Team,
1. As you are aware our Squadron celebrated it’s 75th Anniversary this past weekend, with several successful activities for retirees, serving members, and families and friends. From the dinner, to the golf, to the meet and greet and Sqn tour, the SCWO and I were extremely impressed with the involvement by so many leading up to the weekend and throughout the weekend itself.
2. For 75 years the members and families of this Squadron have enabled operations at home and around the world, and have done so with the utmost professionalism, dedication, perseverance, and mission focus. Throughout this period, the Squadron’s ethos hasn’t changed. Air Movements has always been about people, competent under pressure, working as a team in chaos, and taking quiet pride in getting the job done right. Our success has been and is measured in smooth departures, safe arrivals, and missions that just happen because professionals (like you) made them look routine. OUR TEAM ALWAYS ANSWERS THE CALL!
3. Consistently delivering operational excellence through the movement of cargo and personnel and ultimately being involved in almost everything the CAF has done these past 75 years, 2 Air Movements Unit and now 2 Air Movements Squadron is the CAF’s only air movements Squadron. As mentioned on Saturday evening during the dinner, anniversaries are not just about looking back. They’re also about reminding ourselves who we are and why it matters. We also need to look forward, to new capabilities, and our continued role in supporting an ever-expanding set of missions at home, and around the world, especially given the uncertainty and challenges that the world and all people see daily. Thank you Sqn teammates for everything you do, and for the support from your families and friends.
4. Lastly, a big shout out and thanks to those on our team that made this weekend a resounding success. Your leadership, passion, and efforts in organizing and ensuring that the weekend’s events could occur, is one true example of why this Squadron is able to accomplish so much. So, throughout this next 75th year, let’s continue to remember and celebrate our Squadron’s legacy while being proud of what it is we do each day to enable operations.
Happy 75th Anniversary!
Équipe,
1. Comme vous le savez, notre escadron a célébré son 75e anniversaire la fin de semaine dernière, avec plusieurs activités réussies pour les retraités, les membres en service, ainsi que leurs familles et amis. Du dîner, au golf, en passant par la rencontre informelle et la visite de l’escadron, l’Adjuc-chef de l’escadron et moi avons été extrêmement impressionnés par l’engagement de tant de personnes avant et pendant toute la fin de semaine.
2. Depuis 75 ans, les membres et les familles de cet escadron rendent possibles les opérations au pays et à travers le monde, avec le plus grand professionnalisme, dévouement, persévérance et sens de la mission. Durant tout ce temps, l’éthique de l’escadron n’a pas changé. Les mouvements aériens ont toujours été une affaire de personnes : compétentes sous pression, travaillant en équipe dans le chaos, et tirant une fierté discrète du travail bien fait. Notre succès s’est mesuré, et se mesure encore, par des départs sans accroc, des arrivées sécuritaires et des missions qui semblent couler de source parce que des professionnels (comme vous) les rendent routinières. NOTRE ÉQUIPE RÉPOND TOUJOURS À L’APPEL !
3. En livrant constamment l’excellence opérationnelle par le mouvement du personnel et du fret, et en étant impliqué dans presque tout ce que les FAC ont accompli au cours des 75 dernières années, la 2 Unité de mouvements aériens, maintenant le 2e escadron des mouvements aériens, demeure le seul escadron de mouvements aériens des FAC. Comme mentionné samedi soir lors de notre dîner anniversaire, les anniversaires ne servent pas seulement à regarder en arrière. Ils servent aussi à nous rappeler qui nous sommes et pourquoi cela importe. Nous devons aussi regarder vers l’avenir, vers de nouvelles capacités et notre rôle continu dans le soutien d’un ensemble de missions en constante expansion, ici au pays et partout dans le monde, surtout dans un contexte d’incertitude et de défis quotidiens. Merci à toute l’équipe de l’escadron pour tout ce que vous faites, ainsi qu’à vos familles et amis pour leur soutien.
