888 (Stocky Edwards) Wing

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 – 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.

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 – 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. 

DIRECTOR – Dave Dyke

I’m a Graduate of Courtenay High School and during that time, I was in the Canadian Scottish Regiment (Militia) for 3 years.

After meanial jobs and travelling Europe, down under and SE Asia, thought best to settle down and flying appealed to me.  I received my wings from the Comox Flying Club, eventually attained my Commercial License and IFR endorsement and flew with several different Airlines on the Coast and finally, as a flight instructor at Campbell River.

After eight years of flying, I had the opportunity work with a Marine Transportation Company, MOTH and later with BCF.   I Graduated from Marine Navigation College with a Marine Nautical Certificate and sailed as a Navigation Officer, Chief Officer on large vessels and later as Master. 

After 30 years sailing on numerous PAX-RO-RO vessels I was based in Little River, TD’d to Prince Rupert, Texada Island, Kelsey Bay, Quadra and Denman West Terminals,  In 2000, I retired early, with 18 years as Master.

After retirement, I had an opportunity to teach Marine Nautical Science courses to new and upgrading Marine student at the North Island College.  I finally retired in 2003.

I’ve been a member of the 888 Wing for over 20 years and looking forward to assisting on the Board where I can. 

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.

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.