MWO Steve Dornan joined 44 Sqn. Air Cadets in 1978 at the age of 13 in Sarnia Ontario, a year later transferred to 151 Sqn. Oshawa. Following a stint there, he moved to 53 Sqn. Summerside where he rose to the rank of WO2 over the next five years. During this time he also obtained his Glider Pilot license, and was one of the first pilots establishing the PEI glider program, flying CF-ACH a 2-22 and winch tow.
As a cadet he went on to obtain his private pilot license and instructor ratings. He then joined 420 Air Reserve Sqn Summerside as an Airborne Electronic Sensor Operator (AESOp) flying on the CP-121 tracker aircraft. While at 420 Sqn he met his future wife Rosanne who was a clerk at the Sqn, they married, raised three children and remain devoted to each other to this day.
MWO Dornan then transferred to 880 Sqn regular force, and went on to teach at the AESOp School. When Summerside closed in 1990 he and his family were posted to 407 Sqn Auroras in Comox followed by a posting to Air Command HQ Winnipeg, as a field intelligence analyst. He completed two tours in Bosnia during the war as an Air liaison officer to the French Foreign Legion anti sniping teams in Sarajevo, and as a NATO weapons inspector and Air Liaison to the 2 Battalion Light Infantry, British army in Banja Luka. For these services he was awarded the Chief of Defense Staff commendation, and the inaugural award of the Canadian Peacekeeping Services Medal from the Governor General.
His next assignment was at 415 Sqn Greenwood NS, and Maritime Proving and Evaluation Unit where he was a project officer for the long range camera systems currently on the CP-140, and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) development. He was the Senior AESOp at 405 Sqn and the Sergeant Major of the UAV Flight. He has participated in every UAV program undertaken by the Canadian forces since 1996, culminating in the CU-160 Heron in Afghanistan where he completed two tours integrating UAV’s to protect Canadian and coalition troops on the ground.
Drawing on his knowledge and years of experience from both Canadian and Allied UAV and manned aircraft, MWO Dornan was one of the major strategic and operational planners and considered the architect for how Canadian UAV and overland CP-140 operations are integrated into the battle-space, both domestically and internationally. His philosophy that was so successful in integrating UAV Operations in combat in a joint environment is taught at the Canadian Forces Joint Command and Staff Programme for Senior Officers;
“The key to be an effective air asset in direct support of the land forces in combat necessitates a shift in mindset, philosophy and strategy from an Air Force blue to a Joint green/tan element; that is, become the eyes and ears of the Land Force, speak the language of the army, and understand their tactics to best meet their needs.”
His flight suit hangs in the Museum at the Aerospace Systems School in Winnipeg recognizing his contributions to his trade and the CF, and a painting of him hangs in the 14 Wing Museum, honoring his UAV contributions to Canada. None of the above would have been possible if not for being an Air Cadet at 53 Sqn.