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After much negotiation and back room dealing with Three years of attending morning briefings and
MGen Adamson and MGen Reid and his Deputy Herb being responsible for defending the activities of
Pitts, we were finally established as the Directorate of the Tac Hel and Chinook fleet kept you on your
Land Aviation with fixed and dotted lines to both the toes. We had a real mix of personalities in the HQ
Army and the Air chiefs. Dave Simmons and Alf Tait and a number of lasting friendships were
joined us and eventually Keith Lavender, Bill Pollock and established with people like Larry Ashley, then
Bill Lewis. It was a constant battle, but we survived and LCol, SSO Maritime and the “Golden King of the
continued our conquest of new programs. One of the Sky” Neil Gillespie, SSO Fighters. We were all
interesting ventures was the setting up of the Cobra involved in the setting up of the relationships
evaluation Trials through Canadian Forces Europe (CFE). between Air Command and the Army and Navy.
The project was initiated by Canada and with the help of There was always a degree of tension between
then LCol Paul Manson at HQ CFE, we were able to have a the Comds as independent as Bill Carr, Stan
key role in the trials. Bruce Muelaner was involved as was Waters and Boyle, so we all graduated with
Butch Waldrum. It was at this time we initiated a practical degrees in conflict resolution! I believe
program for a replacement for the CH 113s with the we did a good job in being the interphase
Chinook. Alf Tait was the initial project officer, followed between the commands.
by Bill Pollock, and we developed the program from the
Shortly after Morning Light I was transferred to a
initiation of the requirement, to an evaluation, to
NATO job in the POLEX (Policy and Exercises)
procurement. It was a little easier this time with the branch at HQ AFCENT (Allied Forces Central
experience of the earlier programs behind us. We had
Europe)in Brunssum, Netherlands. After 3 years
total support from L Gen Carr, then Deputy Chief
and 30 years service, I decided to retire and on a
Defence Staff (DCDS) and M Gen Adamson as Chief Air visit to the Paris Air Show signed on with MBB
Doctrine and Operations (CADO) and the Chief Land
Helicopters to start a new life. That in itself is
Doctrine and Operations CLDO, M Gen Roy Reid. I had
another story.
the unfortunate task of conducting the Board of Inquiry
on CH147001, which was destroyed with 5 fatalities on What are the major lessons learned? I have never
the initial acceptance delivery flight (Dale Cavanaugh been carried away with scenery or climate, and
RCASC co-pilot). having grown up in Teepee Creek Alberta, there
was room for more growth. People are far more
Shortly after the crash, I was selected to be posted to the
important than locale. We had a great
newly formed Air Command (AIRCOM) as SSO Tactical brotherhood in the formative days of Army flying,
Helicopters (SSO Tac Hels). Again a good job with an
sharing the challenges of a new skill, and also
excellent co-worker, Butch Colwell of the 8 CH. I enjoyed
being hardened by the competitive nature of the
AIRCOM and had a few very rewarding jobs, one being flying game. Many good people never made it
assigned on Temporary Duty (TD) to work for Dave
past the initial selection, or were unsuccessful
Garland, Base Comd Namao for operation Morning
during the training cycle. In addition there was
Light.(the crash of the Russian satellite) It was a not always support from the old Army hierarchy
remarkable operation, no accidents, a completely new
towards the pilot world. (RCASC was supportive-
situation with the nuclear contamination and an
Joe Sarantos, Harry Brodie & others) We are the
operation in the most remote part of Canada. Dave was a survivors and I would say, the winners.
great leader and I admired the way in which he dealt with
the press twice a day and was always cool, calm and very Lieutenant Colonel James Grant
professional. We were involved for 2-3 months and Jim Grant is a retired LCol pilot,
finally went to Las Vegas and Stanford University to who served in Rivers,(2) Winnipeg (Aircom) and
complete the report. other assignments in 30 years of regular service
LGen Carr was our Commander, and was an outstanding
leader.
