Although Fair
is quick to downplay his achievement, the commander of
Reservists in Victoria says Fair’s contribution to 443 (MH)
Squadron and the Air Force in general is nothing short of
extraordinary. “He’s stood out for a long time,” says Maj.
Ross Campbell. “He’s always been there, ready to deploy, ready
to do what’s required.”
Readiness
to deploy is perhaps Fair’s strongest asset. Encumbered by
civilian jobs, Reservists are generally unable to deploy for
long periods. Fair, however, has flown more than 880 of his
Sea King hours from a ship.
“Forty-four per cent sea time is a ratio that even Regular
Force flyers can find hard to achieve,” says Fair, who has
landed on 38 different ships, among them HMCS Vancouver during
Operation Apollo. “People still ask me if, as a Reservist, I
ever deploy to sea. I think that number answers the question.”
Fair’s
support to the concept of “Total Force” doesn’t just occur at
sea, however. During his 13 years on the Sea King, he has
served under eight different commanding officers, accumulating
a priceless amount of corporate knowledge in the process.
“He’s one of the main pillars of continuity around here,” says
Campbell. “By staying in the Sea King community he’s been able
to develop and share the kind of expertise that is sometimes
lacking these days.” |
That
expertise has been hard-won for Fair, who as a Reservist has
often had to prove himself before a system geared to Regular
Force demands. Given the expense, the military was originally
reluctant to train someone without a Regular Force commitment
to fly the Sea King. He persevered, becoming the first Reserve
Aircraft Commander, and later the first Reserve Crew
Commander. He eventually helped develop and now regularly
teaches a course for pilots aiming to command their own crews.
Now
established as a senior Sea King pilot, Fair remains grateful
for what he calls the “significant commitment” the Canadian
Forces made to his career. He says DND’s faith in Reservists
is well placed.
“I think
it’s a very positive thing,” Fair says. “As a Reservist I
don’t compete with the Regular Force pilots for training, or
postings, or evaluations. Instead, I think I offer them
continuity. I’m sort of a reference point for the younger
guys.”
With just
a few years to go before his lengthy career ends, Fair plans
simply to continue flying and continue helping his unit.
“You can
stay too long. You can go past your best-before date and have
stopped contributing. The best thing you can hope for is
knowing when that time has come,” he says, adding with a
smile, “without having to be told.”
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