A Channel News Barrie broadcast journalist and weather specialist Bob
McIntyre has been named the first Honorary Colonel of Canada’s Air Force
school, the Air Command Academy.

The Snowbirds fly an airshow in Yellowknife. Photo by Dana Lacey

Broadcaster Magazine reports:

“”It is a great honour for me to serve as an Honorary Colonel to Canada’s Air Force,” said McIntyre. I find it quite ironic that a kid who was kicked out of high school and found refuge in the Air Force has been asked to be the first Honourary Colonel of a school, Base Borden’s Air Command Academy”.

“A broadcaster since 1966. McIntyre started in radio at CFJR in Brockville. He moved to Hamilton radio CHAM in 1970, and then became newscaster and news director for Toronto radio station CKFH.   McIntyre became CKVR’s news anchor in 1972, followed by news director, manager of news & public affairs of CKVR.  In 1983, McIntyre was named Weather Specialist.  In 2002, McIntyre received the Dave Rogers Award from Canada’s Radio and Television News Directors’ Association for best feature of the year for “Bob’s Story: Life with Cancer”.”

Broadcaster adds:

“McIntyre has flown with Canada’s Snowbirds five times and is an Honorary Snowbird pilot.  He’s been flying since 2005 and while coming late to the game he currently flies a British 1943 Tiger Moth open cockpit bi-plane 82-A for the Edenvale Classic Aircraft Foundation.  It has no brakes!  The Tiger Moth was the same type of plane Bob’s father flew beginning in 1939.  McIntyre’s father was a WWII flight instructor.  “Pretty cool to fly a plane that your dad taught hundreds of kids to fly 70 years ago” said McIntyre.

“Within Canada’s Air Force, the tradition of nominating unit honorary colonels goes back to 1970.  Honorary colonels come from a diverse range of backgrounds, including many well-known public and community figures. They work behind the scene in an honorary and advisory role, providing a connection between the community and the Canadian Forces.”