Volume 67, Issue 13 17 Wing Winnipeg / 17e Escadre Winnipeg July 11, 2018 The 17 Wing Community news source since 1952 17 Wing Says Farewell to Colonel Cook Outgoing 17 Wing Commander, Colonel Andy Cook leaves the parade in the pilot’s seat of a CC-130 Hercules during the 17 Wing Change of Command Ceremony held at 17 Wing on June 28, 2018. See our story on the Change of Command on pg 2 and our last interview with Col Cook on pg 5. Photo: MCpl Paul Shapka NEW RCAF WINNIPEG JUNO AWARD NEW WING GARDEN BOXES AMAZING COMMANDER JPSU GETS NEW WINNING COMMANDER A GOOD ADVENTURE MESSAGE COMMANDING ARTIST PLAYS LEADS THE WAY ALTERNATIVE RETURNS TO OFFICER FOR 17 WING IN BLIND DRUG FOR YOUR THE MFRC IN MEMBERS TESTING GREEN THUMB AUGUST Page 2 Page 4 Page 6 Page 9 Page 11 Page 13 THEVOXAIR.CA FACEBOOK.COM/THEVOXAIR FREE 2 VOXAIR 17 Wing Winnipeg 11 July, 2018 17 Wing Says Farewell and Welcome to WComds to be, Colonel Eric Charron. his principles as the incoming Wing Commander. Following the arrival of the command- “It is my firm belief that by putting our people first, ers, the Presiding Officer, and the VIPs, Col the missions will always get done,” said Col. Char- Cook and his party inspected those in the ron. “Members of 17 Wing, many of your sections are parade and found all professionally turned stretched by vacancies, and by some of your peers who out. Following the inspection Col Cook led a are deployed right now supporting operations. From march past, one of his final acts as 17 Wing your extra effort to keep this training mandate and Commander. support the operations going, to units here in Winnipeg, Brigadier-General Dave Cochrane, Com- some stretching as far as Saskatchewan, and the other mander 2 Canadian Air Division (2 CAD), way towards North-West Ontario: it is exceptional. was the Presiding Officer of the Change of “I personally thank you and appreciate what you do Command from Col. Cook to Col. Charron. for us and the armed forces everyday.” 17 Wing transferred from 1 Canadian Air Throughout the ceremony, many of the transitions Division to 2 Canadian Air Division while Col. Cook brought 17 Wing through were highlighted. under the command of Col Cook. Just a few included the transfer to 2 CAD, the renam- After the signing of the Change of Com- ing of Barker College, and the organizational restruc- (L-R) Col Eric Charron, new 17 Wing Commander, BGen David Cochrane, mand certificates, Col. Cook passed the Wing ture of the post World War Two three-branch model, to 2 CAD Commander, Col Andy Cook, outgoing 17 Wing Commander, Commander’s Pennant to BGen Cochrane to the new Operational Support Squadron, Mission Sup- and Wing CWO Jerome Rossignol smile for a photo during the Change of Command signing ceremony on June 28. Photo: MCpl Rick Ayer hand over to the new 17 Wing Commander port Squadron, and Deputy Wing Commander Model Col Charron. After the ceremony Col Cook that 17 Wing now possesses. by Ashley Demers, Voxair Photojournalist addressed the parade. Following the parade and the change of command, Despite the professional military exterior, emotion “You have followed me dutifully,” said Col. Cook Col. Andy Cook to his surprise, was taken away not in a flowed freely throughout the Change of Command cer- to 17 Wing, “not just because of my appointment, but car, but upon a CC-130 Hercules pilot’s seat mounted to emony at 17 Wing on June 28. As one commander was rather because I hope I was able to convey to each and the back of trailer and towed by a mule (aircraft towing welcomed, it was time for another to say his goodbyes. every one of you, with who I have been honoured to vehicle) for an entertaining end to a heartfelt ceremony, Colonel Andy Cook, who served as 17 Wing Com- serve, just how much I value and respect your exper- and an exit fit for a commander. mander for three years, relinquished command to Col tise, your professionalism, and your dedication. 17 Wing members will miss the cat and East Coast Eric Charron, who most recently served at 1 Canadian “It is a great honour to relinquish command of this music lover but are looking forward to working with the Air Division. Wing to such an exceptionally talented leader and new 17 Wing Commander, Col Eric Charron. Due to the hot weather, the parade took place inside officer. I commend the RCAF for showing the initia- the shade of 11 Hangar. All were at attention as Col tive to recognize true leadership. In my opinion, this is Cook was driven in for the ceremony and as the audi- welcome and overdue.” ence witnessed the arrival of the new Wing Commander Col Charron addressed the parade and talked about We will Continue to Build and Strengthen your Air Force Lieutenant-General Al