Graduates navigate Canadian course

Flying Officer Craig Inns receives the LTCOL K. Pauls trophy for overall excellence in flying, academics and officer development from Mr Gerry Russell of the Wartime Pilots and Observers Association of Manitoba.

Pilot Officer Anna Moore receives the James Dow Trophy for outstanding flying performance throughout the Canadian Forces Air Navigation School course from Air Commodore Roger Harrison, Air Attaché Washington.

SIX students who graduated from the Canadian Forces Air Navigation School are believed to be the first group of Royal Australian Air Force navigators trained at Winnipeg since World War II.

No. 0201 Basic Air Navigator course – consisting of Pilot Officers, Steve Monypenny, Anna Moore and Matt Kitchin, as well as Flying Officers Glen Gallagher and Craig Inns – graduated in front of a large crowd, which included family and members of the Wartime Pilots and Observers Association of Winnipeg (the previous generation of RAAF aircrew from the Canadian school) and the Down-Under Club of Winnipeg.

The reviewing officer for the parade was Air Commodore Roger Harrison, the Australian Air Attaché to Washington DC, who made a special trip from the US for the historic event.

In an agreement between the Australian and Canadian Defence Forces, a percentage of RAAF navigator students will train at Winnipeg while the School of Air Navigation at RAAF Base East Sale completes its transition to the new King Air 350 navigator training aircraft.

Currently Winnipeg is training another six RAAF navigators, due to graduate in November, with more students expected next year.

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