Meritorious Service Decorations - Military Division
Meritorious Service Medal
Awarded on: 1993-12-27
Invested on: 1994-09-30
In 1990, on extremely short notice, Squadron Leader Barrass, a British exchange officer with 436 Transport Squadron, deployed the initial Airlift Control Element to Zagreb as part of Canada's contribution to the humanitarian relief effort in the former Yugoslavia. Displaying superb leadership, courage and tact, he organized his team and began the Canadian airlift into Sarajevo within three days. He quickly established effective working arrangements with his allied counterparts and ensured Canada's position as a key player in this most demanding airlift. Much of the success of the operation, which took place under the most threatening circumstances the Air Transport Group has experienced in recent decades, is directly attributable to Squadron Leader Barrass' dedication and outstanding work.