David Forbes
CAF Visiting Defence Fellow
Canadian Armed Forces
Robert Sutherland Hall 406
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Col Forbes graduated from the Royal Military College in 2001. Owing to a training delay, he traveled to Australia to complete a master’s degree.
Following training, he piloted Griffon helicopters with 427 Special Operations Aviation Squadron. In 2010, he deployed as part of Canada’s Special Operations Task Force to Kandahar, Afghanistan flying Russian-built Mi-17 helicopters. Col Forbes was then posted to 408 Tactical Helicopter Squadron where he deployed as a detachment commander to the Philippines as part of Canada’s humanitarian response to Typhoon HAIYAN.
Following Staff College, Col Forbes worked on national defence policy in Ottawa. He later served as the Commanding Officer of 408 THS. He was assigned as the Executive Assistant to the Commander of Canadian Joint Operations Command and, once promoted to his current rank, as Director of Continental Operations. Most Recently, Col Forbes proudly served as Commander 1 Wing.
Col Forbes holds a BA in History from the RMC, a Masters in International Relations from Bond University, and another in Defence Studies from the Canadian Forces College. Col Forbes is a graduate of the Canadian Army Staff College and of the Canadian Armed Forces’ Joint Command and Staff Program.
Current Interests
- Canadian Armed Forces structure and its implications to stewardship of branches, corps, and capabilities
- RCAF structure at the formation level
- Limitations in emerging defence technologies