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 – Marielle Mott
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.
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 - Deborah 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
Welfare - Colleen Boudreau
Colleen retired from the Canadian Forces Dental Services in 1994 having served for 20 years. She has done some volunteering with Special Needs personnel in the Valley, has been a Wing member for a few years and looks forward to her role as Welfare Officer.
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 – Glen Hooge
Glen joined the military in 1964 and retired in the Comox Valley in 1995. Active In the cadet summer training for many years he has also taught disabled skiing in the community for 20 years and is coordinator for a National ski week serving our ill and injured military Veterans.
Awards - Charles (Chuck) B. Hazleton
Chuck served in the RCAF/CF for forty years and with the Federal Public Service for five years for a continuous period of 45 years. He became a Member-at-Large of the RCAF Association in 1980 and joined 888 (Komox) RCAF Wing in 1995. He served on a myriad of Wing Committees and became President in 2005. Chuck considers it an absolute honour to become the Wing Honorary President.
