437 Squadron’s support to Her Majesty’s Golden Jubilee visit

by LCol DC Murphy

   As part of Her Majesty’s Golden Jubilee celebration marking her fiftieth year as our reigning monarch, the Queen and His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh visited Canada for 12 days this past October.

   This historic visit began on 4 October with Her Majesty’s arrival in Iqaluit and continued with stops in Victoria, Vancouver, Winnipeg, Toronto, Fredericton, Moncton and finally our nation’s capital, from which she returned home to London on 15 October.

   The responsibility for the Royal couple’s travel to Canada and between each of the cities visited fell to the ‘Huskys’ of 437 Squadron, 8 Wing Trenton. The squadron continued its traditional role of flying members of the Royal family to and within Canada by providing a VIP Polaris for this historic and memorable visit.

   As the Commanding Officer of 437 Squadron, I was assigned as Mission Commander for the Royal flight; a particular duty I consider to be one of the highlights of my military and flying career.

   437 Squadron has provided airlift for many very important persons (VIPs) throughout its long history, but the privilege of flying Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth is considered by us to be the greatest of honours bestowed on this squadron. Whether it is the mystique of the Royal family, the status and importance of the Queen, the history of their family, the media attention or simply the ceremonial splendor in place for her arrival or departure, Her Majesty’s presence affects all crew members onboard the Royal flight.

   Previous to this particular mission, I had never flown the Queen or the Duke of Edinburgh and will probably never have the opportunity again. Perhaps it is for this reason that the memory of each personal meeting with Her Majesty will remain with me for years to come. Although my own family has grown tired of hearing me recount my experience as Mission Commander of Her Majesty’s flight, others reading this article may find some interest in a brief glimpse of activities on board the aircraft and my short encounters with Her Majesty during the first and final legs of the Royal visit.

   I met Her Majesty on her arrival at the aircraft at London’s Heathrow airport during the morning hours of 14 October. Ever gracious, she immediately offered her hand to greet me once I was officially introduced by Group Captain Tim Hewlett, RAF (Ret’d), the officer in charge of Royal travel at Buckingham Palace.

   What struck me immediately was the warmth of her smile and the sincerity of her greeting. Accompanied by His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh, I led Her Majesty to the special VIP compartment on board aircraft 001 to show her some of the features of the suite. After introducing the flight stewards and the flight attendant who would be serving the Royal couple throughout their travel with the squadron, I returned to my duties-- leaving the Queen and Duke to the privacy of their suite.

   The first leg of the journey from London to Iqaluit will be remembered as one of the smoothest crossings of the North Atlantic. That said, VIP flying is relatively straightforward, with the focus primarily on two areas – comfort and punctuality. The absence of clear air turbulence on every leg of the 12-day visit satisfied the first requirement, the experience of the Aircraft Commander, Major Carl Kap, and the First Officer, Captain Steve Rundle, easily satisfied the second.

   Comfort of our passengers cannot be expressed solely in terms of the turbulence encountered at altitude. The cabin crew, led by Master Warrant Officer Claude Bolduc, did an outstanding job of catering to the comfort of the Royal couple and members of the entourage. The standard of service provided far exceeded that expected from first class travel with any airline.

   Other than the two very short flights in BC and New Brunswick, meals with several courses were prepared and served to Her Majesty and all passengers. Whether a Cabinet Minister in the Canadian delegation or of noble birth in the Queen’s party, those standing in the aisles during the serving of meals stood a great chance of being unceremoniously cast aside if caught in the path of a sprinting flight attendant given 40 minutes to serve 60 meals accompanied by a full beverage service. Those members of the crew looking after the care and comfort of the Royal entourage worked tiressly and never let their good humour and charm fade in the face of fatigue.

   Of particular note, Leading Seaman Al Brown, Leading Seaman Denis Gautreau and Corporal Angie Wilson were assigned to the Royal suite at the front of the aircraft and focused solely on the needs of the Royal couple. Judging by the comments by both the Queen and the Duke as they left the aircraft in London, they were highly impressed with the standard of service rendered by Al, Denis and Angie.

   The paying of complements at the embarkation and disembarkation of VIPs is how a Mission Commander is best remembered after flights such as these. This is due primarily to the media coverage of both the VIP’s arrival and departure. The Mission Commanders often share the spotlight of their guests due only to their proximity to the aircraft door. Having been proudly at my post at the top of the aircraft stairs for each arrival/departure of Her Majesty at/from the aircraft, I managed to perfect my salute for Her Majesty and the CBC. However, once the door to the aircraft was closed on that last departure from Ottawa on 15 October, I was delighted to learn that the crispness of my salute was to be recognized by an invitation to lunch on board the aircraft with Her Majesty, the Duke and five other selected guests. I was honoured to receive an invitation to dine with the Queen and shall never forget the protocols adhered to nor the intimacy of the meal shared with the Queen and the Duke in the limited confines of the Polaris at 35,000 feet over Newfoundland. The meal served by the front flight stewards was superb and the conversation with the Queen promises to be a lasting memory.

   Later, approaching London on that final leg of the Royal flight, I was called to the VIP suite for a private audience with Her Majesty and His Royal Highness. The Queen, ever gracious with that warm smile, thanked the squadron for supporting their Golden Jubilee visit to Canada. After a short conversation, Her Majesty and His Royal Highness signed the 437 Squadron Book of Honour, taking time to look through each page bearing their own earlier signatures, their children’s and several other VIPs we have flown over the years.

   The final leg of their journey was as comfortable and punctual as the first, with the aircraft touching down on time, late in the evening of 15 October. As she left the aircraft for the last time, Her Majesty met with the pilots and several members of the crew to express her gratitude for their service. She again shook my hand and thanked me for the role played by 437 Squadron in their visit to Canada. As they slipped into their limousine for the short drive to Windsor Castle, I could not help but think how fortunate we all were to have been part of such a historic visit to Canada. All 18 crew members of the Royal flight felt privileged to have been involved with this mission and felt an overwhelming sense of accomplishment at having served the monarch in such a professional manner. As both the Mission Commander and Commanding Officer of 437 Squadron, I felt an additional sense of pride at the truly outstanding job performed by all during this historic visit.

Vancouver--The Queen and Prince Philip immediately prior to boarding the aircraft during their recent Golden Jubilee visit to Canada.

Enroute--Leading Seamen Brown and Gautreau, assisted by Corporal Angie Wilson, prepare a meal for Her Majesty and His Royal Highness.