Biography of Commander of 1 Can Air Div

MAJOR-GENERAL J. Y. (Yvan) BLONDIN, OMM, CD
Commander 1 Canadian Air Division
Commander Canadian NORAD Region
Combined Forces Air Component Commander

MAJOR-GENERAL J. Y. (Yvan) BLONDIN, OMM, CD

Major-General Yvan Blondin was born in Montreal, Quebec and enrolled in the Canadian Forces in 1980. An experienced CF18 pilot, Major-General Blondin has served with the two fighter squadrons in Bagotville, 425 and 433, accumulating more than 3,000 flying hours in North America and Europe. He also occupied many staff positions in National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa, and the NORAD Headquarters in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Major-General Blondin's Command appointments include Commanding Officer of the Canadian Operational Force in Aviano, Italy, supporting the NATO forces in the former Yugoslavia, Commanding Officer of 425 Tactical Fighter Squadron in Bagotville and Wing Commander of 3 Wing Bagotville.

In 2006, he served in Kabul, Afghanistan, as Director of Staff in ISAF Headquarters for a six-month rotation. After deployment, Major-General Blondin was assigned Deputy Commander Force Generation at 1 Canadian Air Division. Appointed to his present rank in June 2009, Major-General Blondin continues at 1 Canadian Air Division as Commander.

Major-General Blondin holds an MBA from the University of Phoenix in Arizona. He is a graduate of the Canadian Forces Command and Staff College and of the United States Air Force Air War College in Maxwell, Alabama. Major-General Blondin is married to Jinny Lamoureux of Granby, Quebec.