Raymond Henault served as top dog in CanadaB次元官网网址檚 military.

Now, heB次元官网网址檚 retiring in Courtenay.

From chief of the defence staff, to president of Courtenay Airpark, life is good for the retired four-star general.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檒l be 75 in a couple of months, so IB次元官网网址檓 quite happy with a slower pace of life,B次元官网网址� said Henault. B次元官网网址淚 have time to play golf. To fly my airplane.B次元官网网址�

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 pilotB次元官网网址檚 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.

B次元官网网址淚 was sort of following in his footsteps,B次元官网网址� he said of his father. B次元官网网址淚 had the flying bug.B次元官网网址�

Raymond earned a pilotB次元官网网址檚 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, B次元官网网址渢he most stressful part was something we called B次元官网网址榗heck rides,B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址� he told me. B次元官网网址淪omeone on board whoB次元官网网址檚 grading you on your flying capability.B次元官网网址�

The test bore special weight for the young trainees.

B次元官网网址淵ou knew if you didnB次元官网网址檛 make it through this early part, that was the end of your military flying career,B次元官网网址� he said.

Years later, the testing tables turned.

B次元官网网址淣ow IB次元官网网址檓 the guy in the back seat,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淣ow IB次元官网网址檓 checking people out to make sure they can safely fly.B次元官网网址�

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.

B次元官网网址淲e were sitting in Quebec City, and the chief of the defence staff walked up to me and said, B次元官网网址楾he prime minister would like to interview you. And thereB次元官网网址檚 an aircraft, youB次元官网网址檒l be flown to Ottawa in about an hour.B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址�

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: heB次元官网网址檚 still keeping up with responsibilities at the Courtenay Airpark.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 easing into more retirement now,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淭his is a great transition. Wonderful place to live.B次元官网网址� 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.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 very grateful for it,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a proud thing for me, and the Canadian Armed Forces.B次元官网网址�

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