Nelson J. “Baz” Belzile, CD
Since August 2008, “Baz” Belzile has been employed with the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) as a Training Officer at the Aviation Medicine Unit (AMU) at Clark House, RNZAF Base Auckland. Baz retired from the Canadian Forces (CF) in July 2008 after 35 years of service which included 30 years as an Aeromedical Technician (AMT). His last position was as the Staff Officer Aviation Physiology, for the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) Medical Advisory Group, National Defence Headquarters (NDHQ) in Ottawa. He was responsible for providing advice to the Chief Medical Advisor on aviation physiology issues such as Night Vision Goggle Training, Hypoxia Recognition Training, and LASER Safety. Baz was also responsible for the management of over 200 NATO and Air and Space Interoperability Council (ASIC) Aeromedical documents. As the Senior AMT in the CF, he provided advice and guidance on his occupation to the Director General Health Services.
From 1996 to 2004, Baz was stationed at the Canadian Forces School of Survival and Aeromedical Training (CFSSAT) in Winnipeg where he was employed as the Senior AMT. During his tour at CFSSAT he was employed in such areas as Standards Officer, Diving Training Officer, and Warrant Officer In-Charge (I/C) of Hypo/Hyperbaric Chamber Facilities.
During the period of 1992 -1996, Baz was stationed as the Warrant Officer I/C of the Aeromedical Training Unit at 404 Maritime Patrol and Training Squadron in Greenwood, Nova Scotia. In 1994 he was given the added responsibility of being the Unit’s Aeromedical Training Officer, a position that had never previously been held by an AMT. To this date he is the only technician to have ever held that position.
In 1988, Baz was posted to the CF Environmental Medicine Establishment (CFEME) in Toronto where his main responsibilities were in the area of Research and Development of Aircrew Chemical Defence equipment and other related Aircrew Life Support Equipment issues. In 1990, he provided advice and guidance that enhanced the CF Aircrew Chemical Defence capabilities during the first Gulf War.
For the period of the 1979 through 1988, Baz was employed as an AMT where his main duties were in the field of maintenance of both the hypo and hyperbaric chamber facilities and also as an aeromedical instructor.
In the area of Aircraft Accident Investigation, Baz provided advice to the Canadian Air Division Flight Surgeon regarding Aircraft Accidents/Incidents and coordinated AMT support to numerous Accident Investigation Flight Surgeon’s during Aircraft Accident Investigations throughout the majority of his CF career.