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RCAF’s 417 squadron gets a whole lot sassier

Based at Canadian Forces Base Cold Lake in Alberta, 417 (CS) Squadron provides helicopter support, including Search and Rescue support, to base operations.

"We are very enthusiastic to welcome Sass Jordan as the next Honorary Colonel of this squadron, which has a proud history that dates back to the early 1940s," said Minister MacKay. "Her keen interest in doing as much as she can to support the men and women of our armed forces, and her position as a well-respected Canadian entertainer known to several generations, will make her an excellent addition to the honorary colonel cadre."

Honorary Colonel designate Sass Jordan will assume her duties after Mr. Jack Van Norman completes his tenure as the Squadron's honorary colonel in September 2012.

Honorary colonels are "honorary and advisory". They are vital to fostering esprit de corps within the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) family. They may mentor the commanding officer and members of the unit, help build relationships with other units through the Honorary Colonel network, and aid in ensuring the maintenance of customs and traditions. By their very presence and name, they build and develop community support for their units by providing a public profile – a public face – for the unit. Perhaps one of their most important attributes, however, is simply the time they spend with all members of the unit, no matter what their rank or position, just as a highly respected member of the family would.

"Ms Jordan is a strong supporter to the military and the RCAF, and her support is greatly appreciated by all members of 417 (CS) Squadron," said Lieutenant-General Andre Deschamps, the Commander of the RCAF. "She has consistently demonstrated her support, most recently by participating in the Northern Entertainment Show Tour to Canadian Forces Station Alert over the
Christmas holidays in 2010 and in her visit to 4 Wing Cold Lake last February."

"It's difficult to describe the job that these people do because (they) are the most dedicated, amazing human beings. They take what they do really seriously," said Sass Jordan during her visit to 4 Wing and 417 (CS) Squadron in February 2012. "It makes you feel really great as a Canadian to know that there are people out there like this."

Sass Jordan has made a living singing, performing, writing and recording music internationally for the past thirty years. The bilingual Canadian from Montreal is an internationally recognized singer and songwriter who has sold over one million CDs worldwide, and has won a Juno Award and a Billboard's Best Female Rock Vocalist award.