WHY IT MATTERS
The 1st New Allied Expeditionary Force (The 1stNAEF) is a Canada-based non-governmental organization created mainly by former military veterans with experience in conflict zones. Based on their experience, they’ve developed a model NGO that ascertains and then finds solutions to the real issues affecting people living in conflict zones. As an NGO, they avoid government bureaucracy and those unfortunate but well-publicized cases of private rapaciousness. Their first project is to bring medical support and training to the Kurds living in the area controlled by the Kurdistan Regional Government, which lacks adequate resources and training while simultaneously engaged in a life and death struggle against Daesh, the so-called Islamic State. The 1stNAEF has experienced and motivated people who are more than willing to get their boots dirty helping the men, women, and children of Kurdistan. They’re willing to make a difference by going there. What they need are people who are willing to make a difference by providing the financial and material support to get them there.
OUR TEAM
The Founding 1st NAEF Team is a group of Transnational veterans from around the globe who have served in the region, seen the broken delivery systems and lack thereof and left frustrated. In an effort to create a safe and supportive network, education and training to build self-reliance they decided to build a network to collaborate directly with the KRG – Kurdish Regional Government. We believe the path to making permanent changes in the region begins with developing knowledge and self-sufficiency for the refugees, government and those fighting in the region. This is a shift that does not change overnight but one that is taught, demonstrated, mentored, measured then reinforced over a longer period of time.
Ian: After military service, he transitioned into a career within the Federal Public Service of Canada, while concurrently completing a diploma of Security Management at Algonquin College's Police and Public Safety Institute. Bradbury has served in a number of Canadian agencies, to include Privy Council of Canada as Security and Intelligence Branch Threat Risk and Vulnerability Specialist, Canadian Security and Intelligence Service as Internal Security Branch Physical Security Advisor, Transport Canada as Marine Security Branch Marine Domain Awareness/Security Inspector/National Security Assessment and Criticality Analysis Program Developer/Coordinator, and Canadian Border Services Agency as Corporate Security Arming Program/Physical Security Advisor. Bradbury is an experienced instructor and educational program coordinator in foreign settings, including experience as subject matter expert to OAS counter terrorism capacity building programs internationally.
When not working on projects Ian spends his time on the links or trails during summer and in the mountains during winter months as an avid golfer, adventure rider and snowboarder. Otherwise Ian can be found reading, researching and pursuing personal goals with friends and family.
Kevin: After 15-years military service, including deployments to Central Africa, Bosnia and Kosovo, he embarked on a career as a Security Consultant and Private Security Contractor. In this capacity, he has worked globally providing security services to various institutions and clients such as Strategic Resources Group as part of a Mobile Aviation Security Team, Unity Resources Group in Iraq as a PSD Team Leader providing security services to an advisory group conducting the first Democratic elections in Iraq on behalf of the US Department of State, EODT Technology in Iraq as Assistant Team Leader of a Rapid Response Team providing Force Protection duties for a major US military installation, FluorAMEC LLC in Iraq as Site Security Manager on several power generation and water sanitization reconstruction projects, and Garda World International Protection Services in Iraq as Team Leader on an oil exploration and production project for the Kurdish Regional Government in Northern Iraq.
Kevin enjoys spending his time in the outdoors Alpine Skiing, scuba diving and kayaking enthusiast. When Kevin is not outdoors, he is practicing martial arts and in meditation.
Dave: Dave’s military service included training in communications and electronics engineering and military mechanical engineering, providing him with particular expertise in airfield engineering for military unit deployments in austere locations. He has been awarded the United Nations Decoration for peacekeeping operations in the Middle East, and the Canadian Forces Decoration for his years of honorable service. During his military service, he continued his studies and attained the civilian Power Engineer Trade Certification, achieving the second-highest certification level possible. Upon retirement, he immediately began using these skills in healthcare infrastructure management, serving in various Chief Engineer positions, including a Utilities Specialist Role and several years at a major Toronto Hospital as Manager of Engineering Services.
When not mentoring others in Engineering processes, Dave spend much of his time researching emerging management and educational processes utilizing Virtual and Augmented reality. His passion for technology leads him to experimentation with PC hardware, programmable controllers and other hardware.
OUR PURPOSE
The 1stNAEF is composed of experienced professionals in the areas of stability operations, medical assistance and training, disaster relief, infrastructure assessment and rebuilding, strategic communications, psychological assessment of individuals and groups to determine needs and motivation, education, counter-radicalization, and good governance. As a non-profit, the 1stNAEF is not motivated by short-term monetary gain, but rather to long-term solutions that make quantifiable impact on improving human lives. Whatever the problem of the conflict region, we are in it personally and for the long-haul. Moreover, our approach addresses real-world issues and needs based on the assessment of those in need themselves, not abstract models. As a result, those assisted have a sense of ownership in the solutions and recognize the value of cooperation and inclusiveness over conflict and competition in providing a better life for everyone. Our workers on the ground in conflict zones are dedicated, but what they require is the financial and material support of those who are equally dedicated but cannot join them in-country to help those in need.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
The program and the concept were founded on the idea that we all make a difference and if not in a specific skillset, through other means or practices. While it is not everyone’s dream to pack a small bag, enter a war zone and work at conducting needs assessments and training programs, it is ours but we realize our capabilities and know when we need help.
1st NAEF has created a large network of professionals to deliver the necessary programming for the region and under the same if not better set of protocols used by large humanitarian or contracting organizations but with a few differences. One, the majority of the money goes to those in need and not to stand up and support a top heavy organization. Two, our services are created with those on the ground so they are also supported and integrated for a higher level of standards and measurement. We believe if you are kind enough to make a donation, we should use those resources correctly and in line with the standards we set prior to launching new programs.
We can benefit from donations in the form of dollars, pro bono time, medical materials and networking. Assistance can come from a non-profit or for profit organizations or private citizens.
Please visit our website at www.1naef.com.
