888 (Stocky Edwards) Wing
Board of Directors and Officers
CHAIR – Viljo (Kip) Kippel
Kip Kippel joined the RCAF in 1966. After returning to Canada from his first tour of duty on the CF 104 in Germany he had numerous flying and staff tours in Canada. Some of his tours of duty included; Qualified Flying Instructor, Staff Officer Flying Training, Commanding Officer Gypsumville Radar Station, Flight Safety Accident Investigator. He came to Comox in 1986, where first he flew the Labrador helicopter on 442 Sqn as a Search and Rescue pilot and later became the CFB Comox Base Flight Safety Officer. He was also very actively involved with the Air Cadet Gliding Programme for eight years, first as the Deputy and then as the Regional Cadet Air Operations Officer before retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel in 2009, after 42 years of service in the RCAF Auxiliary, RCAF, CF and finally as a RCAF "B" Class Reservist.
V/CHAIR – David Buckley-Jones
Dave Buckley-Jones joined the Canadian Army in 1971 and first visited CFB Comox in 1983. During his tenure in the CAF Dave was posted to Calgary AB, Petawawa ON, Lahr Germany, Lethbridge AB and Comox and retired in 2006 after 35 Years of service. He then worked for 19 Wing as a civilian at the Recreation Centre for another 13 years before fully retiring 2019.
DIRECTOR – Daryl Wright
Daryl joined the Wing in May 1996 and it seems he has been our treasurer ever since! He continues to ensure that we "keep our head above water".
DIRECTOR – Don Armstrong
In July 1963, upon graduating from high school in an area with limited employment options, and after 5 years as an Air Cadet, it was an obvious choice for Don to join the RCAF. His career with the RCAF/CAF finished with retirement after 37 years, 12 of which were served at Comox. Other postings included Edmonton (2), Lahr, North Bay, Moose Jaw, Cold Lake with a final tour to Comox in 1997/2000. Don also spent a year in Kabul (2003/2004) in
support of the Canadian Army and several years with the Commissionaires at 19 Wing. Don joined 888 Wing in 2018 and continues as 386 Sqn Cadet Liaison.
DIRECTOR – Bob Patten
Bob joined the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) in 1988 as Infantry and a short time later transferred to the Air Force as a Metal Technician. He has done postings to Trenton, Edmonton, Borden, Petawawa and Comox. Bob has done a myriad of international tours to Djibouti, Somalia, Kenya, Bosnia, Kosovo, and Afghanistan, with domestic tours to Alert for Box Tops and Op Hurricane as well as the Red River Floods. Bob retired as a Chief Warrant Officer from the RCAF in Sep 2023 after 35 yrs of service. Although he and his wife Kim plan on staying in the Comox Valley, Bob will be transferring to the Primary Reserve and taking his Commission, where he will continue to serve in a part time roll.
PAST CHAIR - Ted Gibbon
Ted first arrived at Comox on 15 May 1956 in a Fleet Canuck from the Victoria Flying Club as an aviation cadet in the Royal Canadian Navy while on his first solo cross country flight and departed the same day. He returned in the summer of 1977 from Europe and assumed command of Utility Squadron 33 on 30 April 1978. Leaving in January 1981 he returned again in August 1986 to command the Base until August 1989. Retiring from the Canadian Forces in 1992 after 38 years’ service in the Navy, Air Force he returned once again to Comox in 1994 and joined 888 Wing in 1995. Ted was elected to the Wing executive in 2004, served as President from July 2006 to the end of June 2007 and completed his commitment as immediate Past President in 2008. Ted received the Air Force Association of Canada’s Distinguished Service Award in 2010 and the Minister of Veteran’s Affairs commendation in 2014.
Wing Officers
Secretary - Debbi Topp
Membership - Glen Sweetman
Glen has volunteered with 888 Wing in various roles including Sgt at Arms, Webmaster and alternate to the publicity chair. He starts his new role with the 2020/21 membership drive.
Housing - Bruce Elford
Publicity - Joyce Hallowell
Joyce joined 888 Wing in 1982. She was Ladies Auxiliary President 3 times, Wing President in 1986, served 3 different times as the Entertainment Chair, and a term as Housing Chair. During her tenure as Publicity Chair, Joyce initiated the Wing emails and Website.
Sgt-at-Arms – John C Paulin
After (4) years in Cadets and a year in Reserves I joined the PPCLI in 1963, posted to Edmonton, than West Germany, transferred to the RCAF in 67. Posted to Chatham NB where I met and married my wife Eileen in 68, onward as a family of four to Moose Jaw in 73, back to Germany (Lahr) to 444 Sqn, Cold Lake, completed my military career in Bordon. Retired to Langley BC, than Miramichi NB, Nova Scotia, Calgary and finally the Comox Valley.
Entertainment - Rob Veger
Wing Auxiliary - Linda Verdenhalven
Air Cadet Liaison - Russ Vida
Recreation - Wayne Hay
Awards - Ted Gibbon
Ted first arrived at Comox on 15 May 1956 in a Fleet Canuck from the Victoria Flying Club as an aviation cadet in the Royal Canadian Navy while on his first solo cross country flight and departed the same day. He returned in the summer of 1977 from Europe and assumed command of Utility Squadron 33 on 30 April 1978. Leaving in January 1981 he returned again in August 1986 to command the Base until August 1989. Retiring from the Canadian Forces in 1992 after 38 years’ service in the Navy, Air Force he returned once again to Comox in 1994 and joined 888 Wing in 1995. Ted was elected to the Wing executive in 2004, served as President from July 2006 to the end of June 2007 and completed his commitment as immediate Past President in 2008. Ted received the Air Force Association of Canada’s Distinguished Service Award in 2010 and the Minister of Veteran’s Affairs commendation in 2014.
