Nova Scotia/Nunavut Command of The Royal Canadian Legion www.ns.legion.ca 155 GEDDES, Donald Larry SPECIAL DUTYAREA & PEACETIME Donald was born in Mont Apica, Quebec in 1958. He joined the Canadian Armed Forces on October 22, 1978, as an Aero Engine Technician where he served at CFB Trenton on CC137 Boeing 707 and the CC130 Hercules then at CFB Greenwood on both the CP140 Aurora aircraft. Geddes always wanted to fly so he started to pursue his dream of becoming a Flight Engineer, which he was selected for and successfully completed his training in December 1987. This new trade brought much satisfaction and reward; his first postings were with 440 Squadron Detachment inYellowknife, 440 Transport and Rescue Squadron in Edmonton, and then back to the Det inYellowknife all on the CC138 Twin Otter. During this time, Geddes flew many resupply missions all through the mountainous interior of the Great White North. The next phase of his career brought a change in aircraft type and the discovery of a new passion for the CC130 Hercules Aircraft; other than a short four-year tour with the AWACS in Germany, he remained dedicated to the CC130 Hercules serving with 436 (T), 429 (T), and 426 (T) Squadrons all based out of Trenton. Retiring in the rank of WO. Geddes loved the saying and was often quoted repeating “there is nothing like seeing or hearing the four fans of freedom”. During his forty-year career, Geddes completed two rotations to Afghanistan performing tactical air lifts/drops and he also deployed on Operation Enduring Freedom after 9/11. His most memorable occasions were his Good Show award highlighted in the Flight Comment for “outstanding professionalism and appropriate action resulting in the prevention of loss or damage to the aircraft and possible injury or loss of life to the crew” when completing 10,000 flying hours and flying Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. Don is also the proud father of two sons, David and Patrick. David was sworn into the RCAF as anAviation Technician and Patrick studied NonDestructive training at Durham College. In his spare time, Geddes could be found in numerous hockey rinks throughout Central Ontario where he coached/managed/assisted his sons’ teams. Now retired from the RCAF himself, Don fills his “empty nest hours” working with CAE as a CC130 Instructor on the simulator as well as his full-time job at Wing Ops as a civilian in charge of the Aircraft Publications. He is enjoying his weekends off, Sunday Sports and weather permitting, the golf course. Don Geddes was Veteran of the Month for October 2019 and is a tenyear member at The Royal Canadian Legion Centennial Branch 160. Submitted by Centennial Branch #160, The Royal Canadian Legion
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