Canadian Army Aviation
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Ross Craddock was born in Kitchener Ont where he received his primary and secondary school education, while also serving in 48 Field Squadron RCE (M). Enrolled in the Canadian Army (R) in the Officer Candidate Programme (OCP) in 1962 and trained at Camp Borden Ont at the RCASC School. Commissioned and posted to 1 Company RCASC Wolseley Barracks in London Ont as Supply Officer in 1963 and then transferred in 1964 to RCAF Station Clinton Ont in the same position.
Completed Army Pilot selection in 1964, completing his primary flight training at RCAF Station Centralia Ont and L-19 Army wings qualification at AATTS, CJATC, Rivers Man In 1965. Then completed basic helicopter training at the Basic Helicopter Training Unit (BHTU), again at Rivers, on the Hiller CH-112 (Nomad) followed by H-21 Conversion at RCAF Station Trenton Ont. Subsequently posted to 1 Transport Helicopter Platoon RCASC/450 Squadron on the CH-113A Voyageur until 1968, completing the Okanagan Mountain Flying course in Penticton BC and US Helicopter Instrument Flight School at Ft Rucker ALA on the UH-1C/D during this time period. Instructor/Standards Officer at BHTU in 1968, also attending Staff School and deploying to St Hubert Que in support of the October Crisis. Exchange posted to the United Kingdom in 1972, training on Wessex V at 707 Naval Air Squadron (NAS) RNAS Yeovilton. Then posted to 848 NAS onboard HMS Bulwark as Flight Commander, completing numerous Mediterranean, Caribbean and North Atlantic cruises. On return to Canada posted to HQ Mobile Command and later 10 Tactical Air Group (10 TAG) as Staff Officer and Executive Assistant (EA) to Commander 10 TAG. During this period, attended Land Forces Command and Staff Course at Kingston Ont. Posted to 450 Tactical Helicopter Squadron Detachment in Edmonton Alta on the CH-147 Chinook in 1979. Also attended the US Army CH-47 Maintenance Test Pilots Course in Ft Eustis VA. Later, promoted to Major to become Operations Officer then Acting Detachment Commander and finally Commanding Officer when the Detachment converted to 447 Tactical Helicopter Squadron. Posted to Canadian Forces French Language School in Ottawa in 1981 and then to Directorate of Land Aviation at NDHQ, completing Canadian Forces Electronic Warfare and Program Management courses as well as the US Armed Forces Staff College Course at Norfolk VA during this posting. Posted to Canadian Forces Staff School in Toronto Ont as DS in 1984, then promoted to LCol and posted to Canadian Forces Command and Staff College Toronto as DS in 1985. Retired in 1987 to work for numerous major US aerospace and defence companies as well as setting up own company, finally retiring in 2011 and settling in Abbotsford BC. Married to Diane Hay of MacGregor Man. They have two children; a daughter Melissa and a son James. |
