. Michele is an avid hockey player heading to the Canada Senior Games in August; and she stays active outdoors hiking with her dogs, skiing, gardening, and motorcycle touring.
Michele is currently a National Governor with the Air Cadet League of Canada.
On behalf of all of the BC Provincial Committee Board of Directors and League Members, we wish you all the best in your future endeavours.