Raymond Henault served as top dog in Canada91裸聊视频檚 military.

Now, he91裸聊视频檚 retiring in Courtenay.

From chief of the defence staff, to president of Courtenay Airpark, life is good for the retired four-star general.

91裸聊视频淚91裸聊视频檒l be 75 in a couple of months, so I91裸聊视频檓 quite happy with a slower pace of life,91裸聊视频� said Henault. 91裸聊视频淚 have time to play golf. To fly my airplane.91裸聊视频�

It was 15 years ago when bodyguards protected Henault every hour, seven days a week. Now, he arrives alone at an empty airpark. We sit in the pilot91裸聊视频檚 lounge and he shares about his career.

Henault grew up watching his dad fly airplanes in rural Manitoba. His dad released pesticides for farmers and transported cargo to remote communities.

91裸聊视频淚 was sort of following in his footsteps,91裸聊视频� he said of his father. 91裸聊视频淚 had the flying bug.91裸聊视频�

Raymond earned a pilot91裸聊视频檚 licence after high school. He then signed up for the Canadian Forces with hopes to continue training as a pilot. That was in 1967.

He retired in 2008, from chair of the NATO military committee. Henault had moved from an entry-level pilot to the highest position possible for a Canadian official.

The journey was marked by several milestones.

Early as a pilot, 91裸聊视频渢he most stressful part was something we called 91裸聊视频榗heck rides,91裸聊视频�91裸聊视频� he told me. 91裸聊视频淪omeone on board who91裸聊视频檚 grading you on your flying capability.91裸聊视频�

The test bore special weight for the young trainees.

91裸聊视频淵ou knew if you didn91裸聊视频檛 make it through this early part, that was the end of your military flying career,91裸聊视频� he said.

Years later, the testing tables turned.

91裸聊视频淣ow I91裸聊视频檓 the guy in the back seat,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淣ow I91裸聊视频檓 checking people out to make sure they can safely fly.91裸聊视频�

By 1997, it was not part of his job to fly anymore. Henault had become the chief of staff for air operations. He oversaw the entire Canadian Air Force, and things seemed to continue to grow for him.

91裸聊视频淲e were sitting in Quebec City, and the chief of the defence staff walked up to me and said, 91裸聊视频楾he prime minister would like to interview you. And there91裸聊视频檚 an aircraft, you91裸聊视频檒l be flown to Ottawa in about an hour.91裸聊视频�91裸聊视频�

Then-prime minister Jean Chretien interviewed Henault for the position of chief of the defence staff. Henault was appointed in 2001.

After a busy career, things are slowing down for him in Courtenay. However, not too slow: he91裸聊视频檚 still keeping up with responsibilities at the Courtenay Airpark.

91裸聊视频淚91裸聊视频檓 easing into more retirement now,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淭his is a great transition. Wonderful place to live.91裸聊视频� Family is nearby, and an airstrip in town is a nice perk for the pilot.

Henault was appointed to the Order of Canada in December. He was recognized for his career in the military, ensuring the safety of Canada and managing international peacekeeping.

91裸聊视频淚91裸聊视频檓 very grateful for it,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 a proud thing for me, and the Canadian Armed Forces.91裸聊视频�

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