When the going gets tough, the tough get going. That could well be the motto for the Canadian military’s increasing response to domestic life-threatening natural disasters in recent years.
On Wednesday, the Commanding Officer of 8 Air Maintenance Squadron, Lieutenant Colonel Craig Greeley, and Squadron Chief Warrant Officer Rene Gagnon described the military’s response last summer to out-of-control wildfires affecting three remote First Nations communities in northern Manitoba and Northern Ontario as they spoke to a breakfast meeting of the Belleville Chamber of Commerce at Sans Souci in the Downtown District.
Greeley and Gagnon led three separate LENTUS rescue missions last summer, a herculean effort involving close to 40 military aircraft and some 400 military personnel, working in concert with provincial and civilian authorities.
Over 8,000 people, mostly Indigenous, along with pets, were evacuated to the south and safety as their communities sat directly in the path of raging fires.
It wasn’t either officer’s first rodeo, having worked together on several emergency LENTUS missions in Canada over a 16-year period.
Gagnon said each mission, whether it be for wildfires, flooding, ice storms, or landslides, is billed as “the biggest,” but last summer’s wildfires really were the most dangerous and the most work.
Greeley told chamber members the military is ready to respond to a disaster anywhere in the country within minutes. He says he and Gagnon were on their way from 8 Wing Trenton to Winnipeg within an hour of being called upon to lead a wildfire response with aircraft of various types arriving within hours.
“I want to say that I’m sure we’ll get called upon to deal with a natural disaster within the next few months, maybe more than one. And I want to reassure you that we will be ready. Our personnel and equipment are always ready and we’ll be there.”
Working in a hot, smoky environment was no picnic but Greeley said equally challenging was the emotional aspect of their work.
“Many of the people we were helping had never been on an airplane, let alone anywhere out of their immediate area, and many wouldn’t have ever seen military equipment or personnel. They were scared and rightfully so. We spent time and a lot of effort to convince them that we were there to help, that we had their backs, that we would never let them down.”
Speaking after the presentation, the Honorary Colonel of 8 Wing’s 424 Squadron Suzanne Hunt stood to stress that not only was the natural disaster response extremely complex and physically challenging, but the emotional toll such work took on military personnel and their loved ones was also difficult.
“They have to leave their loved ones on a moment’s notice, drop everything, and go into a very dangerous situation, sometimes for many days. They go without sleep. They deserve our support.”
Both the Commanding Officer and Chief Warrant Officer expressed their gratitude for the support from the communities they serve.
“You are there for us and we couldn’t do what we do without your support. Thank you,” said LCol Greeley.
LCol Greeley and CWO Gagnon received a standing ovation from the almost 100 chamber members present at the breakfast.
Chief Warrant Officer of 8 Air Maintenance Squadron Rene Gagnon speaks to members of the Belleville Chamber of Commerce February 25 2026. (Photo: John Spitters/Quinte News)
