SHAPE Casteau - Biographies
CFPO 5048 7010 Casteau, Belgium

LIEUTENANT-COLONEL D.P. MULDERS
Commanding Officer
Canadian Forces Support Unit Det Casteau

Lieutenant-Colonel Donald Mulders joined the Canadian Forces in 1980. He started his career attending Royal Roads Military College, and graduated with distinction in 1984, receiving both his Commission and a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science and Physics. Immediately following graduation, Lieutenant-Colonel Mulders attended the Canadian Forces School of Communications and Electronics in Kingston, where he completed his basic communications training and was promoted to lieutenant just prior to his posting to Canadian Forces Station Holberg in 1985.

While at Canadian Forces Station Holberg, Lieutenant-Colonel Mulders carried out, in turn, both the duties of the Technical Maintenance Officer and System Standards and Training Officer. He was then accepted into the Post-graduate Training Program, and began his Masters Degree in Computer Science at the University of Waterloo in August 1987. Shortly afterwards, he was promoted to the rank of captain.

After his graduation in May 1989 from the University of Waterloo, Lieutenant-Colonel Mulders became an Assistant Professor at Royal Roads Military College, teaching both computer science and mathematics to undergraduate students. In 1992, he joined the Canadian Forces Communication Command Headquarters in Tunney’s Pasture, Ottawa, as Staff Officer Force Development.

Lieutenant-Colonel Mulders was promoted to the rank of major in 1994, and became DISOT 2-2, responsible for DISO field force structure, business plans, and budget cuts. In July 1996, Lieutenant-Colonel Mulders became the Officer Commanding 4 Telecommunications and Information Services Squadron, Cold Lake, leading 4 Wing through considerable technology upgrades and Y2K preparations.

In 1999, Lieutenant-Colonel Mulders was posted back to DISO as the Commanding Officer of 764 Information Services Delivery Squadron. After a tour of just one year, he departed to undertake the Canadian Forces Command and Staff Course in Toronto. Completing Staff College, he then became the R/SAOC Modernization Liaison Officer and was posted to Tyndall Air Force Base in 2001 to work with the NORAD System Support Facility. On 21 June of 2004, Lieutenant-Colonel Mulders was promoted to his current rank and assumed the position of Wing Administration and Technical Services Officer at 22 Wing/Canadian Forces Base North Bay. He assumed the duties of Acting Wing Commander for the period January to June 2005, at which time he was appointed Wing Commander, 22 Wing. Lieutenant-Colonel Mulders resumed his duties as Wing Administration and Technical Services Officer on 28 February 2006.

Lieutenant-Colonel Mulders was posted to SHAPE in July, 2007, and was appointed the Commanding Officer of the NMR SHAPE organization on 29 June 2007, and also concurrently taking on the duties of Deputy National Military Representative SHAPE (D/NMR SHAPE).

Lieutenant-Colonel Mulders is married to Carolyn Annette Mulders. They have four cats, and currently live in Soignies, Belgium. Lieutenant-Colonel Mulders’ hobbies include playing the bagpipes, skiing (vertical vs horizontal), cycling, scuba diving, and reading. He is also an avid Mac aficionado, and maintains that all should convert to enlightened and productive computer use via Apple indoctrination.

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WARRANT OFFICER ALAIN GOURDE
Unit Warrant Officer
Canadian Forces Support Unit Det Casteau

Warrant Officer Alain Gourde joined the CF in February 1988 as Adm Clk.  He completed his basic training, language course and QL3 by January 1989.  He was then posted to 5 Service Bataillon in Valcartier where he worked in the Bataillon ordely room and with the Service and Transport Company.  On March of 1991 he received an accelerated promotion to Corporal.  In April of 1992 he was assigned to an eight month tour in Phnom Penh Cambodia to work with the 92nd Transport Company.   In August 1993 he was posted to 16 Wing St-Jean with the transport section during which he was promoted to MCpl.  In July of 1995 he was posted to CFSAL Borden where he was employed as the chief-clerk of Food Services and Steward Training Company.   On 10 July 1996 he was posted back to Valcartier with the 5 CMBG Headquarter where he was also assigned to his second United Nations mission in Banguii, Central Republic of Africa in April of 1998.  In July 1999 he was posted with the Vandoos at La Citadelle Québec with the 2eR22eR.  He was promoted to Sgt on 1 Dec 2001 and posted to 5 ASG Montreal, summer of 2002.  During his posting in Montreal he worked in the Audit section, accounts payable and as the OR 2I/C.  He was promoted to his current rank and posted to HMCS Donnacona in July 2007 to serve as the chief-clerk.  In July 2008 he was posted to the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) Belgium, the personal assistant to COM HSG.  As of July 2009, he is currently assigned as the Unit Warrant Officer/Corporate Services Warrant Officer of CFSU(E) Detachment Casteau, SHAPE.

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