15 WING MOOSE JAW — Lt.-Col. Philippe Turcotte, commandant of 2 Canadian Forces Flight Training School (2 CFFTS), welcomed a new Honorary Colonel (HCol) to the school as Moose Jaw resident Crystal Froese was appointed to the role during a ceremony at 15 Wing Moose Jaw on Oct. 1.
“When Lt.-Col. Riel Erickson phoned me up and asked if she could put my name in for it I was really quite humbled,” Froese said. “She reassured me that she thought I was the right person.
“I know there are big shoes to fill in this role. There (are) people who have come before me so I definitely don’t take that for granted, and I’m looking forward to working with this unit, bringing some stronger morale, and doing whatever I can to make their stay here in Moose Jaw better.”
The role of HCol is a longstanding tradition and is open to former air force officers and distinguished Canadian citizens. These individuals help maintain customs and traditions, foster a sense of esprit de corps within the military family, and connect other units through the HCol network during a three-year tenure.
The rank comes with a tailored uniform and, when in full dress attire, her rank is saluted and she’s required to follow all existing military protocol as is required for the rank of Colonel.
Froese was born and raised in Moose Jaw and both she and her husband Kirby view it as their hometown. She has a strong connection to the community and a diverse professional background which benefits her new role.
She studied local government and public relations at the University of Regina and has over 20 years of experience. Froese was elected to the Moose Jaw city council in 2016 and again in 2020. Some of her experience includes her role as a trustee for the Prairie South School Division, she co-founded Beautif-i-Moose Jaw and Our Voice Our Province, and she currently serves on eight boards and committees.
In 2023 she was selected to chair the Moose Jaw City Police Commission Board, which further solidified her position as a key community leader.
Froese is connected to the military through her parents, who met while stationed in Halifax and Cornwallis, N.S. in 1962. Her grandfather, Thomas Shiers, is a D-Day veteran who landed on Juno Beach and served with the Royal Canadian Engineers during the Second World War.
She now assumes a position that was vacant since HCol Captain (Retired) Jane Foster concluded her term in 2021. The transition process — which is federally recognized — normally takes around 18 months to complete but was delayed due to the pandemic.
During her term, Froese will be responsible for connecting the military with the community. Two of her primary duties will be to attend and participate in graduation ceremonies and to participate in base events on behalf of the community.
“(The role is to build the) understanding of what goes on out here (at 15 Wing), but also being welcoming and showcasing all the wonderful things that we have in Moose Jaw…,” she said.
Lt.-Col. Turcotte said her role is vital as the training program at 15 Wing is set to grow over the next three to four years. “I think it’s an opportunity for us,” he said. “When we see problems, (it’s good to) have a bit of an inside voice into other discussions that we don’t have time to partake in normally.”
Froese concluded her address with a message of appreciation.
“As a new Honorary Colonel, I look forward to continuing to work with you to support and encourage the members and families of the (2 CFFTS),” she said. “Together, we will hold the legacy of the Big Two here in Moose Jaw and I’m excited to get started. Thank you for this incredible honour and thank you all for coming today.”
Her role began on Oct. 1 and will conclude in October 2027.
To learn more about the role of Honorary Colonels, visit Canada.ca/en/Air-Force/Services/Showcasing/Honorary-Colonels.html.
