Meet the innovator behind Canadian Armed Forces aeromedical evacuations

July 15, 2026 - Defence Stories

Estimated read time: 1:56

Lieutenant-Colonel (LCol) Richard Hannah had a year left of medical school when he attended a meeting that kicked off his career. That moment launched a journey that created many initiatives, several of which were international.

Recruiters from the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) offered to cover his schooling expenses while paying him a salary. So, with a house to pay and a child on the way, he joined the CAF with the plan of leaving after three years of service.

Twenty-four years later, LCol Hannah is still in the military.

LCol Hannah established the Canadian Medical Emergency Response Team (CMERT), or simply the Forward Aeromedical Evacuation capability for the 2018 United Nations mission to Mali. He started the project in 2017, after pushing for its creation through conversations and idea pitches. This capability allowed personnel to evacuate patients directly from the field to a hospital with a CH-147F Chinook helicopter.

He established CMERT within a year, but the achievement was far from a solo effort. LCol Hannah coordinated training and consulted with countries that had already developed similar capabilities.

"We did an enormous amount of training," he said. "I flew in the back of a Chinook helicopter for more than 60 hours that year."

The CMERT still exists today. But its missions, teams, and aircraft have adapted to the CAF's current needs.

"I feel like I planted the seed, but I'm not responsible for its growth. It has continued to grow and evolve beyond me, which I think is just wonderful," he said.

LCol Hannah was recognized for his work on the CMERT with an Order of Military Merit in 2026. This recognition is given to CAF members who show distinctive merit and exceptional service.

Soon after, LCol Hannah created another project that, once again, crossed borders.

Alongside Health Canada, the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), and IT support, he helped developed a COVID-19 risk assessment tool for travel during the pandemic. Defence Team members could use the public website to check the contamination risk at their destination when travelling.

The tool was used by the RCAF and the U.S. Air Force. It was also circulated across North America by the United States North Command.

LCol Hannah now supports the Air Division Surgeon at 1 Canadian Air Division. He teaches flight safety courses and reviews medical standards.

Looking back, LCol Hannah highlights collaboration and positive relationships. "Things like conferences are really important. Especially for having relationships when you really need them."

He is thankful for the opportunities he's been given from the start.

"I joined the CAF because the opportunity was there, and the organization kept giving me more opportunities. And to be honest, I've loved every minute of it."