14 Wing Greenwood welcomed the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) command team August 7 for a full afternoon of engagements with wing leadership, personnel and various units. Arriving aboard a CC144 Challenger aircraft, RCAF Commander Lieutenant-General Jamie Speiser-Blanchet and RCAF Command Chief Warrant Officer Renee Hansen, were greeted with an honour guard at wing headquarters.
The visit began with an office call between the RCAF command team and 14 Wing Colonel Luc Vachon and Wing Chief Warrant Officer Justin Harper, where they discussed current operations, challenges and opportunities at the wing.
The delegation toured key infrastructure projects with the commanding officers of 14 Operations Support Squadron, 14 Mission Support Squadron and the Officer Commanding Real Property Operations Unit (Atlantic); an opportunity to visit recent improvements and discuss future requirements essential to sustaining 14 Wing’s operational readiness.
At the Annapolis Mess, the RCAF command team hosted a town hall with a large crowd of wing personnel, taking the opportunity to present coins to several deserving members in recognition of exceptional service.
“This is our first day of wing visits,” Speiser-Blanchet said. “We’re excited to meet members and learn about what you’re doing here at 14 Wing.”
The RCAF command team shared remarks on their vision for the future of the RCAF, including the modernization efforts coming to 14 Wing in the coming years.
“What you’re doing at 14 Wing makes a difference to Canada,” Speiser-Blanchet said. “Your military focus is unwavering. We will get through these modernization efforts by supporting one another.”
Hansen added, “change can be uncomfortable and might make us feel uneasy. Embrace these changes as growth and an opportunity. Lean into the changes, create the conditions to thrive, and collectively come together.” Hansen encouraged members to continue developing their war-fighting mindset and their readiness mindset.
The RCAF command team then took questions from personnel and offered candid insights on topics ranging from operational priorities to pay to housing.
Following the town hall, the RCAF command team toured 404 (Long Range Patrol and Training) Squadron, including the squadron’s simulator facilities and training capabilities; then proceeded to 405 (Long Range Patrol) Squadron for a static display of the CP140 Aurora, engaging with crews and learning more about the aircraft’s critical role in surveillance and reconnaissance.
The visit concluded at 413 (Transport and Rescue) Squadron, where the command team boarded a CH149 Cormorant for a familiarization flight, doubling as their transit to Halifax Stanfield International Airport. This provided an in-flight opportunity to speak directly with search and rescue crews about their missions, experiences and the unique demands of SAR operations in Atlantic Canada.
