By Holly Bridges
OTTAWA – The Honorary Colonel for 22 Wing North Bay, Phil Richardson, has just returned from a morale-boosting trip to Camp Mirage, the base of operations in Southwest Asia for Canadian Air Force personnel supporting the campaign against terrorism in Afghanistan.
HCol Richardson, a successful businessman in North Bay with business dealings in the Middle East, decided to visit the troops while on business overseas in March.
“I am extending my business development for shopping centers, universities and health care facilities so knowing that we have Air Force personnel stationed in that part of the world, I asked higher headquarters if I could visit the troops and the trip was approved.”
HCol Richardson took some care packages over, particularly for the personnel from 22 Wing North Bay who are at Camp Mirage working in various support trades such as electricians, military police and other occupations.
“All of our people are performing at a very high level of effectiveness,” says HCol Richardson. “Some of are folks are out there on the flight line fixing airplanes, doing their jobs in 50 degree heat with 80 per cent humidity which is very hard. It’s a real testament to their professionalism when you consider the serviceability rate of the aircraft in theatre is virtually perfect and all of our troops are doing their job with equal effectiveness.”
When asked why he visited Camp Mirage, rather than focus on his busy business agenda in the region, HCol Richardson replied, “As Canadians we all owe a great deal to the dedication and perseverance of our troops who are doing our bidding in remote locations. Those of us who are in a position to help improve their morale, give them a little taste of home, and show them we support them, however possible, should do so. I consider it a privilege, not a burden or an inconvenience to help in any way I can.”
HCol Richardson will be returning to Camp Mirage in May, June and next fall, again at his own expense while traveling to the region on business. All travel and accommodations were paid for entirely by HCol
Richardson and no public funds were used to finance his trip.
HCol Richardson has been the Honorary Colonel of 22 Wing for the past 12 years.
