The Airborne Soldier of the Year Award, presented annually, recognizes the soldier who best demonstrates the attributes expected of the modern paratrooper. The award consists of a trophy donated by the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion Association (to be permanently held by CAFA and normally displayed at the Canadian Forces Land Advanced Warfare Centre), a plaque and a five-year membership to CAFA to be presented to and retained by the deserving soldier. The soldier will be honoured and the presentations made during the dinner held in conjunction with the CAFA annual General Meeting in the spring of each year.
The terms of reference for the award may be found here.
The 2023 winner of this award was
Master Corporal John
3rd Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment
Previous winners of the award were:
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2022 Master Corporal John, 3rd Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment
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2022 Private Poncelet, Signals Operator / 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry
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2021 Master Corporal Hooper, Signals Operator / 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry
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2020 Master Corporal Mike Fracassi, 3rd Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment
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2019 Master Corporal J.M.P.L. Lizardo, 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry
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2018 Master Corporal C.J. Mills, 3rd Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment
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2017 Master Corporal J.E. Hamilton, 3rd Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment
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2016 Master Corporal Scott Galt, 3rd Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment
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2015 Master Corporal Leander Volz, 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry
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2014 Master Corporal T.A. Henrich, 3rd Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment
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2013 Master Corporal Keven M. Leblond, 3e Bataillon Royal 22e Régiment
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2012 Master Corporal Nicholas Turner, 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry
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2011 Corporal Alex Dejardins, Canadian Forces Land Advanced Warfare Centre
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2010 Master Corporal Chris Griffiths, The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada
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2009 Corporal Patrick Cayer, 3rd Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment
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2008 Corporal W.J. Goudie, 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry
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2007 Master Corporal Kent Schmidt, Canadian Forces Land Advanced Warfare Centre
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2006 Master Corporal Ryan Pederson, 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry
