444 Squadron welcomes Honorary Colonel Sarah Leo

News Article / June 25, 2019

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5 Wing Public Affairs

On National Indigenous Peoples Day, June 21, 2019, the Royal Canadian Air Force welcomed Sarah Leo to the RCAF family when she was invested as the new honorary colonel of 444 Combat Support Squadron, located at 5 Wing Goose Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador.

She brings strong ties to the Indigenous communities of the province, and is no stranger to the Canadian Armed Forces, having served 21 years as a mobile support equipment operator in the Canadian Army.

Previously, Honorary Colonel Leo was the first AngajukKâk (Mayor) of her home town of Nain in Labrador. She then was elected the first female president of the Nunatsiavut Government. She remains very active in and around Nain and hopes to bring a greater sense of community and understanding to 444 Combat Support Squadron and the northern regions of Labrador.

National Indigenous Peoples Day recognizes and celebrates the unique heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis across Canada.

Honorary colonels are "honorary and advisory". They are vital to fostering esprit de corps within the family. They may mentor the commanding officer and members of the unit, help build relationships with other units through the honorary colonel network, and aid in ensuring the maintenance of customs and traditions. By their very presence and name, they build and develop community support for their units by providing a public profile—a public face—for the unit. Perhaps one of their most important attributes, however, is simply the time they spend with all members of the unit, no matter what their rank or position, just as a highly respected member of the family would.

Honorary colonels are officers on virtually all issues except operations. They work behind the scenes and provide a much needed connection between the community and the Canadian Armed Forces. On the recommendation of the Chief of the Defence Staff, the Minister of National Defence approves all honorary appointments. These unpaid positions are usually for tenures of three years, but they are renewable.