By Capt K. Falldien, CFSACO
The Canadian Forces School of Aerospace Control Operations (CFSACO), a unit of 16 Wing Borden located in Cornwall, Ontario, held an investiture ceremony on September 23, 2010, for its first ever honorary colonel, Mr Ronald Begg. HCol Begg was nominated for his huge voluntary involvement in the community of Cornwall and his enthusiasm to promote CFSACO.
During the ceremony, Lieutenant-Colonel Michele Claveau, CFSACO Commandant, stated that she was looking forward to working with HCol Begg to further promote the Canadian Forces and CFSACO in Cornwall and its surrounding areas.
HCol Begg, in his acceptance speech, was enthusiastic about his new role and was looking forward to letting the community know about the amazing accomplishments of the staff and students of CFSACO. Prior to the investiture ceremony, HCol Begg witnessed 10 members graduate from the Ground Controller Course. He also had the honour afterwards to present Canadian Forces Decorations and a South-West Asia Service Medal to members of the unit.
An integral member of an Air Force unit, an honorary colonel supports the unit’s personnel and activities by providing a critical link between the unit and the local community. Honorary colonels may be a former military officer or a distinguished Canadian citizen. Their role is “honorary and advisory” within a range of responsibilities that includes fostering unit esprit de corps, acting as guardians of unit traditions and history, and maintaining close liaisons with the Commanding Officer and other honoraries in the area.
