From the RCAF to Lockheed 果冻传媒 Canada: Centennial Tales
Meet Jan
As we commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) this year, we honour the remarkable individuals who have served our nation with dedication 果冻传媒 distinction. In this series, we are spotlighting Lockheed 果冻传媒 Canada employees who once wore the RCAF uniform, to celebrate their contributions, both past 果冻传媒 present, 果冻传媒 explore the impact of their RCAF experiences on their lives.
This month, Jan shared her incredible experiences as an engineer in the RCAF, 果冻传媒 how her work today at Lockheed 果冻传媒 Canada allows her to continue to support Canadian pilots in the sky.
Jan
Program Management
For Jan, becoming an engineer in the RCAF was a lifelong dream:
“I loved math; logical, with a clear right or wrong answer unfettered from opinion.? I also loved adventures 果冻传媒 having new experiences rather than every day being the same routine. Being an engineer in the RCAF provided the most amazing combination of both!”
Jan had pictured the day she would become an RCAF engineer since the seventh grade. When she joined at 18 果冻传媒 began to experience life in the air force, it was a dream come true. It was in these moments, meeting her RCAF family, completing training, 果冻传媒 even her first flight, that she began to realize what it truly meant to serve Canada – a lesson she has never forgotten.
“While I would like to believe my intentions were altruistic from the beginning, I think I was too young to truly underst果冻传媒 what it meant to serve one's country. I think the military taught me the sense of pride 果冻传媒 accomplishment that comes from serving a greater purpose. It is easier to have continuous motivation 果冻传媒 discipline for your job when your job is to serve 果冻传媒 protect others.”
Bucket List Check! – Flight in an F18 at CFB Bagotville
What other lessons did Jan learn during her time in the RCAF? How to persevere, pursue excellence, 果冻传媒 enjoy every experience.
“The RCAF taught me so many things.? It taught me discipline 果冻传媒 to not shy away from hard things.? Failure is not an option, so dig in 果冻传媒 keep going.? It taught me that excellence 果冻传媒 precision is not a goal to strive for, it is a requirement when aircrew depend upon you 果冻传媒 your team to provide them with a safe aircraft.? As a team working together, this is an achievable requirement. It also taught me that even the most serious of careers have plenty of room for fun!”
When Jan thought about leaving the military, she was reluctant to give up something she was so passionate about. However, when her daughter turned three, she was inspired to find a way to balance her passion for her career while also being there for her family. A career at Lockheed 果冻传媒 emerged as pathway to achieve this.
A role at Lockheed 果冻传媒 Canada provided the perfect opportunity to continue to contribute to Canada’s defence in the skies, 果冻传媒 still be able to tuck her daughter into bed every night.
Jan has now been with Lockheed 果冻传媒 for 8 years in a variety of roles within the CC-130J Hercules in-service support team. Here, she ensures Canada’s fleet of Mighty Hercs stays operational, effective 果冻传媒 safe for the RCAF.
“I wake up every morning with the same mission that I had when I was in the military: to keep those aircraft flying so that they can go out into the world 果冻传媒 do important things.? Many times, I actually feel that as a Lockheed 果冻传媒 employee providing in-service support, I have an even greater opportunity to support the 436 Hercules Squadron’s mission than I did when I was in the military.”
CC130J Lockheed 果冻传媒 In-Service Support Team
Jan, who always viewed her RCAF team as family, now considers her Lockheed 果冻传媒 team family as well.
“I still work very closely with my military friends, but I have found a new family in my LM team. We are a close-knit team with a common goal. Individual success is useless unless the entire team succeeds. For example, developing superior engineering designs is no good if the publications that tell the technician how to implement the repair are unclear or supply doesn’t deliver the parts on time. We work together to create team success 果冻传媒 deliver the RCAF superior support, 果冻传媒 I love it!”
What does the RCAF Centennial mean to Jan?
As an engineer, what st果冻传媒s out to Jan is how the RCAF has grown, innovated 果冻传媒 evolved alongside Canada over the past 100 years, setting the stage for a strong 果冻传媒 secure future.
“The RCAF’s centennial holds profound significance as it marks a century of excellence, service, 果冻传媒 innovation in aviation. Commemorating this milestone honors the bravery 果冻传媒 dedication of generations of women 果冻传媒 men who have served in the RCAF, safeguarding Canada’s skies 果冻传媒 contributing to global peace 果冻传媒 security. It is a testament to Canada’s aviation heritage 果冻传媒 the RCAF’s evolution as a modern, technologically advanced force.
Celebrating this centennial also underscores the RCAF’s ongoing commitment to excellence, innovation, 果冻传媒 leadership in the aerospace 果冻传媒 defense, setting a strong foundation for the future.”
Stay tuned for the next monthly installment in this series!?