The year is just about over and Quinte News continues to talk with news contributors in our listening region.
We spoke with the new Commander of Canadian Forces Base Trenton, Colonel Andy Bowser.
He was installed in the summer, replacing Leighton James as the man at the top.
Bowser says having eight years under his belt in Trenton will serve him well as Commander at 8 Wing.
“So lucky, having gotten here in 2007 and just gaining the experience every day. Those times, I think it’s worth its weight in gold. Just the day-to-day inner workings of the wing and how things work.”
He says his time outside of the wing was also valuable, as it educates members of the force of the larger scale operation of the Canadian Armed Forces.
Bowser says the base and its members fly around the globe, serving in many different theatres.
“In eastern Europe and what’s going on there. The eastern Med (Mediterranean), the Middle East, Africa, Canada’s Arctic. The tempo never stops around here.”
Bowser says there is a lot to be proud of, not just for the RCAF, but also the entire Canadian Armed Forces.
The first air show in eight years was also part of the 2024 calendar for 8 Wing Trenton, along with the announcement by the Minister of Defence Bill Blair, that $850 million was coming to the base for the CC-330 fleet of planes and the ammo dump.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Defence Minister Bill Blair at CFB Trenton (Photo: Tim Durkin/ Quinte News)
