- Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Meritorious Service Decorations - Military Division
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Meritorious Service Cross
- Awarded on: February 26, 2019
- Invested on: November 12, 2019
Brigadier-General Whelan was deployed to Bagdad, Iraq, from July 2017 to July 2018. As director of the Ministerial Liaison Team of the Combined Joint Task Force Iraq, he assembled a 60-member team representing 14 different countries. He also distinguished himself by his analytical and visionary thinking in developing a transition plan to deal with Daesh’s impending decline. Brigadier-General Whelan greatly earned the respect of the Iraqi government, the United States and the international coalition, having been at the heart of several initiatives to support Iraq’s armed forces.
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Meritorious Service Medal
- Awarded on: November 30, 2012
- Invested on: March 22, 2013
From July 2010 to September 2011, Colonel Whelan served as commander of Task Force Jerusalem, in support of Palestinian security reform. He set conditions for major changes within the Palestinian Security Forces’ institutional and operational components, and forged a superb military–civilian team that built needed infrastructure and provided advanced training. Colonel Whelan’s performance facilitated the ongoing professionalization of Palestinian Security Forces, highlighting Canada’s role as an important contributor to the Middle East peace process.