Simcoe native promoted to brigadier-general

Brigadier-General Ryan Deming describes his military career as an “amazing life experience” that began with trips to the Brantford Municipal Airport.

“My father (Glenford) is a private pilot and started his flying training when I was a young boy,” Deming recalled. “I would go to the Brantford airport every Saturday morning with him and watch him do his training from the restaurant at the Brantford Flying Club, awaiting the time when he was able to finally take me up flying with him.”

Deming was also influenced by his grandfather John “Jake” Deming, a Second World War veteran, who spoke about his experiences in the military.

Raised in Rattlesnake Harbor hamlet near Simcoe, Deming attended Nixon Public School and Delhi District Secondary School before graduating from the Royal Military College in Kingston. He has spent 30 years serving Canada and on August 10 was promoted to brigadier-general.

“As Director General Air and Space Readiness, our team is responsible for ensuring the Royal Canadian Air Force has the equipment, training, and personnel to deliver on operations both home and around the world at the request of the Government of Canada,” Deming said , of his new role. “We work across the RCAF enterprise to provide an RCAF that is agile, integrated, and inclusive to address the challenges of our rapidly changing security environment.”

The promotion is the latest accomplishment in a career that began in June 1993 when he enrolled in the military. A week later – Canada Day 1993 – Deming started basic officer training aiming to become a navigator in the Royal Canadian Air Force.

“I decided to join the Canadian Armed Forces during my time in high school as I wanted to fly in the air force and serve my country as my grandfather had during World War II,” Deming said. “I saw the potential opportunity as a thrilling career and one that would enable me to be part of something larger than myself.”

Deming well remembers arriving at CFB Borden for his initial training.

“The training was intense with a focus on bringing everyone together as a team and demonstrating the strength of a team,” Deming said. “It was demanding both physically and mentally.

“During the training, there were definitely times I contemplated packing it in and choosing a different path, however, I persevered with exceptional support of family, friends and colleagues.”

Deming said his military career has been an amazing life experience that has given him the opportunity to work with some outstanding Canadians.

“It has been an adventure that is difficult to describe and presented experiences that wouldn’t have otherwise been possible,” Deming said. “My family, specifically my wife (Monica) and son (Luke) have been the ones who have enabled the adventure, often at the cost of missed time and experiences with them.”

The highlights of the adventure have included flying to countries around the world and being deployed in Afghanistan soon after 9/11.

Deming served as wing commander of CFB Trenton and was directly involved with repatriation of Canadians from around the world at the beginning of the global pandemic, followed by the evacuation of personnel from Afghanistan following the Taliban resurgence and finally providing military transport of international supplies in support of Ukraine.

The repatriation team was instrumental in supporting government efforts to ensure the safe and dignified reception and quarantine of over 850 Canadians in Trenton, Deming said.

“The most significant highlight has been the opportunity to work with such outstanding and dedicated people from diverse backgrounds, both in the military and those in local communities,” Deming said.

Deming takes immense pride in putting on the uniform every day and said the CAF forces have undergone many changes since 1993.

“I believe we are headed in the right direction,” Deming said, adding that he is humbled and moved by our members in uniform and the larger defense team and the exceptional work they accomplish on a daily basis.

Deming is inspired by the younger generations and is encouraging them to join the Canadian Armed Forces.

“They will excel in embracing our evolving and adaptive culture, employing our leading-edge and emerging technologies the RCAF is bringing on board and thrive in the dynamic environment that faces our teams,” Deming said. “Most importantly, they will be part of something that is much larger than themselves supporting Canadians at home and across the globe.

“We need critical-thinking folks with both the technical and intellectual skills to be the leaders of tomorrow.”

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