4. Enfin, un grand bravo et merci à tous les membres de notre équipe qui ont fait de cette fin de semaine un succès retentissant. Votre leadership, votre passion et vos efforts pour organiser et veiller au bon déroulement des activités sont un exemple éloquent de ce qui permet à cet escadron d’accomplir autant. Alors, au cours de cette 75e année, continuons de nous souvenir et de célébrer l’héritage de notre escadron, tout en étant fiers de ce que nous faisons chaque jour pour permettre la conduite des opérations.
Joyeux 75e anniversaire!
Your leadership team,
CHIMO!!!
CWO / Adjuc Rob Overton, CD
Squadron Chief Warrant Officer, 2 Air Movements Squadron
LCol/ lcol Dwayne Demers, CD
Commanding Officer, 2 Air Movements Squadron
In the early 1950s, Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Station Lachine became the home of Air Transport Command. Co-located with the Montréal-Dorval International Airport (now Montréal-Trudeau), No. 2 Air Movements Unit (2 AMU) was formed at the Station in 1951 in response to the requirement for air mobility logistics support to the Squadrons of the Command (426 and 436 Transport Squadrons). The initial role of the Unit included the handling of passengers, freight and mail and support to the Squadrons’ Air Traffic Assistants (now called Loadmasters).
2 AMU continued to support the AIr Transport Command at RCAF Station Lachine in the early days of the development of Canada's capabilities in the provision of air mobility. With aircraft such as the C-119 Flying Boxcar, aircraft capabilities continued to grow and the RCAF was able to provide transport support to operations in Korea, to the Canadian north, and to other ongoing operations throughout the world.
Being integral to the support of Air Transport Command, when the Command was moved to RCAF Station Trenton in 1959, 2 AMU relocated there as well.
After the move to RCAF Station Trenton, Air Transport Command further increased aircraft assets, such as the Canadair CL-44 (Yukon). This further increased the ability for longer and easier transatlantic transport. In response to this added capability, three Mobile Air Movements Sections (MAMS) were established at Trenton. These small teams of movement specialists deployed extensively with Air Transport Command’s squadrons on operations such as Operations (Ops) BOXTOP (re-supply of CFS Alert) and SNOWGOOSE (rotation of Canadian troops to/from Cyprus).
RCAF Station Trenton was renamed Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Trenton in 1968 and the role of Transport Command continued to expand to include additional airplanes (CC-137 Husky, CC-130 Hercules, CH-113 Labrador and CC-115 Buffalo) and the role of the base increased from that of just Air Mobility to include Search and Rescue. With this increase came greater requirements for 2 AMU support, and in 1975, a new cargo terminal was established in 1 Hangar, with modern scales and a floor with rollers, providing ease of movement of aircraft pallets within the building. Later that year, the AMU received Royal Assent for its crest and motto NUNQUAM NON PARATUS - NEVER UNPREPARED.
2 AMU participated in almost every operation undertaken by Air Transport Group in the 1970s ’80s and into the ’90s. For its significant contribution to Ops FRICTION, SCIMITAR and SCALPEL (Canada’s contribution to the Gulf War) 2 AMU received a Chief of Defence Staff Commendation. With the adaption of the Wing concept 1992, 2 AMU changed its name to 2 Air Movements Squadron (2 Air Mov Sqn) on the 1st of April of that year.
As a part of 2 Air Mov Sqn’s 50th anniversary celebrations in 2001, a new passenger terminal building was formally named in honor of Chief Warrant Officer Joseph Gordon. CWO Ellison had been the first Chief Warrant Officer of 2 AMU and had been primarily responsible for the establishment of the Air Movements Training Section in 1952. The passenger terminal building being named after the first CWO brought together the importance of remembering the past with envisioning the future of operations at 2 Air Mov Sqn.
