Zrymiak, Michael: my Cold War recollections (March 5, 2011)

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An interview/narrative of Michael Zrymiak's experiences during the Cold War. Interview took place on March 5, 2011.

Interviewee: Zrymiak, Michael, b. 1935

ABSTRACT: The interview conducted with Col. Michael Zrymiak on 5 March 2011 begins with Zrymiak’s decision to join the RCAF in 1954, and proceeds to his feelings towards the Soviets and the US at the time of his joining up. Zrymiak then describes his first posting as a NATO flight instructor in Moose Jaw SK, before he was assigned to 412 Squadron, a VIP transport service. The narrative then turns to a posting working at a NORAD installation in North Bay ON, and a discussion regarding the CF-105 Arrow and Bomarc missiles. Following his description of Moose Jaw, Zrymiak recalls his next posting as a flight instructor at Portage la Prairie MB and the negative effects that Unification had on the RCAF while he was assigned there. He then discusses his year-long posting as the commander of the airbase in Lahr, Germany, before he was assigned to work at the Department of National Defence in Ottawa. Zrymiak outlines some of the major defence issues he was privy to during his time there before discussing his experience with the a course he took at the National Defence College, which included a trip around the world to meet with foreign dignitaries. Zrymiak then describes his time as a NATO attaché in Czechoslovakia, and a run-in he had with Soviet authorities, before he describes his posting as the Deputy Commander of Air Command in Winnipeg, and his involvement with the Reserves. At this time, he highlights some major issues that the Reserves had faced since integration, and how they were addressed by the Total Force concept of the Canadian Forces. Zrymiak concludes the interview by recalling his time as the commander of CFB Edmonton, and providing some general thoughts on the air force’s contribution to both Canada and NATO. 0:00-0:30 - Introduction 0:30-2:20 - Joining the RCAF 2:20-4:00 - Feelings towards Soviets 4:00-5:00 - Feelings towards US 5:00-6:10 - Flight instructor at Moosejaw 6:10-8:30 - NATO training program 8:30-12:40 - 412 Squadron in Ottawa, getting commission, aircraft types 12:40- 15:10 - North Bay NORAD HQ 15:10-17:30 - CF-105 and Bomarc, USAF influence 16:30-18:20 - Canada's contribution to NORAD 18:20-21:10 - Flying instructor at Portage la Prairie 21:10-21:45 - Canada as one of the best places to train pilots 21:45-27:30 - Integration, loss of morale, reasons for integration 27:30-31:20 - Operations within the RCAF and Reserves after integration 31:20-33:30 - Staff college in Toronto, DND HQ as a staff officer in air transport 33:30-37:10 - Commander in Lahr, Germany 37:10-38:30 - Canadians at Lahr 38:30-40:30 - Commander of 412 Squadron in Ottawa 40:30-42:45 - Work under Chief of Defence Staff at DND HQ 42:45-44:30 - Major issues in Canadian defence policy 44:30-52:10 - National Defence College, travelling the world 52:10-55:30 - Training at home for being NATO attache in Czechoslovakia 55:30-1:03:30 - NATO attaché in Czechoslovakia and Soviet 'hospitality' 1:03:30-1:06:00 - Deputy Commander of Air Command and Air Group in Winnipeg 1:06:00-1:07:45 - Total Force concept and the effects on the Reserves 1:07:45 -1:11:00 - Working for Reserves vs. Regulars 1:11:00-1:14:20 - Attempting to find meaning for the Reserves 1:14:20-1:17:30 - Value of the Reserves 1:17:30-1:20:10 - Base commander at CFB Edmonton 1:20:10-1:22:00 - Purpose of CFB Edmonton 1:22:00-1:22:50 - Retirement, involvement with the BC Air Reserves 1:22:50-1:26:05 - Overall thoughts on RCAF contributions to NATO and Canada 1:26:05-1:27:13 - Conclusion

Rank: Colonel.

Interviewer: McKeigan, Cameron

In Collection:
Contributor Subject Language Keyword Date created Relation Resource type Rights statement Extent
  • 1 sound recording (MP3)
Geographic coverage Coordinates
  • 39.76, -98.5
  • 51.5, 10.5
  • 60.10867, -113.64258
Additional physical characteristics
  • Original sound recording (MP3) also available.
Physical repository Collection
  • Canadian Military Oral History Collection
Provider Genre Archival item identifier
  • ZM_688
Fonds title Fonds identifier Is referenced by Date digitized
  • March 5, 2011
Technical note
  • Digital sound recording in .mp3 format at 128 kbps and 44 kHz. Recorded in digital format by interviewer, technical and cataloguing metadata provided by JF and JP. Interview recorded in digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2011. Migration metadata by KD and MT.
Rights
  • This interview has been posted with the understanding that it may be used for research purposes only. Should the interviewee or their heirs have any objections to this interview being accessible on the Internet, it will be removed promptly. Contact UVic Special Collections for permission if using for other than research purposes: speccoll@uvic.ca
DOI

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file details Zrymiak_M_0688_01.mp3 Public