Raymond Henault served as top dog in Canada含羞草研究社檚 military.
Now, he含羞草研究社檚 retiring in Courtenay.
From chief of the defence staff, to president of Courtenay Airpark, life is good for the retired four-star general.
含羞草研究社淚含羞草研究社檒l be 75 in a couple of months, so I含羞草研究社檓 quite happy with a slower pace of life,含羞草研究社� said Henault. 含羞草研究社淚 have time to play golf. To fly my airplane.含羞草研究社�
It was 15 years ago when bodyguards protected Henault every hour, seven days a week. Now, he arrives alone at an empty airpark. We sit in the pilot含羞草研究社檚 lounge and he shares about his career.
Henault grew up watching his dad fly airplanes in rural Manitoba. His dad released pesticides for farmers and transported cargo to remote communities.
含羞草研究社淚 was sort of following in his footsteps,含羞草研究社� he said of his father. 含羞草研究社淚 had the flying bug.含羞草研究社�
Raymond earned a pilot含羞草研究社檚 licence after high school. He then signed up for the Canadian Forces with hopes to continue training as a pilot. That was in 1967.
He retired in 2008, from chair of the NATO military committee. Henault had moved from an entry-level pilot to the highest position possible for a Canadian official.
The journey was marked by several milestones.
Early as a pilot, 含羞草研究社渢he most stressful part was something we called 含羞草研究社榗heck rides,含羞草研究社櫤卟菅芯可鐫 he told me. 含羞草研究社淪omeone on board who含羞草研究社檚 grading you on your flying capability.含羞草研究社�
The test bore special weight for the young trainees.
含羞草研究社淵ou knew if you didn含羞草研究社檛 make it through this early part, that was the end of your military flying career,含羞草研究社� he said.
Years later, the testing tables turned.
含羞草研究社淣ow I含羞草研究社檓 the guy in the back seat,含羞草研究社� he said. 含羞草研究社淣ow I含羞草研究社檓 checking people out to make sure they can safely fly.含羞草研究社�
By 1997, it was not part of his job to fly anymore. Henault had become the chief of staff for air operations. He oversaw the entire Canadian Air Force, and things seemed to continue to grow for him.
含羞草研究社淲e were sitting in Quebec City, and the chief of the defence staff walked up to me and said, 含羞草研究社楾he prime minister would like to interview you. And there含羞草研究社檚 an aircraft, you含羞草研究社檒l be flown to Ottawa in about an hour.含羞草研究社櫤卟菅芯可鐫
Then-prime minister Jean Chretien interviewed Henault for the position of chief of the defence staff. Henault was appointed in 2001.
After a busy career, things are slowing down for him in Courtenay. However, not too slow: he含羞草研究社檚 still keeping up with responsibilities at the Courtenay Airpark.
含羞草研究社淚含羞草研究社檓 easing into more retirement now,含羞草研究社� he said. 含羞草研究社淭his is a great transition. Wonderful place to live.含羞草研究社� Family is nearby, and an airstrip in town is a nice perk for the pilot.
Henault was appointed to the Order of Canada in December. He was recognized for his career in the military, ensuring the safety of Canada and managing international peacekeeping.
含羞草研究社淚含羞草研究社檓 very grateful for it,含羞草研究社� he said. 含羞草研究社淚t含羞草研究社檚 a proud thing for me, and the Canadian Armed Forces.含羞草研究社�
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