Issue 014/2005
Major McLaughlin began his military career as a cadet at the Royal Roads Military College in Victoria, British Columbia, and moved on to RMC, where he received a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering.  He has served in both 450 (Transport) Helicopter Squadron in Ottawa and 427 THS, accumulating over 3,500 hours on three rotary-wing aircraft types.  He has also served with the Special Service Force HQ, as a staff officer in National Defence Headquarters, and as the Deputy Commanding Officer of the Rotary Wing Aviation Unit assigned to Op Pivot in Haiti, where he received repeated praise from the UN Force Commander for his superb leadership and extremely professional approach to mission accomplishment.  As the OC Air Reserve Flight since 1997, he doubled the Squadron’s targeted growth rate established in the Air Reserve 5-year growth plan and has ensured full integration of reservists into all Squadron organizations.

Major McLaughlin is a resident of Renfrew where he has been involved for several years as liaison officer for 433 (Champlain) Wing of the Air Force Association of Canada.  He has made presentations on behalf of the Squadron and the Air Force for local Air Cadet functions and has been the guest of honour several times at

Legion Branch 550, Cobden for Remembrance Day dinners and flag dedication ceremonies.  He has spent several years as a volunteer fund-raiser for the Renfrew Recreation Committee, was President of the Renfrew Badminton Club, and is currently a member of the Renfrew Golf Club’s Board of Directors. 

Major McLaughlin’s stated goal has been to provide a meaningful contribution to unit operations and personnel development.  Leading by example, he voluntarily accepted an appointment as the CO of 427 THS during a period when one third of the Squadron was deploying for operations in the Balkans.  His selection as a reservist to command a Regular Force unit, ahead of his Regular Force peers, performing in a position one rank higher than his current grade, especially during a period of particularly high operational tempo, is a testament to the strong military character he possesses. 

Major McLaughlin is a shining example to many junior officers and non-commissioned members, who have been imprinted by his leadership and mentoring, and is a deserving recipient of the Order of Military Merit.  He is to be awarded this distinction by the Governor General in Rideau Hall at a later date.

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