103 The Royal Canadian Legion MANITOBA & NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO COMMAND www.mbnwo.ca January 1963 to March 1965 RCAF Station Baldy Hughes, Prince George, BC. Radar Squadron. Control of the Radar chain passed from USAF to Canada and many of them headed for new locations. Arrival at this remote site was somewhat delayed for John by an avalanche, as the first attempt to keep the Roger’s Pass open throughout winter by virtue of newly constructed snow sheds. Upon entering the shed, 60 feet of avalanche debris buried everything within a half mile, thus this marked the first incident where a life was saved by a snow shed and being in the right place at the right time. March 1965 to May 1965 RCAF Station Centralia, ON. Officers’ School. Promoted to Flying Officer (Lt). June 1965 to April 1966 RCAF Rockcliffe, Ottawa, ON. Co-located with Air Material Command. April 1966 to April 1967 #1 Fighter Wing, Marville, France. Closing out the Air Bases as France pulls out of NATO (militarily). April 1967 to October 1970 Canadian Forces Base Lahr, Germany. Promoted to Captain. Formed part of the Advance Group to establish the Air Base and HQ to accommodate the move from France. Also did temporary duty in England, Belgium, Holland, Italy (Sardinia) and Cyprus. Visited other countries on leave: Spain, Portugal, Gibraltar, Andora, Austria, Switzerland, Monaco, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Scotland and Ireland. October 1970 to April 1975 Canadian Forces Base Cold Lake, AB. Air Weapons Range and Advanced Jet Training Base. John enjoyed The West once again at a very active Air Base. Purchased some land and took up hobby-ranching as a sideline–quite an experience. May 1975 to August 1978 Canadian Forces Base Winnipeg, MB. Base Exchange Officer. Established retail outlets on Base. August 1978 to August 1983 Air Command HQ, Winnipeg, MB. Staff Officer Finance. Promoted to Major. Travelling extensively across Canada performing inspections from Newfoundland/Labrador to Vancouver Island and across The Arctic (Dew Line). August 1983 to August 1987 Canadian Forces Base Cornwallis, NS. Recruit School. Served as Base Comptroller and retired from the Regular Forces, having completed 35 years of Service. August 1987 to September 1988 National Defence HQ, Ottawa, Ont. Staff Officer Non-Public Policies and Procedures. Accepted a one-year contract to serve in Ottawa and headed a Special Project Team. Once again travelled extensively (all Provinces and Europe). September 1988 Returned to their home in Digby, NS. Fully retired. Total Service 36 years and three and a half months. John spent virtually all his adulthood in the military and recalls it as a career both satisfying and rewarding. The lifestyle was vigorous and interesting – an education. He said: “were it possible to make that choice again, there would not be any hesitation on my part.” KONOPETSKI, John (continued)
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