Vice-Admiral Craig Alan Baines CMM MSC CD is a retired senior Royal Canadian Navy officer who served as Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy from 2021 to 2022.
Craig Baines | |
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.jpg) Craig Baines in 2021 | |
| Born | c. 1960s Saskatchewan, Canada |
| Allegiance |  Canada |
| Service/ | Royal Canadian Navy[a] |
| Years of service | 1987–2022 |
| Rank | Vice-admiral |
| Commands held |
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| Awards | |
Personal edit
Baines hails from Saskatchewan and before his military career was a national judo medallist and graduate from the University of Manitoba.[1]
Military career edit
He was appointed Commander Canadian Fleet Atlantic in July 2014 [2] before being promoted to Commander Maritime Forces Atlantic in 2017.[3]
He joined Maritime Command in 1987 and completed the Forces Regular Officer Training Program. He served as navigation officer on a number of ships before completing an operations course. In 2004 he served as executive officer of HMCS Calgary, and in 2007 he was appointed commanding officer of the Halifax-class frigate HMCS Winnipeg.[4]
In 2010 he served as the base commander of Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt. This was followed by a stint as special advisor to the Chief of Defence Staff, after which he became fleet commander of Canadian Fleet Atlantic.[4]
He became Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy on January 12, 2021.[5] He stood down in May 2022 pending retirement, and retired in late 2022.[6][7]
Post military career edit
In October 2022, it was announced that Baines had joined Modest Tree as a strategic advisor, for the company’s efforts in the marine, aerospace and defence industries.[8]
Controversies edit
Baines apologised after it was reported that he had played golf with General Jonathan Vance while the latter was under investigation for alleged abuse towards female military staff.[9]
Honours and decorations edit
Baines's personal awards and decorations included the following:
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| Ribbon | Description | Notes |
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Order of Military Merit (CMM) |
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Meritorious Service Cross (MSC) |
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Special Service Medal |
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NATO Medal Non-Article 5 |
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Canadian Forces' Decoration (CD) |
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Command Commendation
Notes edit
- ^ Known as Canadian Forces Maritime Command until 2011
References edit
- ^ "Honorary Degree recipients". University of Manitoba. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
- ^ "Atlantic navy fleet gets new commander". The Chronicle Herald. July 12, 2014. Retrieved February 17, 2016.
- ^ "Royal Canadian Navy welcomes new commander of its East Coast fleet". GlobalNews. September 1, 2017. Retrieved October 18, 2017.
- ^ a b "Rear-Admiral Craig Baines, MSC, CD". Royal Canadian Navy. Retrieved October 18, 2017.
- ^ "Vice-Admiral Craig Baines takes command of Royal Canadian Navy". The Chronicle Herald. January 12, 2021. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
- ^ Berthiaume, Lee (21 April 2022). "Military officer retires, heads to Ukraine amid sex misconduct investigation". The Globe and Mail.
- ^ "Royal Canadian Navy welcomes new Commander". 30 May 2022.
- ^ "Retired Vice Admiral of Royal Canadian Navy joins Modest Tree".
- ^ "Navy commander apologizes for golfing with former chief of defence staff under military police investigation". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. June 13, 2021.
- ^ "Order of Military Merit List". The Governor General of Canada.
- ^ "Meritorious Service Decorations List". The Governor General of Canada.
External links edit
Media related to Craig Baines at Wikimedia Commons
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