March 11, 2026 - Defence Stories

Estimated read time - 2:12

By Captain Steve Berath, Administrative Officer
Canadian Detachment Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson

Two members of the Canadian Detachment at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER)in Alaska have graduated from the United States Air Force Noncommissioned Officer Academy (NCOA), marking an important milestone in their development as senior leaders within the Non-CommissionedMember (NCM) Corps and reinforcing the Canadian Armed Forces' commitment to developing leaders capable of operating effectively in multinational environments while serving abroad.

Petty Officer First Class (PO 1) Young and Sergeant (Sgt) Lyle Multon completed the six-weekresident course alongside U.S. Air Force and allied counterparts. Their achievement underscores the Canadian Armed Forces' (CAF) commitment to professional military education and to developing adaptable leaders capable of operating effectively in joint and multinational environments while serving abroad.

The USAF NCOA represents the second level of Enlisted Professional Military Education within the U.S. Air Force system. Designed for experienced non-commissioned officers, the program focuses on strengthening leadership capacity, organizational culture, and critical thinking, while preparing NCOs for increased responsibility at the operational level.

Instruction is delivered through guided discussions, case studies, and experiential learning rather than traditional lectures. Core areas of study include leadership, joint warfighting, and management, with emphasis on mentoring personnel, enforcing standards, and contributing to mission success within joint and coalition operations.

In addition to academic requirements, course members completed 63 hours of community volunteer service, reinforcing the importance of service beyond the military environment and aligning closely with CAF values of leadership, service, and stewardship.

During the graduation ceremony, Chief Master Sergeant Adam Petersen, Commandant of the Noncommissioned Officer Academy, thanked Canada and Denmark for sending personnel to the course. He noted that allied participation enriched classroom discussions and provided valuable international perspectives on leadership, doctrine, and joint operations.

LCol Gabe Hanselpacker, Commanding Officer of the Canadian Detachment JBER, praised the achievement: "The success of our members at the USAF NCO Academy reflects the professionalism, adaptability, and leadership excellence that define the Canadian Armed Forces. Their performance not only strengthens our operational effectiveness at JBER, but also reinforces the trust and integration we share with our NORAD and allied partners."

Sgt Multon reflected, "The NCOA provided me the opportunity to gain new perspectives, reflect on my leadership style, and refine those skills. It was also a great opportunity to work alongside our USAF and Danish counterparts."

PO 1 Young added, "The course allowed me to grow professionally. I gained a deeper understanding of the United States' military reach and power, and I took pride in recognizing how significantly the CAF contributes around the world alongside our allies, and how seamlessly we are integrated with them."

PO 1 Young's Falcon Flight was awarded the Etchberger Team Award, recognizing the top-performing flight for academic achievement, teamwork, physical training, demonstrated leadership, and community service. The graduation of PO 1 Young and Sgt Multon highlights both their personal dedication to excellence and the Canadian Detachment JBER's continued investment in developing leaders ready to serve alongside allied partners in complex operational environments. Upon their return, both members will share key lessons and leadership insights gained during the course with fellow CAF personnel, further strengthening the detachment's professional development and operational effectiveness.