Sharp dressed man, RCAF-style

News Article / December 20, 2018

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By Sara White

Who’s the best-dressed man this time of year?

Santa Claus knows he has an image to uphold as he readies for a busy December schedule of appearances; he also knows his attire has to hold up to a world-wide workload.

Who better to help Santa test, mend, let out (those cookies creep up on the waistline, year over year), and adapt to new clothing technologies, than the supply techs and trades within the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF)?

With close ties to the North Pole through Canadian Forces Station Alert and the NORAD Tracks Santa partnership with the United States, Santa has had decades of experience working with the CAF, including the incorporation into his own annual operations planning of many of the steps from the Canadian Forces Taskings, Plans and Operations (CFTPO) program.

Within his Christmas-focussed CFTPO, Santa makes a regular stop at military clothing stores to obtain required kit and make necessary adjustments to his “uniform”.

“Santa has accumulated many items off the operation’s scale of issue,” says Aviator Margo Belliveau, with the 14 Wing Greenwood, Nova Scotia, Wing Replenishment Flight. “All items must be inspected to insure they have not only kept their functionality but also exceed the high standard required for his mission. If there is any wear and tear from previous years’ deliveries, mall visits or other Santa-related activities, new kit has to be issued.”

Santa takes advantage of the Royal Canadian Air Force’s stock gloves, an aircrew-issued flashlight and sunglasses, all-black steel-toed boots and double-layered socks, long johns, a neck gaiter, and thermal wear to insure maximum comfort and heat. Specialty camouflage paint is added to Santa’s list of needed items, for trickier situations, along with an oversized rucksack and new or replacement bells.

If Santa needs clothing-related attention, Aviator Belliveau says the customary RCAF tailor’s “chit” can be used just as easily for his clothing as for military members’ uniforms.

14 Wing Greenwood tailor Angie Vroom has been on the job for more than 30 years, and is pretty deft with her needle, to pick up where Mrs. Claus needs a hand—or, if Santa himself needs specialized or emergency repairs. “If Santa ever comes in with a uniform issue, I help,” she says.

While Ms Vroom and Santa worked on some adjustments on his December 7, 2018, Greenwood stop, Santa said he has three main suits: one goes in every week for dry cleaning, while the others are available for his regular visiting engagements. He keeps an older set aside for working in the barn with the reindeer or in the workshop with the elves throughout the year.

“I have no ‘extra special’ suit,” Santa said. “I try to be extra special all the time—the kids want that. But, sometimes, my pants aren’t quite big enough, or I may catch something on a piece of metal on the sleigh—and you never know what you’ll find in a chimney.”

Aviator Belliveau and Ms. Vroom have been working closely on CADPAT (Canadian Disruptive Pattern uniform) options for Santa, as the military’s go-to workwear may have some technological and comfort advantages for Santa.

“I can see that the pattern would be good for hiding behind a Christmas tree,” Santa says, ‘but the debate is—do I need it? I’m lively and quick, and I can bound and spring better than anyone. And, with my Christmas magic, no one sees me at work.”

Sara White is managing editor of “The Aurora”, the base newspaper of 14 Wing Greenwood, Nova Scotia.