Captain Nelson Berry, from Comox recently received his Air Combat System Officer Wings at 17 Wing Winnipeg upon graduation from his Air Combat System Officer course.
Berry graduated from Highland Secondary in 2009 before enrolling in the Canadian Armed Forces the next year.
He is the son of Donna McNaughton-Berry and Lieutenant Colonel retired Dave Berry who are both currently living in Comox. This June, Berry completed the Air Combat System Officer course, a year-long intensive career course conducted at 402 Squadron in Winnipeg, Man.
Berry’s exceptional performance throughout the course led him to finish first of his class of eight candidates. He was also awarded the James R. Dow Trophy for his outstanding results during flight training.
Air combat systems officers, like Berry, are tasked to direct missions on board a variety of Canadian Armed Forces aircraft and manage crew operations. They operate precise tactical navigation systems, sophisticated sensors, communication systems, electronic warfare equipment and weapon delivery systems. They lead a variety of missions, including: search and rescue, anti-submarine warfare, Maritime surveillance, counter-narcotics operations, electronic warfare and humanitarian relief.
With his new qualification, Berry will be following in his father’s footsteps and flying out of 19 Wing Comox where his father, who was also an air combat systems officer, was the Wing operations officer from 2004-2006. Captain Berry will be joining 407 Squadron, flying on board a CP-140 Aurora aircraft directing tactical missions locally and abroad. He is looking forward to going back to Comox where he will be closer to his family and be able to enjoy the West Coast lifestyle.