Women in aviation: Lieutenant-Colonel Julie Callacott
News Article / March 29, 2017
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Royal Canadian Air Force
In the weeks from International Women’s Day on March 8
until the Canadian Women in Aviation Conference in June, we will feature weekly interviews
with female leaders in the Royal Canadian Air Force.
Hometown: Sarnia, Ontario
Occupation: Intelligence officer
Current position: Commanding officer of 2 Air Expeditionary Squadron (2 AES) at 2 Wing Bagotville, Quebec.
What drew you to join the Royal Canadian Air Force?
My father and two uncles served in the RCAF.
What have been some of the highlights of your career with the RCAF?
The highlights of my career have been my deployments to Afghanistan and the multitude of opportunities to work with outstanding individuals throughout my career.
If you could provide advice to young women who are thinking about joining the RCAF, what would it be?
Don’t wait, just do it. I have no regrets and can’t imagine doing anything else
What have been some of the challenges of your career with the RCAF?
The most challenging thing with my career has been balancing the demands of the service with the needs of my family. Fortunately I have an incredibly supportive family, including my husband, children and extended family. We always ensure we maximize our time together with quality moments of fun and sharing.
What are your thoughts on recruiting, training and retaining women in the RCAF?
There have been – and are – many women warriors with amazing history in the RCAF over the past 100 years. We need to tell their stories louder than any headline attracting negativity.
What is 2 Air Expeditionary Squadron’s role?
We are part of 2 Wing, which is mandated to generate short notice Air Task Force (ATF) elements for the RCAF. It is the task of 2 AES to provide and establish rapid-reaction command, support and force protection assets to an expeditionary air base or ATF in Canada or abroad in support of Canadian Armed Forces operations.
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