The onset of CAF operations in Afghanistan, brought 2 Air Mov Sqn rapidly into what was probably the busiest period the Sqn had experienced until that time. There were large amounts of cargo and passengers continually being moved into and out of theatre. The Sqn processed an average of 30 million pounds of freight and 20,000 passengers yearly in support of Ops ATHENA, APOLLO and ATTENTION. Many CAF personnel who served in Afghanistan during this time will well remember transiting through the 2 Air Mov Sqn passenger terminal on their way to or from those operations.
In addition to enabling the movement of personnel and cargo, 2 Air Mov Sqn played a key role in the sombre duty of returning fallen comrades back to Canadian soil. Sqn members participated in the many ramp ceremonies which took place at 8 Wing Trenton, helping to bring significance and solemnity to the return of those who had made the ultimate sacrifice.
Although the pace of operations has slowed during the post Afghanistan years, 2 Air Mov Sqn continues to play a vital role in operations within Canada and abroad. Sqn members assist in evacuations during domestic natural disasters (fires and floods) and to relief missions throughout the world. An average of 17.5 million pounds of freight and 11,000 passengers are processed yearly by the Sqn, continuing a proud tradition of supporting airlift operations and contributing to the global air mobility mandate of 8 Wing Trenton.
2 Air Mov Sqn is the largest employer of traffic technicians within the CAF and the force generate for the majority of loadmasters. Today the Sqn continues to uphold it’s distinguished legacy and supporting operations by playing a vital role in supporting the movement of material and personnel across the Defence Supply Chain from depots and 1st line units to domestic and expeditionary operations to include CFS Alert, BOXTOP, Op REASSURANCE Air Task Force – Prestwick (over 30 millions lbs of freight shipped), Task Force Latvia, and small missions around the globe. Time and again, 2 Air Mov Sqn lives up to it’s mission of providing relevant, responsive, and effective main operating base support at 8 Wing and delivering first class deployed Mobile Air Movement Section (MAMS) support, meeting the challenges of today and the future.
Throughout the years, 2 Air Mov Sqn has received numerous awards and recognition, some of which are as follows:
Nov 1991 – Canadian Force Commendation from General A.J.G.D. de Chastelain, CDS for contributions to the Canadian Forces mission in the Persian Gulf
Feb 1992 – Canadian Forces Commendation Pennant from LGen Huddleston, Commander, Air Command for contributions to the Canadian Forces mission in the Persian Gulf
Jul 2020 – Canadian Joint Task Force Southwest Asia Commander’s Commendation in recognition of support to Operation APOLLO from BGen J.C.M. Gauthier
Mar 2008 – Officer Commanding TAU (Tactical Air Unit) Commendation for support to TF Afghanistan Relief in Place (RiP) operations, by Maj S.L.Camps
Jun 2008 – 1 Canadian Air Division (1CAD) Commander’s Commendation to National Passenger Service Centre (NPSC) personnel for dedication and professionalism in making the 2007 Special Christmas and New Year’s Leave Program a success by MGen M. Duval
Mar 2010 – Commander Task Force Haiti Commendation for contributing to the success of Operation HESTIA (Canadian Forces participation in humanitarian operations conducted in response to the catastrophic earthquake that struck Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on 12 Jan 2010)
Sep 2010 – Canadian Forces Commendation for support to Operations HESTIA, ATHENA (Task Force Afghanistan) and PODIUM (Canadian Forces support to the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games)
Oct 2010 – Gordon R. McGregor Memorial Trophy, presented by LGen J.P.A. Deschamps for support to Op HESTIA
Oct 2013 – Gordon R. McGregor Memorial Trophy, presented by LGen J.Y. Blondin for recognition of outstanding and meritorious achievement in the field of air transportation
Nov 2020 – Canadian Joint Operations Command (CJOC) Commander’s Commendation, presented by LGen C.J. Coates for international operational support during COVID-19 crisis.
