Eichel, Scott: my Royal Canadian Air Force recollections (March 14, 2013)
PublicAn interview/narrative of Scott Eichel's experiences whilst serving with the Royal Canadian Air Force. Interview took place on March 14, 2013.
ABSTRACT: The interview begins with the standard narratives and proceeds into the biographical information of Maj. Gen. Eichel. He discusses his early military interests relating to his father and brothers military experience, as well as his marriage, and his sons birthdates and their careers. The interview then moves onto the beginnings of his R.C.A.F. career as he talks about joining the air force and speaks of his various promotions throughout his career. He then explains his experience in R.C.A.F. public relations, and offers his opinions on air show importance. He offers multiple examples of direct public interaction with the R.C.A.F. and gives a synopsis of the 1989 Abbotsford air show where he interacted with Soviet air force personal and authorized the first Canadian pilot to fly a Mig-29. He then responds to common criticisms of air shows, and discusses the importance and necessity of the 431 Demonstration Squadron Snowbirds. 0:00-Standard interview Narratives 1:00-Biographical Information: Place of birth, Parents birthplace 1:25-Fathers military involvement 3:10-Marriage and relation to his military career. 3:50-Birth of his sons, and their careers. 5:50-Dates and experience of joining the R.C.A.F. 8:18-Speaks of R.C.A.F. advertising and recruitment during enlistment and Cold War. 10:45-First assignment as radio officer in 407 Squadron Comox as maritime patrol. 11:50-Explanation of promotions and duties throughout his career. 15:10-Speaks of Public relations importance to the R.C.A.F. 18:00-Demonstration teams as effective promoters of P.R. at airshows and home. 19:11-Talks about how when he commanded CFB Shearwater and its air show. 20:25-Todays state of military public affairs in his opinion. 21:55-Back to Shearwater and anecdote about arriving as commander to a grounded helicopter fleet and dealing with the media. 24:32-Recalls how officers during his time were trained for public relations duties. 25:25-Talks about public interaction with the air force at airshows. 28:44-Provides anecdote about disabled children being allowed access to at airshow and the crowd's reaction. 30:25-Publics image of the R.C.A.F. the positives and the other side of the coin. 31:50-Search and Rescue and air force as unsung heroes 34:40-Talks about the desire for Air Force higher ups to get more media coverage. 35:50-The modern militaries public relations is better than his generations. 38:10-In his day there were public relations classes and training for officers. 39:20-Talks about air shows and their motives. 42:10-Talks about R.C.A.F. attendances at private air shows. 42:37-Talks about audiences at air shows. 43:50-Talks about the Moose Jaw airshow and its significance to the small community. 46:25-Discusses why he thinks the Snowbirds are an effective P.R. tool. 48:09-Talks about American praise and reputation of Snowbirds. 49:45-Tells story about his involvement at Airshow Canada 1989 where a Canadian pilot first flew a Mig-29 and his exchanges with the Soviets. *See note 58:10-Responds to criticisms of airshows as glorifications of war. 1:02:53-Discusses how trade shows have diminished in Canada 1:03:58-Responds to question about military power displays by Americans and comparison to Canadian shows. 1:06:50-Description of air pollution complaints and size of Tutor jet engine. 1:07:30-Responds to criticism of costs of Snowbirds and reiterates his thoughts on the glorification of war criticisms. 1:08:30-Tells anecdote about how he sat at tables in Ottawa and argued for retaining the Snowbirds. 1:10:56-Reiterates the importance of the connection between the military and the public. 1:13:00-Interview conclusion and standard interview narrative. 1:14:55-Interview ends. *note: The story Maj. Gen. Eichel is referring to is located at http://www.capa-acca.com/canadian_mig_flight.htm Suggested Clip(s) for Archive: 43:30-"the Moosejaw air show was an annual pilgrimage" 54:32-Talking about Mig-29 experiences: "The world has changed here this weekend with us" 1:01:11-"Some people think that even talking about the military is glorying war; nobody hates war like the warrior"
Rank: Major General.
Interviewee: Eichel, Scott
Interviewer: Kowalski, Luke
- In Collection:
- 1 sound recording (MP3)
- 45.41117, -75.69812
- Original sound recording (WAV) also available.
- Canadian Military Oral History Collection
- ES_789
- Special Collections Finding Aid: https://uvic2.coppul.archivematica.org/military-oral-history-collection
- March 14, 2013
- Digital sound recording in .mp3 format at 56 kbps and 24 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 2013. 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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