Chief Warrant Officer Lee Darling, 4 Wing Chief Warrant Officer, addresses the diners at the opening ceremonies of the Troops Mess Dinner of 4 Wing Cold Lake on December 16, 2022 – All images by MCpl J.W.S. Houck, Wing Imaging, 4 Wing Cold Lake
Members at 4 Wing were able to celebrate the holidays, as well as a bit of military tradition, at the 2022 Junior Ranks Mess Dinner, held on December 16th at the All-Ranks Kitchen at CFB Cold Lake. The event featured a march-in of the members, a performance by the 4 Wing Band, and supper.
4 Wing Commander Col Dave Turenne and 4 Wing Chief Warrant Officer CWO Lee Darling were in attendance and “swapped ranks” with a pair of junior members. Aviator Alex Courtnell, the junior-most member of 4 Wing, became Wing Commander for the event while Corporal Tanya Ziegler, the senior-most Corporal, swapped with the Chief Warrant Officer.
The holiday mess dinner and rank swap ceremony has been a tradition in the Canadian Armed Forces for many years, as a way to spread cheer around the season.
Troops Mess Dinner
Aviator Alex Courtnell and Colonel David Turenne head the march to the all ranks kitchen during the Troops Mess Dinner of 4 Wing Cold Lake on December 16, 2022.
Troops Mess Dinner
Chief Warrant Officer Lee Darling, 4 Wing Chief Warrant Officer, addresses the diners as the opening ceremonies of the Troops Mess Dinner of 4 Wing Cold Lake on December 16, 2022.
Troops Mess Dinner
The Wing Chaplain, Major Howard Rittenhouse, leads the blessing and thanks of the meal during the Troops Mess Dinner of 4 Wing Cold Lake on December 16, 2022.
Troops Mess Dinner
Members of the 4 Wing Band prepare for the Troops Mess Dinner, hosted at the all ranks kitchen of 4 Wing Cold Lake on December 16, 2022
Troops Mess Dinner
Colonel David Turenne, Wing Commander of 4 Wing, signs authority to Aviator Alex Courtnell, as the acting Wing Commander for the duration of the Troops Mess Dinner of 4 Wing Cold Lake on December 16, 2022.
Troops Mess Dinner
Aviator Alex Courtnell, the junior-most member of 4 Wing, and Colonel David Turenne, Wing Commander of 4 Wing, exchange ranks during the Troops Mess Dinner of 4 Wing Cold Lake on December 16, 2022.
Troops Mess Dinner
Corporal Tanya Ziegler, the senior-most Corporal of 4 Wing, and Chief Warrant Officer Lee Darling, 4 Wing Chief Warrant Officer, exchange ranks during the Troops Mess Dinner of 4 Wing Cold Lake on December 16, 2022.