Biography: Col. Russell Williams

Canadian Forces - Commander charged
Biography: Col. Russell Williams
Last Updated: Wednesday, February 10, 2010 | 9:57 PM ET
CBC News


Col. Russell Williams, a high-ranking Canadian military commander who has met with senior politicians and been quoted extensively about the war in Afghanistan and the earthquake in Haiti, is charged with first-degree murder in the deaths of two women from eastern Ontario.

Williams, of Tweed, Ont., commander of Canadian Forces Base Trenton, was arrested Sunday in Ottawa and charged with the slayings of Jessica Lloyd, 27, and Cpl. Marie-France Comeau, 38.

He was also charged with forcible confinement, breaking and entering, and sexual assault in relation to two home invasions in the Tweed area in September 2009. Here's a look at key points in Williams' 23-year military career:


1987

Williams, who was born on March 7, 1963, joins the Canadian Forces after getting a degree in economics and political science from the University of Toronto.


1990

Williams earns his wings and is posted to 3 Canadian Forces Flying Training School, based in Portage La Prairie, Man., where he serves for two years as an instructor.


1992

Col. Russell Williams is facing two first-degree murder charges and two sexual assault charges. Col. Russell Williams is facing two first-degree murder charges and two sexual assault charges. (Gerri Weatherbee/Northumberland Today)

Williams is posted to 434 Combat Support Squadron in Shearwater, N.S., where he flies the CC-144 Challenger in the electronic warfare and coastal patrol role.

He is then posted to the 412 Transport Squadron in Ottawa, where he transports VIPs, including high-ranking government officials and foreign dignitaries, also on Challengers.


November 1999

Williams is promoted major and is posted to Director General Military Careers, where he serves as the multi-engine pilot career manager.


August 2003 to June 2004

Williams obtains a master's of defence studies from the Royal Military College in Kingston, Ont.


June 2004

Williams is promoted to lieutenant-colonel and appointed commanding officer of 437 Transport Squadron in Trenton, Ont., a post he held for two years.


December 2005 to June 2006

Williams is the commanding officer at Camp Mirage, the Canadian Forces forward logistics base that's not officially acknowledged by the government or military but has been widely reported to be near Dubai.


July 2006

Williams is posted to the Directorate of Air Requirements, where he served as project director for the Airlift Capability Projects Strategic (CC177 Globemaster III) and Tactical (CC130J Hercules J), and Fixed-Wing Search and Rescue.


January 2009

Williams is posted to the Canadian Forces Language School in Gatineau, Que., for six months of French-language training, during which he is promoted colonel.


July 15, 2009

Williams succeeds Col. Mike Hood as commanding officer at CFB Trenton.


Dec. 11, 2009

Williams welcomes the Olympic torch when it stops in Trenton. " It's very exciting to be a part of this," he says.


Jan. 30, 2010

Cpl. Marie-France Comeau, 38, left, was slain Nov. 25, 2009. The body of Jessica Lloyd, 27, right, was found by police on Feb. 8. Cpl. Marie-France Comeau, 38, left, was slain Nov. 25, 2009. The body of Jessica Lloyd, 27, right, was found by police on Feb. 8. (Canadian Press)

Williams is interviewed about 8 Wing's participation in Haiti relief. He says that in addition to Haiti, 8 Wing co-ordinates the resupply for Canada's mission in Afghanistan and air support for the Vancouver Olympics, which has a significant military presence.

Feb. 7

Williams is arrested in Ottawa and charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of Jessica Lloyd, 27, and Cpl. Marie-France Comeau, 38.

He is also charged with two sexual assaults that happened in Tweed in September.

Additional information

According to Williams's DND profile, he is a keen photographer, fisherman and runner. He and his wife, Mary-Elizabeth Harriman, have homes in Tweed, Ont., which is about 60 kilometres northeast of CFB Trenton, and in Ottawa.