Jun 2025 - CJOC Unit Commendation awarded to 2 Air Mov Sqn for Cargo Operations. From July 2023 to July 2024, the members of 2 Air Movements Squadron Cargo Ops demonstrated exceptional dedication, technical expertise, and remarkable teamwork during the deployment and mounting efforts of numerous Canadian Joint Operations Command operations and exercises. In each instance they showcased extraordinary adaptability in handling unforeseen challenges, ensured efficient load planning, and overcame significant obstacles with poise and professionalism. Their pivotal contributions were instrumental in achieving mission success within tight timelines, and their outstanding performance underscored an unwavering commitment to excellence amidst operational complexities. 2 Air Movements Squadron Cargo Ops’ exceptional leadership and dedication significantly contributed to the success of the Canadian Joint Operations Command missions conducted during this timeframe.
In addition to these awards, 2 Air Mov Sqn has been recognized for their support to the Red Cross, RCMP, and other civilian agencies for both relief and charity efforts in Canada and around the world.
Available in black or red, sizes S / M / L / XL / XXL. Custom orders now open! Please see Custom Order Form link above.
Available for purchase at the Meet & Greet (cash only) and Sqn Tour (cash, debit and credit cards). $8 each.
Each one has a unique number. Available for purchase at the Meet & Greet (cash only) and Sqn Tour (cash, debit and credit cards). $10
Traffic tech ball cap. Adjustable $25, flex fit $30. Available for purchase at the Meet & Greet (cash only) and Sqn Tour (cash, debit and credit cards).
2 Air Mov Sqn crew neck sweatshirt will also be available at the events above. Limited sizes in stock. $35.
Stickers available for purchase at the Meet & Greet (cash only) and Sqn Tour (cash, debit and credit cards). $2.
Available for purchase at the Meet & Greet (cash only) and Sqn Tour (cash, debit and credit cards). $10 each
LCol Dwayne Demers - Commanding Officer
Lieutenant-Colonel Dwayne Demers was born in Kingston, Ontario and joined the CAF in 2003 under the Regular Officer Training Plan (ROTP). In 2007, he graduated from the University of Ottawa with a Bachelor of Social Science and was posted to 17 Wing Winnipeg as a Logistic Officer in Wing Transport.
In 2010, he was promoted to Captain and obtained the Air Movement and Movement Officer qualifications along with being posted to 4 Canadian Forces Movement Control Unit (CFMCU) in Montréal. At 4 CFMCU, he deployed to Camp Mirage for its closure, to Malta on Op MOBILE, and Op ATHENA - Kandahar as part of the Mission Transition Task Force (MTTF) closure team in 2011.
In 2012, Captain Demers was posted to the Canadian Operational Support Command Headquarters (CANOSCOM HQ) J3 Movement Operations and shortly thereafter to the Canadian Joint Operations Command Headquarters (CJOC HQ) J4 Mov Ops. During this time, he was involved in coordinating the redeployment of remaining Op ATHENA equipment to Canada, several Op RENAISSANCE/Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) missions (Philippines and Nepal), as well as the theatre opening of Op IMPACT in Kuwait. In 2015, Capt Demers transitioned to CJOC J4 Mov Plans where he was responsible for planning the movement of personnel and equipment during Reliefs-In-Place (RiP) and continental operations such as Op NANOOK.
Promoted to Major in 2016, he was afforded the opportunity to be posted to 2 Air Movements Squadron in Trenton as the Sqn Operations Officer and subsequently the Deputy Commanding Officer. Despite enjoying his time on Sqn, in January 2018 he deployed to Op IMPACT as the Air Task Force – Iraq (ATF-I) A4/Officer Commanding (OC) the Mission Support Element (MSE), supporting the CC130J, CC150 and CH146 platforms as part of Canada's contribution to the fight against Daesh and capacity building in Iraq. Upon return from Kuwait, he assumed the position of OC Transportation and Royal Canadian Electrical Mechanical Engineers (TEME) Flight at 8 Wing Trenton. During his tenure as OC TEME, Maj Demers also served as Acting CO 8 Mission Support Squadron (MSS), where 8 Wing/CFB Trenton and 8 MSS specifically played a key role in providing logistics support to Op GLOBE 20-01 during the initial stages of the COVID-19 pandemic quarantine lodging in Trenton.
