More than 30 Royal Canadian Air Force air maintenance technicians will compete in the annual Aerospace Maintenance Competition to be held in Atlanta, Georgia from April 8 to 11, 2019, including (from left) Master Corporal Leslie Blair from 12 Wing Greenwood, Corporal Ian Hauser from 19 Wing Comox, Master Corporal Beverly Madge from 4 Wing Cold Lake, Warrant Officer Darryl Poole from 4 Wing, and Corporal Kevin Richmond from 4 Wing. PHOTOS: DND
From Royal Canadian Air Force Public Affairs
Five teams of Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) aircraft technicians—more than 30 personnel—will compete in the annual Aerospace Maintenance Competition to be held in Atlanta, Georgia from April 8 to 11, 2019.
This is the first time that the RCAF has entered teams in the competition.
“Investing in our personnel is investing in the RCAF’s future,” noted Lieutenant-General Al Meinzinger, commander of the RCAF. “The Aerospace Maintenance Competition will give our technicians an excellent opportunity to further hone their skills under pressure, to showcase their individual and team capabilities, and to network with and learn from their peers from other aviation organizations and industries.
“I have no doubt our competitors will do us all very proud.”
The RCAF is renowned for producing some of the best-trained and most capable technicians in the world. The five teams competing in Atlanta are:
4 Wing Team, led by Sergeant Dawn Dearing. This team, from Cold Lake, Alberta, comprises technicians from units from across 4 Wing.
401 Tactical Fighter Squadron Team, led by Warrant Officer Darryl Poole. 401 Squadron is also located at 4 Wing.
19 Wing Search and Rescue Maintenance Team, led by Sergeant Brad Saunders. This team comprises technicians from several squadrons at 19 Wing Comox, British Columbia.
435 Transport and Rescue Squadron, led by Sergeant Serena Cross. 435 Squadron is also based at 19 Wing.
The RCAF “Spitfires” All-Female Team, led by Master Warrant Officer Theresa Nevills. This team brings together Warrant Officermen from several RCAF units across the country.
In addition, four RCAF technicians will join Elevate Aviation’s all-women team. Elevate Aviation is a Canadian non-profit company that “provides a platform for women to thrive and succeed through aviation”. Sergeant Dearing and Sergeant Jayne Graham represented the RCAF as members of last year’s team.
“This competition is a great opportunity for our technicians to show Canadians back home their amazing skills – especially when performing under pressure,” said Chief Warrant Officer Denis Gaudreault, the RCAF command chief warrant officer.
“As individuals and as teams, they are the best of the best.”
RCAF competitors
4 Wing
Sergeant Dawn Dearing (team lead/coach)
Sergeant Amelie Coté
Master Corporal Beverly Madge
Master Corporal Kelly Press
Master Corporal Adam Sommerfeld
Corporal Keith Hautzinger
401 Squadron
Warrant Officer Darryl Poole (team lead/coach)
Sergeant Frank Cyr
Master Corporal Scott Gillan
Corporal Kevin Richmond
Corporal Tom Simms
Corporal Steve Benoit
435 Squadron
Sergeant Serena Cross (team lead/coach)
Master Corporal Tyler MacInnis
Corporal Nicholas Burley
Corporal Jonas Nacinovich
Corporal Lynn Williams
Corporal Laene Burns
RCAF Spitfires
Master Warrant Officer Theresa Nevills (team lead)
Sergeant Jayne Graham (team coach)
Master Corporal Leslie Blair
Master Corporal Tiffany Goodwin
Corporal Trisha Chipman
Corporal Roselyn Dela Cruz
Corporal Diana Meuret
Corporal Samantha Yeadon
SAR maintenance
Sergeant Brad Saunders (team lead/coach)
Master Corporal David Brown
Master Corporal Simon Laurent
Master Corporal Chris Fortin
Corporal Ian Hauser
Corporal Marc Andre Duguay
RCAF augmentees to Elevate Aviation team
Master Corporal Andrea Lorinczy
Corporal Melissa Walsh
Master Corporal Kim McFarlane
Corporal Laurie Baker
