Jumping into retirement
Feb. 1, 2012
MWO Ray Tanguay prepares to jump from a CH-146 Griffon helicopter near Josephburg, Alta., on Jan. 11, 2011. Photo courtesy of MWO Ray Tanguay. |
By Capt Geoff Dear
The CH-146 Griffon isn’t normally thought of as a time machine, but on Jan. 11, in Josephburg, Alta., a Griffon took Master Warrant Officer Ray Tanguay back 29 years.
A young Ray Tanguay made his first parachute drop in 1983 while he was part of the Canadian Airborne Regiment armoured defence platoon. In January 2012, while lead flight engineer for 408 Tactical Helicopter (TH) Squadron, based in Edmonton, Alta., he jumped into retirement on a similar note.
MWO Tanguay, who worked as a flight engineer trade advisor at 408 Squadron, decided it was time to finalize his career as a Regular Force member of the Canadian Forces although he will continue serving as a reservist. / more…