R Steve introduced R Jeff. Many years ago I saw these very interesting pictures in the Brace home and often wondered if there may be stories behind the pictures, so Jeff graciously agreed on short notice to share some of those stories.
Jeff brought those pictures for us to view.
Jeff qualified his stories saying they are from his era - when the Canadian Air Force used vintage 707's.
Jeff gave a brief description of the procedure and work that must occur before the VIP visit. As an example, he said for a visit by the Queen, notice has to be given 2 months in advance, the heads of state such as Prime Minster's office, Governor General all have to be involved and protocol has to be learned and followed. About 10 days prior intense work begins when one of 5 707's the air force had was put in a hanger at CFB Trenton to be reconfigured. The regular seats are taken out, kitchen, bedroom and lounge areas put in as well as press area in rear. Then plane is quarantined with limited access to flight crew only.
On flight the VIP aircraft is shadowed by fighters, first have from London by RAF fighter, then Canadian fighter. You don't see them, but they are there. Something called 'duck but'??
Cooks go to London early to oversea food preparation. Plane arrives early and a second is on standby as well in case any issues with first plane.
Day arrives and VIP enters, and protocol has to be followed.
Jeff then shared some personal stories of VIP's he transported, his first in 1973 was to fly then Prime Minister Trudeau to China. The first Canadian Prime Minister to visit China. Jeff was a young captain and pilot then. There were two crews to fly from Ottawa to China (one rested and spelled each other for the long flight).
Flight uneventful, the Prime Minister was friendly. In Chinese air space, they had to have Chinese crew on board to translate as Chinese air traffic control will not speak English.
Jeff found Peking fascinating, and crew were included in many events. Jeff had a wonderful time.
On return trip was to be via Hawaii but Margaret Trudeau decided she wanted to stop in Hong Kong to shop. So last minute arrangements were made to allow the stop and shopping trip to occur. She was 7 1/2 months pregnant at the time.
The crew learned that on trip it was the Prime Minister's birthday so they had a big cake made and presented to him on the flight.
When Jeff was base commander at CFB Trenton for 2 years, he participated in 4 VIP trips, including the Pope, the Queen, the Queen mother, and Prince Charles and Dianna.
The Pope flies Al Italia to country he is visiting. Then in Canada for 10 day visit Jeff and his crew flew Pope to various cities across Canada. This was Pope John Paul II. There was a large enteraige of Cardinals and Bishops, and they drank a lot of wine. Jeff was the only protestant on the flight. It was terrific trip. At one point when plane in contact with Air traffic control out of Boston, the Pope came into the cockpit and asked to speak to President Reagan. They were able to make it happen. When flying VIP's they have to be on time to the minute. Leaving St. John they were a little late, so they got permission to fly at low level and they pushed it to get back on schedule which they did.
Jeff flew Prince Charles and Dianna from Heathrow to Victoria BC. Jeff was invited to talk with Prince Charles. He noted that Dianna was very thin. On this trip Jeff had one of his worst landings, he 'thundered in'.
The Queen Mother was like a grandmother to Jeff, a very nice and sweet lady. Going to Edmonton they had to divert due to bad weather to Cold Lake at very short notice. The base a Cold Lake had to scramble to prepare to receive the Queen Mother and then entertain her for about 3 hours until the weather improved and they could resume the trip. The base commander at Cold Lake later became Jeff's boss and never let Jeff forget that event.