After completing the Joint Command Staff Programme (JCSP) and obtaining a Master of Defence Studies (MDS) in 2021, Maj Demers held the position of Executive Assistant to the Deputy Commander Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) in Ottawa. Promoted to his current rank in July 2022, LCol Demers assumed the position of J4 Operations at the CJOC HQ where he oversaw the coordination and delivery of operational sustainment to CJOC operations.
On 5 July 2023, LCol Demers proudly assumed command of 2 Air Movements Squadron, a Sqn that plays a key role in distributing sustainment and moving personnel in support of CAF operations domestically and internationally. LCol Demers is married to Angie, and they enjoy spending time with their three beautiful children, Brielle, Maelie, and Dominic.
CWO Overton - Squadron Chief Warrant Officer
CWO Overton was born in Pembroke, Ontario and raised at various bases across Canada. In 1988, at the young age of 17 joined the Canadian Armed Forces as a member of the Royal Canadian Regiment. Following Basic Training in Cornwallis and Infantry Battle School in Petawawa, he received his first posting to 1 RCR based out of London. In Sept 1989, Pte Overton was deployed to Cyprus; a member of Bravo Coy for OP SNOWGOOSE. In 1991, he transferred to the Supplementary then Primary Reserves in order to complete a Construction Engineering Technician Supervisor course at Fanshawe College. Shortly after receiving his diploma in 1994, Cpl Overton transferred from 4 RCR to 2 PPCLI; based in Winnipeg. Three years later, MCpl Overton was off to Bosnia for OP PALLADIUM as a member of C-Coy, 2 PPCLI Battle Group. Nearing the end of this tour he applied for an Occupational Transfer to Construction Technician (Const Tech). In March 1998, during the final stages of his Assault Pioneer Course, he received word that his OT was approved and in Sep started training as a Const Tech.
Following training in 1999, he was posted to 81 Airfield Engineering Flight (AEF) in Trenton. He completed many outstanding projects with 81 AEF, such as the construction of the Golf Course Clubhouse, Campbellford Suspension Bridge and Peterborough Armory renovations. In March of 2000 Cpl Overton received his first deployment as a Const Tech to OP DANACA in the Golan Heights. In 2004 MCpl Overton was posted to CFB Cold Lake as the Carpentry Shop IC. Promoted to Sgt in 2006, he was posted to 2 CER in Petawawa. During his five years with 2 CER, Sgt Overton was employed as Const Tech Sect Comd, Recce Warrant and Troop Warrant. In 2010 WO Overton deployed to Afghanistan for 8 months as the FOB 2 (Graceland) Det Comd.
In Jul 2011, WO Overton was posted to the Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering (CFSME) as the Const Tech Sect Comd for the Construction Engineering Training Squadron (CETS). In 2013, promoted to MWO, he assumed the position of A Flight MWO and a year later, was appointed to the position of SSM CETS. In August 2016, he returned to 8 Wing as the Construction Engineering Support Flight MWO, working for/with some of the finest tradespeople the CAF has to offer.
Promoted to CWO in June 2019, CWO Overton has had the honour of working as the Sqn CWO in both DWComd and presently 2 Air Mov Sqn. CWO Overton lives in Belleville and is married to Antoinette and has two daughters; Kayla and Tara.
2025 was a busy year in terms of passengers booked through NPSC; passengers boarding and disembarking through the 2 Air Mov Sqn Terminal; Freight, Mail and Baggage in/out 8 Wing via Ground and Air; and personnel days away:
PAX Booked thru NPSC
Pax thru 2 Air Mov Sqn Terminal
lbs of freight moved thru cargo
personnel Days away
