Raymond Henault served as top dog in Canada害羞草研究所檚 military.
Now, he害羞草研究所檚 retiring in Courtenay.
From chief of the defence staff, to president of Courtenay Airpark, life is good for the retired four-star general.
害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檒l be 75 in a couple of months, so I害羞草研究所檓 quite happy with a slower pace of life,害羞草研究所� said Henault. 害羞草研究所淚 have time to play golf. To fly my airplane.害羞草研究所�
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害羞草研究所檚 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.
害羞草研究所淚 was sort of following in his footsteps,害羞草研究所� he said of his father. 害羞草研究所淚 had the flying bug.害羞草研究所�
Raymond earned a pilot害羞草研究所檚 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, 害羞草研究所渢he most stressful part was something we called 害羞草研究所榗heck rides,害羞草研究所櫤π卟菅芯克鶟 he told me. 害羞草研究所淪omeone on board who害羞草研究所檚 grading you on your flying capability.害羞草研究所�
The test bore special weight for the young trainees.
害羞草研究所淵ou knew if you didn害羞草研究所檛 make it through this early part, that was the end of your military flying career,害羞草研究所� he said.
Years later, the testing tables turned.
害羞草研究所淣ow I害羞草研究所檓 the guy in the back seat,害羞草研究所� he said. 害羞草研究所淣ow I害羞草研究所檓 checking people out to make sure they can safely fly.害羞草研究所�
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.
害羞草研究所淲e were sitting in Quebec City, and the chief of the defence staff walked up to me and said, 害羞草研究所楾he prime minister would like to interview you. And there害羞草研究所檚 an aircraft, you害羞草研究所檒l be flown to Ottawa in about an hour.害羞草研究所櫤π卟菅芯克鶟
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害羞草研究所檚 still keeping up with responsibilities at the Courtenay Airpark.
害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檓 easing into more retirement now,害羞草研究所� he said. 害羞草研究所淭his is a great transition. Wonderful place to live.害羞草研究所� 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.
害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檓 very grateful for it,害羞草研究所� he said. 害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 a proud thing for me, and the Canadian Armed Forces.害羞草研究所�
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