2025 RCAFA Award Recipients

Once again, the RCAF Association’s Honours & Awards Committee, led by Lieutenant-General (Retired) Andre Deschamps is proud to present the recipients of the 2025 Honours & Awards program. Guided by the RCAFA Booklet #104 (Honours & Awards Management), and endorsed by the RCAFA Chairman, the following Association awards were announced at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 24 November 2025.

On behalf of all of the members of the RCAF Association, congratulations to all of this year’s award nominees and recipients.

The Meritorious Service Award is the fourth highest award of the Association, awarded to members in recognition and appreciation of their outstanding meritorious service.

The following RCAFA personnel will be recipients of the Meritorious Service Award:

• Adriano Fisico
• Douglas Eagelsham
• Keith Mann
• Barbara Mann
• Vincent MacLeod
• Bob Wade

The Distinguished Service Award is the third highest award of the Association and is awarded to individuals in recognition and appreciation for distinguished service.

The following RCAFA personnel will be recipients of the Distinguished Service Award:

• Brian Andrus
• Phil Chatterton

The Life Membership Award (previously the Long Service Award) is awarded to deserving members in recognition and appreciation of outstanding, long and faithful service to the Association. Behind the Order of Excellence, this is the Association’s second most prestigious award for individuals. Any regular member of the Association who has rendered outstanding and faithful service for a period of not less than twenty continuous years is eligible for this award.

The following RCAFA personnel will be recipients of the RCAFA Life Membership:

• Bernie Sheppard
• Bill Buckham
• Andre Labelle
• Claude Charlebois

The Order of Excellence is the Association’s highest award, to be presented to Members held in the highest esteem by their fellow members in recognition of their continuing outstanding service to the Association, their community and their country.

The following RCAFA personnel will be recipients of the Order of Excellence:

• Beverley Spielman
• Cathy Spradbrow
• Robert Goodwin
• Serge De-Serge

The Len Baldock Award is named after Past National Chair, Len Baldock, of 412 Wing, Windsor, Ontario and is referred to as the RCAF Association’s Member of the Year Award. The purpose of the “Member of the Year” is to recognize and honour the performance of one whose skill, enthusiasm, inspiration, direction or leadership in Association activities has been well above the ordinary. It recognizes the achievements of individuals whose influence has been beneficial, either directly or indirectly, to the national body of the Association.

The following RCAFA member will receive the Len Baldock / Member of the Year Award (2025):

• William (Bill) Sergeant

The Christine Handler Memorial Award was approved at the 2003 in memory of the former Association Comptroller who tirelessly and unselfishly contributed so much to the Association. The purpose of this award is to recognize annually the contribution made by an Association member in a non-elected position. The award is presented to an individual who has, like Christine, worked tirelessly and unselfishly for the benefit of the Association.

The following RCAFA member will receive the Christine Handler Award:

• Nanette Booth

The RCAF Association Wing of the Year Award is presented to the Wing whose efforts during the year most enhanced the aims of the Association.

The 2025 Wing of the Year:

• 783 (Calgary) Wing

The Golden Hawks Trophy was established in 1963 to recognize outstanding contributions or achievements in the field of military aviation in Canada. The trophy is named after the famed Golden Hawks aerobatic team, formed in 1959 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of powered flight in Canada as well as the 35th anniversary of the RCAF. Any citizen, group or unit/organization engaged in any field of military aviation – specifically to include RCAF air and ground training – are eligible for consideration.

The winner of the 2025 Golden Hawk Award:

• 408 Tactical Helicopter Squadron (Edmonton)