As much as we like to have a formal stand-up parade and all the fanfare that goes with it, our size and our insistance to get as many people off on a well earned summer leave as possible, left our ranks somewhat depleted.

So we had the next best thing...a sit down parade - airforce style all the way.

Believe it or not our army and navy guests enjoyed the opportunity to have blisters on another part of their anatomy other than their feet.

Outgoing Honorary Colonel George Albert Daigle reluctantly hands over 439's Battle Honoured Squadron Standard to the new Wing Commander of 3 Wing, Bagotville, Col D.A. Davies, DFC, while the Boss, Major Saucier looks on.

To symbolize the trust that 439 Squadron has in its new Honorary Colonel, Col Davies hands over 439's Squadron Standard to a beaming Col(H) Ross Gaudreault.

Acting as the official witness, Col Davies affixes his signature to the hand-over certificates while both Honourary Colonels look on.

By affixing his signature Col(H) Daigle officially relinquishes his post as the Honourary Colonel Of 439 Tiger Squadron.

Definitely not camera shy, our new Honourary Colonel Ross Gaudreault pauses so that this "Kodak" moment can be captured for posterity.

439's Commanding Officer, Major Pierre Saucier presents a small token of our appreciation of and affection for Col(H) Daigle .........

..... And makes sure that the new Honorary Colonel is properly kitted with a Squadron baseball cap.

And what's a parade without a few medals to hand out.

Here Cpl Alain Desfosses, a Avionics Systems Technician with 439, is presented with his Canadian Forces Decoration (CD) for 12 years of meritous service to country and Queen.

Capt Gabriel Pomerleau, Flight Commander of 439's Griffon Flight, also became a recipient of the CD but his photo has mysteriously disappeared from the Boss's desk and thus was not scanned in time for this publication.