As dawn breaks on Friday, October 30, a Canadian Forces CC-150 Polaris aircraft is expected to return from Greece with the Olympic Flame and a Canadian delegation on board.
The Olympic Flame, transported inside a miner’s lantern and loaded with special care by a team from 437 Transport Squadron at 8 Wing Trenton, will touch down on Canadian soil at the Victoria International Airport before it lights the community celebration cauldron at an arrival ceremony on the grounds of the British Columbia Parliament Buildings.
The torch is expected to arrive at 7:15 a.m. Pacific Time on Friday morning with Prime Minister Stephen Harper and other dignitaries expected to be waiting to welcome the flame.
The arrival of the flame marks the beginning of the 106-day, 45,000-kilometre Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay. Approximately 12,000 people from coast to coast to coast will run, walk, paddle, wheel, sail, and even fly when their turn comes during the history-making journey across Canada. Technically speaking, the flight from Greece to Canada counts as a leg of the relay which is why members of 437 Sqn proudly display a torch relay sticker on the side of the aircraft.
437 Sqn pilot and Aircraft Commander for the special flight, Captain Garrett Lawless, and his entire crew are enthused about their participation in this leg of the relay.
“This mission of historical significance and it is a great honour and privilege to be involved, even in a modest part, with such a grand event,” said Capt Lawless.
Capt Lawless was four years old when his parents ran a leg of the 1976 Montreal Olympic torch relay. He caught a glimpse of the flame and, with his parents help, was able to grab the torch, even if just for a moment. He was born in Carberry, Manitoba and has been a member of the CF since 1992.
In order to transport the lit flame, a special glass casing was created that would not compromise safety on board the aircraft.
The Polaris is expected to return to 8 Wing Trenton after the arrival ceremonies on Friday afternoon.
