CORNER BROOK — Winning a national award is often exciting, especially when it’s deserved, and there are a lot of people in the running for it.
Cpl. Gregory Janes of Codroy Valley will receive the Canadian NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command) region annual award for leadership in job performance, significant self-improvement and community involvement.
“Pretty much everyone in the Canadian Armed Forces, at my rank level, is eligible for this award,” said Janes. “I must have beat out roughly 1,000 people.”
The award will be presented to Janes in Winnipeg by the spring at the Canadian Division Headquarters.
Janes says his family is proud of him. He has two aunts also serving in the military.
“They understand how big a deal it is,” said Janes.
NORAD is a joint United States/Canadian organization that provides aerospace warning and control for North America.
Janes said he deeply appreciates the acclaim, and he believes he won it for dedication, job performance and extracurricular activities.
Janes will be able to compete for another award called the NORAD all combined award in Colorado in April.
“It’s a huge honour and Canadians very seldom win it,” he said.
Lt. Leah Pierce, reserve public affairs officer for National Defence says Janes should feel honoured for the award.
“It’s very exciting because I believe this is the first time 22 Wing has received recognition for this in quite a few years,” said Pierce. “We’re all very excited for Cpl. Janes.”
Janes has been serving with NORAD for five years in North Bay, Ont. as an aerospace control operator. The job requires controlling incoming/outgoing traffic by radar by providing surveillance and control of Canadian and United States airspace.
“Our job is to ensure all incoming and outgoing airtraffic is a safe Canadian (venture) — not hostile,” he said. “It’s more like Cold War stuff. To ensure that everything coming into our country is safe, civilian aircraft.”
