17 Wing/CFB Winnipeg Team,
I am honoured and humbled to be selected as your next Wing Commander and look forward to working with you over the course of my tenure.
As we celebrate the RCAF’s 100th Anniversary and approach the 100th Anniversary of 17 Wing/CFB Winnipeg in 2025, we are lucky to have such a long history of excellence to be proud of, and upon which we can rely for the future activities and initiatives. The Wing’s motto “Prospice,” meaning to look towards the future, is more than fitting when we consider what lies ahead of us. The global security environment is more complex than ever, the RCAF is undertaking its largest acquisition of capabilities since the Second World War, our CAF personnel challenges are at an all time high, and our funding is continuously in question.
There is no doubt about it – we are facing some challenging times. However, it is these situations which can bring about the best in us; that test us to become stronger and smarter together as a team. It is all about the perspective one chooses to hold. The key mandates of 17 Wing are extremely important to the future of the RCAF and we will have new opportunities that are exciting to be part of, such as FAcT, digitalization of processes, willingness at all levels to support innovation, and more. The future is bright, and we are lucky to be a part of the RCAF at this historic time. By drawing upon the diverse perspectives from our entire team, I am confident that we will generate comprehensive and inclusive efforts that will contribute to future success.
As we navigate this period of transition, I offer to you, for consideration, the four components of leadership that I consider to be the most important: Emotional Intelligence, Respect, Trust and Accountability. I challenge you to consider how you can incorporate these into your daily practices to build strong teams, and I will continue to practice that along with you.
I look forward to celebrating our successes together.
Regards,
Col Jody Hanson