RCAF technicians ready to compete in Atlanta

News Article / April 4, 2019

From Royal Canadian Air Force Public Affairs

Five teams of Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) aircraft technicians—more than 30 personnel—will compete in the annual Aerospace Maintenance Competition to be held in Atlanta, Georgia from April 8 to 11, 2019.

This is the first time that the RCAF has entered teams in the competition.

“Investing in our personnel is investing in the RCAF’s future,” noted Lieutenant-General Al Meinzinger, commander of the RCAF. “The Aerospace Maintenance Competition will give our technicians an excellent opportunity to further hone their skills under pressure, to showcase their individual and team capabilities, and to network with and learn from their peers from other aviation organizations and industries.

“I have no doubt our competitors will do us all very proud.”

The RCAF is renowned for producing some of the best-trained and most capable technicians in the world. The five teams competing in Atlanta are:

• 4 Wing Team, led by Sergeant Dawn Dearing. This team, from Cold Lake, Alberta, comprises technicians from units from across 4 Wing.
• 401 Tactical Fighter Squadron Team, led by Warrant Officer Darryl Poole. 401 Squadron is also located at 4 Wing.
• 19 Wing Search and Rescue Maintenance Team, led by Sergeant Brad Saunders. This team comprises technicians from several squadrons at 19 Wing Comox, British Columbia.
• 435 Transport and Rescue Squadron, led by Sergeant Serena Cross. 435 Squadron is also based at 19 Wing.
• The RCAF “Spitfires” All-Female Team, led by Master Warrant Officer Theresa Nevills. This team brings together women from several RCAF units across the country.

In addition, four RCAF technicians will join Elevate Aviation’s all-women team. Elevate Aviation is a Canadian non-profit company that “provides a platform for women to thrive and succeed through aviation”. Sergeant Dearing and Sergeant Jayne Graham represented the RCAF as members of last year’s team.

“This competition is a great opportunity for our technicians to show Canadians back home their amazing skills – especially when performing under pressure,” said Chief Warrant Officer Denis Gaudreault, the RCAF command chief warrant officer.

“As individuals and as teams, they are the best of the best.”

Sergeant Dawn Dearing (team lead/coach)
Sergeant Amelie Coté
Master Corporal Beverly Madge
Master Corporal Kelly Press
Master Corporal Adam Sommerfeld
Corporal Keith Hautzinger

Warrant Officer Darryl Poole (team lead/coach)
Sergeant Frank Cyr
Master Corporal Scott Gillan
Corporal Kevin Richmond
Corporal Tom Simms
Corporal Steve Benoit

Sergeant Serena Cross (team lead/coach)
Master Corporal Tyler MacInnis
Corporal Nicholas Burley
Corporal Jonas Nacinovich
Corporal Lynn Williams
Corporal Laene Burns

Master Warrant Officer Theresa Nevills (team lead)
Sergeant Jayne Graham (team coach)
Master Corporal Leslie Blair
Master Corporal Tiffany Goodwin
Corporal Trisha Chipman
Corporal Roselyn Dela Cruz
Corporal Diana Meuret
Corporal Samantha Yeadon

Sergeant Brad Saunders (team lead/coach)
Master Corporal David Brown
Master Corporal Simon Laurent
Master Corporal Chris Fortin
Corporal Ian Hauser
Corporal Marc Andre Duguay

Master Corporal Andrea Lorinczy
Corporal Melissa Walsh
Master Corporal Kim McFarlane
Corporal Laurie Baker

The competitors come from the aircraft structures (ACS) technician, aviation systems (AVN) technician and avionics systems (AVS) technician occupations. Each team will compete by performing a wide variety of aircraft maintenance tasks related to inspections, troubleshooting, repairs and testing.

ACS technicians are members of the air maintenance team who handle, service and maintain RCAF aircraft and associated equipment. They are responsible for the maintenance and repair of aviation life support equipment, aircraft structures and related components.

AVN technicians handle, service, and maintain RCAF aircraft, ground equipment and associated support facilities. They are responsible for the maintenance of aircraft aviation systems including propulsion, airframe, basic electrical, and their related components.

AVS rechnicians are responsible for maintaining all electronic systems onboard RCAF aircraft. As part of the aircraft maintenance team, the Avionics Systems Technician is responsible for first-line servicing operations in launching and recovering all types of aircraft.