A former Weyburn pastor, Rev. Lt. Stephen An, conducted a memorial at the crash site of a rescue helicopter that took two lives, including of Capt. Juli-Ann MacKenzie, on the 18th anniversary of the tragedy.
A CH-146 Griffon helicopter from 444 Combat Support Squadron at 5 Wing Goose Bay crashed in the wilderness when returning from a rescue mission. Captain Colin Sonoski, age 39, and Captain Juli-Ann MacKenzie, aged 30, died in the crash. Two others were injured.
The crew was initially supposed to take part in the search for a boat that was reported missing off the Labrador coast, but the vessel was later reported safe.
After the helicopter was ordered to return to the base it crashed in the wilderness.
As the anniversary of the crash came up, 444 Combat Support Squadron asked Rev. An to do a memorial ceremony remembering the two pilots at the crash site.
He was posted at 5 Wing Goose Bay last year and said he was very interested in visiting the site due to Capt. Juli-Ann MacKenzie, as she was from Weyburn where he served as a pastor for four years.
“Six of 444 SQN members and I flew out to the crash site in the wilderness, 80 kilometres northwest of Goose Bay in Labrador. We cleaned the site up, and I conducted a small memorial service on Thursday, July 16 remembering the two late pilots,” said Rev. An, adding this was a very great honour for him to do this.
He had served at the Weyburn Free Methodist Church from 2007 to 2011, and left for service as a chaplain with the Canadian Armed Forces.
MacKenzie joined the Canadian Air Force in 1991, attending basic training in Chilliwack, B.C., before moving on to Royal Roads Military College in Victoria. At the college, she became involved in the pipes and drums once again, as she had played in Weyburn, and she met her best friend and love of her life. Upon graduation in 1995, Jules was married to Robert McMullen, and thereafter they made their home in Victoria.
She conducted her flight training in Portage La Prairie, Man., and Moose Jaw, graduating with her wings in April of 1997. She was then posted to 443 Squadron at Patricia Bay, near Victoria, where she flew Sea King helicopters for Canada's Pacific Fleet upon completion of her training.
She later transferred to Gagetown, N.B., and then a few months later to Goose Bay, Labrador.
