‘Build morale, experience that sense of healthy competition, get to know other people: there’s not a better way to do all of that’
Crazy hair, poms, costumes, and lots of yelling : “What a bunch of goons we have here!” said 14 Wing Greenwood Chief Warrant Officer Justin Harper, all smiles, as he and Colonel Luc Vachon presided over the 2026 Winter Carnival banner parade into the Annapolis Mess this morning.
“Fantastic work! We’re seeing all of our horsepower in the last few days of the carnival week – the rivalry, the competition, the fun. We get paid to do this but, really, it’s one team, one fight, operate as one.”
Seven unit teams presented their themed banners, works created to reflect ’80s and ’90s movies and music, including Red Dawn, Teen Wolf, Spaceballs and more. Vachon was in tears – laughter? concern? – with the Deputy Wing Command Branch banner, with its Back to the Future theme, including both Greenwood Gardens past victories and a flux capacitor-influenced look into the future when the venerable rink may not be here on the wing. SAR-Tech figures on 413 Squadron’s Ghostbusters poster, dressed as the ghost-busting attackers, also caught his attention; and he and Harper both took note of 14 Air Maintenance Squadron’s efforts to include all its shops and trades in their banner’s completion.
“This is a great time,” Vachon said, comparing Winter Carnival challenge – and passion – alongside the efforts we’re all seeing Team Canada athletes put into the Olympics.
“Team building, and being team mates – yet all the other countries with their spirit of working together: that’s what we all do.
“Winter Carnival is a time off to build morale, experience that sense of healthy competition, get to know other people: there’s not a better way to do all of that.”
All the 2026 14 Wing Greenwood Winter Carnival fun – schedules, results and photos – are on Facebook @ 14 Wing Greenwood Winter Carnival
