14 Wing Greenwood Colonel Luc Vachon says, when he talks with his boss at 1 Canadian Air Division, they “highlight the wing’s capability to put planes out to the world.
“14 Air Maintenance Squadron does that. Thank you for your dedication and professionalism: without your focus, there is no Long range patrol fleet.”
14 AMS members gathered July 16 to mark the change of command of their squadron, as Lieutenant-Colonel Eric Travis turned senior responsibility for the wing’s CP140 Auroras’ airworthiness over to the incoming Lieutenant-Colonel Atif Rizvi. Travis himself highlighted the Stingers’ work over the past two years, “translating my ideas – we call it ‘commander’s intent’ – into doing the work.”
Travis detailed the squadron’s pain-staking restoration of the Greenwood Military Aviation Museum’s Dakota display aircraft, and challenged the squadron to do more. He said the number or CP140 periodic inspections completed “always impressed,” particularly with forecasting – and then nailing – the process’ targets.
“That’s hard work, and I see how much it means to everyone. You’re proud of the work you do, and I understand that.”
14 AMS technicians solved a malingering radio static problem in CP140-116, they travelled to 19 Wing Comox and spent weeks helping technicians there sort out snags – and hosted them here for exchange training. Armaments technicians organized training to ensure a qualified team is in place across the board. No Aurora was on the ground at 14 Wing in two years because of any second-line service or parts issues. And, the squadron won the wing’s Winter Carnival two years in a row.
“I am a competitive person,” said Travis, an avid international triathlete and manager of the Canadian Armed Forces’ triathlon program; “and you knew it.
“But I have not picked up a wrench since I started with AMS: it’s been the senior staff and the folks on the floor who have done it all. You want to say ‘thank you’ to all the right people, and I have a lot of people to thank.
“Atif, this squadron is fantastic. They are in great shape, and they have done great things.”
Rizvi acknowledged right off the bat he is not a triathlete, “in any way, shape or form,” but he looks forward to “serving alongside each of you.
“Thank you for keeping the wing flying. Eric, the love the team has shown you today shows how much 14 AMS respects you. You’ve built a strong team, with high morale and to a unified standard.”
Rizvi said he is looking forward to the next few years, as the air force moves into “the most exciting time in its history” – something he said he’s spent a career waiting for; welcoming the P8.
“Now, I get it!”
Travis leaves 14 AMS, and the Regular Force after 35 years, and will take a Reserve position based at 14 Wing Greenwood as the senior staff officer for the Long Range Patrol Capability Advisory Group. Rizvi comes to Greenwood from his last role, plus a year of French language training, as 436 (Transport) Squadron, 8 Wing Trenton, squadron aircraft maintenance engineering officer.