Meinzinger, Commander move the RCAF forward as a united and focussed team. Every one of you contributes directly or indirectly of the RCAF Without question, we are inspired by our proud his- to the delivery of air and space power for our nation. I Let me start by underscoring how honoured I am tory, which provides us purpose and guides us toward pledge to work tirelessly to ensure my team and I do to have assumed the duties and responsibilities of the the future. As I highlighted in my Change of Command right by you for your dedication and service. My leader- 20th commander of your Royal Canadian Air Force. remarks, I recently returned from the opening of the ship team and I will work to retain your exceptional As the son of an RCAF Chief Warrant Officer, I have International Bomber Command Centre in England. talents and attract those with the right skills and en- spent my entire life impressed by what the RCAF has It was an honour to attend with a Canadian hero— ergy to move us forward. We will fly in formation with done, and continues to do, for Canada and Canadians. 95-year-old Stuart Vallières, who was shot down on his the Commander of Military Personnel Command to As your Commander, I have been grateful to have Chief 33rd Halifax bomber mission in the summer of 1944. ensure our policies are advanced to meet the exigencies Warrant Officer Gérard Poitras and now Chief War- Badly injured and held as a POW for four months, of today and tomorrow. rant Officer Denis Gaudreault as my Command Team Stuart epitomizes what I admire most about our great In taking care of our personnel, we must also con- partner. veterans: humility, pride in the RCAF and a steely, tinue to demand, at all levels throughout the RCAF, Over the past few years, it has become very appar- strong character that places the team above one’s inter- that we treat one another with the dignity, respect, and ent that our success is driven by the concept of “flying ests. To this day, Stuart’s crew is still front of his mind. inclusivity that we recognize as being absolutely funda- in formation”, a philosophy conceived of by Lieutenant- I was delighted to have Mr. Vallières attend the change mental to our success as a family of professionals. General (retired) Alain Parent. In the simplest terms, of command ceremony on May 4 as my guest. I am extremely optimistic as I consider our new this philosophy ensures that we remain interoperable During my command, a key focus for me will be to Defence Policy, which boldly acknowledges the impor- at all levels of the RCAF, able to operate together as maintain our sterling reputation for delivering opera- tance of air and space power to Canada. It commits an air force and with our Canadian Armed Forces and tional excellence at home and abroad—the true hall- significant new resources to supporting our personnel, allied partners. In this spirit, I pledge to continue to mark of who we are. Your amazing ability to deliver introducing new capabilities to enable operations. mission success regardless of circumstance is truly We must deliver on our Defence Policy and capital THE VOXAIR remarkable and is reflective of the agility and flexibility program with discipline and determination. We must integral to our institution. On the verge of deploying an enhance our posture and readiness such that the RCAF OFFICE HOURS CONtact Air Task Force to Mali in support of the United Na- remains agile and able to deliver against the height- Monday to Friday Ad Sales/Main Office Submissions/Reporter tions, I have no doubt that we will continue to deliver ened operational output that is expected of us moving 0800 -1500 hrs (204) 833-2500 ext 4120 (204) 833-2500 ext 6976 with purpose and professionalism while delivering on forward. Our ability to deliver air power effects in an [email protected] Accounting +VOXAIR@PersSvcs@Winnipeg current missions here at home and abroad. This vital integrated manner with precision, agility and profes- (204) 833-2500 ext 4121 work must continue. sionalism is our true calling card, and I am immensely VOXAIR Staff Responsible for stewarding the Air Force forward proud of what you, and your families, do for Canada LCol Brian Quick Martin Zeilig Broose Tulloch to meet the challenges of 2030 and beyond, I believe and for Canadians each and every day. Dep Wing Commander Photojournalist Layout/Ad Design (204) 833-2500 ext 5281 (204) 833-2500 ext 6976 success will be achieved by focusing on our amazing I am a firm believer that successful delivery of air Misra Yakut Rick Harris Maureen Walls Accounting people, our new defence policy, our program and our and space power also relies on well-led, robust, healthy Managing Editor Sales Coordinator posture.