Lieutenant Derek Bjorndalen accepted the top academic award for Aerospace Engineering Officer Basic course during a graduation ceremony earlier this summer at Canadian Forces Base Borden.

For Bjorndalen, a former Midale Air Cadet, this was a happy conclusion to more than six months of hard work at the Canadian Forces School of Aerospace Technology and Engineering in Borden, Ont.

At the May 25 ceremony, Lt. Bjorndalen was presented with the Captain Bob Gates Memorial Trophy as the graduate who best demonstrated excellence in academic achievement.

"Given my engineering background, I really enjoyed the technical side of the course," Bjorndalen said.

Having been immersed in studies for almost five years, Lt. Bjorndalen said he is looking forward to a posting in the field, although a Masters Degree in aircraft structures is also on his mind for the future.

During their basic training in Borden, Ont., aerospace engineering officers study a variety of topics ranging from leadership and management to aerospace engineering, including principles of aerodynamics, aircraft propulsion and weapons systems.

In the field, aerospace engineering officers are responsible for all aspects of the engineering, maintenance and management of military aircraft and all of their support equipment and facilities during military operations.