Nov 5, 2015
Introducing the 417 Squadron 4 Wing Cold Lake
With Remembrance Day upcoming, TSN football analyst Glen Suitor had a chance to spend time with soldiers serving our country in the 417 Squadron 4 Wing in Cold Lake, Alberta.
By Glen Suitor
"Supporting Liberty and Justice, That Others May Live"
That is the Motto of the 417 Support Squadron in Cold Lake, Alberta. It's a squadron made up of courageous men and women whose job it is to rush in, when everyone is rushing out.
On August 29 I was honoured to be named the Honourary Colonel of the Squadron and will serve the squadron in that roll for a minimum of three years.
While this is a space reserved for CFL football discussions, I felt compelled to talk about my new teammates, and it seemed fitting to introduce them during the time of year when we should all be wearing poppies in remembrance of the men and women who have served our country.
The Honourary Colonel program has been around since the late 1800's and used to be made up primarily of veterans who had served their country. In the mid 1900's businessmen, celebrities, government officials, athletes, and others were asked to represent a Squadron in the military.
The primary goal of the Honourary Colonel is to bridge the gap between our communities and the Military, and to tell the stories of the brave men and women who protect our way of life. It creates awareness about our military personnel and brings attention to what they do on a regular basis.
The 417 Squadron's primary responsibility is rescue and support. If an F18 pilot is forced to eject, the 417 Squadron is called to go pick he/she up. They are called in rescue situations and disaster relief, and also will support and evacuate troops in areas of conflict.
Rushing into danger areas when civilians are rushing out.
The first part of the squadron's motto, "Supporting Liberty and Justice," comes from WWII fighter squadron origins. The second part, "That others may live," is the SARTech, or Search and Rescue motto, and the people of the 417 Squadron take their jobs very seriously.
Spending two days during the investiture and getting to know the men and women of the 417 Squadron was nothing short of inspiring. They are people of great discipline, and character. They know the risks associated with their job but, matter of factly, go about their day preparing for the emergency bell to ring. I experienced first hand how prepared they are when I had the opportunity to shadow Major Brad Steels on a flight in a CH 146 Griffon Helicopter. When I was going over the safety procedures and basic functions of the controls and gauges, it was no joke. I had to understand the basics, or I wasn't making the flight.
Pilot Weston, Captain Alexia, and Corporal Flood picked me up from the Edmonton airport at night, and flew me to Cold Lake in the helicopter using night vision goggles. The perspective gained on that flight cannot be understated. I could envision a search and rescue mission, or a mission to stop drug smuggling, or terrorism. The night vision goggles were unbelievably effective and you could see how important it is for our military to have the best equipment available.
The military protocol is intimidating but necessary because without discipline people could get hurt or worse. The drills and training missions described to me sounded intense and are done on a regular basis.
My first contact almost a year ago was Major Perry Heron, who fully intended on being at the investiture, but couldn't because of his regular "gas mask" training session he was scheduled for that same day. While most of us are going about our regular routines, there are men and women whose job it is to do gas mask training.
Unfortunately, we still live in a dangerous world. All you have to do is turn on the CTV News any night to see just how unstable parts of the world are, or how often countries, including our own, are hit by floods and other natural disasters.
Where would we be without the men and women who fight and have died for our country and our way of life? How many lives would be lost when a natural disaster strikes, if there weren't men and women willing to put their lives on the line, to save those in peril? Even the thought is impossible to imagine.
I'm honoured to have met the 417 Squadron, and would like to say two words that they probably haven't heard enough.
Thank you!
Thank you for your service. Thank you for risking your lives to protect others, most of whom you have never met. Thank you, for bravely rushing in, when everyone is rushing out.
Thank you for, "Supporting Liberty and Justice, That Others May Live."