COMMANDING OFFICER

Commander Robert Ferguson was born in Ashcroft and raised in Vernon, BC.  He spent 5 years as a Sea Cadet at RCSCC Kalamalka where his interest in the Navy began.  He enrolled as a Crewman in the BC Dragoons for one year before transferring into the Regular Force in March 1987.

Following training, Cdr Ferguson was posted as Deputy Deck Officer in HMCS PRESERVER from 1989 – 1990.  In 1990, he transferred to the West Coast Fleet where he served in HMCS RESTIGOUCHE as a Bridge Watchkeeper and Above Water Warfare Officer.  From 1994 until 1997, Cdr Ferguson was the Detachment Commander of the Canadian Forces Recruiting Centre in Victoria, BC and from 1997 – 1999, he served as Command, Control, and Information Systems Officer in HMCS REGINA.

Cdr Ferguson lead the Combat Department of HMCS Ottawa from 1999 – 2001.  During this time, he also deployed to the Persian Gulf for 6 months onboard the USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN as a Sea Combat Commander Staff Officer.  From 2001 – 2004, Cdr Ferguson took an exchange posting in Portsmouth, UK where he was in charge Naval Information Operations, Operational Intelligence, and Electronic Warfare training for the Royal Navy and NATO.

In 2004, Cdr Ferguson returned to Canada and graduated from Canadian Forces Staff College in 2005.  Subsequently, he was employed in Chief of Force Development in Ottawa, where he worked on the Canada First Defence Strategy, future force structure, and performed EA duties.  From June 2006 – January 2007, Cdr Ferguson deployed to Afghanistan as a member of the Canadian Strategic Advisory Team in Kabul.  There, as a Strategic Advisor, he worked on a daily basis with Afghan Ministers and staff, UN staff, Embassy staff, and Aid Organizations to develop the strategies necessary to meet Afghanistan’s developmental objectives.

In June 2007, Cdr Ferguson assumed duties as Executive Officer of HMCS IROQUOIS, deploying from April 2008 to October 2008 as the Flagship of Coalition Task Force 150.  Upon return to Ottawa, Cdr Ferguson was employed in the Defence Force Structure Review Team, analyzing and developing future structures for the Canadian Forces.

Cdr Ferguson completed a BA through the University of Manitoba in 2000 and a Masters in Business Administration through Lansbridge University in 2005. 

Cdr Ferguson assumed the duties of Commanding Officer in HMCS WINNIPEG in July 2009.