101 The Royal Canadian Legion MANITOBA & NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO COMMAND www.mbnwo.ca KONOPETSKI, John PEACETIME Major John Konopetski hails from Fisher Branch, Manitoba and enrolled in the RCAF from High School in October 1951 at the Recruiting Unit in Winnipeg, as an Aircraftsman 2nd Class. For a Prairie boy not having travelled beyond Winnipeg, the excitement of boarding the CN Transcontinental en route to Montreal was indeed a fitting way to begin a military career. October to December 1951 St. Jean, QC. #1 Manning Depot for Recruits. The reality of military life at this stage is literally an eye-opener. Long days, physically demanding and everything new and strange, particularly sharing a long barracks room of double bunks with 120 males from all walks of life. January to February 1952 Aylmer, ON. #2 Composite Trade Training School. The switch from marching and rifles to a classroom is a welcome relief. February 1952 to January 1953 RCAF Station Rockcliffe, ON. Employment as an Accounting Clerk brings the opportunity to utilize newly acquired skills and a somewhat stabilized daily routine. Ottawa is a delight. January to March 1953 RCAF Station London, ON. Officers Training School. More demanding and difficult than Recruits Manning Depot but a different atmosphere as they graduate as Flight Cadets. April to July 1953 RCAF Station Claresholm, AB. Pilot Training School. More long days and hard work but an exhilarating experience. Unfortunately, short-lived as Ottawa decided to cut back on Pilot Training and 60% of new trainees became victims of a drastic switch in policy. August 1953 to January 1954 Hudson Bay Trading Co. McKenzie Island, ON. Enrolled by HBC as a Store Manager apprentice, but a brief stint in semi-isolation proved unattractive. January 1954 to July 1955 RCAF Station St. Hubert, QC. Re-enlisted as Accounting Clerk. Decided to make a career of the military. Nearby Montreal. Very enjoyable. July 1955 to July 1957 RCAF #/Fighter Wing, Marville, France. (Air Gunnery Detachment, Rabat, Morocco.) North Africa becomes a unique experience - Exotic Casablanca and Tangiers in particular. There was a prevalent tingle as they shared facilities with the French Air Force and Foreign Legion who were engaged in an Arab revolutionary war. Eighteen months in France brings on a different lifestyle and exposure to wines, cheeses and continental cuisine. Learning to ski The Alps in Austria and Switzerland was very stimulating. Returned to Canada on the SS Homeric (6 1/2 days). July 1957 to August 1958 RCAF Station Saskatoon, SK. Advanced Flying School (multi-engine). A nice city- a full-scale Prairie dust storm was an awesome sight. September 1958 to December 1962 RCAF Station Winnipeg, MB. Air Navigation School. Married Trudy Amirault (they met in France) and their son was born. It was nice to be in home territory for four years. (continued)
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