“Today, we bid farewell to a leader whose dedication, energy and unwavering commitment to people has left an indelible mark on this wing,” said 14 Wing Greenwood Commander Colonel Luc Vachon.
July 25, at the 14 Wing chief warrant officer change of appointment ceremony, and after a four-year tenure and serving with four separate wing commanders, outgoing 14 Wing Chief Warrant Officer Jonathan Proulx was recognized for service “with heart and purpose, never missing an opportunity to strengthen the fabric of our Defence Team.”
Proulx moves on to 415 (Long Range Patrol Force Development) Squadron as a captain, but will always cherish the time he spent as one half of the 14 Wing command team.
“This has been the best job I’ve ever had – and probably will ever have. Not because of the title or the office, but because of the people. Each and every one of you.”
During the many thanks expressed in his address, Proulx highlighted the efforts and dedication of his support team, “the heart behind the wing chief warrant officer’s office,” and, in particular, that of his executive assistant, Sergeant Thomas Bertrand, with whom Proulx performed his first salute as an officer.
“There’s a time-honoured tradition of an officer appreciating a non-commissioned member by receiving their first salute from that person,” said Proulx, “I couldn’t think of a better person to have my first salute from than Sergeant Bertrand.”
Following the United States Army tradition of exchanging a token of value with the individual at the first salute, Proulx presented Bertrand with a silver dollar his mother had given him as a child.
Proulx also thanked the members of 14 Wing for being the driving force behind all of the wing’s successes, both at home and during the many domestic and international operations Greenwood has participated in over the last four years; in Kuwait, Latvia, Japan, Qatar, the North Atlantic and Alert, to name just a few.
“We fight from our wing. We are operational 24/ 7, 365 days a year. Greenwood is not just a support base. We are full-spectrum, mission-ready, and always in the fight. Your service to Canada never goes unnoticed. You represent this wing and our nation with professionalism and pride, and I couldn’t be more honoured to have worn the same uniform alongside you.”
Incoming Wing Chief Warrant Officer Justin Harper, having been involved in the early planning of some of the changes coming to Greenwood in the next few years, is excited to have boots on the ground as the wing’s transformation comes to fruition.
“We are on the precipice here of a monumental, foundational change to the way we do business in Greenwood,” said Harper. “We’re about to give this wing some teeth, and I’m extremely proud to be standing here on the precipice, with all of you at 14 Wing, ready to take those steps together.”
While they have just begun working together, Vachon is confident Harper has the wealth of experience and deep-rooted commitment to service necessary for 14 Wing to effectively meet these coming changes.
“Chief Harper brings a clear vision for his time here: to strengthen team cohesion through purposeful team building, collaboration, and connection. His focus on fostering strong internal relationships, engaging with our community partners and enhancing our integration across the RCAF (Royal Canadian Air Force) and broader CAF (Canadian Armed Forces) enterprise speaks directly to the challenges and opportunities ahead.”
